Need your opinion - Pioneer receiver and speakers

[LA.SVRider]

Hi all,

New member (happy to be here) and a relative novice to hi fi systems.

I'm working towards building a surround sound solution for our home. Here is my current position:

1. We have a Pioneer receiver (VSX91TXH) with a SW, 1 center and 2 speakers (all from Pioneer). I got them all at a very attractive price, so they are what we started with.

2. I'm looking for some towers to complete the system but currently available Pioneer products (EX series, etc.) are way too expensive. The speakers I already have are from a limited series that is no longer available from Pioneer.

Can you guys suggest some options for floor standing towers that can work with the pre-existing pieces? The music selection we listen to varies from classical, to jazz to pop/rock. What technical limitations should I bear in mind while trying to add the remaining speakers? I have a budget of $1200 and do not mind getting a lightly used pair instead of getting a brand new pair of speakers.

Thanks in advance for your help and advise.

Regards.

 

[LA.SVRider]

30+ views and no inputs from anyone?

Please help a new member out and share your thoughts. I'm trying to learn and would really appreciate your help and suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[bandphan]

up your budget and think about these, they also have a single driver solution as well that costs less. Ditch the center till you can getting a matching one and look to upgrade the sub There is that something to chew on

 

[sholling]

I assume that folks are thinking it through before chipping in with their thoughts. The other challenge of course is that not many here are running Pioneer speakers. That's not a knock just an observation. But the result is that matching towers to your center will be a challenge - and they do need to be a timbre match.

You have a really nice receiver and if it were me I'd look at some other speaker options and plan on replacing the center as well. Keeping in mind that speaker selection is a very subjective thing and that our tastes my differ.

Option 1
Move the existing speakers in your bedroom and start fresh. Two Infinity Primus P362 towers ($420/pr shipped), a matching PC350 center ($210 shipped) and a pair of P162 bookshelf speakers ($185/pr shipped) as surrounds. Total $815 and you can put aside the other $400 while you save for a bigger-badder sub. These you should be able to audition locally.

Option 2
I haven't personally heard these but folks here seem to be snapping them up and they would be on my short list if were looking. EMP E55Ti towers ($795 shipped) and a matching E5Ci ($220 shipped), and a pair of E5Bi ($250) bookshelf speakers as surrounds. Total $1,265 shipped. Then start saving for a bigger-badder sub. You won't find these at your local store.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, I owned Pioneer speakers about 20 yrs ago.

But I don't know much about them now.

2 easy rules of thumb about matching speakers include keeping all the driver sizes the same (i.e. 1" tweeters, 6.5" midrange, etc.) and using the same brands.

However, neither of these rules are critical.

What is critical is the way the speakers actually sound in your room, not in some showroom or store.

Thus, return policy is important.

What is the exact model number of your current speakers?

 

[bandphan]

I assume that folks are thinking it through before chipping in with their thoughts. .

What me

 

[sholling]

What me

Now we all know how thoughtful, shy and reserved you are.

 

[LA.SVRider]

sholling: Thanks for the response. Based on reading about how to put a hi-fi solution together, I was already anticipating some constraints with having to match the center to a set of towers from another brand. I will check out the Infinity and EMS speakers as suggested.

One question: Why do you feel the subwoofer needs to be upgraded too? The one I have is a 12" powered sub, and seems to provide enough bass to match the room it is located in...is there a specific reason why this must be upgraded?

AcuDefTechGuy: Thanks for your feedback..I'd never realized matching the size of driver size was a critical element to creating a solution. I'll keep that in mind.

The speakers are a special lot of Asian models that were brought to the US market by Pioneer in limited quantities (all sold out now).
Model details:
Speakers - S-A3 LR
Center - S-A5 C
Sub- S-W601

Thanks again for your inputs. Much appreciated.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here are some links to your speakers:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Shop/Home/Speakers/A-Series/ci.S-A5C.Shop?tab=B

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Shop/Home/Speakers/A-Series/ci.S-A3-LR.Shop?tab=B

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Shop/Home/Speakers/Subwoofers/ci.S-W601.Shop

You could just buy 2 more of the S-A5C center speakers for $89 each (reg price $300 each).

