what to add first?

[ljbrun]

OK, total noob question.

I currently have an audio receiver, RPTV, HD receiver, DVD player, front speakers that I'm either happy with or don't want to replace yet. I'd like to slowly build up (as budget permits) a 5.1 system. In what order would it make most sense to add the sub woofer, center, surrounds, and what would be the typical allocation of my budget, percentage wise not absolute dollars?

 

[j_garcia]

Well, IMO, the front 3 speakers are the most important, and to get a great presentation, that usually means matching them (same manufacturer/line of speakers). I'd look at a center than you like and then you can eventually buy matching mains too, or you could buy a matching front stage and use your current mains as surrounds (even if they are towers).

I'd probably add surrounds and a sub, then center. You can get by without the center for a while. Though it does produce quite a bit of the sound for movies, by setting it to "phantom" you can still hear everything from the front speakers. Some people prefer this, I do not.

How big is your room?

Hard to say what percentage, because it depends on your budget and how nice of a system you are looking to build. If you had $500, I'd say about half for the sub, then 30% on the center, 20% on the surrounds.

 

[AVRat]

I think it really depends on the capabilities of your fronts. If you are happy with their bass quality then perhaps the sub could wait, or you need the rumble then it should come first. Do the fronts project an acceptable center image, if not then perhaps the center is needed first? Lastly, the surrounds may actually be considered on your choice of viewing material. If your viewing preferences involve more surround efx then the surrounds may be needed first. Unfortunately, the decision has to be made specific to the individuals circumstances. I hope I didn't muddy the water too much!

 

[ljbrun]

Thanks for the responses.

or you could buy a matching front stage and use your current mains as surrounds (even if they are towers).

Gee, never thought of that.

How big is your room?

Approx 14x22x8, Front is at one end in front of a bay window, 2 doorways along one wall (stage right), 2 windows and a fireplace on the opposite wall, 2 more windows on the remaining wall.

Hard to say what percentage, because it depends on your budget and how nice of a system you are looking to build. If you had $500, I'd say about half for the sub, then 30% on the center, 20% on the surrounds.

Probably $1000 for all the speakers, including eventual replacement of the current fronts.

I think it really depends on the capabilities of your fronts. If you are happy with their bass quality then perhaps the sub could wait, or you need the rumble then it should come first. Do the fronts project an acceptable center image, if not then perhaps the center is needed first? Lastly, the surrounds may actually be considered on your choice of viewing material. If your viewing preferences involve more surround efx then the surrounds may be needed first. Unfortunately, the decision has to be made specific to the individuals circumstances. I hope I didn't muddy the water too much!

My waters are always muddied. My primary reason for upgrading is movies like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan etc. As far as my satisfaction with the current front speakers. They're Technics 4-way speakers that I've been happy listening to for 20 years. I'm pretty sure I've gotten my money's worth out of them. To my unsophisticated ear. I'd say the current fronts produce a better rumble than they do a center image.

 

[mulester7]

Do the fronts project an acceptable center image?

.....EXCELLENT question.....