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Piecing together 7.1 system, upgrading fronts first

post #1 of 11
Thread Starter 
I recently upgraded/replaced my receiver (to Pioneer 9040) now I am moving on to speakers and subwoofer. For speakers I really like the BIC Acoustech PL-28 center, however, it appears as though the PL-89 is the "matching" R/L front set. Here is my problem:

My 46" LCD sits on a stand and I have no room to sit floor standing speakers besides the stand. The stand is up against a brick fireplace to the right and the door to our back patio is to the left.

Currently I have my Onkyo speakers from HTIB on the TV stand, to the left and right of the TV. It works and actually looks good. The PL-89 may work width wise on my TV stand, but is 13 inches taller than my TV. That would look quite goofy.

So, I feel like I need to stick with bookshelve speakers, but would like at least a 6.5" woofer if not 8".

I found these: http://www.overstock.com/Electronics...4/product.html

But they are 6.5".... I'd like them all to match-brand wise as well, so trying to think ahead there considering I will be upgrading my surrounds eventually too.

Budget? I'd like to spend no more than 400 for a pair of fronts, but willing to spend more if I need for my situation.

edit: layout attached
LL
post #2 of 11
The NHT Two has a 6.5" woofer but plenty of bass. It is $500 a pair on sale but a good value for the money.
post #3 of 11
Its pretty hard to find bookshelf speakers with 8" woofers nowadays.

Consider the PSB Image speakers.

You can get the B-25 for $299/pr. Comes with 6.5" woofer and 1" tweeter.
http://saturdayaudio.com/picturepage...ials_march.htm

You don't really need 6.5" woofers in surrounds as they get a lot less info than the fronts. You can if you want but you could save a little by getting the smaller B-15 which has a 5.25" woofer.

the C60 would be the matching center with dual 6.5" woofers.

All these speakers are available in black.

You should try and get out and listen to as many speakers as possible. Everyone's ears and listening preferences are different.

another speaker brand to consider is the Ascend Acoustic speaker. The 170SE has a 6.5" woofer just like you want and these are well reviewed and highly recommended speakers. Right in your price range too.

http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/pro...70/cbm170.html
post #4 of 11
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

Its pretty hard to find bookshelf speakers with 8" woofers nowadays.

Consider the PSB Image speakers.

You can get the B-25 for $299/pr. Comes with 6.5" woofer and 1" tweeter.
http://saturdayaudio.com/picturepage...ials_march.htm

You don't really need 6.5" woofers in surrounds as they get a lot less info than the fronts. You can if you want but you could save a little by getting the smaller B-15 which has a 5.25" woofer.

the C60 would be the matching center with dual 6.5" woofers.

All these speakers are available in black.

You should try and get out and listen to as many speakers as possible. Everyone's ears and listening preferences are different.

another speaker brand to consider is the Ascend Acoustic speaker. The 170SE has a 6.5" woofer just like you want and these are well reviewed and highly recommended speakers. Right in your price range too.

http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/pro...70/cbm170.html

Thanks for all the help so far, keep 'em coming! Those say 6ohms, my channels run @ 8. Will they work and it just won't be outputting as much power to the fronts? They also say 10-100 watts, I'd imagine I am putting out about 90-100W RMS per channel with my receiver, no?

Yes, I wasn't looking for that size of a woofer in my surrounds. Just wanting to make sure that whatever brand I go with for the fronts and center, that my surrounds are available in the same brand to "match." (unless this doesnt matter) Btw, attached is a diagram of my setup.
LL
post #5 of 11
If you like the sound of the PL89's, check out Hsu's HB-1's. Very similar tweeter, very capable woofer, a very powerful bookshelf speaker. They can rock a large room easily. Hsu actually helped to design some of BIC's latest PL line of speakers.

Something else to check out is the Infinity Primus P162 bookshelfs, also quite capable. very good, heavy-duty bookshelfs.

I would also second Ascend's CBM170's, they look like very good bookshelf speakers, however I have not heard those.
post #6 of 11
Your 9040 receiver will have no problem with 6 ohm loads. Its actually THX Select2 Plus which means it can handle 4 ohm loads too.

It'll have enough power for any of those speakers that have been recommended.
post #7 of 11
Thread Starter 
These guys actually look up my alley:

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages...m/cmt340m.html
post #8 of 11
Quote:


Budget? I'd like to spend no more than 400 for a pair of fronts, but willing to spend more if I need for my situation.

Tried to stay within your $400 budget and wasn't sure if you wanted to go up to $600/pr. Those are very good speakers though.
post #9 of 11
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

Tried to stay within your $400 budget and wasn't sure if you wanted to go up to $600/pr. Those are very good speakers though.

With the way my cabinet sits low, I think it may be better to have a taller speaker with dual woofers (which I actually have now in dual 5") to sit up higher towards ear level. Could always build a small platform too if I find a bookshelf size I must have...
post #10 of 11
How about some Paradigm Titans? I demoed these recently and they sounded great. 7.5" woofer http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...4-1-2.paradigm I think it was $480 for the pair.
post #11 of 11
Thread Starter 
Can I match HTD level 3 bookshelves with level 2 center? Their level 3 center won't fit in my cabinet.

edit: Did some research and found it will work, just won't be "best." With that said, I have 18" 1/4" for a center channel...
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