You know how sometimes you just get dissatisfied with your home theater system? That has happened to me, so I have been researching how to improve it. After spending a lot of time on this site, and looking at new receivers and speakers, what I have concluded is that I don't know what I am doing. I have also realized there are many helpful people on this site who know a lot about this subject, so I am asking for advice. Simply put, I'm not sure if the weak link is my speakers, or my receiver, or both. The sound isn't terrible but it's not as good as I would like it to be. Dialog is particularly difficult to hear. I'm not looking for anything too fancy or expensive, just better sound. Here is what we are using:
B&W CDM1 speakers (somewhat high-end when purchased in 1996 - why does that make me feel old?)
B&W CC6 center channel (same)
Polk Audio DSW Pro 10" powered subwoofer (purchased last year)
Sony STR-DE545 receiver (purchased in *cough* 2001)
no surrounds
My first thought was to buy a new receiver, leaning towards a Denon, Pioneer, or Yamaha. But then I saw in this forum that B&W speakers are power hungry, so I began to wonder if my CDM1's weren't cut out for home theater duty. Or at least, not with my receiver. Then I read on the B&W speaker thread that B&W made some poor center channels, including the CC6. Maybe the other speakers are okay, but the center channel is the problem. But I thought I matched the center to the L & R when I purchased them, so would it be a problem to swap out the center?
I got so frustrated that I began to consider starting over and buying a whole new system, but that is an expensive impulse. I welcome your opinions and suggestions.
Thank you for your time,
David
B&W CDM1 speakers (somewhat high-end when purchased in 1996 - why does that make me feel old?)
B&W CC6 center channel (same)
Polk Audio DSW Pro 10" powered subwoofer (purchased last year)
Sony STR-DE545 receiver (purchased in *cough* 2001)
no surrounds
My first thought was to buy a new receiver, leaning towards a Denon, Pioneer, or Yamaha. But then I saw in this forum that B&W speakers are power hungry, so I began to wonder if my CDM1's weren't cut out for home theater duty. Or at least, not with my receiver. Then I read on the B&W speaker thread that B&W made some poor center channels, including the CC6. Maybe the other speakers are okay, but the center channel is the problem. But I thought I matched the center to the L & R when I purchased them, so would it be a problem to swap out the center?
I got so frustrated that I began to consider starting over and buying a whole new system, but that is an expensive impulse. I welcome your opinions and suggestions.
Thank you for your time,
David