5.1, 7.1? M50,M60, M70. Im so lost

systmbdlr21

First off hello all.
This weekend I stoped by Best Buy to check out the latest recievers just to see whats out. Well I woundered over to the clearance table and there was a Pioneer Elite SC-25 sitting there. Origionally it was listed at $1,800 and they had it marked for $550! Well I couldn't resist that good of a deal.

Now, it puts out 140x7 channels, which is more than my current speakers are rated for. I have a CS-1, M40 mains, 1 pair M30 surrounds, and a Cerwin Vega CLS-15S sub. I would like to get some more powerfull mains and center channel. So I was thinking of getting a CS-2 and either M50, M60, or M70 main's. Since the CS-2 has 6 1/2" drivers I am kinda worried it wont match as seamlessly with the M50's or M60's. But then im afraid if I go with the M70's I wont have enough power. I could bi amp them and send 280 watts to each one, but then I would only be able to do 5.1 surround and I wouldn't be able to do 7.1. Wich I don't evan know if 7.1 would evan be worth havin anyway.

So would the M50's or M60's match the CS-2 just fine? Or would it be that much better to have the M70's? If M70's are the way to go, should I bi amp them and give up the other 2 channels of surround? Or would I be fine giving them 140 a piece and then have the extra 2 surround channels? Are the extra 2 channels of surround really worth buying the extra speakers for anyway? Will the M30's be fine for surround duty with 140watts crossed over at 80Hz? Or should I use M40's? Thank you all for your help. Sorry im so long worded, but im rather confused and I am really hopping you guys can help.

Outfitter03

I would buy the CS2 for the center and the Monitor 70's for the fronts. Move the 40's to surround duty and if you have a large enough room, use the 30's for backs. It would be helpful to post the size of the room you are putting this in along with your usage for HT, Music, Gaming.

leroyjr1

I would try stepping up to the rtia's

systmbdlr21

Room is 16x23 with 8' walls and a 13' vaulted ceiling. I use this system for music and movies. I really do wan't to go with the CS-2 and M70's. They should be plenty loud enough with 140watts per speaker I would think. I geuss my main dilemma now is figuring out what to do about surround speakers. If the M30's would handle being surrounds with 140 watts on tap then that would be ideal. The M40's would have to go on stands which I think would look a little awkward. Being that the stands would have to be tall enough to get the speakers over ear level. But I guess I'll do what I have to. I really don't like the idea of having two different sets of speakers for surrounds. So if I go the 7.1 route, I will get another pair of speakers to match whatever ones I end up keeping. So now I just have to figure out what speakers to use for surround. Also if it's really worth it to have 7.1, or just stick with 5.1? I know thats a question of prefarence. I'd just like to get others opinions on the matter.

jinjuku

systmbdlr21 wrote: »

First off hello all.
This weekend I stoped by Best Buy to check out the latest recievers just to see whats out. Well I woundered over to the clearance table and there was a Pioneer Elite SC-25 sitting there. Origionally it was listed at $1,800 and they had it marked for $550! Well I couldn't resist that good of a deal.

Lol, I ended up doing the same thing: Denon 4308ci for $410 (Originally ~$1700) :biggrin:

systmbdlr21 wrote: »

Now, it puts out 140x7 channels, which is more than my current speakers are rated for. I have a CS-1, M40 mains, 1 pair M30 surrounds, and a Cerwin Vega CLS-15S sub. I would like to get some more powerfull mains and center channel. So I was thinking of getting a CS-2 and either M50, M60, or M70 main's. Since the CS-2 has 6 1/2" drivers I am kinda worried it wont match as seamlessly with the M50's or M60's. But then im afraid if I go with the M70's I wont have enough power. I could bi amp them and send 280 watts to each one, but then I would only be able to do 5.1 surround and I wouldn't be able to do 7.1. Wich I don't evan know if 7.1 would evan be worth havin anyway.

Well, what is your speaker budget? If you can go 7.1 I would encourage you to do so. Just keep in mind that currently most movies are still encoded for 5.1 discreet tracks of audio (the receiver will fill in the blanks).

systmbdlr21 wrote: »

So would the M50's or M60's match the CS-2 just fine? Or would it be that much better to have the M70's? If M70's are the way to go, should I bi amp them and give up the other 2 channels of surround? Or would I be fine giving them 140 a piece and then have the extra 2 surround channels? Are the extra 2 channels of surround really worth buying the extra speakers for anyway? Will the M30's be fine for surround duty with 140watts crossed over at 80Hz? Or should I use M40's? Thank you all for your help. Sorry im so long worded, but im rather confused and I am really hopping you guys can help.

The Monitor series will match up with the center channel.

That Pioneer should drive the Monitor 70's easily. You could always save up your pennies for 3 channels of external amplification. Something like the Adcom GFA 5503 routinely goes for ~$400-$450.

jinjuku

systmbdlr21 wrote: »

Room is 16x23 with 8' walls and a 13' vaulted ceiling. I use this system for music and movies. I really do wan't to go with the CS-2 and M70's. They should be plenty loud enough with 140watts per speaker I would think. I geuss my main dilemma now is figuring out what to do about surround speakers. If the M30's would handle being surrounds with 140 watts on tap then that would be ideal.

Are in wall speakers an option? Also the surround speakers really even during program peak aren't going to require the current that your front speakers are normally going to use.

Zeros

Your Monitor 30's will be fine with more power. 140W from the receiver is not going to blow them. You can also get brackets to wall mount your Monitor 40s. A few people on here have done it. I think the brackets were made by B-Tech, but are now some other company. If I can find the thread, I'll post it here.

Here you go, they are now called the Pinpoint AM 40. Here's a thread with pics of Monitor 40s installed with these brackets:


http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93943&highlight=pinpoint+am40

systmbdlr21

Nice deal on the Dennon! I never figured id buy anything from BB since the internet is always so much cheaper. Gana have to keep a eye on that clearance table lol. In wall speakers aren't really my thing. As long as the M30's will handle my reciever for surround duty that's all that matters. I think I will just get another set of M30's and pick up the CS-2 and M70's. I've alway wanted a set of floor standing Polk's. I can't wait. Thanks guys for the help.