So I asked these questions in the EMP Tek forum but I thought I would also try getting a general opinion from other forum members. I am somewhat of a novice when it comes to home theater systems but I truly enjoy piecing together a quality sound system without completely breaking the bank. I really appreciate "bang for the buck" equipment. I have been fighting the upgraditis bug for some time but I fear I may lose that fight soon.
I'm contemplating upgrading my 5.1 home theater's Polk Audio speakers to some EMP Teks. I am getting ready to move and my new movie room is about 26X16 with standard 8 foot ceilings. Along with upgrading my speakers, I'm hoping to get a projector with either a 106 or 120 inch motorized screen.
I currently have Polk Monitor 60s for my front mains, Polk Monitor 50s for my rears and a CS1 for my center all being powered by a Pioneer VSX-1120 receiver. I also have an SVS PC12-NSD for my sub which I love. I am tempted to upgrade to EMP E55Tis for my front mains and a EMP E56Ci for my center. I take it I would notice a substantial difference in the sound quality when comparing my current Polks to the EMPs I am considering? I just want to make sure that if I spend the money that I'm going to hear a considerable improvement between the sets of speakers. If I were to purchase the EMPs, would my SVS sub work well with those or would I need to consider the SVS PC12-Plus? Is my Pioneer VSX-1120 sufficient in pushing the EMPs?
With those questions asked, I am having trouble deciding on my surrounds. What are the general feelings on the EMP E55WIs? Would those be better than my Polk Monitor 50s that I'm currently using as surrounds? I have been considering ceiling mounting my rear speakers. Is that an option with the E55WIs or are they strictly for wall mounting only? Would I be best with sticking with EMP for my surrounds or could I go a different route?
I have to appease my fiance so the better looking the surrounds the better. I decided I would rather fight the battle of having her accept the larger cabinets of the E55Tis and E56Ci and give in a little when it came to the surrounds. While the E55WIs aren't ugly, I don't know how well they would blend in if mounted from the ceiling. With that said, I'm not quite sure what other speakers would play well with the EMPs up front. I have looked into the Axiom QS8 v3 and ordering them in all white. I feel those might blend in better than the E55WIs but would they work well paired with the other EMPs? I know some don't care for Axiom but how are the QS8 v3s for surrounds? My main issue with that route is that I'll likely pay around $300 more for the white Axioms (with 2 $60 ceiling mounts) as I would with the E55Tis.
The only other route I have looked in to is in-ceiling speakers. Are there some that would go well with the EMPs up front? The Speakercraft AIM8 was one I've run across but wasn't sure how well it would sound with the EMPs. What would you all recommend regarding the surrounds?
Does anyone know how often EMP has B-stock available in the E55Ti or the E56Ci? It appears that they currently don't have B-stock available in any of their models or finishes.
If you feel the EMPs aren't the way to go, are there any other speakers for around the same price of the EMPs that I may be overlooking? I guess I would like to keep the entire speaker purchase under $2,000 and the closer to $1,500 the better. Is there something that would offer a significant upgrade from my current Polk setup for that price range?
I really value any opinions that are provided. Thanks for any input you may have.
I'm contemplating upgrading my 5.1 home theater's Polk Audio speakers to some EMP Teks. I am getting ready to move and my new movie room is about 26X16 with standard 8 foot ceilings. Along with upgrading my speakers, I'm hoping to get a projector with either a 106 or 120 inch motorized screen.
I currently have Polk Monitor 60s for my front mains, Polk Monitor 50s for my rears and a CS1 for my center all being powered by a Pioneer VSX-1120 receiver. I also have an SVS PC12-NSD for my sub which I love. I am tempted to upgrade to EMP E55Tis for my front mains and a EMP E56Ci for my center. I take it I would notice a substantial difference in the sound quality when comparing my current Polks to the EMPs I am considering? I just want to make sure that if I spend the money that I'm going to hear a considerable improvement between the sets of speakers. If I were to purchase the EMPs, would my SVS sub work well with those or would I need to consider the SVS PC12-Plus? Is my Pioneer VSX-1120 sufficient in pushing the EMPs?
With those questions asked, I am having trouble deciding on my surrounds. What are the general feelings on the EMP E55WIs? Would those be better than my Polk Monitor 50s that I'm currently using as surrounds? I have been considering ceiling mounting my rear speakers. Is that an option with the E55WIs or are they strictly for wall mounting only? Would I be best with sticking with EMP for my surrounds or could I go a different route?
I have to appease my fiance so the better looking the surrounds the better. I decided I would rather fight the battle of having her accept the larger cabinets of the E55Tis and E56Ci and give in a little when it came to the surrounds. While the E55WIs aren't ugly, I don't know how well they would blend in if mounted from the ceiling. With that said, I'm not quite sure what other speakers would play well with the EMPs up front. I have looked into the Axiom QS8 v3 and ordering them in all white. I feel those might blend in better than the E55WIs but would they work well paired with the other EMPs? I know some don't care for Axiom but how are the QS8 v3s for surrounds? My main issue with that route is that I'll likely pay around $300 more for the white Axioms (with 2 $60 ceiling mounts) as I would with the E55Tis.
The only other route I have looked in to is in-ceiling speakers. Are there some that would go well with the EMPs up front? The Speakercraft AIM8 was one I've run across but wasn't sure how well it would sound with the EMPs. What would you all recommend regarding the surrounds?
Does anyone know how often EMP has B-stock available in the E55Ti or the E56Ci? It appears that they currently don't have B-stock available in any of their models or finishes.
If you feel the EMPs aren't the way to go, are there any other speakers for around the same price of the EMPs that I may be overlooking? I guess I would like to keep the entire speaker purchase under $2,000 and the closer to $1,500 the better. Is there something that would offer a significant upgrade from my current Polk setup for that price range?
I really value any opinions that are provided. Thanks for any input you may have.