Thread: Wanting to upgrade speakers to be ran by a Elite VSX-32

Im looking to upgrade all of my speakers in my 5.1 system, minus the sub which I will use with my new speakers. Like I said my AVR is a Pioneer Elite VSX-32. What brands of speakers pair good with Pioneer AVRs? Im wanting to use the same brand for all the speakers to keep the same voicing all around. I thought I would ask your opinions. Thanks all!

I really like my Def Tech's. They are mid - lower price range ($200 each), so Im not sure what your price range is.

I'm also a fan of Definitive Technology. Great sound and well built. If you research their speakers you'll find some great positive reviews.

I replied in the other thread we kinda got going kuro. I think one thing we might want to inform people of is that we were looking for some speakers that were pretty efficient. Another brand to consider aside from the other one's I recommended would be axiom audio. While I have not heard them myself I do know they are a top notch company, check out the M3 v.3 I think in the specs they are saying the sensitivity rating is 96db if so that is pretty damn efficient.

If you bought a good multichannel poweramp on the second-hand market (you'd be surprised what good deals you can find), you would then be able to choose among more speakers regardless of their stated efficiency PM me if you need any piece of advice on poweramps.

Originally Posted by ev666il

If you bought a good multichannel poweramp on the second-hand market (you'd be surprised what good deals you can find), you would then be able to choose among more speakers regardless of their stated efficiency PM me if you need any piece of advice on poweramps.

Hey ev666il I would love to get your opinion for kuro's situation. You can see his equipment in his signature. He has shown some interest in running a separate amp and using his PIO as a processor. Now IMO I feel he would benefit much more by upgrading his speakers first and possibly adding an amp further down the road. I just don't know if adding separates is going to yield better results with the speakers he has. What do you think? From the sounds of it he like's to play it pretty loud.

To get rid of the Polks is a major improvement. You'll get a very bias report here since most junkies are Def Tech fans. The most efficent speaker has to be the Klipsches. I'm a big fan of Martin Logans and Vienna Acoustics. They're the best sounding speakers I've ever heard, even for pure stereo.

Originally Posted by Barney_DaPurple1

To get rid of the Polks is a major improvement. You'll get a very bias report here since most junkies are Def Tech fans. The most efficent speaker has to be the Klipsches. I'm a big fan of Martin Logans and Vienna Acoustics. They're the best sounding speakers I've ever heard, even for pure stereo.

This is why I suggested new speakers before buying new amp's. I used to have polk's, and after lot's of listening I went with paradigm it was like having the cotton pulled out of my ears. Vienna's do sound pretty damn good, but getting a 5.0 setup from them for a grand will be pretty tough to do. You really must do some crucial auditioning because every one has different tastes I for one do not care for Martin Logan, where barney obviously loves them. Auditioning can be allot of fun though. Make sure to bring some of your favorite music and a movie with a bad ass sound track.

Originally Posted by Barney_DaPurple1

I like the idea of auditioning speakers before you buy them. The Martin Logan line of Preface and Motion 10/12 I like. Not so much of a fan of the massive electrostatic panels. Also this is a loaded question. We need to know the dimension and acoustics of the room as well as what his preferences are. Are well talking about satellites or floor standing towers?

Exactly!!! I am sure Kuro will chime in and let us know of the room size. He has bookshelf's now so I assumed that was what he would be looking for. Plus with his budget Floor standing will be hard to do, as a decent set will start around $700.

Originally Posted by Barney_DaPurple1

I like the idea of auditioning speakers before you buy them. The Martin Logan line of Preface and Motion 10/12 I like. Not so much of a fan of the massive electrostatic panels. Also this is a loaded question. We need to know the dimension and acoustics of the room as well as what his preferences are. Are well talking about satellites or floor standing towers?

That is definitely the best approach on speakers. I went to a local Theater installer to listen to the Definitive Technology speakers before I bought them. Actually, I went to two installers and both carried the Def Tech. Both had different arrangements and models of the Def Tech, so I was very fortunate. Of course they had several other speakers to compare and I really liked the Def Tech line.


.....and yeah, I'm just a bit biased!

Originally Posted by caliberconst.

You can see his equipment in his signature. He has shown some interest in running a separate amp and using his PIO as a processor. Now IMO I feel he would benefit much more by upgrading his speakers first and possibly adding an amp further down the road. I just don't know if adding separates is going to yield better results with the speakers he has. What do you think? From the sounds of it he like's to play it pretty loud.

Hi caliberconst,

I have just googled KuroHD's speakers and seen they are bookshelf. In this case, adding a poweramp, even if especially good, wouldn't lead to the required improvements. If KuroHD is willing to take a major step up from his current situation, I would strongly advise he gets floorstanders for his fronts. I am aware of the fact that he's on a limited budget, and that's why I'd also advise some patience, to buy speakers a pair at a time rather than getting all five channels at once. In the long run, he'd end up with a much better system that better suits his tastes.

Now, it is true, as Barney said, that Klipsch is the king of high sensitivity. BUT, as a Klipsch owner I feel compelled to stress how difficult these speakers are to interface with one's listening enviornment and amplification. If you go Klipsch you can sure play it loud, but you'll be severely limited in your choice of pre/pros and poweramps unless you had the knowledge and will to mod your speakers (and possibly your amps, too). Klipsch aren't speakers for all tastes, so... make sure you audition them before buying, if you're interested. Quite notwithstanding, and regardless of the brand KuroHD eventually decides to go for, I would still recommened checking the second-hand market for some deals on speakers too. You'll end up spending less for more.

Originally Posted by bravestime

That is definitely the best approach on speakers. I went to a local Theater installer to listen to the Definitive Technology speakers before I bought them. Actually, I went to two installers and both carried the Def Tech. Both had different arrangements and models of the Def Tech, so I was very fortunate. Of course they had several other speakers to compare and I really liked the Def Tech line.


.....and yeah, I'm just a bit biased!

That's an easy rocommendation (still bias) if you already have preconceived notions on listening to and buying only the Def Techs before auditioning them. Did you even give the other speakers a chance?

I have Polks and I couldn't be happier. I've heard Def Tech's in a store and they didn't blow my socks off. I guess it just depends on your space.

Thank you all so much for the great information! You guys are the best! Im gonna save a bit longer so I can have a higher budget: around $1500-$1700. I got Def Tech on my list and Im thinking about getting some floorstanders and a center channel and sats for the rear surrounds. I will type some more when i have more time being as ive been so busy. Thank u all once again! You guys have me convinced to upgrade speakers and use my AVRs amp.

One thing thats for sure is that I have alot of choices, which I love! Its gonna be a blast researching and demoing speakers. Let the games begin!

Originally Posted by KuroHD

Thank you all so much for the great information! You guys are the best! Im gonna save a bit longer so I can have a higher budget: around $1500-$1700. I got Def Tech on my list and Im thinking about getting some floorstanders and a center channel and sats for the rear surrounds. I will type some more when i have more time being as ive been so busy. Thank u all once again! You guys have me convinced to upgrade speakers and use my AVRs amp.

That's what we all enjoy doing, adding our 2cents. Please keep us informed on your decision. Good Luck.