Upgrade advice from 5.1 receiver to 7.1 separates
I am thinking about upgrading my home theater sound. Right now I have a RT5000 system (RT3000p front pair, CS1000p center, and a FX1000 pair) being driven by an Onkyo 777 (105x5).
I would love to find another set of FX1000's, but I don't think its going to happen. What other speakers would match this system? For the rear two channels how would FX500's work? They seem to surface much more often on ebay/audiogon. What about the more recent speakers? Would any of those fit well into this system?
For that matter should I consider moving up to the LSi series speakers? I'm not necessarily looking to spend that much, but I could take a slower piecemeal approach if it would really improve the sound dramatically.
I'm also considering moving into separates with this upgrade. The outlaw gear looks pretty nice with respect to price (using either amp), but I'd have to order it unseen. It also looks like their pre/pro is not upgradeable. I've done enough research now to feel good about getting some serious listening of the other brands at a couple of my local shops. I'm thinking that the usage pattern should be about 70% home theater, 20% casual music (workday music), 10% serious listening. Music will be mostly classical with occasional industrial metal.
Anything I buy will be auditioned at home, or have a return period because I'm not going to shell out $$$ unless I can hear a difference. Anyone have some favorite models they want to recommend? I've already got a short list from some other forums, but more opinions can't hurt.
The only reservation I have for separates is the current price on the Harman Kardon 7200 (~$800-900 for 100x7). I have heard that 100 watts from an HK should be much more powerful than 105 watts from my existing receiver.
I wonder if I really can use the kind of power most of the multi channel separate amps I've seen put out (~200 per channel). I have a 15X20 room for my HT. Is there some magic formula I can use to figure out how much power I really need for immersive movies?
I know this is a lot of questions, but it seems like this is a great crowd of HT enthusiasts with a lot of experience to share.
Thanks
Jeremy
I would love to find another set of FX1000's, but I don't think its going to happen. What other speakers would match this system? For the rear two channels how would FX500's work? They seem to surface much more often on ebay/audiogon. What about the more recent speakers? Would any of those fit well into this system?
For that matter should I consider moving up to the LSi series speakers? I'm not necessarily looking to spend that much, but I could take a slower piecemeal approach if it would really improve the sound dramatically.
I'm also considering moving into separates with this upgrade. The outlaw gear looks pretty nice with respect to price (using either amp), but I'd have to order it unseen. It also looks like their pre/pro is not upgradeable. I've done enough research now to feel good about getting some serious listening of the other brands at a couple of my local shops. I'm thinking that the usage pattern should be about 70% home theater, 20% casual music (workday music), 10% serious listening. Music will be mostly classical with occasional industrial metal.
Anything I buy will be auditioned at home, or have a return period because I'm not going to shell out $$$ unless I can hear a difference. Anyone have some favorite models they want to recommend? I've already got a short list from some other forums, but more opinions can't hurt.
The only reservation I have for separates is the current price on the Harman Kardon 7200 (~$800-900 for 100x7). I have heard that 100 watts from an HK should be much more powerful than 105 watts from my existing receiver.
I wonder if I really can use the kind of power most of the multi channel separate amps I've seen put out (~200 per channel). I have a 15X20 room for my HT. Is there some magic formula I can use to figure out how much power I really need for immersive movies?
I know this is a lot of questions, but it seems like this is a great crowd of HT enthusiasts with a lot of experience to share.
Thanks
Jeremy