Can I improve sound for only $500?

Rob White · 12-25-2005, 01:15 AM

I'm thinking of spending some Xmas money on new speakers. Right now my Onkyo TX-38 receiver is running 2 front Bose 301's (20 years old) and 2 rear cheap Radio Shack book shelves. I have no subwoofer.

I have $500 or $600 to spend on new speakers. So I'm looking for a 5.1 setup.

Will the new setup sound that much better? I've always felt that the 301's did a nice job and I don't want to spend $500 for something that isn't significantly better sounding.

Is there another option that I haven't thought of, like keeping the 301's as fronts (they wouldn't fit right in the rear) and trying to find a nice match for center, rears, and a sub?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Rob

Arthur S · 12-25-2005, 08:13 AM

Before the Bose bashers show up, the 301's are pretty good speakers. Your real need is for a subwoofer. THAT will make a huge difference.

Something like an SVS 20-39PCi, or something from HSU would put a smile on your face for ~$600.

Changing your other speakers won't make nearly as much difference.

brentl · 12-25-2005, 09:29 AM

Actually the first thing you should do is upgrade to a surround sound receiver, even the cheapest Dd and DTS receiver will be a big improvement.

Look at a subwoofer after that.

Anything from SVS, HSU will make the sound much fuller, then you need to look at upgrading the speakers

Brent

Rob White · 12-25-2005, 10:23 AM

Sorry. I goofed when I said that my receiver was an Onkyo TX-38. I'm out of town right now and I just read the bottom of my posts where I had listed the receiver. That's an old receiver. I upgraded a year or so ago to a surround sound receiver. It's an Onkyo, but I don't have the model number with me right now.

So I'm back to my original question. Will $500 for new speakers really make a big difference?

Thanks,
Rob

p.s. There must have been a time a while back where we were allowed to post our equipment. I thought it helped when people were advising, but I understand that it's too long. So I'll chop mine off.

Carl Johnson · 12-25-2005, 10:56 AM

You're not supposed to put equipment lists in your signature because it would screw up the search function if every single one of your posts contained the term Bose 301. Since you have a specific question about upgrading your system you can post an equipment list. It would be easier to tell you what the weak point in your system was if we knew what kind of equipment you're using

Since you don't have a subwoofer adding one would likely bring the most bang for your $500.

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Rob White · 12-25-2005, 08:58 PM

Alright, I'm back home with some more specific info.

My Onkyo receiver is the TX-SR502 and it's ready for a 5.1 speaker system, should I choose to go that route.

So, back to the main question:
-Can I spend $500 and really significantly improve the sound?
-One reason that I'm not so crazy about just getting a subwoofer is that my fronts (the 301's) are high and wide (about 7 ft up on top of a bookshelves and about 18 ft across from each other). I feel like a center speaker might help with diaglogue.
-But maybe, in the end, $500 would just not be enough to make a significant difference.

One subwoofer question:
-By just adding a subwoofer, would the 301's sound different/better? In other words, would they do a better job because they have less of the spectrum to concern themselves with?
-I've got a 5.1 speaker system (Energy Encores) in my bedroom, so I get the basics of a subwoofer. I guess what I'm wondering about is how just getting a subwoofer would change things.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Rob

Stephen Hopkins · 12-25-2005, 11:54 PM

With what you have I'd upgrade speakers AND add a subwoofer. Something like JBL E30 mains, E10 or E20 surrounds, EC35 center, and Dayton 12" sub would fit your budget and increase both sound quality and add the impact of the lower frequencies. If you think in 6 months or maybe a year you'll have another $300 - $500 to spend you may want to spend more on speakers and wait on the sub or vice versa. If $500 now is it for awhile i'd go w/ a full 5.1 speaker package upgrade.

Rob White · 12-26-2005, 01:21 AM

Hey Stephen,

Thanks for your thoughts. I was able to price out the 5 speakers you mentioned at:
E30's: $139
E20's: $120 or E10's: $87
EC35: $144.47

So, it looks like around $400 (depending on E20's or E10's) before the subwoofer. Unfortunately, I can't find a "Dayton 12in Sub." All I can find when I look is a DIY sub by Dayton that folks use to build their own sub woofer. Is there a particular model to look for? Is a $100 subwoofer going to give me good results?

Thanks in advance,
Rob

Kevin G. · 12-26-2005, 07:41 PM

Rob, What's your room size? The Dayton 12 incher here is a distant cousin to the Dayton 10 incher, here, which is discontinued... Kind of a shame, viewed as a stellar performer for price and punch. (I can attest, I have one.)
If it is as good or better, you will be no less than astonished. And yes the bang for the buck is amazing.
My brother has the same 301's that you are speaking of, they were fantastic, before the days of their big heads, and poor quality.I upgraded from 201 v3's...moved them to rear duty, stepped up to Paradigm Focus and cc 270, and haven't looked back.
A center will definitely help, unfortunately the one that matches, (albeit "match" would be used loosely here) would be the vcs10 center from bose, which is a poor poor excuse for a center. A better move would be 3 matched accross the front and move the 301's to rear duty.