[mroch]

I am currently in the process of upgrading my home theater but I have no idea how to go about choosing speakers. I currently have a Panasonic SA-HT440 HTIB (5.1, 5-disc DVD) for which I only paid about $300. I'm replacing the system since it doesn't support HDMI, but I'm also unhappy with the understandability of dialog (especially at lower volumes), and the bass seems kind of weak. The SA-HT440 doesn't let me adjust any levels.


Here are the speaker specs:


Fronts: 2.5" cone type full-range, 110W (Max), 3 ohm impedance

Surrounds: 2.5" cone type full-range, 90W (Max), 4 ohms

Center: 2x2.5" cone type full-range, 250W (Max), 6 ohms

Sub: 6.5" cone type woofer, 250W (Max), 6 ohms


I'd like to upgrade the AVR and reuse the speakers. I'm planning on getting the Denon AVR-1909 which does 7.1 at 90 watts per channel (guessing this is RMS...), Audyssey MultiEQ, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ. Hopefully the Audyssey features can get more out of the speakers than the HTIB did.


To make things more difficult, I need to make the surrounds wireless using the Rocketfish wireless rear speaker kit, which says it outputs 25W per channel RMS into 4 ohms, which I guess kind of limits options for the surrounds.


Should my current (cheap!) Panasonic speakers sound better if combined with the AVR-1909? If not, what would you get for $400-450? I know it's a little low budget... so if it won't be a big improvement, I'll just save up for later.

 

[ickysmits]

Get Speakers.


Here's a good option just a wee bit over your budget:

One pair of Energy C-100 ($150): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC100

Energy C-C100 ($175): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCC100

Energy C-50 ($70): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...0%20%20%20PBLK

8" Energy sub ($90): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENESW8


Another website to compare prices and options is: http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/..._84__0_0_0_-1/


If that's too much the next best option is:

Two pair Energy C-50 ($70x2=$140): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...0%20%20%20PBLK

Energy CC50 ($90): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCC50

8" Energy sub ($90): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENESW8


That would come in at about $350

 

[mroch]

Wow, thanks for the immediate reply! I've been lurking here for a while and am amazed by how generous with your time and knowledge the members here are.


Both of those seem like nice solutions. The center is going to be really important for dialog, right? If so maybe the C-C100 is worth it... with the 4 C-50's, that'd put it right at $400.


Also, that World Wide Stereo site is great. Very slick interface!

 

[ickysmits]

With the C-C100 center speaker I'd still go with the same size fronts. I also found them at Vanns.com for $100 shipped and that would save $50. The only problem is finding the same color.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...38/energy-c100

 

[mroch]

Awesome, it's exactly the price I was looking for now. I just emailed Audio Advisor to see if they can get the C-C100 in black for me.

 

[maxcooper]

If you have space for it, a single C-100 bookshelf speaker would probably work quite well as a center speaker. It would sound best mounted vertically, but there is a chance that it might be okay on its side. You could always get one pair of C-100s for mains first, and see if you could use another one as a center (see if it fits vertically, or sounds okay on its side). It would be a good deal, and you could keep the extra as a spare. (But it looks like those might be discontinued, so don't wait too long!)


-Max

 

[ickysmits]

You could get a pair of C-100, C-50, and one C-C100 in black through Amazon for $380 shipped. If you went for something like that (or took a similar suggestion), you might want to consider saving up for a nice subwoofer that would knock you socks off. Look at SVS, HSU, eD, Epik, etc.. They all have reasonably priced subs that would add impact to your setup.

 

[mroch]

Would it really be a problem to use the C-C50 with C-100 mains instead of C-50s? I ask because the C-C100 (black) is sold out everywhere except as slightly used on eBay, and I dunno what that'll do to the warranty.