vigiano Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I have a new system with RF82, RC62, RS52, RW 12d sub and a Denon 3311 ci receiver. I'm thinking of upgrading to 7.1 and am wondering what 2 speakers would be best to add? I thought my options might be 2 more RS52's or RF 62/52 or possibly if I wanted to piss my wife off a pair of R7's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Actually putting RF-7s in the back with RF-82s in the front will tick off everyone here, not just your wife. RF-7s would be a huge step up from your RF-82s. Put 'em up front where they belong! Its generally recommended that bookshelf or floorstanding type speakers be used as rear surrounds and speakers with as your RS-52s be used as side surrounds. Some say if you listen to a lot of music you'll like bookshelf/floorstanders better but if you're mainly into movies you'll like the RS series better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vigiano Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Sorry I meant moving the RF82's to the rear and using the rf 7's as fronts. I don't think thats a great option for me due to their size. What about another RF speaker in the rear like the 82/62/52 instead fo the bookshelf speaker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'd recommend an RF series speaker unless you can't fit one due to limitations in available space. Floorstanding speakers have always given a fuller sound to my ears. You wouldn't necessarily have to spend the coin on another pair of RF-82s, RF-62s would work very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 RB's work well as rear channel speakers also. Especially when you consider how much info actually gets sent back there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vigiano Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 The main thing I have to consider is the back wall is about 3 feet from the back of my couch and it's about 36 inches tall. I don't know how that will affect the sound the room is 20 by 20 and the stereo and tv are in the corner facing an L shaped couch. Just something to consider. Towers or bookshelf on a stand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFactor Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Actually putting RF-7s in the back with RF-82s in the front will tick off everyone here, not just your wife. RF-7s would be a huge step up from your RF-82s. Put 'em up front where they belong! Its generally recommended that bookshelf or floorstanding type speakers be used as rear surrounds and speakers with as your RS-52s be used as side surrounds. Some say if you listen to a lot of music you'll like bookshelf/floorstanders better but if you're mainly into movies you'll like the RS series better. x2 [:@][][:^)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vigiano Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'm also researching the imotiva XPA-3 amplifier to run the front and center speakers. Building a system as I am learning can be complicated and seems to be an incrimental process. What do you think about getting a imotiva XPA-3, would this give a better boost to the system instead of buying the 2 extra speakers or would the two speakers be a better choice. If I did that and then latter I could decide on R7's or the surround speakers. what do you guys think. It is hard to imagine the results with my limited experience in stereo equipment. I do know that with every upgrade I immediately start looking for ways to make the system better. I have the money to buy any of the items mentioned but I suppose I have caught the upgrade bug. Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFactor Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'm also researching the imotiva XPA-3 amplifier to run the front and center speakers. Building a system as I am learning can be complicated and seems to be an incrimental process. What do you think about getting a imotiva XPA-3, would this give a better boost to the system instead of buying the 2 extra speakers or would the two speakers be a better choice. If I did that and then latter I could decide on R7's or the surround speakers. what do you guys think. It is hard to imagine the results with my limited experience in stereo equipment. I do know that with every upgrade I immediately start looking for ways to make the system better. I have the money to buy any of the items mentioned but I suppose I have caught the upgrade bug. Thanks for the input. If your saying XPA-3 or RF7II's well my answer is 7's hands down but if your saying going from 5.1 to 7.1 with just adding rs62's or its little brothers I'd say add a amp the xpa-3 is a great performer with many options to build upon with other amp combos later.Going from 5.1 to 7.1 isnt going to give you a wow but upgrading your front stage speakers will . The 7's will sound outstanding with or without a seperate amp but of course will improve with a amp . I say get a pair of 7II's and dont look back thats my 2 cents ; ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted October 30, 2010 Moderators Share Posted October 30, 2010 Going from 5.1 to 7.1 isnt going to give you a wow but upgrading your front stage speakers will . Totall agree. One thing to keep in mind is that when you add two additional speakers, your will be significantly reducing the wattage per speaker. I found this out with the receiver in my signature. It's a 130w/ch but when you have 7.1, it drops down to a measly 55w/ch. The Yamaha website says it is 130w/ch with all channels driven but that's just not true. According to actual bench tests, each time you add a pair of speakers, the wattage was reduced. Take a look at my comment here regarding this as well as the link to the test results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vigiano Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 It's hard to argue with your advice. My only hesitation with the 7's is their size and then I would need to upgrade the center to the RC64. I'm more interested in higher quality at a lower volume. As it is the 82's are plenty loud. will the XPA-3 give a good bump at lower sound level? Then later I can go for the 7's if I'm not satisfied. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted October 30, 2010 Moderators Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'm more interested in higher quality at a lower volume. External amp will do that will the XPA-3 give a good bump at lower sound level? External amp adds better separation of sound and musical instruments as well as adds a solid bottom end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFactor Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Going from 5.1 to 7.1 isnt going to give you a wow but upgrading your front stage speakers will . Totall agree. One thing to keep in mind is that when you add two additional speakers, your will be significantly reducing the wattage per speaker. I found this out with the receiver in my signature. It's a 130w/ch but when you have 7.1, it drops down to a measly 55w/ch. The Yamaha website says it is 130w/ch with all channels driven but that's just not true. According to actual bench tests, each time you add a pair of speakers, the wattage was reduced. Take a look at my comment here regarding this as well as the link to the test results. Very good point !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFactor Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'm more interested in higher quality at a lower volume. External amp will do that will the XPA-3 give a good bump at lower sound level? External amp adds better separation of sound and musical instruments as well as adds a solid bottom end Totaly agree 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vigiano Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Thanks for the help I'm going to get the XPA-3 it's only $529 on their site right now. I'll deal with the 7's later. thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFactor Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Thanks but keep in mind if the 7's will fit you will get use to there size that was one of my concerns going from Paradigm studio 60's the 7's dwarf them but after a while you get use to the size. They dont look as big now but they sure sound big and I also picked up more low volume detail compared to my studios but if you would compare it to your 82's I would think so also but thats just speculation on my part . As Youthman mentioned you will for sure pick up low volume detail with better dynamics with the xpa-3 . Even though nearly 6 x's the cost of the xpa-3 you'll get 10 x's the improvement in performance imo going to 7's but make sure they'll fit into your budget and of course your HT partner lol. I think you could get away with keeping your 62 center without upgrading to 64 and as a matter of fact its something im considering but im not sure at this point but I might take the extra 600 dollar difference and invest in some seperates and if im not happy with the 62 matching with my 7's I could always upgrade later . But this much I do know a center speaker shouldnt be takened lightly because its around 70% to 80% of your sound with movies . I've mis-matched centers before over the years and its still sounded outstanding not being matched but my concern would be the difference in performance between the 62 and 64 not so much matching . Sorry got side tracked a little so back to your choice get the 7's and if it doesnt fit into your budget get the XPA-3 you wont be disapointed imo . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFactor Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Enjoy!!! Also keep in mind it might take a little while to get use to your new sound running a amp it did me but by the end of the day I was very happy. Well congrats on your new amp !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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