Need help picking speakers of upgrade HT

[Justin Jones]

I have had my current set-up for a couple years and am ready for an upgrade. Current set-up is a pair of Polk 55's with a CS10 center, 35b's in the back and a BIC-F12 sub. While these are decent but far from desirable. I was on a strict budget and was the best I could do. But it is time to move on.

Room is fairly large, 16x25x9 with two large openings into the dining room/kitchen and the entryway into the home.

Usage is 90% TV/Movies, 10% music and a small amount of gaming. So the biggest concern is home theater. With that said I am mainly focused on a high quality center and will go with matching towers. Current surrounds and sub will be re-used. I know the sub is not up to task and will be replaced with an HSU VTF-3 MK5 HP down the road. With current performance speakers need replaced first. Towers are a requirement. Movie consumption is mainly action and horror with some high end kids stuff tossed in. Mundane drama stuff is on the back burner. Normal TV supplied by DirectTV is a big source as well.

I have been researching center reviews are spangly hard to come buy. Budget is $1k for the LCR. I am looking heavily at the Emptek R56Ci and R55Ti towers. With their B-stock pricing it is very attractive. The fact they are gorgeous is a bonus point but but that is not a selling point, performance is. But again, can't find much on the center.

I have considering SVS as well but the cost is above what I am really wanting to spend.

Looking at Chane as well. I am concerned about the center channel but their towers seen outstanding. With their prices I have a strong feeling i was always what could have been by getting the A3 instead of the A5's since the A5's are beyond the price range for the set. Another knock on Chane is their shipping cost, it's rather substantial. If they offered B-stock a reasonable shipping the decision would be a bit easier.

I am not locked into these choices but am certainly open to others.

While music is low on the list I really enjoy rocking out occasionally. My preferred rock out music is female power ballads, Alicia Key girl on fire, Christina Aguelara when she is on non pop mode and belting out the highs. So producing those are important. System will be fed currently by a Yamaha 473 but will be upward to a Denon X3200 next year when they drop in price.

Sorry for the long post but certainly appreciate the help. I hope I've supplied everything I can to help with suggestions. For the most part in home additions are out of the question.

Thanks for the help folks

 

[DD66000]

If the $1K is for all three front speakers, then keep the cash in your pocket until you save up more.
I personally would not spend <$700/tower.
In that range you can get JBL Studio L890.
The matching center, LC2 is a strong performer.

 

[herbu]

Usage is 90% TV/Movies, 10% music... Budget is $1k for the LCR.

Justin, here's your problem. TV/Movies means a strong Center speaker. Music means strong Left/Right speakers.

Usually people into high quality audio focus on music first, and can become fanatical about their L/R speakers, (and subwoofers). The Center and Surround speakers for TV/movies are almost an afterthought, and are bought to match the L/R.

If your interest really is 90% TV/Movies, I would suggest concentrating on your Center speaker. With a budget of $1k, I would put ALL, or almost ALL, of it in your Center.

In your position I would get this Center for $649: https://www.aperionaudio.com/speakers/verus/verus-grand-center-channel-speaker

And this Left/Right pair for $195: http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

I've had that Center, and it was VERY good. I recently sold it to my sister. Their TV room has all in-ceiling speakers, and their TV watching is mostly classic stuff like Perry Mason and Gunsmoke. Not a lot of surround stuff. They LOVE it and rave about how much difference it makes.

I don't have the Philharmonic AAs, but I have other Phil speakers. You should search this site, and others, and read about the AAs. People also rave about them. Don't let the price fool you.

For your use, I think you would be more than happy with this setup.

 

[Cosmic Char]

I have the AA's for surrounds. They are excellent!