Speaker upgrade

markwilliams82

markwilliams82

markwilliams82

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15 Sep 2009
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Location
Birmingham
I’m thinking of upgrading our 5.1 speakers later this year

I got a Denon AVR-X2700H a couple of years ago with some older Canton 75 Movie speakers that I got from a high street specialist a few years ago

Are there any recommendations for something powerful with a good sound that doesn’t cost a fortune?
 
What's your budget exactly?

You can't go wrong with Diamond 9.1's for a low cost of entry if buying new, but might be better off checking the second hand markets, there's some cracking deals out there for cheap as long as you can collect.

They're one of those things that are a nightmare to mail so people often let pretty high end kit go for a song.
 
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That’s a good idea!

I’ll have to start checking second hand

All my cabling is wired in and hidden so I’d be looking for a 5.1 system again to upgrade probably under £1k

I was looking at Wharfedale DX3, Q Acoustics 3010i or Focal Sib Evo 5.1.2 as some options

I know the Focal Sib have Dolby Atmos so would require some new cabling ran to the fronts but with my setup I could manage that quite easily
 
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I'd go for good 5.1 over budget 5.1.2. Wharfedale and Q have similar sound signature, Focal are typically more forward. You need to demo some speaker brands

I've seen some Wharfedale Evo 4.2 going for good prices second hand if that's in your budget.

Buying second hand can save ££££ I've saved a lot, my mains, center, front wides, sides, surround were all second hand or ex-demo, I wouldn't have been able to pay for the new price of those.

Also I would consider dual subs, get a single sub now and look at second later. I'm running three subs (I did have four but using that fourth one in another system) makes a big improvement, that AVR will calibrate each speaker and sub and do PEQ and alignment. Look at avforums there is a guide to what sub is recommended for the room size.

I have 3010i, they're pretty good but lack the dynamic punch of a big speaker, I'd say they're good for surrounds, sides, heights, but not upto the task for mains.
 
markwilliams82 said:
That’s a good idea!

I’ll have to start checking second hand

All my cabling is wired in and hidden so I’d be looking for a 5.1 system again to upgrade probably under £1k

I was looking at Wharfedale DX3, Q Acoustics 3010i or Focal Sib Evo 5.1.2 as some options

I know the Focal Sib have Dolby Atmos so would require some new cabling ran to the fronts but with my setup I could manage that quite easily
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Give this a gander, £450 for the package.

Isn't Solihull just down the road from Birmingham?
 
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markwilliams82 said:
Not far at all, I drive through Solihull every night to get home so nice spot!

How do they rate? Only thing missing is a sub
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They're honestly very well received, you could ask to demo them if possible to see for yourself. I've not had much experience with them myself but they are very popular with the home theatre crowd and sound fantastic, it'd be a huge upgrade from what you have assuming you've the space.

For £450 I really cannot imagine you being able to do remotely better, and it leaves you half a grand for a sub that isn't terrible to boot. You'd spend £400-500 for the floorstanders alone if buying new and by all accounts they're not terribly priced even when buying new.

As mentioned, speaker setups like this take up a ton of space and shipping second hand really isn't viable so you need collection. They're also niche purchases, there's a lot of money to be saved if you're willing to buy second hand and look around/pick them up in person.
 
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hornetstinger said:
Only weak point is the centers. Don't like mtm designs.

Could do with beefier center IE wharfedale evo center is a monster.
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While I don't necessarily disagree I think the OP needs to take this with a grain of salt.

A lot of it is preference, but hornet has some unrealistic expectations and given you're coming from the following:

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It's going to be an absolute night and day difference.
 
The Q-Acoustics package with a BK P10 subwoofer will be a massive upgrade over the Catons and will leave the OP with plenty of change too.
 
Thanks everyone, I’ve dropped the message on the av forum for some details

It’s down at the moment so will wait a reply and keep an eye out
Reviews of the speakers do sound good
 
All being well I’ll pick up next week when I’m back from holiday. Give my system an upgrade

I’ll keep my existing sub to start and then upgrade when something comes up

Hopefully notice a decent improvement for films compared to my current speakers once I run the calibration tool
 
markwilliams82 said:
All being well I’ll pick up next week when I’m back from holiday. Give my system an upgrade

I’ll keep my existing sub to start and then upgrade when something comes up

Hopefully notice a decent improvement for films compared to my current speakers once I run the calibration tool
Click to expand...

I honestly think you're going to be blown away given what you're coming from, be sure to give us some impressions once you get things set up.
 
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markwilliams82 said:
Review I’ve read online all seem to be positive, but there seems to be different versions. I, C or standard

Do they make much difference
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I is improved model. Not sure exact differences maybe crossover, driver, and banana plugs.

I went for 3010i, used as atmos heights (as the brackets allowed a good range of motion in both axis)
 
markwilliams82 said:
Review I’ve read online all seem to be positive, but there seems to be different versions. I, C or standard

Do they make much difference
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that one is notably inferior to the other once set up, there's definitely improvements but you'd probably be hard pressed to tell the difference in blind testing.
 
The sub (if active) and AVR are actually the parts of the chain I'd lean toward buying new.

I think people generally pair the Q-Acoustics you're looking at with the BK Gemini but I've heard mixed things about it, probably due to it being more on the compact side which you might not necessarily want to opt for unless tight on space.
 
Gemini is bit weedy I'd only use it for bedroom system

There is a thread on a forums to determine suitable subwoofer (s) for the room. Depends on output, volume of total room whether it's open . I would recommend duals
 
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