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Need advice

post #1 of 17
5/31/11 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
I am contemplating an upgrade to my 7 channel setup that currently consists of Energy C-300 fronts and a C-C100 center and C-100 bookshelf surrounds. I am not sure what is considered an "upgrade" but I believe that my "entry level" setup needs upgraded.

The Jist:

My room is 24' L x 13' W x 7.5' ceilings. It will be a dedicated theater space with a 7.2 setup. The subs are taken care of with SVS-PC12NSD's. I want to start with the front three and go from there. I will be powering these with either the new Denon avr-3312ci or the avr-4311ci (undecided) but I know that I need to put more of my budget toward speakers. My budget for the fronts is roughly $1k but would prefer to stay at or around $600 if possible. My problem is I dont know where to go or where to start and need as much help as possible.


Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 17
5/31/11 at 3:51pm
Is that "northern" toward SB, FW or CHI?

I'd start on Craigslist, Audiogon and Ebay.

Also...What are you running those Energy with now? Those are good speakers already(are they "stellar"?..no, but they are far from "crap". I wouldn't even call them "entry level").

To give you an idea...

This...
http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Carni...6882557&sr=1-1
isn't an upgrade from what you have...

But, this...
http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Short...6882423&sr=1-1
is.

By the way, this is "entry level"...
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSF-5000-...6882699&sr=1-3
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post #3 of 17
5/31/11 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by schan1269 View Post

Is that "northern" toward SB, FW or CHI?

I'd start on Craigslist, Audiogon and Ebay.

Also...What are you running those Energy with now? Those are good speakers already(are they "stellar"?..no, but they are far from "crap". I wouldn't even call them "entry level").

To give you an idea...

This...
http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Carni...6882557&sr=1-1
isn't an upgrade from what you have...

But, this...
http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Short...6882423&sr=1-1
is.

By the way, this is "entry level"...
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSF-5000-...6882699&sr=1-3


Yep "northern" as in SB. I am more interested in where to start as far as brand names, model #'s etc. I was told (by someone with some respect around here) that my speakers were "barely above entry level" so I took that as truth. I assumed prior to that (and for sure after that comment) that they were in need of upgrade. Have you any other suggestions for the "upgrade" category? I do appreciate and like the comparison of the 3 and whether they were or were not upgrades to my setup. I guess is there anything out there in the $600 range that is an upgrade or would I need to spend more? I forgot what my C-300's cost me new?!
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post #4 of 17
5/31/11 at 9:13pm
What I would do first is upgrade your receiver(still don't know what you are using).

Energy is part of Klipsch and the series you have was one of the casualties or the buyout.

The C-100 still sells for $175-$200 on the used market. The 300 sells for $300 pair, new.

Those might have been "Energy's economical speaker"...but that is almost like saying...

The BMW 1 series sucks cause it is an entry level BMW...

"Entry level" needs to be tempered with what you are actually talking about.
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post #5 of 17
6/1/11 at 2:19am
Thread Starter 
As I stated in the original post I am going with either the denon avr-4311ci or the new avr-3312ci. From there I am unsure what direction to go with new towers that will actually be an upgrade.
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post #6 of 17
6/1/11 at 4:46am
You would be just fine with eighter the 4311ci or the new avr-3312ci so no worries there. BTW... nice sub! Anyhow, its all a matter of taste/personal prefferance as you will get quite a few reccomendations from many brands. I have tried a few brands such as Polk, Def Techs, Cantons, NHT's and so on as they all have there good points but I fell in love with the Klipsch referance sound that a friend has but I didnt want to drop that type of cash on speakers. So through a little research and reccomendations from a few on the AVS site here I ended up with the Bic Accoustech line and LOVE them! If anything, I think the Bics are a bit more "mellow" or less bright than the Klipsch referance line but close. I didnt have room for towers so I use a bookshelf type for mains but they sound fantastic as I can assume the towers would be even a bit better in the "full range". Anyhow, thats just me... as some dont like the sound of horns as they are brighter than normal speakers but for myself as I am into HT the movies come alive . If you ever have the chance to listen the the Klipsch referance line and love them, then I would suggest looking into these....

Center's
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1537&sc=33
or w/ 8" driver as I have...
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1529&sc=33

Towers....
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1538&sc=32
Or 8" driver
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1530&sc=32

or bookshelf ( can be used as surrounds but a little BIG tho)
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1611&sc=29

Personaly, I would reccomend using the Pl-28 center channel & the PL-76 towers as I belive you can get them for around the $520 area or so. You will have to email Mike to see what his best price is.

