Novice in need of advice on home theater system (1 Viewer)

First let me say I am new to this forum and a novice and this a great forum with very knowable members. My 5.1 surround sound setup is at least 15-20 years old and would really appreciate peoples opinions on changes/upgrades and recommendations that would give me a better home theatre sound. The room the system is in is a 15x15 living room. My main concern would be on speakers since I have recently bought a new receiver and blu-ray player. I seem to get decent sound from them but would like to know if i could do anything to improve it. My system consist of a Sony STR-DH540 (725/ 145x5) Sony BDP-S5100 blu-ray, speakers consist of two front and two rear Optimus Pro LX5 bookshelf speakers 8ohms 50w(rms)-100w max. center: RCA 40-5011- 100 rms 200 max, subwoofer: Yamaha- YST-SW80 100w. Last year I finally had to replace the foam rings on the bookshelf speakers all but one turned out fine after the repair, but one sounds a little raspy don't know why cause the repair looks fine. So I either need to replace with one of the same or other that is comparable. The center has never really sounded like I'm getting enough, and the sub tends to strain from time to time. Don't really want to spend a lot, under $400 would be ideal. I am leaning towards replacing the whole system with the Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System $349 only because there are a lot of good reviews on amazon or would it be worth just replacing a few and still get great sound. Also how would I go about figuring out what the problem is with the one bookshelf? Your opinions and advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I think the problem is, too small a speaker for your room.I have some of those Optimus/Radio Shack speakers(one set linaeum and one soft dome).They only hit 120hz. That is why the sub is struggling.I would buy a pair of BIC DV62 with the matching center.Maybe another pair of DV62 rear or DV52 rear.Then your sub can have a break from trying to do too much.

I don't get it, if the sub is self powered how can it be struggling. So you would recommend replacing all except the sub? What are your thoughts on the Energy 5.1 take classic and about figuring out what the problem with the one bookshelf? also being new to the forum would there be anything wrong with posting this on the speaker section of the forum?

I'll move the thread later(although see no need).What crossover did you choose in the Sony?Issues with subwoofers (Even small ones) often are corrected by buying larger main speakers that can play to 80hz.You present speakers aren't getting there, The Takes won't either.Asking a subwoofer to cover the bottom to 120hz is asking too much.

Those drivers are easy to find on Ebay. Even speakers are all over the place.If you must stay small...pick up a pair with the Linaeum and Kevlars(If you spend $100...I'd be shocked) and keep the lone good one as your center. Yes, use a standard speaker as a center.

I did say I'm a novice so you lost me with, What crossover did you choose in the Sony? Even speakers are all over the place, so the speakers are a miss match including the RCA center? but the Yamaha sub is fine? I have seen the optimus speakers on e-bay for cheap. So a dumb question what is a driver and is that what I need to replace on the bad speaker?

joserobl said:

I did say I'm a novice so you lost me with, What crossover did you choose in the Sony?
The Bass management. Read your owners manual. The whole...large/small...the crossover. If you have no clue what any of this means...read your manual.

Even speakers are all over the place, so the speakers are a miss match including the RCA center?
One of the reasons I mentioned the Linaeum/Kevlar.

but the Yamaha sub is fine?
Only you can answer that. I advise getting it some help first. (and go back to the first part here and read your owners manual)

I have seen the optimus speakers on e-bay for cheap. So a dumb question what is a driver and is that what I need to replace on the bad speaker?
Driver refers to the actual speaker cone. Your speakers have two...tweeter and a mid-woofer(not calling a 4" driver a woofer...)

Click to expand...

Those Radio Shack Optimus speakers aren't bad. In my opinion...the Energy Take is a lateral move. Like moving from a 2009 Focus to a 2012 Cruze. Both small cars, both have the same plus and minuses.

I just started looking at Fleabay...can't believe one is for sale. I suggest you jump on it...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPTIMUS-PRO-CS-5-CENTER-CHANNEL-SPEAKER-LINAEUM-TWEETER-AUDIOPHILE-/291111616156?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item43c79abe9c

I'll see if there are any linaeum/Kevlars to go with it.

