[SeanEboy]

Ok, so I put together my first home theater setup a few years ago... And, I'm looking to freshen it up a bit. However, I'm not sure which way to go.


Here is what I have:


Samsung 62" DLP


Pioneer VSX-1020K receiver

Klipsch F-2 L and R

Def Tech PC 600 Center, and Surrounds - going to be using the woofer for my PC

Polk PSW10 sub


I ended up with some JBL Northridge N38s, and some B&W DM 620s through a deal, and haven't even toyed around with them yet. The B&W's might have some life left in them.


Anyway... What should I be looking to do? I definitely want to keep my DLP going. But, should I be looking to a new AVR? New L/R? Surrounds? I could potentially have a budget from $1k-$2k. I was eyeing the Klipsch Reference packages.. But, I'm not really tied to any one manufacturer... Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[bladerunner6]

It is hard to tell from the way you have your gear listed but I would timbre match the front three as a next step.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by bladerunner6  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24362437


It is hard to tell from the way you have your gear listed but I would timbre match the front three as a next step.

And do something about that subwoofer.

 

[crazyrob425]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24362464


And do something about that subwoofer.

matching front 3 and better subwoofer would be the way to go


To the OP:
What is your budget?


What is your issues with your current setup?

 

[SeanEboy]

Thanks for the responses guys! Yeah, to be honest, I always read all the posts here, and it seems that everyone has much more detailed acoustic tastes than myself. If it wasn't for me, there wouldn't be a single extra speaker in this house, so I don't have much of a background.


Let me try and relist everything in a better format:


VSX1020k AVR

Klipsch F-2 for front L and front R

Def Tech PC600 HTIB for center, back left, and back right

B&W DM 620s for side L and R



I got the PSW10 for $50, and I guess it goes to show you my tastes have yet to mature, because I find it a good buy at that price... It's much bigger than the subwoofer that came with the Def Tech PC600 HTIB, but I guess that's not saying much.


So, if this whole timbre matching is to be done, then, I guess my idea of a Klipsch reference package would do the trick? I'm almost 100% movies and tv on this system, so little to no music is played. Being the elitest I am elsewhere, I started digging around craigslist, and found a guy selling RF 7 II's for $1900, that I gave a good eye to, but I'm not about to go spending another $1k on top of that to power them. Although, I did like the idea of it... ;c)


As for what is wrong with my current system? Well, I guess part of it is the "wow factor" is long gone.. Honeymoon phase is over. And, I actually sold a bunch of audio equipment that I had picked up, and want to put those funds to good use in my own system... ;c)

 

[crazyrob425]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanEboy  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24362926


As for what is wrong with my current system? Well, I guess part of it is the "wow factor" is long gone.. Honeymoon phase is over. And, I actually sold a bunch of audio equipment that I had picked up, and want to put those funds to good use in my own system... ;c)

You want a WOW factor for a strictly HT set-up 2 things you need. Matching center to the Klipsch F-2 and a serious subwoofer from SVS, HSU, or Rhythmik. Simple set-up improvement there would go along way. I might want to look into getting Klipsch Surrounds too. Those def techs are small in size and small in sound.


Personally I wouldn't spend that much money to get RF-7's if you are going to keep the Polk PSW10.

 

[SeanEboy]

Haha, if I was going for those rf-7s, I would give the whole system a 'quality enema' and clean out all the mediocrity... ;c)


I was thinking of maybe doing something like this: http://www.wwstereo.com/Home-Audio/Speakers/Speaker-Bundles/RF62IIPKG


Then, hunting for a quality sub, perhaps second hand - off craigslist or something like that...


Would my VSX-1020k then become a weak link?

 

[crazyrob425]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanEboy  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24365614


Haha, if I was going for those rf-7s, I would give the whole system a 'quality enema' and clean out all the mediocrity... ;c)


I was thinking of maybe doing something like this: http://www.wwstereo.com/Home-Audio/Speakers/Speaker-Bundles/RF62IIPKG


Then, hunting for a quality sub, perhaps second hand - off craigslist or something like that...


Would my VSX-1020k then become a weak link?

that Klipsch 5.0 speaker set would be a great start.


Finding a second hand quality subwoofer on Craigslist will be impossible mission. When I say something from SVS, HSU, or Rhythmik it will add some HUGE HUGE wow factor. Those subwoofers hardly ever come up on Craigslist.


A matching center and a SVS PB-1000 will make your jaw hit the floor and is a great start if you have no issues with the F-2 towers.


The rf-7 towers are great speakers but without a matching center AND psw10 is not a true upgrade for a serious HT room

 

[SeanEboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24365966


that Klipsch 5.0 speaker set would be a great start.


Finding a second hand quality subwoofer on Craigslist will be impossible mission. When I say something from SVS, HSU, or Rhythmik it will add some HUGE HUGE wow factor. Those subwoofers hardly ever come up on Craigslist.


A matching center and a SVS PB-1000 will make your jaw hit the floor and is a great start if you have no issues with the F-2 towers.


The rf-7 towers are great speakers but without a matching center AND psw10 is not a true upgrade for a serious HT room

Well, there's a Supercube II up there for $450, but I guess that's for smaller rooms yet still eh?

Found this deal over on [H]ardforum:


SVS


SB12-NSD Sealed Sub 23-270Hz ± 3dB $599 (~14" cube. I own one. Excellent sound quality and all around performance for my small-medium room)

PB12-NSD Ported 18-150 Hz ± 3 dB $599 (much larger, heavier, more output/volume for big rooms in addition to lower bass)


Free shipping, 45 return policy (free return shipping).


Outlaw Audio


M8 Subwoofer $249. Free shipping. 29Hz-250Hz +/-3dB. No experience with it, but, for it's (sale) price and size, I've read good things over at AVSforum.


