This would be a perfect opportunity to upgrade all 3 front speakers, since the CS2/8/10/20 is one of the most commonly complained about center speakers on this forum.Hi guys, first time poster. I currently have this setup:
2x Polk Audio Monitor60 Series II
Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center
2x JBL surrounds (not sure model)
Sony 10" subwoofer
Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1
Unfortunately, I need to do away with the floor standing Monitor 60s and am looking to replace them with some smaller bookshelf speakers without sacrificing overall sound quality. I'm currently considering getting a pair of Klipsch 500Ms but have no idea if they'd mesh well with the CS2 center. Should I consider upgrading the center as well to say a Klipsch 404c or 600c, and have all 3 fronts brand matched? Should I look for an even higher end set of bookshelf speakers to compensate? Basically, I'm looking for an equal or better solution here.
Lastly, I should add the room is midsized, and I rarely push the system hard, so I'm not looking for something that can handle constantly being cranked up to 11 and still sound good. Mostly used for movies.
Thanks, in advance. Cheers!
Budget would $500-$700 to replace all 3 fronts, though I'd be willing to stretch a little if the right deal arose. Didn't know that about the CS2. I have to say, I do have trouble discerning dialogue sometimes and I thought it was just me, or my settings or something. I'm ok with the sub for now, got little kids in the house id rather not wake up at night with wall rattling bass.This would be a perfect opportunity to upgrade all 3 front speakers, since the CS2/8/10/20 is one of the most commonly complained about center speakers on this forum.
What is your budget max for this upgrade? We need a ballpark number to make specific product suggestions.
I'd also upgrade your sub unless you seldom watch blockbuster action/thriller movies.
Emotiva B1+ and a C1+ can be had for under $500 shipped.Budget would $500-$700 to replace all 3 fronts, though I'd be willing to stretch a little if the right deal arose. Didn't know that about the CS2. I have to say, I do have trouble discerning dialogue sometimes and I thought it was just me, or my settings or something. I'm ok with the sub for now, got little kids in the house id rather not wake up at night with wall rattling bass.
How would that compare to something like 2x Klipsch 500M & 600C, which I can currently get for $560 shipped?Emotiva B1+
I second this. For the price, you will be very hard pressed to find something better and in a smaller package. If you are ok with the much larger size for the center, you can go for the C2+ for an extra $150. You would still be within budget, and it is fantastic sounding. It is rarely in stock, but is in stock currently.Emotiva B1+ and a C1+ can be had for under $500 shipped.
They are arguably the best price-to-performance values on the market right now. They'd more than likely be less harsh/bright, and might offer better imaging/resolution compared to the Klipsch speakers, too. Both are improvements over the Polks, but I think the Emotivas would edge out the Klipsch speakers. The Emotivas would also be $22 under budget, which is always nice when you can achieve that.How would that compare to something like 2x Klipsch 500M & 600C, which I can currently get for $560 shipped?
www.avsforum.com
www.avsforum.com
While there are some movies that are notorious for poorly recorded dialogue, the Polk CS centers are notorious for producing muddy dialogue with all sorts of content.Budget would $500-$700 to replace all 3 fronts, though I'd be willing to stretch a little if the right deal arose. Didn't know that about the CS2. I have to say, I do have trouble discerning dialogue sometimes and I thought it was just me, or my settings or something. I'm ok with the sub for now, got little kids in the house id rather not wake up at night with wall rattling bass.
I had the Monitor 60 a long time ago, I rocked out plenty with them and enjoyed them but they were a bit bright to my ears. The real trick to "downsizing" without sacrificing sound quality are subwoofers in my opinion. If you have a couple properly integrated with some bookshelf speakers you will outperform those towers in the bass and the mids/highs. Plenty of good choices too, I originally replaced the Monitor 60's with Chane A1 bookshelfs, then Wharfedale Diamond 200, then KEF Q150 and finally the LS50's. All play plenty loud with subwoofers in the mix.Hi guys, first time poster. I currently have this setup:
2x Polk Audio Monitor60 Series II
Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center
2x JBL surrounds (not sure model)
Sony 10" subwoofer
Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1
Unfortunately, I need to do away with the floor standing Monitor 60s and am looking to replace them with some smaller bookshelf speakers without sacrificing overall sound quality. I'm currently considering getting a pair of Klipsch 500Ms but have no idea if they'd mesh well with the CS2 center. Should I consider upgrading the center as well to say a Klipsch 404c or 600c, and have all 3 fronts brand matched? Should I look for an even higher end set of bookshelf speakers to compensate? Basically, I'm looking for an equal or better solution here.
