newb who needs help

[rayzorn]

hi

ok i been reading stuff on this site for awhile on and off but there is just so much into speakers and receivers its mind blowing

my setup now is horrible. i normally use my system for surround sound playing movies.

currently i have a sony sxrd 55 tv playing movies with a sony blu ray bdp s570. onkyo ht-r550 with the speakers it came with except 2 cerwin vega re 30 for LR.

the room is 13 by 22.

i was thinking of spending 1000 now with another 1000 in 8 months or so. was trying to get a decent improvement with that first grand.

been doing a lot of research on definitive speakers. looked at axiom audio. some psb. thought for the price point those looked good for my budget and for surround. leaning towards the studio monitor 55s. and procenter 2000 from definitive. also like the svs 1000 for the subwoofer.

was thinking a sub and center would be my first to things to replace. or should i replace the center and the LR first? also wasnt sure if the studio monitor 55 are a big step up from the promonitor 1000 definitive tech..

i know i need to replace the recieve at some point but thought the speakers would make the biggest impact with what i got. but maybe im wronge. paid 100 dollars for the system at an auction i couldnt pass it up.

sorry for all the question

thanks for any replies or help

 

[shadyJ]

I would go for front left/right and sub to begin with. You could also do front left/right and center to begin with as well if you can live without deep bass for awhile. The Studio 55s don't look bad, but I wouldn't pay a lot for them. You can go wrong with some Ascend CBM-170s which measure very well. Hsu can get you started with both good speakers and amazing subwoofer with this 2.1 package. HTD's Level Three bookshelf speakers and center look like they could be pretty good and are very affordable. Some thing with these Arx speakers.

If it were me, one thing I would strongly consider is getting a couple of Behringer Truth 2030ps and setting them on top of a couple of these Reaction dual driver subs for a 2.2 system. That would push your budget by $100, but could end up sounding really amazing. Then, when you get your next $1k, use the Behringers as surround speakers and get something like a CMT-340 front stage or some Arx A5's with a A2rx center. The Arx faired very well in this detailed eight speaker shootout.

 

[ImcLoud]

I agree with Shady the ascend stuff is great bang for your buck equipment, I compared a lot of sets with the 340s before deciding and nothing came close for the money... HSU subs are also a good quality for the cost, I have compared the vtf2 to a lot of subs and that guy does everything very well... IMO the only real bargains above them 2 are DIY...

 

[zieglj01]

The biggest difference for now is to replace the L/R speakers, and get a
decent subwoofer. Go without a center for now, and do phantom center
when watching movies.

 

[rayzorn]

thanks for the replies.

sorry it took so long to get back. i been reading reviews pro and user on the products you stated.

i keep on looking at that hsu 2.1 and 3.1 you mentioned i heard of their subs before. and it was all good but i never knew they even made speakers. i read some good stuff about them after you pointed them out. but there doesnt seem to be alot of user reviews or people talking about them here wasnt sure how good they where. would like to hear some people saying they heard or owned them to give a statement. i gues i could just do the 30 day free trial.

the ascends sound good in reviews but they look pretty bad looking imo. at least from what i can tell in the picks. but if they are a step up then i could get used to their look.

also saw imcloud say he had the ascends 340 did you happen to hear what the 170s sounded like before you bought your 340s?

if i waited a few months i prob could afford the 340se and 340se center with either a svs sub or hsu sub.

also wondering if i should just stop looking at that def tech 55studio monitor? i love the looks and seems like people say you can use them without a subwoofer for some bass. i know i would want one eventually but maybe it wouldnt make the wait to get the money for a sub so bad.

 

[zieglj01]

also wondering if i should just stop looking at that def tech 55studio monitor? i love the looks and seems like people say you can use them without a subwoofer for some bass. i know i would want one eventually but maybe it wouldnt make the wait to get the money for a sub so bad.

I have auditioned the SM-55 and they are nice - and they do have some good bass
Their -3 db point is below 45 hz.

HT Labs
The –3dB point is at 44 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 40 Hz.

 

[rayzorn]

thanks zieglj01

i actually found a place today searching where i can listen to definitive speakers. not sure if they carry the sm-55's or not. they where closed by the time i realized they had def tech speakers. gonna try to go tomorrow and see what they have in stock.