 

[LA.SVRider]

Yep. I was hoping to get the S-A5 towers from the same series but they are all sold out, hence my current dilemma.

Your thoughts on the quality of these speakers? Comparable brands/models (just to get an idea of what they are like).

Thanks again!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yep. I was hoping to get the S-A5 towers from the same series but they are all sold out, hence my current dilemma.

Your thoughts on the quality of these speakers? Comparable brands/models (just to get an idea of what they are like).

Thanks again!

Is there a reason they have to be towers?

Aesthetics?

Even the S-A5 towers will not have a lot of bass response.

 

[LA.SVRider]

No reason other than I was under the impression that tower speakers are good for front L and R positions, while bookshelf type ones are good for rears....

The room I'm using is not particularly large so my options are pretty open.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I say sell the speakers you have and buy these (if you like the look and sound)
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/purchase/advisor.mv#bottom

ps: stands shown are an extra $100 a pair when ordered with the 340's. you'll still need stands or mounts for your surrounds. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/access/spkstnds/pedstlcmt340.html

 

[sholling]

sholling: Thanks for the response. Based on reading about how to put a hi-fi solution together, I was already anticipating some constraints with having to match the center to a set of towers from another brand. I will check out the Infinity and EMS speakers as suggested.

One question: Why do you feel the subwoofer needs to be upgraded too? The one I have is a 12" powered sub, and seems to provide enough bass to match the room it is located in...is there a specific reason why this must be upgraded?

See the first of the "10 Audioholics Commandments". Unless you live in an apartment or a particularly flimsy condo there is no such thing as too much subwoofer as long as it blends well with your other speakers. Let me put it this way... my family room sub (now discontinued) has two 12" drivers, dips to 16hz and has a built-in 1300w (RMS) amp - double that in short term peaks. It will rattle your teeth! But don't get me wrong - it's not about boom boom boom in kid's music. For me it's the low bass of Marcus Miller's Panther shaking you as if you were in the same room with him. Or the ground shaking tread of the T-Rex in Jurassic Park. Even the sub in my master bedroom will grab you by the shoulders and shake you when the moment comes.

On the other hand if someone lives in an apartment I usually recommend restraint or even doing without a sub. It just depends on the size of the space and the tolerance of neighbors..

 

[LA.SVRider]

ah OK. That makes sense....We are not in an apartment so the neighbors are not a worry....

I guess I'm going to have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what to do with this situation. Perhaps we would have been better served approaching this thing as a composite solution rather than piece meal allocation of $......well, you learn with experience.

Thanks again for the suggestions and guidance. It was most helpful.

 

[sholling]

No reason other than I was under the impression that tower speakers are good for front L and R positions, while bookshelf type ones are good for rears....

The room I'm using is not particularly large so my options are pretty open.

This is a personal taste thing. Some people prefer bookshelf speakers and letting the sub deal with everything under 80hz or so. I personally like my mains (L & R front) to handle the bass down to 40hz and let the sub deal with the low low bass. But there are trade-offs. The cabinets in cheaper speakers may resonate - especially with the greater size of towers. As you go up in price cabinet resonance becomes less of an issue.

However depending on the design your receiver may make the crossover choice for you. My two Onkyo receivers allow me to set the crossover point for my family room mains to 40hz, my center to 80hz and my surrounds to whatever. Some receivers make you set them all the same which would kill one of the advantages of the towers. On the other hand towers are usually easier to drive loud.

Edit: Do yourself a favor and read some of the information on room setup, speaker layout, etc on the main site.

 

[LA.SVRider]

Good advise. I have been reading posted material and buying guides..and have a long way to go before I can claim to know much of anything.

Thanks.

 

[sholling]

We all start the addiction knowing less than we'd like and we never stop learning. That's half the fun. The main site has a lot of great information. Pro Reviews, News & Opinion, and Tip & Tricks are all good. And your getting information from people that aren't just trying to sell you.