Not to beat a dead horse...

[TrackCoach]

I have been spending quite a bit of time on here researching and I've read the multiple posts re: small speaker systems. I've basically narrowed my choices to the Athena Micra 6 and the Klipsch Quintet. Since there seem to be none of those extraordinary sales on the Micra 6 lately, I am leaning toward spending a few hundred extra to get the Klipsch and add a KSW 12 subwoofer.

Advice?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Just make sure that the Klipsch sound appeals to you first. Some of us find them excessively bright.

 

[TrackCoach]

Thanks... I'm sure either will be an improvement over the system I have.. 1st generation Bose Acoustimass, and old Sony and Panasonics to round out the set... I have a 7 channel receiver, so I was thiniking about maybe incorporating the Bose into sides or rears...

 

[bigbangtheory]

Whatever brand you lean toward, make sure of one thing, listen to the speakers before you buy them. And if possible (even better) listen to them in your own home, and return them if they don't knock your socks off as you listen to some music/movies with which you are intimately familiar. Many (good) av companies have 30 day risk free trial periods in which they will allow you to test out their gear in your home and return it if you're not happy.

When it comes to speakers, especially when it comes to speakers, I would not lay any hard earned cash down until you had listened to them. And then listened to them again and again.

Good luck in your upgrade quest!

 

[alexsound]

I have been spending quite a bit of time on here researching and I've read the multiple posts re: small speaker systems. I've basically narrowed my choices to the Athena Micra 6 and the Klipsch Quintet. Since there seem to be none of those extraordinary sales on the Micra 6 lately, I am leaning toward spending a few hundred extra to get the Klipsch and add a KSW 12 subwoofer.

Advice?

You may have a tough time finding the Micra 6's to audition, but most
Best Buy stores have the Quintets on display and set up. I have heard the
Micra 6's before and they were pretty impressive for the price they had them at (Before BB discontinued Athena In store). As far as sheer output, the
Quintets can get pretty loud for such a small speaker.

 

[zumbo]

http://www.bcpowder.com/

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker upgrade

For a better upgrade from the Bose system you should consider bookshelf speakers. In-ceiling or in-wall speakers are also less obtrusive and allow for better performance than small satellite speakers.

What are your budget and asthetic requirments?

 

[TrackCoach]

I'd like to keep my budget under $800, as we're just moving into a new house. I'm fairly limited (aka wife) to small, celing or wall mounted speakers. To be honest, before I got on here I was just going to get the acoustimass 6 system and call it a day. I would say that we're about 80% movies and sports and 20% music--CD and XM.

 

[jcPanny]

In-ceiling speakers

Consider the Phoenix gold in-ceiling speakers. I used them for the distributed audio system in my house. Their 6 1/2" woofers and 1" tweeters will perform much better than Bose cubes at a fraction of the cost. You can even paint the grills to match the color of the wall or ceiling.

http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-6-5-Inch-Wall-Speakers-White/dp/B0006G0WCO/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193325363&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Gold-6-5-inch-Ceiling-Speakers/dp/B0006FK3Y2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193325363&sr=8-1

Add a nice 10-12" sub from HSU or SVS and I think you will be pleased with the results.