New here, seeking center channel and bookshelf speaker help

[matemike]

Hello all,

Joined today because every google search I do about center channel speakers and bookshelves brings me to this site. Been lurking and I like what I see.

I have a pretty restrictive entertainment setup that I'd like to improve if I can at all. Currently I have a Yamaha RX-V675 receiver with a Yamaha 10" sub, yamaha center channel and bookshelf speakers and a pair of yamaha B210's built into wall alcoves as rear surround sound. The worst thing about my setup right now is how close and small the center and bookshelves are. There is no room for a pair of towers on the floor so I'll have to stay with bookshelves.

I'd like just start with first upgrading the tiny center and bookshelf speakers. Thinking of going the polk S35 and a pair of S20 bookshelves. I'll have to build a ledge for the left bookshelf, but that's no biggie. Any do's or don'ts?

Room size is 20x25x14 in the actual seating area, but it is connected to the kitchen through an open floor plan so the room feels a lot bigger I guess you could say.
Price range is $500-$600.

 

[matemike]

Image of what I'm working with

 

[shadyJ]

If the speakers are that cloistered together, bookshelf and center speakers wouldn't be that much better than a soundbar. I hate to bring bad news, but it doesn't matter what speakers you get very much, in that kind of setup the speakers are going to be heavily compromised. You might as well go for the Polks.

 

[matemike]

Roger that. I was thinking of putting one bookshelf on the kitchen counter to the left and the other on the bookshelf on the right. The center will go where the small center surrently is and the sub will go on the floor once the kids are grown out of their toys being in the living room.

 

[j_garcia]

I would skip the center and just do a 2.1 setup with them being that close together. Either that or get one of the larger soundbars that the TV can sit on and put it under the TV in the cabinet.

It wouldn't look ideal, but you might be able to go with bracket mounted and do something like the CBM170SE from http://ascendacoustics.com/ (or the HTM-200SE which is smaller) Matching center is a bit larger though, so 2.1 might be better.

 

[rojo]

Is that a tiny little subwoofer below your center channel speaker? Goodness. (Edit: I re-read and see your sub is 10 inches. I think my perception of the scale in your pic is messed up, sort of like a diorama illusion or something.)

Outlaw Audio has a B-stock OSB-1 H-PAS sound bar for $629. It's basically a rebranded Atlantic Technology PowerBar. (Edit: The Atlantic Technology bar appears to be available new for $579 shipped.) It'll play down to 47 Hz, which might make your current sub optional; but it also has LFE out in case you want to keep your current sub, or upgrade to something bigger behind the couch with a wireless transmitter later. Most importantly, it has clear dialog.

I agree with shadyJ. Any benefit to having bookshelf speakers or other separates is lost by the speakers being clustered so closely together. You have no stereo separation that way. I think you are the target market for a sound bar.

 

[Masher59]

Check out the HSU CCB-8 I would use 2 as left and right and lay the other on its side as the other as a center. They would be golden in that configuration I believe. Satin Black they are $369 each so if you are a bit short on cash do get the left and right first then the last one for the center when the funds free up. Mount one above that tv to the left and put the other on the shelf with the CDs or DVDs to widen them a bit.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/ccb-8.html

 

[zieglj01]

JBL Studio 235 -- on sale -- and will have good bass
https://www.worldwidestereo.com/products/jbl-studio-230-6-5-inch-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-pair-black-studio230?sku=159508&CAWELAID=120216570000001103&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=26302323241&CATCI=pla-96914423521&catargetid=120216570000004131&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQjwp83KBRC2kev0tZzExLkBEiQAYxYXOgnr78T7HyWeGBUs8qhArTGgNP8ov5c2S9VEeHkk1pMaAgcb8P8HAQ

 

[shadyJ]

Roger that. I was thinking of putting one bookshelf on the kitchen counter to the left and the other on the bookshelf on the right. The center will go where the small center surrently is and the sub will go on the floor once the kids are grown out of their toys being in the living room.

If you can spread the speakers out like that, it would certainly be better.

 

[Masher59]

Some good mounts Jim at Salk put me on and I just bought a pair.

https://www.amazon.com/B-Tech-BT77-Ultragrip-Speaker-Black/dp/B004DCAOHK

 

[matemike]

Would putting one bookshelf on the left above the CCTV be better than putting it below?
Reason I ask is because below will interfere with counter space; not the end of the world. But if I can get away with hanging it above the CCTV or if it's a better location anyway then I'll opt for that.

 

[Masher59]

With the CCB-8 I would say you can go either way and be fine.