Hello all,
I need some help/advice, I currently have a Bose cube system and it's connected to a
Pioneer Elite SC 35 AVR. The bass module stopped working a few years back and I purchased a BIC F-12 sub. I am now ready to upgrade my speakers.
My budget is $3,000 to $5,000. My family and I watch movies, sci-fi, action, drama etc. And for music, it ranges from classical to top 40 dance to trap and EDM and everything in between. My room size is 12x20. Should I stay with bookshelf speakers for my L/R or can I get floor standing speakers? Read that since I have a sub already, floor standing is overkill?
I want to do this right and I'm reaching out for advice, any help is always appreciated!!
Syberman...I think you've come to the right place for experience knowledge and honest opinions. Of course when it's all said and done we're just offering opinions.
I've highlighted the key parts of your post that I'm going to respond to.
"I want to do this right"
...I haven't been on this board very long, but when I came here looking for advice, my objective was exactly the same as yours in terms of the finished product. I didn't want to buy something that I would be looking to upgrade again in 2 yrs. Most of us have budget constraints, but I applaud this comment and the basis of my feedback will fall back on this comment as well.
Upgrading Speakers...smart move, whether it's music or movies, the best bang for your buck is upgrading speakers. At the very least you're working with about 2000 cu ft, slightly more if the ceiling is higher than 8'. By most standards this is a medium size space for HT/Music. Even on the high side of your budget imo 5.1 makes the most sense.
Book shelf or Floorstanders...I'm a music guy mostly and will always lean toward a quality floor stander over the same caliber book shelf speaker. On the other hand, I will always take a better quality BS speaker over a lower quality floor stander.
Option 1...Martin Logan Motion 40 and the Motion 30 center...they do make surround speakers Motion 4 will do the trick....rack rate would be roughly $3k. I've listened to these speakers in detail...for a med size space I think they will do a great job. This is an OEM speaker, Best Buy will have them in their Magnolia section...if nothing else, take a listen.
Option 2...HSU CCB-8 BS speaker x 5 $1800 to $2200 depending on the finish. I have not heard these, but I've talked to several people that have heard them. Coupled with the national reviews these speakers are getting and the background of the company...I would spend my money on them.
B&W...I own this brand of speaker right now...I've always liked the 800 series and I still do, but with your budget you're looking at something other than the 800 series if they are new. Generally speaking, I think you can get better SQ for less money.
To both of these options I would add a pair of subwoofers...a lot of options there, I just bought a pair of the HSU VTF3 mk5...with the BS speakers you're going to coming under $4k...with the Martin Logans you would be just under the top end budget.
Now, I know you have a sub and it might seem redundant to buy two more, but when you said you want to do it right...this is doing it right. You have an entry level sub that would probably be okay in a small room, but the HSU subs would really enhance the upgrade that you're trying to make for the movies and music.
Good luck with it.