Recommended upgrade path for budget system (1 Viewer)

[Kevin Reckelhoff]

Supposing you start with a DD/DTS/DPLII capable receiver with two mains. What's the most logical upgrade path? Assume there will be at least a few months between steps, and that all speakers will be roughly equivalent ($/quality) to the existing mains.

Path 1:
1. Add a center channel and run with just LCR speakers.
2. Add a subwoofer
3. Add surrounds

Path 2:
1. Add a subwoofer
2. Add a center channel (3.1 system at this point--does that work?)
3. Add surrounds

 

[ColinM]

Path 2...

Good L/R speakers will carry the weight of the other 3, and a sub + L/R is really all you need.


The rest is cake.

Choose carefully, or swap constantly!

 

[Jon Torres]

I'd suggest the subwoofer first. I believe the center channel is not necessary if it's just one person watching. Currently I have mains and the 2 surrounds. It sounds nice, but I'm definitely lacking the low end.

 

[John Pine]

Definitely go with path #2! The sub makes such a huge difference overall!