Build me a better system for cheaper...

You say this is what you HAVE??...or are thinking about getting??

You are looking at big floorstanders with a lot of bass. This is a bad idea if you are going to use a subwoofer. You are wasting a lot of money buying bass response you don'r want or need, and the speakers will not be as good-sounding as smaller monitors with higher quality design and components.

Those speakers will not be as good for movies as a pair of good two-way speakers that will be clearer and cleaner-sounding not only for voices but for music of all types.

You can get better speakers for less money by selecting higher-quality monitors that go down to around 50 Hz and letting the subwoofer work from 50 Hz on down. That is how you get the best system sound in my experience.

For example; a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze BX-2 speakers will sound way WAY better than those Polks, and will only cost $500 ( plus another $150 or so for some GOOD solid stands). The bronze BX Center costs $300.

Another excellent setup is the KEF Q100 speakers with a Q200c center speaker; that will cost around $900 total.
Edited by commsysman - 6/25/12 at 6:58am

First, there is nothing wrong with getting tower speakers even if you are buying a sub because the woofers in the towers will still be generating some of the midbass even once crossed over with the sub. And it's not true that 2 way speakers are always better for HT. Towers can help to create a larger soundstage for the front, a plus for HT usage. But if you want to cut your budget, getting a good pair of bookshelves instead is one way to do that.

For something in between, you might consider the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340s for across the front and then either the CBM-170s or HTM-200 for the rear.

Or if you do want to stick with towers, consider the Energy RC-70s or Kef iQ90s at Vanns (use promo code "audio" at http://www.vanns.com/shop/promo) for $399 ea.The RC-70s can be paired with the RC-LCR for center and then RC-10s or Veritas VS Surrounds for rears (also at Vanns). With the Kefs, the iQ60C and the iQ10s for rears.

The big Polk floorstanders give you bass down to a bit below 40 Hz; good monitors, like the BX-2 will give you bass down below 50 Hz and sound a lot better. The Monitor Audio speakers are better-sounding across the board.

You pay dearly for that larger cabinet and that little extra bit of bass, and sacrifice sound quality (at comparable prices).

Crossover networks are one of the the enemies of good sound quality, because of the phase distortion they cause. A 2-way speaker only has one crossover, and that helps to give less problems than you have in a 2 1/2 or 3 way system.

The ultimate is to have a 2-way with NO crossover network, which is what I have, but that takes very special design techniques for both the drivers and the enclosure. There are only a few systems that offer that.

Voice frequencies range from 140 to 1200 Hz, so it is best if the 2-way speaker has a crossover frequency above 1500 Hz to avoid that region.

If you simply like the appearance of floorstanders, select a set that are smaller, are two-way systems, and only have frequency response down to 45-50 Hz or so. One nice pair that would do the job is the Cambridge S70, which is only $500/pair. The Cambridge S50 Center is $200.
Edited by commsysman - 6/25/12 at 7:27am

I'm with getting floorstanders, you want a sub for low bass like rumbling and explosions, but with bookshelves and a sub you can often miss out on the midbass. Things are often specced down to 38hz or 50hz, but what is the output at that level? Few bookshelves are going to output a decent db level at 50hz. Do you need to spend $550 on a sub if you are getting towers. If you are running a sub at 50hz or below it pretty much is only making rumbling noises you can go cheaper on it and spend that money on better towers and center. In my opinion, the center is most important for movies, towers are most important if you want to listen to music (if your setup is just for home theatre it doesn't matter so much and you could just get bookshelves), rears arem't that important and a sub is important but less so if you've got good towers that output good midbass.

If you want to stick with Polk I'd look into getting the LSi's for the towers if you plan on listening to music a fair bit with it, since they're bringing out a new LSi line you can probably pick up the old one quite cheap. If HT is the main focus maybe get a better center. (CSi A6)

http://www.jr.com/polk-audio/pe/POK_LSI15R_hy_CH/
Edited by matteos - 6/25/12 at 10:21am

For HT, you need a sub if you really want the full affect. For music, many towers are capable of getting low enough.

I still feel that towers and a sub can provide an excellent HT AND music experience. Not disputing what commsysman is saying, that you can save some money or get more bang for thebuck with bookshelf speakers...but a good set of towers, a matching center and a good sub has the capability to sound excellent!

It is up to you if you desire towers or bookshelf speakers. Some of this can depend on the
size of your room, and how loud you plan to play it. Most people really are not looking for the
ultimate loudness/mancave level. Good bookshelf speakers can work fine and be able to cross
over to a good subwoofer. A good amount of owners, crossover from bookshelf and/or tower
speakers at 80hz. I have bookshelves that play down to 65 and 60hz that can work just fine.

If you plan on playing a lot of music in my opinion floorstanders offer you a fuller sound than bookshelves (unless they are crappy floorstanders compared to expensive bookshelves).

But, go and audition some speakers and see, take some music you know very well with you (and if you are going to best buy just ignore whatever advice they give you), maybe you prefer bookshelves with a sub over floorstanders. If you can find a place with a good return policy you can listen in your home with the option of taking back.

For You - KEF iQ70, $600 a pair > turn it up.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882156011
Edited by zieglj01 - 6/25/12 at 12:02pm

+1

Those are a great choice to fill a big room with some loud music

Then you need the iQ60C to go with it for the center.