Speaker Upgrade.

[Number1]

Does anybody has any experience with these Sony Speakers.
http://www.retrevo.com/s/Sony-SS-MF650H-Speakers-review-manual/id/752bh530/t/1-2/

I purchased a pair for $30 last week and I like the sound very much so I am thinking of purchasing a matching center speaker

Or should I just start saving money for a set of NEW Klipsh, Energy, Polk Audio or MartinLogan main/center speakers?

 

[Anubis]

start saving money, and doing research

 

[Vdubchaos]

OP

It really depends on your expectations. There is no limit when it comes to strive and spend on 3-5% differences that you might not even hear. How good is your hearing?

My step father has those Sonys and they are very good (he bought them out of the blue). 2 big woofers, he decided not to go with sub.... He has it along with Onkyo 609 Receiver.

For the price you paid, they are a steal, stick with them.

Matching Sony Center is a lot (new) and hard to find. You might be better of with Polk CS2 (on sale for 90-110) or CS1 (I just got this one for $80)

 

[Number1]

After having bought 2 Sonny tower speakers and really liking the sound,

I sold ALL my vintage Cerwin Vega speakers

And used the money to get this: Klipsch Reference Center Channel RC-500B

This is the first new high quality speaker I have bought in over 25 years. I have not been able to find much information on this model and they are telling me at the store it is a brand new line. From what I can tell it is very similar to the RC-52 II featured on the Klipsch web site. The RC-52 II has stellar reviews on the web. The RC500B hooked up to my Dennon 1712 and equalized with MultEQ XT sounds very very good. What a difference from my vintage Wharfedale Valdus now used as my rear speaker.

Watching Avatar last night really highlighted the speaker's capability. The entire audio system sounded much clearer and brighter.

now I have to start saving for new surround speakers to replace my Wharfedale Diamond 3

I think I will hang on to my Sonnys for a while because I really like their sound when playing loud music.
I love experimenting with my sound system.

Oh yes, my home made 500 W subwoofer provides all the bass needed.

 

[Rio Rebel]

You have a Klipsch reference center channel matched with those Sony front speakers?

That's rather unconventional, and I'd never recommend it, but if you like it, that's what counts.

 

[Number1]

You have a Klipsch reference center channel matched with those Sony front speakers?

That's rather unconventional, and I'd never recommend it, but if you like it, that's what counts.

The center speaker is the most important one in a 5.1/7.1 set up so I decided on high quality hardware versus a matching mediocre Sonny center speaker. The sound coming out of the center speaker now is much clearer, crisper sharper. Perfect for dialog. I may very well replace he towers in the future.

And now, a top Google search result for Klipsch RC500B points to this thread.

 

[Rio Rebel]

The most important match in a surround sound setup (5.1, 6.1, 7.1, etc) is the front 3. If your center channel does not have a tonal match to the front pair, then you hear a distinct tone shift whenever sound moves right or left across the front. Most anyone with experience in audio will tell you the same.

I have never heard a Sony speaker that was tolerable for me, and I don't consider myself an audiophile at all. That Klipsch center is in an entirely different class from those Sony speakers. I had a similar pair once before, and I hated them...but that's all a matter of taste. What is not a matter of taste is the fact that the sound shifts in tone when moving from one brand/style of speaker to the center, and then back to the original style.

Enjoy.

 

[purbeast0]

yea he just has to step his game up and get some klipsch reference mains

i may be getting some high end klipsch speakers in the next few months, but i have to go demo them before i make any decision and spend that kind of money on them.

 

[Number1]

edit Pics of new equipment edit

Well I did it again. I found a complete Klipsch 5.1 system on sale on Kijiji for a reasonable price and took it home.

RW-10d Subwoofer

RC-10 Center Speaker

RF-10

RB-10

It's 4 years old equipment all in mint shape and essentialy the same stuff they sell today with a different model number.

All I can say is WOW. I FINALY have a complete set of matching HIGH QUALITY speakers. Even my wife was impressed with the sound last night. As a bonus it all looks so much better.

The new sub sounds very very diferently then my home made unit. It dosn't go anywhere near as low but together they complement each others very nicely.

I am going to have to return my RC-500B............. It will pay for most of the new stuff. I hate to do this to Future Shop and I wish they had a restocking fee to cover their loss.

I just could not pass on this system. The cheapest Klipsch 5.1 system at Future Shop right now would cost me 3 to 4 times what I paid yesterday. It was one of those rare deal that you see on Kijiji and not a scam.

I am going to spend the next few evening experimenting and tweeking the sound with MultEQ XT and watching HD movies on my 60" TV.

My grand master plan is all coming together now, forever evolving toward my audiofile nirvana....LOL

 

[Number1]

The most important match in a surround sound setup (5.1, 6.1, 7.1, etc) is the front 3. If your center channel does not have a tonal match to the front pair, then you hear a distinct tone shift whenever sound moves right or left across the front. Most anyone with experience in audio will tell you the same.

I have never heard a Sony speaker that was tolerable for me, and I don't consider myself an audiophile at all. That Klipsch center is in an entirely different class from those Sony speakers. I had a similar pair once before, and I hated them...but that's all a matter of taste. What is not a matter of taste is the fact that the sound shifts in tone when moving from one brand/style of speaker to the center, and then back to the original style.

Enjoy.

That Sony speaker was a steal at $30 and I was really surprised when I listened to it. Anyway, I am going to sell it now that I have all matching speakers.

 

[Pacfanweb]

yea he just has to step his game up and get some klipsch reference mains

This. I'd guarantee that if you turned his system up and walked across in front of the front 3 speakers, the center channel would make the other two sound like crap.

I did that in reverse years ago. I had a Celestion center, then I bought some Definitive mains. Thought it was fine, until one day it was jamming some music and I walked right in front of it and heard the same song in all 3 individually as I walked past them.....the Celestion sounded muffled and flat compared to the Definitives. So, off to the store I went to buy a matching Definitive center, and it was a world of difference.