If I go 5.1-how should I do it?

[m3lkiade]

Hi guys,
I have a Pioneer 5.1 receiver VSX-818V.
Together with it I use 2 Sony F6000P-180W-they say- speakers, and I must say, although they were cheap, I'm very satisfied with them (amateur opinion).
Now I'm thinking going to 5.1 on the same receiver, but I don't know what to buy. Maybe you can tell me, considering the specs of the receiver, what rear/surround, central and sub (if necessary) to buy. The max sum I would be able to invest is 500$, I saw some interesting stuff, but my final dillemmas are what brand to choose and what different specs these new speakers should have, compared to my existing Sony s.
Thanks in advance

 

[m_vanmeter]

your Sony towers are decent full range speakers, so initially, I would use them in your start-up 5.1 system. Add a matching center channel, if one exists from Sony, the SS-CN5000 may be the closest match. Then add a pair of Sony SS-B1000 or SS-B3000 bookshelf speakers for surrounds.

The subwoofer could be from BIC, Velodyne, Hsu Research, Elemental Designs (eD), but probably not the sony brand. The budget models would be the BIC or a "Dayton" brand powered subwoofer from www.parts-express.com

If you want to change out your speakers all together, I'm not sure you will get a "better" system for your $500 budget unless you settle for much smaller speakers like the Energy Take Classics. If you are used to the full sound of multispeaker towers, the much smaller Take's will be a real come-down.

 

[KEW]

I guess it is my nature, but I'd have to try a different sound!
I'd read through this link and see if any of the comments between these speakers "speaks" to you. At $200, the Yamaha NS-333 seems well regarded, and would leave $300 for sub and center.
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/budget-bookshelf-shootout-2009
It is not important to have the rear speakers similar to the fronts, only the three fronts need to be matched.
If you got a setup like this you could then compare the Sony's with the Yamaha's and get some ideas about the differences between speakers.

 

[sholling]

I'm not a fan of Japanese speakers in general but then I haven't listened to yours and they may be better than most that I remember. However if it were me I wouldn't put money into matching something that I will want to replace later.

Instead I'd look at one of two courses of action. Either save another $500 for something like a SVSounds' package deal, or start over with a new 2.1 system that would be easier to upgrade into something special. With the latter approach budget is going to have to be driven by room size and if you live in an apartment with downstairs neighbors. More information would help.

Some ideas for a smaller room might be three pair of Behringer B2030P (130/pr shipped) bookshelf speakers and $120 (plus shipping) Dayton subwoofer. In a medium sized room up to about 3000 cubic feet I'd consider one pair of B2030P for now and put money into a Hsu research STF-2. You can always add 2 more pair later and have 5.1 plus a spare.

 

[m3lkiade]

Please more info

Thanks for all the suggestions.
From what I see in your replies, most of you say I should choose bookshelf-like speakers for surround(Yamaha or Sony). The receiver I have has in its specs 5x120W at 8ohms!!!? Aren't those to small? I was thinking at a pair of Pioneer S-H240V-W/Pioneer CS-3070 for surround and a JBL ES25C/Cerwin-Vega CLS-6C for central, just to keep the proportions in size&power with what I have so far. Each Sony has double 16 cm Woofer, plus live in a block, so I'm thinking do I need a sub?