Get an exclusive sneak peek into our new project. >>> Click Here

Front and center channel speaker compatibility

707 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by sdg4vfx, Feb 14, 2014

kobelco

Discussion Starter · Feb 12, 2014

Upgrading my current HT system. Looking to replace all speakers, but keeping the A/V receiver and the powered sub-woofer. Both are good quality and will serve me well for few more years.

Looking for comments on the compatibility of the speakers I've selected, and suggestions. My budget for all the 5 (2 front, 2 rear, 1 center) speakers is around $200.

Also, I'm looking for all wall mounted speakers. So big bulky speakers are out.

Front speakers - Yamaha NS-AW194 - Pair goes for $83.65

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-AW194BL-Indoor-Outdoor-Speakers/dp/B007QTAWYC/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

Center channel speaker - YAMAHA NS-C125 $76.07

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/YAMAHA-NS-C125-Black-2-way-Bass-Reflex-Center-Channel-Speaker/5108553/product.html

Rear speakers - 2 options

1. Same as the front - Yamaha NS-AW194 - Pair goes for $83.65

2. Pure Acoustics HT770 - $30.57 each

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0067KYMLK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=N6MN8L3R7WQM&coliid=IR8Y6USMI2UWM

If I go with all Yamaha speakers, total would be $243.37

If I go with the rear Pure Acoustics speakers, total would be $220.86. I know just $23 difference.

First question: Is the front and center channel speakers "compatible"? I've read on different threads that even speakers from the same manufacturer are not always compatible.

Second question: Would going for the Pure Acoustics speakers be a real bonehead move?

Third question: Can you suggest some other configuration where the combined total would be around similar price range, but bigger bucks for the money?

Obviously, I'm not a great sound connoisseur. I'm ok with that.

Thanks everyone who spends time reading this and then leaving their comments!

See less See more

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

commsysman

· #2 · Feb 12, 2014

I suggest that you get 3 pairs of the Dayton B652 speakers (you will have one left over for...??).

They are much better speakers than the Yamahas or the others IMO, and go for the ridiculous low price of $40 per pair at Parts Express.

If you don't believe they are good read the article on them in Stereophile.

And you can't get more compatible than 5 identical speakers.

Save

kobelco

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 13, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman /t/1517530/front-and-center-channel-speaker-compatibility#post_24349289

I suggest that you get 3 pairs of the Dayton B652 speakers (you will have one left over for...??).

I should have specified I need smaller speakers that can be mounted on the wall or the ceiling. Book shelf speakers or floor standing speakers are out.

Save

sdg4vfx

· #4 · Feb 13, 2014

Take a look at these two - they are both sealed, smallish bookshelf speakers designed to be wall mounted. Generally speaking they will sound better than most very thin, "flat panel" wall speakers ...

Ascend HTM-200 http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/htm200/htm200.html

NHT Absolute Wall Speaker http://www.nhthifi.com/Home-Theater-Absolute-On-Wall-Speaker-Black?sc=12&category=7166

Here is one other wall mount speaker - it is also bit deeper and sounds better than most "flat panel" wall speakers (but I think both the ones above would have superior sq) ...

HTD Flat Panel http://www.htd.com/Products/flat-panel-speakers/flat-panel-speaker

Another option would be some satellite style speakers. Most are wall mountable. With satellite speakers you will want to spend the money on a very good sub - because the satellites are small and can't cover all the lower-mid-range frequencies (typically covered easily by bookshelf speakers) the sub must cover this freq. range and cheap, woofy or blurry sub will sound awful.

See less See more

Save

kobelco

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 14, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdg4vfx /t/1517530/front-and-center-channel-speaker-compatibility#post_24353720

Take a look at these two - they are both sealed, smallish bookshelf speakers designed to be wall mounted. Generally speaking they will sound better than most very thin, "flat panel" wall speakers ...

Thanks sdg4vfx. The thing with the ones you mentioned is that all of them would increase my cost price significantly. My absolute hard stop for 5 speakers is $250.

Save

LastButNotLeast

· #6 · Feb 14, 2014

Then get three good ones for the front and add surrounds later. You will be much happier in the long run.

Save

ClawAndTalon

· #7 · Feb 14, 2014

$200 speaker budget?

All wall mounted?

Go find a deal on a good HTIB

Save

sdg4vfx

· #8 · Feb 14, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by kobelco /t/1517530/front-and-center-channel-speaker-compatibility#post_24356197

Thanks sdg4vfx. The thing with the ones you mentioned is that all of them would increase my cost price significantly. My absolute hard stop for 5 speakers is $250.

Some options ...

The Energy Take Classic 5 Pack 5.0. It's often on sale (or slightly used on Amazon) for $200-$250 and would be a step up from the Yamaha speakers in your first post. (Also the Yamaha LR and C speakers in your post are not timbre matched - not recommended.)

Bic FH56-Bar. It's a passive soundbar so it uses your receiver's power. It auto-senses if you've connected all 5 speaker inputs or just 3 (LCR). You could use the FH56 as your LCR (i.e. 3 inputs) and then use your two best current speakers (probably your LR mains) as surrounds. The MSRP is $500 but it's often on sale for $250-$260. It has bigger speakers than most soundbars and it will also sound better than the Yamaha's (maybe even better than the Energy Take Classic's).
http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Bic-America-FH-56-Surround-Sound-Bar/5027802/product.html
http://www.parts-express.com/bic-formula-fh56-bar-speaker-bar-system--303-442?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

See less See more

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month