Need advice on upgrading speakers

[MrGrim999]

Right now, I have the Marantz SR-5010, SVS PB-1000 sub, and Klipsch quintet 5th generation satellites. I'm very happy with the receiver and sub but want some more oomph from my fronts. I'm a best buy employee so obviously I will be purchasing from there. I already tried the Def Tech 8020 floor speakers and while the bass was good the highs weren't that great, not to mention they were mixed in with my klipsch. I was thinking about getting the Klipsch R26f floor speakers and bi wiring them. Or Maybe replacing the whole front with Energy floor and center. They are primarily used for blu Rays and tv.

I know Klipsch owns Energy but any opinions ?

 

[BurnItDwn]

If your problem is that they dont have enough "oomph" focus on the SPL efficiency when you look at the speakers. If you want brighter speakers, I'd say look at whatever horn speakers are available there. Klipschorns are friggin expensive as hell, but, maybe there will be something a bit more reasonably prices, similar to BIC RTR EV15?

 

[blackangst1]

Have you gone to a Magnolia store and taken a listen? Thats my advice

 

[MrGrim999]

If your problem is that they dont have enough "oomph" focus on the SPL efficiency when you look at the speakers. If you want brighter speakers, I'd say look at whatever horn speakers are available there. Klipschorns are friggin expensive as hell, but, maybe there will be something a bit more reasonably prices, similar to BIC RTR EV15?

Yea the Klipsch Tractix horns have a very distinct sound. If I was gonna stick with Klipsch, I'd get the R-26 F floor standing speakers. The price is ok. Do you think the Energy's are better?

 

[MrGrim999]

Have you gone to a Magnolia store and taken a listen? Thats my advice

Yes many times hehe. I liked how the Def Tech 8020's sounded so I brought them home. Unfortunately, they didn't sound right in my room. Maybe my room acoustics not to mention I was using my Klipsch satellites for rest of 5.1 config. I was thinking about getting the r26f's or upgrade everying to Energy's. I would start with the fronts and center.

 

[blackangst1]

Did you run the Auto Setup after hooking up your speakers? Or did you just plug them in and go?

 

[MrGrim999]

Did you run the Auto Setup after hooking up your speakers? Or did you just plug them in and go?

Yep ran Audyssey.

 

[gus6464]

Ok for starters bi-wiring is "audiophile" voodoo and does nothing.

Since you are a BBY employee I assume you have access to their whole lineup? Are you able to get B&W as well at discount? If so, look into the new 600 S2 series. Specifically the 683 S3 towers and HTM61 S2 center.

 

[MrGrim999]

Ok for starters bi-wiring is "audiophile" voodoo and does nothing.

Since you are a BBY employee I assume you have access to their whole lineup? Are you able to get B&W as well at discount? If so, look into the new 600 S2 series. Specifically the 683 S3 towers and HTM61 S2 center.

Yes I have access to everything sold by best buy excluding marketplace items. I was actually thinking about just going with B&W. Having the SVS sub with the Def Tech 8020's which had powered subs probably overdid it with the bass and maybe drowned some of the treble. Obviously I'm trying to avoid purchasing and returning causing my store to take the hit which is why I post so much online hehe. I figured it would be wise to at least replace the whole front like u suggested so the sound stage isn't mismatched. Then I'll replace the rears when I can.

What are your thoughts on bi amping? I believe the B&W's support that...

 

[gus6464]

A proper calibrated sub should not drown out anything. I have 2x 18in sealed subs in my room and when stuff is playing you can't tell the subs are there. If anything I would add another pb1000 for lower extension in movies.

Bi-amping is useless unless the speaker was designed that way from the beginning which means it uses an active crossover or the speaker has a crossover for each drivers. The above B&W are 3-ways so if it was designed that route it would need to be triamped.

Without knowing your budget it's kinda hard to recommend stuff. IMO the sweet spot in the B&W line is the CM series and if you want an upgrade then move up to the 800 series diamonds.

Pretty much out of everything magnolia carries though I would stick with B&W. Great resale value too.

