Help me upgrade my home theatre

[OldJohnnyYen]

Ive got an ok set up for films and music, it consists of an Onkyo TX-SR605

http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-sr605-34785...

And a set of Kef Eggs.

http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/home_theatre_s...

It's going on for 4 years old now so its time to slowly upgrade.

Everyone I talk too thinks I should upgrade the amp but I think ill get clearer sounds with floor standing speakers. Get more air moving. Any thoughts?

The weakspot in the whole system is the subwoofer imo, its either on or off, there or no subtleties with it. So i'm thinking a BK Monolith with some big floor standers is the way to go.

Sub £500, speakers £1000 is my budget.

[Output Flange]

You mention the sub, but what are you trying to achieve by upgrading?

[OldJohnnyYen]

Better more fuller sounds at reasonable volumes, the kefs are great but need to be turned up before they give a clean bright sound.

When it comes to the subwoofer it's not that great, its a real weakpoint so thats my first upgrade.

[OldSkoolRS]

I'd vote for the Monolith as I use one with my PMC TB2+ (and previously with the smaller DB1+ ones). It goes way deeper than the XLS200 I bought first (which initially was very impressive for it's size compared to a little KEF W2000 (I think) sub I had before it.

You won't necessarily need big floorstanders with the Monolith either...just set your crossover correctly for the speakers in question and let the sub do the work. Don't crank it up so you can hear it all the time, just a subtle level so that you hear the difference if you turn it off (best set with an SPL meter though).

Have a good look on AVforum's classifieds section as Monoliths do occasionally turn up, but also plenty of used speakers so you'll get much more for your money: My TB2+ were from there and after I'd sold on my DB1+ fronts the upgrade cost me £50. If I'd bought TB2+ when new instead of the DB1+ they would have been £300-400 more at least for the front three for example.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-c...

Edited by OldSkoolRS on Wednesday 29th February 18:56

[OldJohnnyYen]

Thanks, that's what im looking for. Subtle, rather than boom boom boom. The monolith seems to have the ability to be very subtle yet shake the windows loose of their fittings when needed

Will have a look at that link now, thanks very much.

[Carl_Spackler]

I run a set of 3000se sats with a BK Monolith and can confirm that with it set up right (crossover, etc) that I can't really see the point in floorstanders, so much so that mine are up the loft. (that and they don't match the 3001 centre).

Mind you I rarely listen to music through them, if I was I'm sure I'd have a different opinion.

With regards a "cleaner sound", does the 605 have Dynamic EQ, because I've found that switching it off improves clarity, especially with the dialogue.

[andyroo]

I recently ditched a surround sound set up for a better (but equally priced) stereo hifi and the sound is far better, and it is so much easier to install. I don't miss hearing things behind me at all, but I appreciate the better sound in movies and music immensely. Some food for thought.

[danneth]

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packag...

[swiftpete]

Monolith does a good job, I had one for a while although I've upgraded now, but that cost a lot more money etc. I tell you what you should seriously consider as the sound & build quality is awesome for the money (no I don't make or sell them!).
http://raindefence.hubpages.com/hub/XTZ-WMT-93-spe...

You can get 2 pairs of those, the matching centre and a monolith for your budget and have a really good system.

[OldSkoolRS]

Those XTZ speakers seem to be getting good reviews and forum feedback, I'll bet they're taking sales from PMC as they do look a bit nicer judging by the photos (I'm a PMC owner before anyone gets upset ).

@Andyroo, it's true that a cheap 5.1 won't sound as good as a decent stereo set up. In fact I had to go quite some way up the ladder to get a surround system that satified me in terms of stereo music playback as I didn't want two setups in the same room: I bought secondhand and accepted that I didn't have the latest gizmos, but even now my Arcam stuff takes some beating and some of it is still under warranty as they have 5 years transferable cover.

[Speedracer329]

I can highly recommend the Anthony Gallo MPS150 sub, I think they are still around the £500 mark. I found them to be very detailed & produce realistic bass with real presence.

I actually don't use mine now, it is too powerful for the flat I am in now, I could be persuaded to part with it!!

[GhostDriver]

Ive got a small room so am running one of the smaller BK Subs,
xls200 and its absolutely great, very subtle, amazing range, never distorts, looks great and ive never got it on more than half way.
My cousin has the BK Gemini, smallest of the lot, and that too does a great job in a small room. So if you have a small room and want to use your budget elsewhere, this may be an option.

[robpearson]

I've got a Rel stadium sub that i bought second hand about 10 years ago. i dont know what they go for these days, but if you want quality sound at levels that wont have your ears bleeding, i honestly think you wont find better.

[danyeates]

I have the Kef eggs and they're superb. I really wouldn't bother upgrading them, but I would upgrade the amp. It's way too small for those speakers. I use an Onkyo TX-SR876 and it's fantastic. It's so powerful and very well matched for those speakers.

I also changed the sub for an XTZ 99 W12.18 ICE which is flippin' huge! http://www.xtz.se/uk/products/subwoofers/99w12.18p...

New vs. old!

Edited by danyeates on Wednesday 14th March 14:51

[dkatwa]

I was advised from the owner of a music shop (selling high end stuff) that it is better to have two subs....to balance out the sounds...I have one REL T3 and plan on getting another one soon...