I have a Yamaha RX2700 receiver which supports 7.1 surround and 140 watts per channel at 8 ohm. My speakers are Focal 5.1 setup. These are small bookshelf speakers that sounded great in the store... Once I set them up the sound weak. So I added my older JBL 405 floor speakers. These are 3 way with a 8" woofer. That really improved the sound. I love watching movies and occasionally will listen to music. My budget is open but not 2-3k plus per speaker. I doubt that I could really hear that well anyway. I also have a couple of old Bose 201's which I used once upon a time.
What I would like to have is a complete system from one manufacture that provides OK sound. From above my Focals are two way speakers and I've found then lacking. I went to Best Buy looking for more JBL's but they recently switched their speaker line. Also they mainly carry only 2 way speakers.
I hope to use the new speakers in a home theater that I plan to build one day. I am still planning but would like to get started buying the speakers soon. My listening room today is odd shaped great room with 10' ceiling, somewhere close to 20x24'. My actual listening area is closer to 15x12' .
I am selling my current house so I cannot say what the next room size will be but I hope to carve out part of a basement area about 12x15' or so. I will build it for 2-5 people.
My DLP is 65", and my signature covers the other gear... I hope to purchase a front projector once I get into a new house. I have another posting asking about remotes but that is in I hope the correct grouping (misc.).
I have looked at the Mirage line and some Polk's. There are so many different manufactures that I have never herd of. Too many choices leave me confused...
Suggestions for a budget DIYer?
First of all do not get hung up on three ways. Three ways are much more expensive to engineer properly. They are much more prone to problems, because you have two critical crossovers instead of one.
Your perception of a weak sound is probably due to lack of compensation for the step response of a narrow cabinet. Your dealer's show room likely had more room gain in the upper bass.
If you want I DIY project, then I recommend the
SEAS Thor kit.
This explains the operation of the speaker.
I would recommend you just buy the parts, and build the boxes. It is hard to get the stuffing densities correct when the enclosure is built. It will also save you money.
This speaker is a gem, and one of the best speakers available at any price.
One other issue, to apply diffraction compensation properly always involves dropping the impedance to four ohms or less at least below 400 Hz. The Thors are a pretty easy drive and I suspect your receiver will do OK as long as you don't use excessive volume.
