walking up an old thread for my first post but it seems related. Duly noted that i'm not an audiophile by any stretch, so I have some learning to do.
New to home theater but not new to Klipsch, have run promedia 2.1, 5.1 and thx for many years mostly off my computer or using the aux but after bumping my TV up to 55" and getting a new entertainment center I decided to dive into a legit system.
Shopping the used electronics market on CL and FB I got started with a Sony Str-DN850 7.1 for the receiver and picked up a R10-swi for the wireless sub, got a great price on both. Currently have this set up as a 3.1 using my old 5.1 promedia speakers for L/R/Center on the entertainment center along with the sub in the back corner. Honestly they sound good, but its time to get some legit replacement for those 3 up front, its unlikely that I will use any surround setup, except down the line so i'm focusing strictly on the front for now.
Looking at a couple options for the center channel, and I have these 3 available locally on CL. (SW Florida) I'm not limiting myself to these, its just whats out there now.
SC1 $80
KC-25 $105 (2 for 170)
R25C $130 * This is my first choice < but admittedly because its just so pretty
Assuming the R25C is a good choice, the price seems fair enough, would plan match it with a pair of R bookshelf options that I will need to keep under 13" high If I remember my shelf measurements correctly. <i'll double check that.
Room is 14 x 18 with 14' cathedral ceilings and open on the left side to the eat in, kitchen, etc so I have a pretty big space but will focus on the actual family room portion and the couch on the back wall. Currently the mini speakers are on the top shelf of the entertainment center about 5' high above the TV and again, they aren't disappointing, but I know that it could sound so much better. Would use this about 50% movies and tv, 40% music, 10% music concerts < I have a decent digital and dvd collection.
is the R25C a good starting point or should I be looking at a step up from that? I really can't find the space for anything larger and still have room for the bookshelf speakers as the space is approx 13" X 52 where I need to place the 3, I have room for floor standing but honestly prefer the bookshelf option so they semi-disappear rather than being out in the open.
If the R25 is a decent choice I'd like to hear opinions on a good bookshelf match (both aesthetically and for sound) for the L R that will fit inside my space limitations.
I get a bit of sick pleasure out of shopping for bargains so i'm willing to wait if necessary for the right models to show up, but not forever.
First off: I'm feeling confident that pretty much ANY option I get will be a noticeable upgrade from using the older 5.1 speakers that I pilfered off my old system, but I don't want to end up purchasing something that I'll want to upgrade from in short order.
Any issue with my previous decision to purchase the Sony Receiver and/or the R10? Honestly the R10 is quite overpowering right now I have it dam near on the lowest setting possible with the dials on the back for 90% of the time, but will occasionally turn them up just a tad when watching or listening at higher levels.
So in summary:
Is the Sony Dn850 a decent receiver
Is the R10wi a good start
will I be happy with the R25C for now and the immediate future
Is there a good recommendation for matching bookshelf options to go with the above?
Again, I likely won't add surround, its not critical to me + I don't want to run wires to the back of the room or bear the expense of powered wireless surrounds at least now, baby steps.
