New to home audio - equipment questions

[BayAreaRider]

First I’d like to say this is probably one of the friendliest forums I’ve had the pleasure of conversing with, so thank you all for sharing some knowledge with me in my previous thread about upgrading my subwoofer.

I purchased the VTF 15h mk2 on a recommendation. Now I’m considering the rest of my components. Keep in mind I’ve had this exact system for the past decade roughly and it has moved from a bedroom to my large living room. It goes as follows -

Onkyo TX SR503
Infinity Primus C25
Pioneer SLF3F
And a now irrelevant Yamaha sub

All of these were gifted to me and I’ve only now looked up the price. Seems like they weren’t cheap per se, but would some of the newer models in the same price points smoke these in comparison? I feel like the pioneers have a nice sound, but I want more midbass for the large room they perform in. The center is nice, but again should I upgrade?

More importantly - what kind of budget MINIMUM will I be looking at when deciding to upgrade? I’m mainly a music listener and moderate gamer so LCR is my current goal, with the option of surround in my future.

Thanks again guys.

 

[JerryLove]

I don't know those Pioneers.

The Primus was a good low-end line. They stopped being the meta in favor of the Andrew Jones pioneers and I don't know what's currently considered "top of the low budget".

That said: I think your unmatched LCR is not doing you any favors.

What is your listening distance and preferred volume?

 

[BayAreaRider]

Earlier today I read an article on here about matching LCR. I had no idea, although it makes sense. Just never considered it I suppose.

I’m roughly 15’ away from my speakers and I like to listen loud. Parties of course we listen VERY loud.

 

[BayAreaRider]

I really don’t want to buy any low end quality speakers either. Middle of the road would be nice but I’m not ready to spend a grand yet. I took a look at Philharmonics budget line. It looks decent...

 

[lovinthehd]

I think speakers would be next. A matching set up front of higher capabilities would be a good thing at 15'. Philharmonics would be great but I believe Dennis has been ill for a while; earlier today I saw on the website they're not taking new orders at this time. Just what do you want to spend now? Did you check out the Hsu speakers?

 

[JerryLove]

I’m roughly 15’ away from my speakers and I like to listen loud. Parties of course we listen VERY loud.

4+ meters
VERY loud
Reasonable budget.

I'm pretty sure you are looking for high-efficiency horn speakers. Think Klipsch and JBL... and really any company with a focus on professional or theater speakers.
I wouldn't worry about low frequency: let your sub do it's job. Focus on finding something that can get HF at SPL with modest amping without significant distortion.

I would think something like the JBL 590 (based on spec) or it's bookshelf relative would be a good match.

If you don't mind a little wood-working: https://www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speaker-kits/home-theater-series/home-theater-other/88-special.html or the HTM-8

 

[Kai]

Start listening to what is available in your area. You will like and dislike thinning the herd as well as discovering pricing so you can think about a budget. Minimum to you may not be what many would consider and offer to broad a selection. If you listen to music primarily and already have a good sub then I would focus on a receiver and pair of fronts...if you're going to replace the Onkyo. A pair of towers paired with the sub will sound very good.
Start at Best Buy to at least get an idea of what receivers and speakers are readily available and the pricing. Check out online sellers such as SVS, etc. Their speakers get great reviews and are priced reasonably.
I suggest buying what sounds good to your ears. I'd spend extra on the speakers over the avr as even an entry level avr by any of the major brands offer a quality product with good sound...within reasonable listening levels...run it to max and you may not like the sound.
If you want better advice and suggestions give us budget numbers...
Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[shadyJ]

I have to agree with an above post, for this criteria I would be looking at higher sensitivity tower speakers. Klipsch, JBL Studio 500 series, are good starts. The receiver is a bit on the weak side as well, so while you can have speakers that are capable, the receiver can be driven into clipping at high loudness levels. I would be looking at beefier AVRs or maybe a processor with an outboard amplifier.

 

[Grandzoltar]

I would try listening in 2.1 it should free up some wattage. I only use my 5.1.2 when I watch movies and then timbre matched front three would come into play. Music try 2.1 and you could push those R and L speakers with more juice.

 

[BayAreaRider]

Awesome thanks again. Headed to best buy right now to scope out some towers. Would bookshelfs be viable in my application? Or should I stick with the larger volume box of the tower in my large room? Tbh I wasn’t aware that Best Buy even carried anything worth looking at in the way of SQ audio. Haven’t been in there in maybe 5 years!

 

[BayAreaRider]

Best Buy has the Klipsch reference series r620f tower with horns. I’m thinking those may be good for a big room given the reviews, which of course are subject to the user. At $650 a pair for an excellent open box return that doesn’t like a terrible deal. Think these are worth it in that price range?

I’m still having a hard time believing best buy is not selling overpriced consumer grade nonsense built to look cool with too much marketing at the expense of inflated prices. I’ve always bought raw drivers or underground stuff you can’t find in stores. For a budget of about $600 a pair, you guys really think I can find some stuff worth it in store somewhere?

 

[R.Elder]

Awesome thanks again. Headed to best buy right now to scope out some towers. Would bookshelfs be viable in my application? Or should I stick with the larger volume box of the tower in my large room? Tbh I wasn’t aware that Best Buy even carried anything worth looking at in the way of SQ audio. Haven’t been in there in maybe 5 years!

It will depend on your Best Buy. If you’re fortunate it’ll have a Magnolia or Magnolia design center. If not they will probably just have some lower level Klipsch and some Polks.

 

[R.Elder]

I have some of those but not the latest iteration. On Black Friday and occasionally throughout the year they put them on crazy sales. The last pair I bought was 250$ apiece. They are decent but if you have the funds and like the aesthetics and size I’d sugggest ordering the RP 8000Fs. They just got a sparkling review here at Audioholics. They are 600 for regular black ash or 750 apiece for piano finish.

 

[BayAreaRider]

My store does have magnolia design, but not magnolia ht. Might have to drive to Fairfield to see the magnolia ht store.
Yeah 600 a piece is a little high for me... I’m going to check out some speakers first and see if I like the sound of horns as this would be my first set.

Another question - is it going to be a good or bad thing to have speakers that play down into the frequency my sub covers? I though this would be a bad thing but not sure.

 

[R.Elder]

My store does have magnolia design, but not magnolia ht. Might have to drive to Fairfield to see the magnolia ht store.
Yeah 600 a piece is a little high for me... I’m going to check out some speakers first and see if I like the sound of horns as this would be my first set.

Another question - is it going to be a good or bad thing to have speakers that play down into the frequency my sub covers? I though this would be a bad thing but not sure.

The design centers have the largest selection but mine doesn’t have any of the nicer Klipsch. The Best Buy store does have the basic reference line on the main floor and you can sample them but not very effectively. They have plenty of much more expensive speakers in the magnolia area. They (r820f) won’t have that much bass in a big room in my experience. You’ll need the sub and can set crossover as needed.

 

[Grandzoltar]

If you near Fairfield Va I would drive to Crutchfield. There you could audition many more brands.

 

[BayAreaRider]

Oh shoot I didn’t know they had an actual store out there !
How do you guys feel a mid level bookshelf speaker would perform for me? I can do towers, but I’d have to rearrange some furniture which is not ideal. Bookshelf would be easier to integrate for me.

 

[BayAreaRider]

Ah I see now that there is a Fairfield in Virginia. I’m in the Bay Area.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... Parties of course we listen VERY loud.

Then you will need very capable speakers to handle high power or very sensitive speakers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Ah I see now that there is a Fairfield in Virginia. I’m in the Bay Area.

I am sure there are lots of bay area communities.
But I would guess you are in the San Francisco Bay area.