Speaker upgrade for basic system (1 Viewer)

[Bryan J]

Greetings!

I’ve been happily watching these boards for quite some time now and finally decided to post. I think I may have caught the upgrade bug and would like a little assistance in deciding which components to upgrade first and how much $$$ to spend in doing so. I purchased the below on a whim about 8 months ago after only a week of research and shopping. However, I’d like to upgrade a piece at a time and have $1000 to do so in the next few months.

My current setup:

TV: KP-46WT500 – purchased for $1250 and professionally calibrated (for free via Sony 1 year warranty by licensed Sony calibration specialist!!!). I really love this set for the price and picture quality.

Below purchased as HTIB: Onkyo HT-S755DVC for $450
Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR600
DVD Player: Onkyo DV-CP500
Speakers: Onkyo SKS-HT500
Subwoofer: Onkyo SKW-200


100’ of 14 Gauge speaker wire from Rat Shack ~$35
Acoustic Research Component Vid Cables, Coax, and Optical interconnects. ~$100
Set top box Motorola DCT6200 from Insight Communications.
This is all situated in a 17 X 12 living room with vaulted ceiling.

So, after reading a good bit on these boards I think that buying a pair of mains and / or a center speaker may be the best bet to begin with. I just need some help sorting through the plethora of options and finding something that fits my viewing/listening space and preferences of 50% DVD, 35% music, and 15% TV watching. It is my hope that I will keep the TV and receiver for a long time if possible.

Any speaker suggestions to start with?

Thanks for your help!

Peace,
bryan

 

[Jack Briggs]

Hi there, Bryan, and welcome to HTF.

I moved your post to the Speakers/Subwoofers section because a) you'll get more responses here and, b), the Basics area is strictly for general discussion at the beginner level (i.e., not for specific make/model recommendations).

You'll get plenty of expert, friendly advice here. Best of luck.

 

[Greg_sford]

Bryan,
I'll take a swag (and give you a bump).

This is a blind swag, as I haven't heard the Onkyo system (though I'm a bit of a fan). I'd say start with a sub. From the traffic here, I'd say it's 1) svs, 2) hsu. I just got an hsu at CompUSA for $350, can't wait to hook it up.

Fronts and center would be next. I'd say keep the onkyo surrounds for now and spend more on the front stuff. Any number of ways to go with $650 there.

Others might have a more informed opinion on whether to upgrade your DVD player. I would stay with the receiver for the time being.

Good luck

 

[James_R]

Bryan

What budget do you have? This will give people a very usefull reference point for recommending speakers to you.

I would highly recommend starting with your center/mains for an upgrade (I did). You will notice an instant improvement and it will let you spend more (slowly over time letting you use your sub and surrounds till you have money to upgrade--- if money is an issue). Surrounds and subs are important but the center and mains are the most important of all.

Btw I have the onkyo 601 and axiom speakers (with a partsexpress 10" sub) and am ridiculously happy.

james r

 

[Bryan J]

James and Greg,

Thanks for the help. I'll have to audition out the HSU and SVU subs when I can, however I think after reading a bit more on these threads that the center and mains are the way to go.

Any recommendations for a budget of ~1000 for the center and mains?

Would looking at the Axiom VP120 center ($220) and Axiom Millenia M50ti ($620) be a good place to start? I'm not even certain that my receiver would be enough to power them sufficiently, but I think they'd do well with the size of the room and listening distance of 9'.

Once again, thanks for your help!
peace,
Bryan

 

[Leigh_M]

I say go for center and mains first. I had that Onkyo speaker system prior to my upgrades and the sub and rears were the last to go (ok, the rears haven't gone yet but I'm getting close). I think the onkyo should be matched to a "brighter" speaker. I think your Axiom choice whould be a great place to start.

 

[Jesse Sharrow]

Well let me ask you a question before I jump on in here. What dont you like about your system now? You love your TV, and receiver, but what dont you like. Me personally I would upgrade the fronts to something nice for $1000. I would hold off on the sub, center, and rears for now. But if you are happy with the speakers I would do a nice Sub first.

 

[MikeLi]

Go to av123.com and look at the ELT system. Shipping is that not bad and if you didn't like them you can return them. They are getting rave reviews and other companies are carrying them as well. Also their customer service is the best I have ever dealt with.

 

[James_R]

Bryan

Go to the axiom forums and see if there is anyone in your area who will let you audition the speakers you are considering (in their home). I have the vp150/m22s myself and they are perfect for my needs (yes the towers would be nice but did not fit my budget or the idea of being a good neighbor apartment building.

Others that are popular and well though of on this forum are the rockets (from av123 as Mike mentioned), ascend acoustics, home theater direct. At least in the bang for your buck category All of which will be able to hit the price range you are looking for.

Also look at those sites, figure out what you are interested, then search here and in avsforum.com for reviews/opinions. Oh, and as always listen to them yourself as no matter what any of us say it's going to be a subjective decision for YOU to make. Hehe, that said I love my onkyo 601 with my M22s!

jr