Only three pairs of Linaeum Pro's on Fleabay...none are with Kevlar...but...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPTIMUS-PRO-LX5-BOOKSHELF-SPEAKERS-LINAEUM-TWEETERS-/231185989477?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item35d3c23f65

Those, to me, show $23.75 shipping...that $100-ish is a deal.

No way I'd buy Energy Takes. Buy this pair...and that center and you'd probably have $200 left over for a BIC F12.

This pair would only be $90-ish...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OPTIMUS-LINAEUM-PRO-LX5-Speakers-Planar-Ribbon-Lineaum-Tweeters-/231186714092?pt=US_Speaker_Parts_Components&hash=item35d3cd4dec

Or buy both pairs of Linaeum...with the center...then buy a Dayton Sub1000/1200.

$80 shipped...(seller doesn't know how to spell linaeum)...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Optimus-Speakers-Pro-LX5-/181363827756?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2a3a20642c

If you got the room...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-OF-BLACK-OPTIMUS-PRO-LX-7-SPEAKERS-VERY-GOOD-CONDITION-USD-/161140197997?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2584b44a6d

So you would recommend sticking with the Optimus speakers and forget the Energy takes. Bid on the flea-bay one that looks like a center speaker and the other two. and look at possibly getting the Monster BIC F12 sub. wouldn't a 10" or 8" work? So the one I have that doesn't sound right you think is not fixable? what do you think of this deal I saw on craigslist http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/4387128047.html

Even better...

4 of them for $60. If you've not heard the Linaeum...thank me later.

Yes...pick up that center.

I did see a few of the 4"(they call them 5...but they aren't) online as well...if you want to just swap out a driver. These speakers get parted out all the time as the tower version (LX 9 and 11) frequently fries the woofers(Optimus didn't exactly use great stuff...but people tend to take it easy on the 5/7...and abuse the 9 and 11).

You could even decide to turn your current Yammy into what is called a "mid-bass module"(yes, that is a thing...and HSU actually makes one).

What that entails is buying a bigger subwoofer(I recommend a 12...always)...then you use an external crossover...
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-CX2310-Stereo-Frequency-Crossover/dp/B0002Z82LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396059371&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+crossover+3+way (just one example)

You let that split up the bass to the Yammy as 60-120hz...and the bigger sub gets 60hz and under(but that is for another day)

I seriously think you should consider those LX7...and maybe run a 7.1...(If exchanging the 540 for a 740 is something you would want to do. Buying the Optimus speakers, including the 7, is still under your plan...and gives the Yammy a break from having to do 120hz...cause those LX7 will play down to 70hz)

And yes....asking a subwoofer to run up to 120hz is a tall order. May not sound like much, but there is a lot of info between 50-200hz in movies.

Letting a subwoofer play 80hz and under(where they are designed to operate) is always advised.

If you are willing to move to bigger speakers, do so. Those Linaeum sound better than what you have, But the DV62 will still trounce them.Subwoofers are typically bought for their ability to play below 30hz.Most 10s have trouble getting to 30.Even a cheap 12 gets to a usable 25hz.bass is all about moving air. Bigger drivers move more air.

Yammy is slang for Yamaha.

The two front and two rear are Lineaum its the center that is not. Seeing how my receiver is a 5.2 I could just hook the yammy up along with the other sub without a crossover right ? and you still would recommend12

You could hook up Both subs that way. Turn the bigger subs crossover knob down below 60hz.You did say...lx5...Up to you. Pick up the set for $60 to get another pair that definitely works...Then you'd have 5. Use one as the center, if you have a spot to put one...or snag that center.Using a lx5 or that center are both "the right answer".

Thank You very much for all your help and patience it is truly appreciated.

Instead of running two subs couldn't you just get some BIC62's ($110) up front? The 62 are supposed to go down to the 40's so that should allow you to keep the existing sub and cross it lower should it not? To finish it up get a BIC 52 center($65) and some 32's ($50) out back? I'm just asking for my own curiosity. Seems like a cheaper way to go to get everything a bit more matched. If you liked the bass level you're set, if not go for the f12 upgrade.