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worth upgrading?

post #1 of 13
3/11/12 at 8:25am
Thread Starter 
Hello,

well i have been bit by the upgrade bug

Currently i am running the following...

4 x Insignia NS-B2111 for the front and rears
1 x TSC RC-1 center channel
2 x 12" DIY Sound Splinter subs
Pioneer VSX 918V

Now i have been looking at either of the two following setups.

Setup #1 Pioneer

1 pair Pioneer SP-FS51 for fronts
3 x Pioneer SP-C21 for center and rear surrounds

Or i was thinking about running all Pioneer SP-C21 for fronts and rears due to space restraints, but not sure yet.

Setup #2 Polk Audio Monitors

2 x Polk Audio Monitor50 Series II fronts
1 x CS1C Series II or CS2B Series II center channel
2 x Monitor30B Series II or Monitor40B Series II for rears

And maybe running Monitor40B Series II for the fronts and rears depending on space restraints.

I mainly do 50/50 movies and gaming with ps3 and xbox and sometimes music.

Now my main questions are....

#1 Which would be a better setup?
#2 Is it a worthwhile upgrade over my current?

Thank you
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post #2 of 13
3/11/12 at 8:39am
Have not heard either, but the Pioneers you have are said to sound really good for the money. Not to be rude, If your going to upgrade, usually you go bigger. I would save up and go for a really good set of speakers, JMPO. I'm going through the same thing now! If you think the polks will hold you over for a long time, then I would do it, but if you think you are going to upgrade again in 6 months, then hold off.
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post #3 of 13
3/11/12 at 9:07am
The Polk speakers are decent speakers, and the price is certainly nice, but the question I have for you is...how much of a sonic upgrade do you expect? The speakers you are talking about might not be a big improvement.

The Polks are OK, but there are much better-sounding speakers IF you are willing to spend a few more bucks.

If you could spend $400 for a pair of Monitor Audio M6 towers, $139 for the MCenter, and $200 for a pair of M1 speakers, that would be a HUGE upgrade in sound quality compared to the any of the Polk speakers at comparable prices.






Quote:
Originally Posted by splatee View Post

Hello,

etup #1 Pioneer

1 pair Pioneer SP-FS51 for fronts
3 x Pioneer SP-C21 for center and rear surrounds

Or i was thinking about running all Pioneer SP-C21 for fronts and rears due to space restraints, but not sure yet.

Setup #2 Polk Audio Monitors

2 x Polk Audio Monitor50 Series II fronts
1 x CS1C Series II or CS2B Series II center channel
2 x Monitor30B Series II or Monitor40B Series II for rears

And maybe running Monitor40B Series II for the fronts and rears depending on space restraints.

I mainly do 50/50 movies and gaming with ps3 and xbox and sometimes music.

Now my main questions are....

#1 Which would be a better setup?
#2 Is it a worthwhile upgrade over my current?

Thank you
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 13
3/11/12 at 9:07am
The Pioneer is much better than the Insignia - however, you need to
decide how far you want to go.
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post #5 of 13
3/11/12 at 9:43am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies. I am still researching. Just seeing if the two choices would be a wothwhile upgrade over my current set up? I am happy with it but it just seems to be lacking something. The Insignias seem a little "distant" sounding. I feel like they are lacking a bit midrange punch.

I just saw some Polk Polk Audio RT55 book shelfs on the local craigslist. I go uses route and just upgrade the front soundstage and leave the Insignias for the rear.
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post #6 of 13
3/11/12 at 9:46am
OP,
I've got an all Polk Monitor setup (M60 - CS1 - M30) and I have been more than happy with it for 7 years. That being said, I've recently caught the upgrade bug and am in the market for new speakers. For the money, you'd be hard pressed to find a more satisfying setup. If I could offer any advice from my experience I would go with the larger center channel (CS2). I think you'll be totally satisfied with the Polks. I'd go with the Monitor 60s, CS2, and Monitor 30s. The 60s are on a few dollars more than the 50s and you'll appreciate the extra driver for music. Monitor 40s will also do a fine job on a good pair of stands.
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post #7 of 13
3/11/12 at 10:18am
yeah, i would go with the polk m60's minimum at least, and think about m70's if budget allows. the cs1 and cs2 is up to you. some people prefer the cs1. i think the cs2 is fine and don't have the issues with dialog some people mention.
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post #8 of 13
3/12/12 at 11:55am
Thread Starter 
Right now QVC is having the sale on the pioneer c21 center channel speaker. Now I have been thinking about picking up 5 of them and using them for fronts and rears. I'm just not sure how that would sound like that but for the price its hard to pass up.
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post #9 of 13
3/12/12 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

The Polk speakers are decent speakers, and the price is certainly nice, but the question I have for you is...how much of a sonic upgrade do you expect? The speakers you are talking about might not be a big improvement.

The Polks are OK, but there are much better-sounding speakers IF you are willing to spend a few more bucks.

If you could spend $400 for a pair of Monitor Audio M6 towers, $139 for the MCenter, and $200 for a pair of M1 speakers, that would be a HUGE upgrade in sound quality compared to the any of the Polk speakers at comparable prices.

You realize Audio Advisor is out of the M1 and MCentre? Not much point in recommending a discontinued speaker that isn't available... unless you know of somewhere else to buy them.

They are available at big river, but not as cheap.
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post #10 of 13
3/12/12 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by splatee View Post

Hello,

well i have been bit by the upgrade bug

Currently i am running the following...

4 x Insignia NS-B2111 for the front and rears
1 x TSC RC-1 center channel
2 x 12" DIY Sound Splinter subs
Pioneer VSX 918V

Now i have been looking at either of the two following setups.

Setup #1 Pioneer

1 pair Pioneer SP-FS51 for fronts
3 x Pioneer SP-C21 for center and rear surrounds

Or i was thinking about running all Pioneer SP-C21 for fronts and rears due to space restraints, but not sure yet.

Setup #2 Polk Audio Monitors

2 x Polk Audio Monitor50 Series II fronts
1 x CS1C Series II or CS2B Series II center channel
2 x Monitor30B Series II or Monitor40B Series II for rears

And maybe running Monitor40B Series II for the fronts and rears depending on space restraints.

I mainly do 50/50 movies and gaming with ps3 and xbox and sometimes music.

Now my main questions are....

#1 Which would be a better setup?
#2 Is it a worthwhile upgrade over my current?

Thank you


What's your budget for upgrading?

As for what I bolded above, are you capable of building cabinets? You can get some pretty high end speakers with a DIY kit. For example this Zaph tower and center channel will out class anything being discussed here.
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post #11 of 13
3/12/12 at 4:37pm
I ran monitor 60s, a CS2 and Monitor 40s for surround sound for a couple of years and they were great! A very nice entry level system. Good bang for your buck!
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post #12 of 13
3/12/12 at 4:48pm
Have you looked at the emptek offerings?
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post #13 of 13
3/12/12 at 7:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by splatee View Post

Right now QVC is having the sale on the pioneer c21 center channel speaker. Now I have been thinking about picking up 5 of them and using them for fronts and rears. I'm just not sure how that would sound like that but for the price its hard to pass up.

You want to run 5 center channel speakers?
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