HT advice: S15s with good sub, or S60s with my current junker?

JiminKY

So I bailed on the TL1 center, and have the S35 on order. With what I am comfortable spending, right now, I can either add a pair of S15 (maybe S20) bookshelf speakers and an SVS sb12-NSD, or go for the big S60s and keep the 15-year-old Sony HTIB sub I've been making do with (no built in crossover adjustments, etc., but Audessey on my Denon 2112-ci seems to make decent use of it).

I've read people suggest that with stands, there is not much savings in the bookshelf speakers, but I would not need new stands. At about 85% HT use, I'm leaning toward upgrading the sub and going with the bookshelves, but the floor-standers sure look nice.

rooftop59

Bookies and the sub. Bigger bookies if u can swing it. Your receiver won't open those towers up anyway. And the sub will make a Huge difference for ht.

rpf65

I would probably pick up a pair of S 50's, and start saving for a sub. Either that, get the SB 12-NSD, and save for the S 50's.

Those 60's may be a little to big a load for the Denon you have.

mrloren

Hmm, nice box being opened here,

I went to Polk and had a listen of the S60 on an old bottom end Onkyo AVR, They sounded amazing. Polk designed the Signature line to be driven with lower power AVR. I have my S60 and S20 being powered by a Marantz SR5010, both systems sound amazing.

No If I was starting where the OP is I would go with the S15 and a HSU VTF2-MK5. Speaker stands can be costly but can be made easy. Just google DYI Speaker stands. I think IKEA sells some decent ones too for like $75 a pair. Or just use the wall mounts on the S15.

I would then go into save mode for a pair of S55/S60

WLDock

Here's a way to save a little...refurb, B-Stock, Open box.

S30 - $159.99 shipped / refurb
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-Signature-S30-BLACK-WALNUT-Center-Channel-Speaker-/361951957532?hash=item544604921c:g:koAAAOSw2gxYweMe

S15 - $184.92 shipped / Open box
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-S15-Open-Box-Bookshelf-Speakers-Pair-/172576096263?hash=item282e564007:g:LT4AAOSw32lYyIa9
or Auction
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-Signature-S15-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-Black-/382046270108?hash=item58f3bb729c:g:gMoAAOSwcdRY9Q60

Rythmik LV12R - $529 shipped / B-Stock http://www.rythmikaudio.com/clearance.html

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$873.91 total


Then, save up and buy a pair of the towers S50 or S55 down the line when on sale at the Polk ebay store or Adorama. Move the bookies to the rear.

sgmsmg

eBay has a 20% coupon deal going on right now for a max of $50 off if that helps.

rpf65

The Marantz is a much more capable AVR than the Denon 2112ci.

Even though it is constantly preached here, just look at watts per channel claims.

Denon. 90 watts per channel, one channel driven. No load given.

Marantz 100 watts per channel, 2 channels driven, 8 ohm load, full freq range.

Polk designed the Signature line to work with budget systems, but I would still say that the S 60's are a little to large of a load for that particular AVR.

I think that it will be able to drive the S 50's, but I wouldn't advise anybody to go bigger than that with an AVR that small. Would pair better with bookies, but the OP said he prefers floor standers, and nobody here should suggest the S 60's would be a good match with his current gear.

If the OP really wants the S 60's than the priority should be upgrading the AVR first. Otherwise I stand by my previous recommendation.

mrloren

rpf65 wrote: »

The Marantz is a much more capable AVR than the Denon 2112ci.

Even though it is constantly preached here, just look at watts per channel claims.

Denon. 90 watts per channel, one channel driven. No load given.

Marantz 100 watts per channel, 2 channels driven, 8 ohm load, full freq range.

Polk designed the Signature line to work with budget systems, but I would still say that the S 60's are a little to large of a load for that particular AVR.

I think that it will be able to drive the S 50's, but I wouldn't advise anybody to go bigger than that with an AVR that small. Would pair better with bookies, but the OP said he prefers floor standers, and nobody here should suggest the S 60's would be a good match with his current gear.

If the OP really wants the S 60's than the priority should be upgrading the AVR first. Otherwise I stand by my previous recommendation.

You are correct, his AVR might not be up to the task.

When I had my listen at Polk in Vista they had the S60 hooked to a low end Onkyo and it drove them nice. That is what I base my opinion on.

JiminKY

I appreciate all the input. I'm fine on money, just trying to balance what I want with what I truly need (and now considering what my AVR can handle). The AVR is staying, as I am more than satisfied with it. Of course none of it this stuff seems reasonable to the wife who is happy with the TV speakers (which I can only assume are actually there, having never heard them).

Before the wife decided we just had to grab an Ethan Allen entertainment console, I was ready to start my upgrades with a new, higher-end SVS sub. But that was going to be the only purchase for a while and I was going to upgrade the other speakers over time. Suddenly, the new configuration required a center less than 4" tall, and my whole world changed! LOL.

An impulse purchase of the TL1 center was a cheap and easy way to make her feel like she didn't crush my man-cave dreams. However, I quickly realized it was time to re-evaluate and get real. For now, I've gone ahead and ordered the S15 bookies. Was about to pull the trigger on the sub, when I saw the mention of the HSU VTF2-MK5 and Rythmic sub, above. The HSU has good reviews, but I literally did not see anywhere to purchase it online, and the Rythmic seems a bit over my current target budget, even as B-stock.