Thread: Advice needed for speaker upgrade

Hi darrko,

what's the primary use of your theater: movies or music? Is there anything you specifically dislike in your Infinity speakers, or any characteristic you wouldn't want your new speakers to have? Conversely, is there something you especially like your current speakers, which you'd want the new ones to also exhibit? Is design gonna be a factor at all?

As for the sub, bass is adirectional and doesn't need to be timber-matched, so any subwoofer will work well with anything you purchase. For movies, it's vital to get deep bass even at the cost of speed; for music it's advisable to favor speed over extension. Having both is obviously a best case scenario. Check out the offerings from companies like Epik, HSU, SVS, JL Audio, Velodyne, Sunfire, et cetera. They all make good products for pretty much every price range.

Last but not least, as I always suggest, check out the second-hand market: it will often get you a lot more value for your money compared to buying new stuff ;-)

Evill nailed it on the head. What model number is your sub?? This is important because Infinity makes some terrific subs, and you might have to spend $700 plus to see a REAL improvement. Evill also has a good question about the speakers, do you dis like them? or do you just feel the need to upgrade??? The speakers you have are damn good speakers, unless they have characteristics that you don't care for. I will say KEF and Infinity make very different sounding speakers. To answer your question about the Kef's, yes they are fantastic speakers. Have you auditioned any of the above speakers?? that would be the best thing for you to do.

11 feet is enough of a distance between you and your speakers. I wouldn't brand the receiver's role as "minimal" but it is undeniably true that speakers are the component with the most influence on sound, so it's important to get what you like from the start. Once speakers are to your liking and suit your listening environment, they'll hardly ever require upgrading (unless of course you heard something you liked better, but that's how things go) - a better receiver can always be bought farther down the road.

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the sound of Infinity speakers, so I can't really say whether any of the following brands sound like them. Nevertheless, have a look at Heco and B&W: they both have slim floorstanders in their catalog and may be worth looking into. They sound quite different from one another, though, so beware: Heco is smoother and more neutral, whereas B&W is typically English-sounding (very warm and laid back). Klipsch have a peculiar signature sound for which I'd advise against a blind-buy: either you can audition them, or don't risk it. They're the love-or-hate kind, so better make sure you're not a hater before you get them.

caliberconst. should be able to cast more light on a few other brands ;-)

AVRs should not influence the sound enough to worry about, unless you are using some type of DSP. At that, they all can change the overall sound. Some have better auto calibration, more EQing available, or more power. Denon using Audessey, and I believe the model you listed has a very decent calibration. Room treatment is the second biggest sound issue beyond speakers.
I would also say that you would not be gaining much by upgrading your current speakers. They are very capable, and unless your trying to get something more specific by upgrading, I would hold off. Just my opinion.

Lots of good companies are making slim floorstanders these days, for the very reason that so many HT buyers are looking for them.

I don't know Heco at all, but in addition to B&W and KEF, you could look at Paradigm and Definitive Technology, who both have several lines of slender floorstanders and timbre-matched surrounds, in various price ranges. Like you said, Focals are great, but spendy. I bought mine about 13 years ago. They weren't cheap then, but the Utopia line hadn't come along and launched the prices into the stratosphere. PSB is another Canadian brand that's very highly regarded in terms of bang for the buck, who make some nifty slim towers.

Some of the towers from those makers have their own built-in powered subs (usually side-firing) that reach very low. With a pair of those, you very likely wouldn't need a standalone sub.

Not being able to audition the speakers with your equipment in your room is going to make any of these kind of a shot in the dark. But Denon has a know, slightly warmish sound, and all the speakers above would be a good match for them. Like evil666 said, the Brits tend to make their speakers rather polite sounding, so Denon gear driving B&Ws or KEFs might be a touch more rolled off on top than you'd like. (OTOH, if you have a bright-sounding room, it might be the perfect combo.)

Originally Posted by trent.memphis

Lots of good companies are making slim floorstanders these days, for the very reason that so many HT buyers are looking for them.

I don't know Heco at all, but in addition to B&W and KEF, you could look at Paradigm and Definitive Technology, who both have several lines of slender floorstanders and timbre-matched surrounds, in various price ranges. Like you said, Focals are great, but spendy. I bought mine about 13 years ago. They weren't cheap then, but the Utopia line hadn't come along and launched the prices into the stratosphere. PSB is another Canadian brand that's very highly regarded in terms of bang for the buck, who make some nifty slim towers.

Some of the towers from those makers have their own built-in powered subs (usually side-firing) that reach very low. With a pair of those, you very likely wouldn't need a standalone sub.

Not being able to audition the speakers with your equipment in your room is going to make any of these kind of a shot in the dark. But Denon has a know, slightly warmish sound, and all the speakers above would be a good match for them. Like evil666 said, the Brits tend to make their speakers rather polite sounding, so Denon gear driving B&Ws or KEFs might be a touch more rolled off on top than you'd like. (OTOH, if you have a bright-sounding room, it might be the perfect combo.)

Agreed!! I will also mention Mirage makes a stellar sounding set of slim towers. All of that being said I love the OP's choice with the Kef IQ 70's, and 90's these are both outstanding choices and are sure to put a smile on his face. To answer the question of which set is best between the 50 70 and 90, go with the 70's or 90's they are more efficient and, and will give you just a bit more head room, along with less distortion. If you can swing it go for the IQ 90's they are stunning!!! I hate to sound like a broken record but definitely check out some paradigm monitor 7 v.6's they are slender and efficient, the biggest reason I am mentioning these is because store's are clearing out stock to make room for the v.7's so there are great deals to be had. When using just an AVR efficient speakers will be your friend, they are just easier to drive.

Originally Posted by darrko

I intend to purchase the 65VT30 so I need a 3D capable receiver. I already got the Oppo 93 and its lying tucked into its box until I get the TV and receiver.

Hi darrko,

if you own a BDP-93, you don't need a 3D-capable receiver. The OPPO has two HDMI outs so you can use the main HDMI out to feed the video stream directly to your plasma, and the secondary HDMI out to carry audio to your existing receiver.