After 18 years of using Bose, looking for a new 7.1 system??

Can you describe the size of your room and your preference to movies vs music?

I own the EMPtek ETi5s and really like them, especially for HT applications. You didn't say whether you have room for towers or not, so...and any decent system will likely be much larger than the Bose system (and sound many times better).
Another speaker I have heard extensively and really like is the Ascend 340-t bookshelf speaker (especially if floor space is limiting and you have room for a mid sized bookshelf). A very good speaker for the money...

NHT Classic Three package >
http://www.nhthifi.com/NHT-Classic-Three-5-1-Surround-System-Package?sc=12&category=3830

Denon 2312 receiver
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AV2312C/Denon-AVR-2312CI.html?tp=179&kw=&org=pla&nw=g&crv=6664789225#overview-tab
Refurb here
http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=item&id=DENAVR2312CI&gclid=CIT8rMmJ_LICFROnPAodoRYA7Q

All you need to do, is add 2 more surrounds.
http://www.nhthifi.com/Home-Theater-On-Wall-Speakers

If you buy from them - ask them to give you a deal for 7.1

Something like NHT, would pancake the Bose.

In before DAT_56 posts about the dynamic and rich full Bose sound and questions why you would ever want to upgrade.

Sorry, inside forum joke!

ZZZZzzzzzzzinnnnnnnggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMHO, throw away or sell the Pioneer sub.  In the 3k price range for speakers its gonna be a weak link. 

 

A few to get you started:

 

Hsu, Ascend, EMPTek, Athena, Aperion, SVS, Paradigm all good companies.

 

You should define the speaker use: 50% HT 50% Music?

 

How loud do you listen?

 

How much power do you have available?

Are you talking about a Pioneer or Polk subwoofer?

Which model Polk subwoofer?

I am going to say, maybe the PSW505.

If I was spending $3000 on a speaker system I'd be planning to spend $1000 of it on the sub.

I really like the system I have - so I'm going to suggest something just like it

Go to KEF direct, and buy 4 pairs of iQ30s, at $350 per pair that's $1400. That gives you your 7 speakers and 1 to spare.

Then buy 2 Rythmik F12s for $1750.

For $3150 you would have an incredible 7.2 system and one spare speaker.

You might even be able to sell your Polk sub for $150 and break even on your $3000 budget

No offense, but you may be over rating your gear a bit. Polk or Pioneer does not have any phenomenal sub no matter what the cost is and 1912 is not a great receiver. I have the Denon 3310 and there is nothing great about it. But there is nothing bad about it either. I just would not call it great. In fact there is really nothing great about any mid-level receiver. They are just adequate to drive 8 ohm speakers of high sensitivity. That is something you have to keep in mind before buying speakers so that you have enough power for 5 or 7 speakers.

Unless you get 8ohm (nominal) speakers with high sensitivity like 95db, that 1912 may not be adequate, especially if you want to play the speakers very loud. The harder you push those receivers, the higher will be the distortion. Even if you go to the higher models, you dont get a significant boost in power (except may the ones at the very top). There is not much difference between 100W and 130W as they dont give you significant increase in volume. So adding an external amp is something you should keep in mind for future.

Given your current system, I would presume your primary interest is movie. If you are willing to spend $3000, my suggestion is KLIPSCH.

Contact Sound Distributors or any club if you are a member, regarding Klipsch RF-82 II, RC62 II. I dont like to recommend the RS II's for surround as they are over priced unless you get a deal at Sound Distributors. Instead I would get the RB61 II or RB 51 II for rear.

Start with 5.1. You are not missing much with 5.1 as there are very few true 7.1 mixes. There will always be people here who have a different opinion. There are people who want nothing less than 11.2 so I am sure you are going to hear many posts that you will be missing a lot if dont have 7.1.

And dont go crazy with the sub. Again there are going to be proponents of multiple subs and people who argue that you gotta to have 3 subs. There is no need to get everything at the same time. Start with just want you need to enjoy a movie and upgrade later. But dont go too cheap either so that you can always build on what you get now.

