Need help with an upgrade

DaveJo
DaveJo Posts: 23
edited April 2004 in Speakers
I'm trying to get some input on what would be the best upgrade to my system. I will give as much info as I can upfront. Any help would be great.

Current System:
Mitsubishi 52'
Onkyo TX-SR800 (avr)
Cerwin Vega VS-120 (front)
JBL CL505 (center)
JBL TLX105 (rear)
JBL PB10 (sub)

Movies 80%
Music 20%

Room size 24x18

I like the prices I've seen on the Polk but I have been comparing PSB,Polk and Axiom. I find it alittle confussing that Polk has such a broad freq range compared to other brands.

almost forgot budget around $1000

Thanks
Rti8's Fronts
Csi3 Center / Csi5 Center
Fxi3 Rear
JBL 10' sub
Onkyo TX-SR800
Crap DVD
52' Mitsibishi projection
Post edited by DaveJo on
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Comments

  • nebborjk
    nebborjk Posts: 425
    edited April 2004
    What is it about your current system that you don't like or feel you need to upgrade?
    Proud SOPA Member since 2005!
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2004
    Depends...

    Are you wanting to do this upgrade and then forget about things for a while, or are you wanting to start building a complete system and will be upgrading continuously in the future?

    If this is a 1 time upgrade, then I'd suggest some new front speakers and a new center. If you could find some RTi70s at your local CC ($150 each) and a CSi30 or CSi40 for $150 - $300 you'd have a HUGE improvement for only ~$500...then you could spend the rest on a sub or surrounds...

    If you're wanting to upgrade continually for a while, you'll have more options. You can spend more money on speakers right now and maybe upgrade the receiver and sub later on...

    Either way, first think I would upgrade would be those front and center...
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  • DaveJo
    DaveJo Posts: 23
    edited April 2004
    I'm leaning towards this set-up. Any Coments???

    R50 (front)
    CSi40 (center)
    FXi3 (rear)

    I will keep the sub for now.
    Rti8's Fronts
    Csi3 Center / Csi5 Center
    Fxi3 Rear
    JBL 10' sub
    Onkyo TX-SR800
    Crap DVD
    52' Mitsibishi projection
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by DaveJo
    I'm leaning towards this set-up. Any Coments???

    R50 (front)
    CSi40 (center)
    FXi3 (rear)

    I will keep the sub for now.
    Honestly, I'd wait on the surrounds and maybe pick up a 'better' pair of fronts, like the Rti70 or the 8s that are our now.

    Not that the R50s are bad or anything, just my opinion...
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2004
    I think that Nebborjk brings up the main point, why? Hey I am all for helping, just wondering. The upgrade for the future question is also improtant. Make sure you upgrade enough ahead, that after installing them....you don't get started on the next upgrade.

    I am down with PM's suggestions for sure. The RTi70(RTi8)/ CSi40(CSi5) is a fantastic combination. The R series is also cool, but I would just stick with the same series throughout the choices. The R(Current), RTiXX(Recent) and the RTiX(Current) are three individual series.

    The previous RTiXX line is really showing great prices around the country, and online. You could easily get into that aformentioned setup for <1K as shown by PM.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • DaveJo
    DaveJo Posts: 23
    edited April 2004
    I'm not really sure why. I'm thinking the AVR is capable of more then I'm getting. The system currently sounds ok....but the center really seems to lack in image and the mains are somewhat booming.

    I don't won't to make past mistakes with mixing and matching speakers. I was not aware that in my other post that I had mixed series. Almost did it again. (thanks for clearing that up) I have read alot of posts talking about keeping the speakers matching with exception to the sub.

    I'm really just wanting to fill the room better instead of hearing the sound of each speaker. I hope I'm making sense.

    Thanks
    Rti8's Fronts
    Csi3 Center / Csi5 Center
    Fxi3 Rear
    JBL 10' sub
    Onkyo TX-SR800
    Crap DVD
    52' Mitsibishi projection
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2004
    Well hopefully you have enough info here to get started with some decisions...

    CC still has a bunch of RTi70s that you may be able to snag depending on where you live, those wound sound good with the CSi40...just saw that our CC out here has a few pair...
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2004
    That makes perfect sense, it really ruins the whole effect if you have dropouts in your soundstage.

    Well, as before, my suggestions stand. RTi70/CSi40/FXi30....all for <1K easy. You just have to shop around more than you would have to for the new RTi line.

    As always, that is subject to even further review :)
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2004
    DJ,
    Welcome to the Club. Since you're in, I'm all fo getting you some Polks, but first a question.

    Have you calibrated your current system? Frontstage blending is impacted by poor calibration.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • DaveJo
    DaveJo Posts: 23
    edited April 2004
    Calibrated yes. I've tried several different (no cost adjustments).

    It's plenty loud I just can't help thinking the quality of sound could be better. The Cerwins do a pretty good job but when it comes right down to it (durring a movie) it just sounds like a loud system. When listening to a CD it sounds great.

    Thanks
    Rti8's Fronts
    Csi3 Center / Csi5 Center
    Fxi3 Rear
    JBL 10' sub
    Onkyo TX-SR800
    Crap DVD
    52' Mitsibishi projection
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