Good luck!
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post #7 of 17
6/1/11 at 6:10am
How about three of these?

http://www.chasehometheater.com/inde...art&Itemid=110
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post #8 of 17
6/1/11 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by skally View Post

You would be just fine with eighter the 4311ci or the new avr-3312ci so no worries there. BTW... nice sub! Anyhow, its all a matter of taste/personal prefferance as you will get quite a few reccomendations from many brands. I have tried a few brands such as Polk, Def Techs, Cantons, NHT's and so on as they all have there good points but I fell in love with the Klipsch referance sound that a friend has but I didnt want to drop that type of cash on speakers. So through a little research and reccomendations from a few on the AVS site here I ended up with the Bic Accoustech line and LOVE them! If anything, I think the Bics are a bit more "mellow" or less bright than the Klipsch referance line but close. I didnt have room for towers so I use a bookshelf type for mains but they sound fantastic as I can assume the towers would be even a bit better in the "full range". Anyhow, thats just me... as some dont like the sound of horns as they are brighter than normal speakers but for myself as I am into HT the movies come alive . If you ever have the chance to listen the the Klipsch referance line and love them, then I would suggest looking into these....

Center's
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1537&sc=33
or w/ 8" driver as I have...
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1529&sc=33

Towers....
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1538&sc=32
Or 8" driver
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1530&sc=32

or bookshelf ( can be used as surrounds but a little BIG tho)
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1611&sc=29

Personaly, I would reccomend using the Pl-28 center channel & the PL-76 towers as I belive you can get them for around the $520 area or so. You will have to email Mike to see what his best price is.

Good luck!

What are the opinions of others (on these forums) regarding the BIC stuff?
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post #9 of 17
6/1/11 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iusteve View Post

What are the opinions of others (on these forums) regarding the BIC stuff?

Some like them, and some do not. I would reccomend that you
find a way to audition, before you purchase them.
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post #10 of 17
6/1/11 at 5:47pm
I've read some nice things about these PSB GT1 towers. My problem is finding some to audition before I drop that kind of money on speakers sight unseen (or more like "unheard"). Seems to be an excellent deal from this vendor, especially since there was a thread earlier this year praising the old sale price.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-Tower-Floorst
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post #11 of 17
6/1/11 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Some like them, and some do not. I would reccomend that you
find a way to audition, before you purchase them.

If only I had a way to audition some......I will be purchasing sight unheard but assume that BIC offers a 30 in home trial?!?!
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post #12 of 17
6/1/11 at 7:29pm
Not sure if Bic has a 30 day trial or not... you may have to ask on that. With the Bics you will not find them in any reatil store but if you have a chance to listen to the Klipsch line then I would base it off that. If you listen to the Klipsch Icon series then add a few bonus points the to Bics as they have a much more better feel/sound. If you have a chance to listen to the Klipsch referance line then that would get you prteey close but the Bic Accoustech's have a bit more mellow sound than the referance. Thats about the best way I can describe them, as some love them and some dont.... its all a matter of taste is all.
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post #13 of 17
6/1/11 at 7:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iusteve View Post

If only I had a way to audition some......I will be purchasing sight unheard but assume that BIC offers a 30 in home trial?!?!

I would make sure to weigh out a few options, before making a choice.
Also, you really need to check into the used market. There are better
speakers than what you own - however in your price range ($1,000),
the pickings are few. For your size room, keep Chase in mind.
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post #14 of 17
6/1/11 at 8:15pm
I think you are spending a disproportionate amount on your receiver and not enough on your main speakers. I would get something like a Denon 2311 and take that extra savings and apply it towards your mains.
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post #15 of 17
6/2/11 at 2:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

I would make sure to weigh out a few options, before making a choice.
Also, you really need to check into the used market. There are better
speakers than what you own - however in your price range ($1,000),
the pickings are few. For your size room, keep Chase in mind.

Any specific chase model #s?
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post #16 of 17
6/2/11 at 2:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ack_bk View Post

I think you are spending a disproportionate amount on your receiver and not enough on your main speakers. I would get something like a Denon 2311 and take that extra savings and apply it towards your mains.

I am in need on the connections of the new 3312ci (which is what I will probably get) such as 2 hdmi outs so I can feed 2 sources as well as the pre outs to add an external amp at some point among a few others. The budget I have set for the speakers is only for towers.
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post #17 of 17
6/2/11 at 5:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iusteve View Post

Any specific chase model #s?

The one I linked to earlier in the thread...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iusteve View Post

I am in need on the connections of the new 3312ci (which is what I will probably get) such as 2 hdmi outs so I can feed 2 sources as well as the pre outs to add an external amp at some point among a few others. The budget I have set for the speakers is only for towers.

Are you dead set on Denon? If not, go with Onkyo or another reputable brand that has preouts on a model that costs less than the Denon. Denon's stuff is usually priced on the higher end of the spectrum. and you're paying for the name only in my opinion. I looked at Denon when I made my purchase, but the receiver I chose had much better DACs (Burr Brown), more features for less money and better reviews/measurements.
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