Considering the fact that you are coming from Pioneer/Polk sub, you dont have to spend 4 figures for sub. You may be happy with the SVS SB12-NSD. If you prefer more low end, you could go with a ported sub like SVS PB12, HSU VTF2-MK4 or Outlaw LFM-1 Plus, if weight is not a limiting factor for you. I dont like a bottom ported sub like HSU or Outlaw as they make too much rustling sound when I run the Antimode (sub calibration). So I thought that may affect the calibration. With Audyssey, that may not be a problem as Audyssey uses a much faster pulse than a slow sweep like Antimode. I didnt have a receiver with Audyssey when I had the HSU STF-2.

If you still have money left, you can put it on a receiver that has pre-outs. If network and other bells and whistles are not important for you, Denon 3311 may be adequate for you or if you want Audyssey XT 32, you can try the Onkyo 818. A receiver with preouts is good to have so that you can add an external amp in future as these receives just will not give you enough head room.
Edited by Mupi - 10/13/12 at 2:19am

Do not underestimate the power requirements by over rating your current receiver. The power from an AVR is never enough (not much head room), especially if you get low impedance, low sensitivity speakers. That is the main reason I suggested Klipsch. You sure spent too much on that sub My suggestion would be to stay away from brick and mortar brands like Polk, Pioneer, Infinity etc. for speakers or sub. They are just inexpensive gear and not worth spending money, unless you live in an apt and want something inexpensive for a short term. The resale value on those brands is abysmally low. So don't waste your money on such brands.
Edited by Mupi - 10/13/12 at 2:25am

The PSW 505 is not a bad sub. It's the only one by Polk that I would say is worth a crap. But you did way overpay for it. They are going for less than $250 online.

I guess one could call it "phenomenal" relative to what he has been using for 18 years But considering what $550-600 can get, it is not a "phenomenal" sub by any means.

Here are some better options (if weight is not a limiting factor to the OP). I have excluded Epik Legend due to amps issues.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm1plus.html

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb12-nsd#.UHl3g662BwQ

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/FV12.html

A bit more expensive

http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb12-nsd#.UHl3la62BwQ
Edited by Mupi - 10/13/12 at 9:29am

The only info you really provide is that you would prefer something not too big. That's a little vague to make a specific recommendation from. As for keeping your Pioneer sub, I'm not familiar with that model, but Pioneer is not really known for their subs. Still, it may be perfectly good enough, especially since you seem happy with it. I would shop for speakers that suit your needs but leave a little room in the budget for a sub if you decide later you want a better one.

There's a boat load of good, affordable 7.1 channel speaker options. If sound quality is really important, there's no substitute for listening for yourself. The only other good option is shopping on-line, reading reviews and deciding what you like as far as size, price, appearance, etc, and then finding an on-line seller with a good rep and a fair trial period within which you can return or exchange if dissatisfied. Most speakers within broad price categories will sound different, but not necessarily better or worse. No one can tell you what is right for you. It really all comes down to personal preference.

I know I recommend what I have a lot but I just don't think you can do better for the price. I paid under $2,000 for 7 speakers and 2 subs.

BIC/Acoustech
2 X PL-89 or PL-76
1 X PL-28 or PL-26
4 X PL-66

Probably around $1,000 for the 8" woofer set and about $800 for the 6.5" woofer set. From acousticsounddesign.com

OR for smaller speakers
BIC
7 X FH6-LCR

Probably around $700 from acousticsounddesign.com

Subs:
Outlaw Audio
2 X LFM-1 Plus for $550 each + shipping (bought mine on sale for $499 each and free shipping). outlawaudio.com
OR
2 X LFM-1EX for $650 each + shipping.

Yeah right! Recommendations from a Boseholic. LOL

If you want small but sounds amazing look at Anthony Gallo A’Diva Ti 5.1 System, they sell for around 2600 dollars. If that isn't your cup of tea I have to recommend EMP tek setup, I have one for my home theater and its a good set, it will do every thing you need plus more.

It's not a Pioneer sub, it's a Polk.

Congratulation, you are now understanding that you over paid from Marketing

7.1 seven speaker and a sub you might consider pioneer Andrew Jones new vintage or you could go HSU, energy is another that used to be good :D