Lastly, I should add the room is midsized, and I rarely push the system hard, so I'm not looking for something that can handle constantly being cranked up to 11 and still sound good. Mostly used for movies.
Thanks, in advance. Cheers!
I wouldn’t see it as a downgrade if 60s were low end replaced by higher end bookshelves, for movies If you listen loud get towers if not then bookshelves are fine .I had the Monitor 60 a long time ago, I rocked out plenty with them and enjoyed them but they were a bit bright to my ears. The real trick to "downsizing" without sacrificing sound quality are subwoofers in my opinion. If you have a couple properly integrated with some bookshelf speakers you will outperform those towers in the bass and the mids/highs. Plenty of good choices too, I originally replaced the Monitor 60's with Chane A1 bookshelfs, then Wharfedale Diamond 200, then KEF Q150 and finally the LS50's. All play plenty loud with subwoofers in the mix.
Thanks for the input! I'm leaning towards the B1+ & C2+(if it'll fit in my vented compartment). Do these ever go on sale? I don't see them sold anywhere else but the Emotiva website.While there are some movies that are notorious for poorly recorded dialogue, the Polk CS centers are notorious for producing muddy dialogue with all sorts of content.
The Emotiva B1+ with C1+ combo is in a different league than the Klipsch combo you're currently looking at. The only advantage the Klipsch would have is higher sensitivity so you could blast them at louder volumes if that's what you like. They also have a more aggressive or "forward" presentation which some people enjoy while others find the strong treble off-putting. The big difference is the 3 way center of the Emotiva, which is generally more desirable for a horizontal center speaker than the 2 way design that the Klipsch uses.
If you have the space for the larger C2+ center that would be the cat's meow and still come in under your budget max ($400 + 250 = 650). Since the center does up to 80% of the total HT output, it makes logical sense that it be the biggest and best speaker in your system.
If the room is real small or the avr is beefy even the " blast it" advantage goes awayWhile there are some movies that are notorious for poorly recorded dialogue, the Polk CS centers are notorious for producing muddy dialogue with all sorts of content.
The Emotiva B1+ with C1+ combo is in a different league than the Klipsch combo you're currently looking at. The only advantage the Klipsch would have is higher sensitivity so you could blast them at louder volumes if that's what you like. They also have a more aggressive or "forward" presentation which some people enjoy while others find the strong treble off-putting. The big difference is the 3 way center of the Emotiva, which is generally more desirable for a horizontal center speaker than the 2 way design that the Klipsch uses.
If you have the space for the larger C2+ center that would be the cat's meow and still come in under your budget max ($400 + 250 = 650). Since the center does up to 80% of the total HT output, it makes logical sense that it be the biggest and best speaker in your system.
I have the b1s .. At that price you probably won't do better...Thanks for the input! I'm leaning towards the B1+ & C2+(if it'll fit in my vented compartment). Do these ever go on sale? I don't see them sold anywhere else but the Emotiva website.
The C2+ is a big boi, so if you're downsizing, the C1+ might be a better fit.Thanks for the input! I'm leaning towards the B1+ & C2+(if it'll fit in my vented compartment). Do these ever go on sale? I don't see them sold anywhere else but the Emotiva website.
Amazon * has* carried them in the past.. They also have had random sales, but in general you are right ,close out sales are pretty much it...The C2+ is a big boi, so if you're downsizing, the C1+ might be a better fit.
I don't think they really go on sale unless they're on closeout, which wouldn't be until they release the next iteration. The flip side is they're so reasonably/competitively-priced that a sale is almost moot. They're an ID company AFAIK, so no other retailers would really carry them, either. It cuts out the middle man, which is better IMO.
You're right - I've seen Emotiva come up in Amazon searches, but in Canada it's always been marked as unavailable/discontinued or whatever because US companies hate being available outside of the US from a non-US dealer/retailer for some xenophobic reason.Amazon * has* carried them in the past.. They also have had random sales, but in general you are right ,close out sales are pretty much it...