 

[MrGrim999]

A proper calibrated sub should not drown out anything. I have 2x 18in sealed subs in my room and when stuff is playing you can't tell the subs are there. If anything I would add another pb1000 for lower extension in movies.

Bi-amping is useless unless the speaker was designed that way from the beginning which means it uses an active crossover or the speaker has a crossover for each drivers. The above B&W are 3-ways so if it was designed that route it would need to be triamped.

Without knowing your budget it's kinda hard to recommend stuff. IMO the sweet spot in the B&W line is the CM series and if you want an upgrade then move up to the 800 series diamonds.

Pretty much out of everything magnolia carries though I would stick with B&W. Great resale value too.

Yea the CM series sound awesome but those are def out of my price range. I'll prob get exactly what you suggested, with the Htm61 or 62 center. I'm gonna have to move my sub to the back left corner of the room in order to fit front left floor speaker so hopefully won't hinder bass.

 

[gus6464]

Yea the CM series sound awesome but those are def out of my price range. I'll prob get exactly what you suggested, with the Htm61 or 62 center. I'm gonna have to move my sub to the back left corner of the room in order to fit front left floor speaker so hopefully won't hinder bass.

If you go for the 683 S2 get the HTM61 S2 center as both are 3-ways. The smaller center is a 2-way.

 

[sdifox]

Yes many times hehe. I liked how the Def Tech 8020's sounded so I brought them home. Unfortunately, they didn't sound right in my room. Maybe my room acoustics not to mention I was using my Klipsch satellites for rest of 5.1 config. I was thinking about getting the r26f's or upgrade everying to Energy's. I would start with the fronts and center.

Def techs need lots of space around them.

 

[MrGrim999]

If you go for the 683 S2 get the HTM61 S2 center as both are 3-ways. The smaller center is a 2-way.

Ahh gotcha! Silly question...the fact that the room is only like 12x14 wouldn't matter right? I'm sure if the room was slightly bigger it would be better for those speakers but I'll still be able to enjoy the B&W's right?

 

[MrGrim999]

Def techs need lots of space around them.

Hiya Fox! Gotcha, which I don't really have. The room is about 12X14. In order to fit the floor speakers, I'm going to have to move my subwoofer to the back left corner of the room with a 26 ft cable. I realize the sub can sound different in different locations of the room but you think there would be any issues?

 

[sdifox]

Hiya Fox! Gotcha, which I don't really have. The room is about 12X14. In order to fit the floor speakers, I'm going to have to move my subwoofer to the back left corner of the room with a 26 ft cable. I realize the sub can sound different in different locations of the room but you think there would be any issues?

couldn't tell ya, how your room reacts to the sub depends entirely on what is there. the coax to the sub is not an issue.

 

[gus6464]

Hiya Fox! Gotcha, which I don't really have. The room is about 12X14. In order to fit the floor speakers, I'm going to have to move my subwoofer to the back left corner of the room with a 26 ft cable. I realize the sub can sound different in different locations of the room but you think there would be any issues?

No that shouldn't be a problem. It's not like the B&W are gigantic speakers to begin with. My listening area is a lot smaller than yours and I have fronts with 12" drivers, a center with 8" drivers, and 2x 18" subs and they don't overpower anything.

Def Techs are considered bipoles so they need room to breathe. The B&W are front ported which makes them considerably easier to place.

 

[MrGrim999]

No that shouldn't be a problem. It's not like the B&W are gigantic speakers to begin with. My listening area is a lot smaller than yours and I have fronts with 12" drivers, a center with 8" drivers, and 2x 18" subs and they don't overpower anything.

Def Techs are considered bipoles so they need room to breathe. The B&W are front ported which makes them considerably easier to place.

Haha! That's awesome! Makes me feel alot more comfortable now. It's pretty clear the B&W's would be my best option given my selection and conditions.

Thanks alot!

 

[MrGrim999]

couldn't tell ya, how your room reacts to the sub depends entirely on what is there. the coax to the sub is not an issue.

Yea I was just making sure I wouldn't be losing anything running a 26ft cable.