Speaker upgrade help (1 Viewer)

[-Jason-]

I'll start off by telling you what I have...Onkyo TX-SR603 7.1 receiver, Onkyo DV-CP702 DVD player and speakers are front-2x Audio Sphere Research towers, center- a little Panasonic single 2" cone, rears- 2x Panasonic mini monitors, no sub. The Panny's are from a small HTiB system I have.

I only have ~$500 CAD so upgrades will be done in steps. So where should I start? My fronts aren't the greatest but they'll do for now as will the rears. I was thinking of buying a decent center because a single 2" cone just plain sucks. I could probably swing a $200 center and $300 sub? Another option is a buying a whole speaker system. 2001 A/V has a PSB Alpha Intro system for $500 and Futureshop has the Athena Point 5 MKIIFS for $500. I have read rave reviews on both those systems. So what do you think?

BTW I live in an apartment and the living room is ~240sqft.

Thanks.

 

[SethH]

Hi Jason, welcome to the forum.

I think you're on the right track with the center and sub idea. However, since you're in an apartment you probably won't get the full value out of your subwoofer. So, I would consider saving up and getting new fronts and a center.

If you do decide to go ahead and pick up a center and sub, the way to pick a center is to find the fronts you want first and get the center that matches those.

FYI - in the

 

[-Jason-]

The only thing I'm worried about is if the speaker lines are discontinued before I am able to buy the fronts, which is why I was considering the PSB or Athena systems.
Futureshop has the Athena AS-F2.2's for $250ea and the F1.2's for $200ea in there clearence section but thats all they have from the Audition Series 2 line. Maybe I'll search the web for an AS-C1.2 center.

Would that set up really be better than the Point 5 MKIIFS or the PSB Alpha?

 

[Frank A]

Jason, there are always tradeoffs, especially when money (or lack thereof) is concerned. I think you need to decide which you listen to/watch more of, music in stereo or tv/dvd's in 5.1. If you listen to music mostly, then I would opt for two good main speakers. If you watch dvd's mostly, then you can't beat a good sub and center speakers (although I have read where people do not use a center channel in a 4.1 setup).

I haven't heard the setups you are looking at, but those companies do have good reputations, I think.

Another option is building your own speakers. Is that an option? More bang for the buck, so to speak. I have read of a couple of upgrade options (diy) on a couple of fairly inexpensive speakers on other forums.

Good luck, Frank.