Upgrade bookshelf to floor standers or get a SUB (for music)

[Gimpymoo]

Current setup is 5.0.

Monitor Audio Bronze 2, two front, two rear and one Monitor Audio Bronze center.

Just got back into music and feel something is missing.

Do I upgrade the fronts to floor standers or get a sub?

For a sub, was looking at the SVS SB1000 PRO.

 

[Gimpymoo]

SUBWOOFERZ. billions and billions and billions and billions of them.

Two at £250 or one for £500?

 

[Gimpymoo]

I'd get the £500 sub. Then buy a second.

Two cheap subs will help flatten response but if they don't go low won't give you that low end grunt. If you want floorstanders I'd recommend spending a bit of money on them. low end floorstanders aren't great tbh, as too much compromise in them for the cost.

SB1000 is fine for music but if you want split your roof joists, it won't do that.

Was looking at the BK Elec P12-300SB as well.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Does your avr have subwoofer room correction?

Yes.

 

[Gimpymoo]

What’s the source and amp?
Pointless putting good speaker on the backend of a pants source.

.FLAC through PC VIA HDMI and an Audio-Technica ATLP120XUSB through phono soundstage.

Yamaha RX-V681

 

[Gimpymoo]

Get a dedicated streamer wiim pro with pi lms

Will that pass through to the amp better than the PC does?

 

[Gimpymoo]

Yup and better UI and multiroom
Better music navigation

I run a Plex server which I am happy with.

.FLACS are streamed "bit perfect".

 

[Gimpymoo]

Using a streamer is just a better experience than a PC. I don't know how decent the plex music database system is compared to LMS.

Try installing LMS on your PC

I like the Plex UI, across multiple devices.

If you manage you library and tag your files correctly (I use Music Brainz Piccard) it is almost perfect. You get out what you put in.

 

[Gimpymoo]

I'm having a play with one of those right now. Very good sub for the money though probably more suited to music than movies.

Also looking at the Monolith-Plus-FF.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Can get the Monolith for £580 delivered.

Seems a no brainer.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Another excellent sub and would probably be my choice but that's because I mainly watch movies and this is where these excel.

Good for music or at least a good compromise?

Would a sealed sub and not ported offer a more "realistic" sound?

 

[Gimpymoo]

For me still very good for music but not quite as taut as a good sealed sub though the best thing is to let your ears be the judge of that if at all possible.

So what is a "compromise" sub for home theatre and music listening if anything?

 

[Gimpymoo]

Some people will say ported is fine for music, it's all down to position, flattening response, getting them all aligned (if multiple) and subwoofer EQ.

Demands on subwoofer for music is much less, so typically from my experience a 10"/12" sealed box EQ'd is fine.

Is a medium, open plan room so am leaning more towards ported.