What Would You Do? Help me spend!

C

cheller04

Audiophyte
Okay guys, there’s been a budget adjustment from the boss (wife) due to some medical issues so here are the details of the situation: What would you do?

Room is approx. 22x14 rectangle with 2 doorways on the left (short wall front and back) and 1 on the right (short wall back). The primary listening area is just right of center due to a window and I have about 8’ of space for gear along the wall. Ceilings are 8 ½ ‘tall. We have massively oversized/stuffed furniture with all tile floors and a large wool rug in front of the sofa.

Primary System will be used 60% TV, 20% Music, 20% Movies until my daughter and the baby move out (once her hubby is back from Iraq) then probably 50% music, 30% movies and 20% games and TV.

Secondary system (bedroom) will be used 50% music, 30% movies and 20% games and TV. This system can be pretty basic as my wife doesn’t really have an ear for quality and she will be the primary user.

Gear on hand:
Entry level Yamaha, unsure of model but we’ve had it for about 5 years.
Older Cadence 5.1 system with the 8” sub. Can’t get these anymore. The sub’s great for a little thing but currently using it in the shop.
Older JBL 10” sub – Works okay but…eh
Older Polk center channel – Don’t use this speaker as voices are muddy and I have to turn it way up to hear it. Currently taking up attic space.

Additional Resources:
I have about $3000 in store credit at TigerDirect.com (long story)
$500-$800 cash

Timeline – First week of March

Primary Objective:
Replace both DLP TV’s with LCD or Plasma. 40-52” for bedroom and 55” for family room. (already have mounts)
Blue Ray in both rooms
Good 5.1 system in living room
Decent 5.1 system in bedroom


I figure picking up the TV’s and electronics with the TigerDirect money and cash for the speakers (at least the primary’s) We both like smooth, laid back sound with clear and accurate midrange with subtle and airy highs. We’re not big fans of the aggressive-in your face sound of Klipsch, Polk, Infinity, JBL etc. and prefer the more natural sound of the Paradigm brand. No problems buying B stock (scratch and dent) or refurbished, we just want the absolute best deal for our dollar without buying things we don’t need.

I should also mention that the nearest non BB store is about a 5 hour drive. We have a Best Buy but that’s about it for electronics.

Anyway…what would y’all do? All advise welcome and Thanks in advance!!!
 
AVRat

AVRat

Audioholic Ninja
Still like the Onkyo 706 from TD. Bookshelfs like the EMP E5Bis along with the E5Ci center should work just fine in that space. It's probably pushing the budget, but the HSU STF-2 should work well to fill the room on the bottom end.
 
KASR

KASR

Full Audioholic
Any reason why not to just replace the bulbs in the DLP's instead of dropping the money on LCD's? Are they older DLP's or newere ones (HD, 1080p, etc.)?
 
C

cheller04

Audiophyte
yes

The bedroom DLP isn't really a DLP but a rear projection 56" console style that's 8 years old. Never had to replace the bulb but the auto convergence quit a couple of years ago and want to free up some space. The family room DLP is a 1080p but again, wanting to save some space and besides...I've got to spend that Tiger Direct money on "something"...lol
 
C

cheller04

Audiophyte
The EMP's look great but by the time I'm ready to purchase, I'm told they will be regular price which will put them around $680 for L/C/R and not really addressing a sub. I'm not opposed to using existing gear as surround and going L/C/R + sub for now but I'd probably want to address those 4 within the current budget. Dropping more than a couple hundred on A/V in my household is a rare occurance.

If I were buying today, I'd pull the trigger on the E5Ti's + Center in a heartbeat...
 
F

fredk

Audioholic General
The family room DLP is a 1080p but again, wanting to save some space and besides...I've got to spend that Tiger Direct money on "something"...lol
That seems like a bit of a waste. move the 1080p dlp to the bedroom, upgrade the display in the primary system and pick up a good receiver. That should take care of the 3k from tiger direct.

Put the $500-800 into a good set of fronts that you will enjoy for music long term and start adding pieces as funds become available.
 
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