There's pro reviews for these subs on the net (with CEA 2010 testing for the SVS subs listed).

http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer...-nsd-subwoofer
http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/pb12-nsd


M8:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20042164-47.html
http://hometheaterreview.com/outlaw-...ofer-reviewed/

 

[crazyrob425]

For $600 the SVS PB12-nsd is a great buy especially for a HT http://www.svsound.com/specials/outlet-specials/PB12-NSD

There is never too much output for subwoofer. Simply turn the gain down. It's better to have too much bass than too little cause you will be pushing subwoofer to max.


Get the SVS and matching center.


As for the super cube I would still choose the SVS PB-1000 over that.

What is your exact budget for upgrade?


What is the size of you viewing room with ceiling height? Is it closed off or open?

 

[rnatalli]

$599 for the PB12-NSD is great deal; Supercube won't even come close.

 

[SeanEboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24366510


For $600 the SVS PB12-nsd is a great buy especially for a HT http://www.svsound.com/specials/outlet-specials/PB12-NSD

There is never too much output for subwoofer. Simply turn the gain down. It's better to have too much bass than too little cause you will be pushing subwoofer to max.


Get the SVS and matching center.


As for the super cube I would still choose the SVS PB-1000 over that.

What is your exact budget for upgrade?


What is the size of you viewing room with ceiling height? Is it closed off or open?

Well, that's the worst part.. I'm sitting in a 20'x20', with something like a 15' vaulted ceiling... So PB12-NSD over the PB-1000?


As for budget.. Wellll.. that's up in the air... I have probably about $1500, but I can stretch that up to $2k...

 

[crazyrob425]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanEboy  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24366761


Well, that's the worst part.. I'm sitting in a 20'x20', with something like a 15' vaulted ceiling... So PB12-NSD over the PB-1000?


As for budget.. Wellll.. that's up in the air... I have probably about $1500, but I can stretch that up to $2k...

Yes the SVS PB12-NSD is for you. With your large room you are going to need a serious subwoofer, but it will be a huge step over the PSW10


Might want to consider the Klipsch Synergy C-20 Center Channel with Klipsch Synergy S-20 Premium WDST Surround Speakers with that subwoofer upgrade.


But if you aren't a fan of your F-2's sound then look towards replacing for front 3 with another company

 

[SeanEboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24367004


Yes the SVS PB12-NSD is for you. With your large room you are going to need a serious subwoofer, but it will be a huge step over the PSW10


Might want to consider the Klipsch Synergy C-20 Center Channel with Klipsch Synergy S-20 Premium WDST Surround Speakers with that subwoofer upgrade.


But if you aren't a fan of your F-2's sound then look towards replacing for front 3 with another company

I never even thought to go after more of the Synergy series... I guess I'd say I'm content with them, considering I never really have anything bad to say about them. I did actually take an eye at the F-30s when I saw a sale pass by. But, I'm definitely going to hunt for a C-20, and maybe even the S-20s, very good advice. I much appreciate it... So, I guess it's time to go pull the trigger on the PB12.. ;c)


What if I were to buy a pair of F-30s, and move the F-20s to either the back, or side?

 

[crazyrob425]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanEboy  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24367218


)


What if I were to buy a pair of F-30s, and move the F-20s to either the back, or side?

Not a bad upgrade

 

[SeanEboy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24367455


Not a bad upgrade

What about a Klipsch RC-25? I found one locally for $150... Would that be a bad center to pair with my F2s?


Also, what about HSU? They have the VTF-2 MK4 for $529 and the VTF-3 MK4 for $659.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/index.html


Or does the SVS still win the battle?

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanEboy  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24367739


What about a Klipsch RC-25? I found one locally for $150... Would that be a bad center to pair with my F2s?


Also, what about HSU? They have the VTF-2 MK4 for $529 and the VTF-3 MK4 for $659.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/index.html


Or does the SVS still win the battle?

There is no so-called the very best - HSU VTF-3 is a good option


While I am a JBL Studio 5 fan - the Klipsch system can work nicely for you.


The higher RC-25 Klipsch can work for you - however, it will be different

 

[sdg4vfx]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanEboy  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24367739


... Also, what about HSU? They have the VTF-2 MK4 for $529 and the VTF-3 MK4 for $659.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/index.html


Or does the SVS still win the battle?

Both the VTF-3 or the SVS PB12-NSD are excellent subs. (IMHO you really can't go wrong with any of the subs in the $650 price range from HSU, SVS, Rhthmik, Outlaw or Powersound.)

 

[cel4145]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24367004


Yes the SVS PB12-NSD is for you. With your large room you are going to need a serious subwoofer, but it will be a huge step over the PSW10

And that's an understatement. You'll be really surprised at the difference between the PB12-NSD and the PSW10 if you have never heard this caliber of sub before.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanEboy  /t/1517998/looking-to-do-my-first-upgrade-however-i-dont-quite-know-what-im-doing-halp#post_24367739


Also, what about HSU? They have the VTF-2 MK4 for $529 and the VTF-3 MK4 for $659.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/index.html


Or does the SVS still win the battle?

Unless there is some kind of special going on, HSU charges shipping. I think it's $99 for the VTF-3 MK4.


The SVS PB12-NSD is arguably similar in class to the VTF-3 MK4, with the HSU having a little more max output and a touch more low end bass extension. But is the difference worth $150? I wouldn't think so. Here's a comprehensive review of the PB12: http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/pb12-nsd

 

[SeanEboy]

Thanks guys! Now, do I need to order the $50 feet with the PB12, or is that just a rip?


EDIT: Pulled the trigger... No feet...