Tower/Front speaker decisions
Forgive the genericness of the question, but I'm in the middle of trying to figure out what to go with for front speakers and just looking for some advice/help.
I had previously been using JBL HLS820's for the past 10 years and decided to try something new. Started with some Monitor 50's, which just seemed very disappointing. Bought a set of RTi150's locally (thought the price seemed decent), but have since read about their power requirements and that has me rethinking things again. Before buying the 150's I had looked into either the Monitor 70's, TSi500's or splurging on the RTi A9's. Of course keeping the 150's or going with the Monitor 70's would be the cheapest options, but I'd rather end up with another set of speakers that could last 10 more years.
Running things off an Onkyo 805 and was planning on going with a 7.1 setup or possibly 5.1 and biamping the fronts. Current running two subs and really not concerned with bass output as much as the highs and mids. I loved my JBL's and still have them for my fall backs just in case, but think it is time for something a little more "high end".
Ideas - suggestions? Will be about 50% video games/40% movies/10% music. I currently have 16 speakers and really need to figure out what the action plan is going to be :eek:
I had previously been using JBL HLS820's for the past 10 years and decided to try something new. Started with some Monitor 50's, which just seemed very disappointing. Bought a set of RTi150's locally (thought the price seemed decent), but have since read about their power requirements and that has me rethinking things again. Before buying the 150's I had looked into either the Monitor 70's, TSi500's or splurging on the RTi A9's. Of course keeping the 150's or going with the Monitor 70's would be the cheapest options, but I'd rather end up with another set of speakers that could last 10 more years.
Running things off an Onkyo 805 and was planning on going with a 7.1 setup or possibly 5.1 and biamping the fronts. Current running two subs and really not concerned with bass output as much as the highs and mids. I loved my JBL's and still have them for my fall backs just in case, but think it is time for something a little more "high end".
Ideas - suggestions? Will be about 50% video games/40% movies/10% music. I currently have 16 speakers and really need to figure out what the action plan is going to be :eek:
Post edited by veekay on
Comments
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Of the speakers you listed, I'd take the A9's. They would really need an external amp to get their full potential though.
Don't bother with the "bi-amping" feature in the Onkyo. It's a complete waste of time IMO.The nirvana inducer-
APC H10 Power Conditioner
Marantz UD5005 universal player
Parasound Halo P5 preamp
Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's -
If the RTi150's are in good shape, keep them and look for a good quality amp (new or used) and all your speakers will sound new to you.
I think the difference between the RTi150's and the RTi A9's is more a side ways move. -
150's are in great shape and seemed like good speakers for $200 - even if they are cherry. As for the external amp, that is something I have thought about, but still have no idea how that ends up working or where to even start on one of those. I guess if I figure the price savings between keeping the 150's versus buying A9's then it leaves around $800 for other options.
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You can score a really nice amp for that, actually less than that going the used route.
Do some reading to help you decide how you want to go about it.
The 805 amp can handle the surround speakers pretty good. So you could go with a 3 ch amp for the front and CC, or for that matter 3 mono block amps for the front stage.
Or a 5 ch amp for 5.1 and if you decide to go 7.1 use the Onk.
Or a 7 ch amp and be done with it.
There are lots of manufactures to choose from do a search and you will find the names. A short list would be Outlaw Audio, Emotiva, Carver, Nad, Sunfire, Rotel, Parasound to name a few.
