How important are speaker upgrades?

Pycroft · 12-17-2008, 08:41 AM

Hello all,

Thanks to everyone so far for the help you've given. here's my current setup: Sony Bravia KDL 40V4150 LCD with a Panasonic BD35 Blu Ray hooked up with HDMI cable. I am planning on getting an Onkyo 605 or Onkyo 606 when the money becomes available. My question is, while I know my speakers are not up to date, is it something that NEEDS to be upgraded in order to work well with the system. I posted this in another post:

The speakers I use were left from the previous home owner. They are Advent Laureate speakers. I have a serial number (Not sure how much that will help), but other than that, there isn't much information (Wattage, etc.). The two rear speakers must be these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-SPEAKERS-...3A1%7C294%3A50

I am using a standard center speaker off my crappy Panasonic system...nothing flashy. So, with the Onkyo and these speakers (Can get serial number or take pictures if it will help), will it still sound good, or do I have to spend 300-500 dollars to upgrade those as well. Keep in mind, I'm not a huge movie BUFF and I don't require "Movie like sound". I'm not sure the big difference between high end speakers and typical speakers, but apparently the Advent Laureate's were pretty good in their day.

Thanks,

pycroft

chrism87 · 12-17-2008, 11:47 AM

I'm not all that knowledgeable on the subject, but from my understanding it would be important to make sure the receiver doesn't overpower the speakers. For me, my speakers say they're best suited for 100 watts and my receiver is 110. That's not a big deal, but if the difference was large you would just have to make sure you didn't crank up the volume too loud as to blow the speakers.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong or fill in the gaps.

Loves2Watch · 12-17-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pycroft

Hello all,

Thanks to everyone so far for the help you've given. here's my current setup: Sony Bravia KDL 40V4150 LCD with a Panasonic BD35 Blu Ray hooked up with HDMI cable. I am planning on getting an Onkyo 605 or Onkyo 606 when the money becomes available. My question is, while I know my speakers are not up to date, is it something that NEEDS to be upgraded in order to work well with the system. I posted this in another post:

The speakers I use were left from the previous home owner. They are Advent Laureate speakers. I have a serial number (Not sure how much that will help), but other than that, there isn't much information (Wattage, etc.). The two rear speakers must be these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-SPEAKERS-...3A1%7C294%3A50

I am using a standard center speaker off my crappy Panasonic system...nothing flashy. So, with the Onkyo and these speakers (Can get serial number or take pictures if it will help), will it still sound good, or do I have to spend 300-500 dollars to upgrade those as well. Keep in mind, I'm not a huge movie BUFF and I don't require "Movie like sound". I'm not sure the big difference between high end speakers and typical speakers, but apparently the Advent Laureate's were pretty good in their day.

Thanks,

pycroft

If you could find another Advent Laureate for the center channel or a very similar Advent for the center you will get much more enjoyment from your system. The center channel in a surround sound system IS the most important speaker and needs to match the others in the front array in timbre and tonality. If not you will have hearing difficulties, usually with the dialog.

I would also recommend that you add a powered subwoofer to fill out the sound.

Hope this helps.

Pycroft · 12-17-2008, 07:30 PM

Loves2Watch...

VERY helpful. Unfortunately, It seems there is no Advent Laureate Center Speaker...at least not one I could find online or on ebay. The company, as I'm sure you know, went out of business, so they are tough to find. I did find two things on ebay that were Advent Center Speakers, but not Laureate. Do you think these would work any better or worse than another brand?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-HT103-CEN...3A1%7C294%3A50

or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-AHT850-CE...3A1%7C294%3A50

Thanks so much.

pycroft

Loves2Watch · 12-17-2008, 10:12 PM

I would think that the ADVENT HT103 CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER would probably be the best match (1st link) and close to the Lauerate in tonal match..

Did that help?

Jim Bob Jones · 12-19-2008, 12:02 PM

A good speaker is a good speaker. Period. Just because a speaker is the new slam-bam-kid-on-the-block does not make it better. There are thousands of new name brand speakers that suck. You should always personally audition speakers.

marcallo · 12-20-2008, 12:30 PM

It is my understanding that great speakers so long as they are taken care of and not abused will be great speakers for 10-20 years. It seems like a computer case. A good one will last you for 3 motherboard upgrades or more. My speakers are 10 years old and sound as good as the day I got them.

They are definately not something needing "upgrade". However if you start adding MORE speakers then you are going to run into the issues L2W mentioned. This is why I am staying 5.1 for now. When I do finally go 7.1 I expect to be in a different room (wanna buy a house) and to get a full set of matching 7.1 speakers that will hopefully last me 10 more years.

12-17-2008, 08:41 AM	#1
Pycroft High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 401	How important are speaker upgrades? Hello all, Thanks to everyone so far for the help you've given. here's my current setup: Sony Bravia KDL 40V4150 LCD with a Panasonic BD35 Blu Ray hooked up with HDMI cable. I am planning on getting an Onkyo 605 or Onkyo 606 when the money becomes available. My question is, while I know my speakers are not up to date, is it something that NEEDS to be upgraded in order to work well with the system. I posted this in another post: The speakers I use were left from the previous home owner. They are Advent Laureate speakers. I have a serial number (Not sure how much that will help), but other than that, there isn't much information (Wattage, etc.). The two rear speakers must be these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-SPEAKERS-...3A1%7C294%3A50 I am using a standard center speaker off my crappy Panasonic system...nothing flashy. So, with the Onkyo and these speakers (Can get serial number or take pictures if it will help), will it still sound good, or do I have to spend 300-500 dollars to upgrade those as well. Keep in mind, I'm not a huge movie BUFF and I don't require "Movie like sound". I'm not sure the big difference between high end speakers and typical speakers, but apparently the Advent Laureate's were pretty good in their day. Thanks, pycroft

12-17-2008, 11:47 AM	#2
chrism87 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 140	I'm not all that knowledgeable on the subject, but from my understanding it would be important to make sure the receiver doesn't overpower the speakers. For me, my speakers say they're best suited for 100 watts and my receiver is 110. That's not a big deal, but if the difference was large you would just have to make sure you didn't crank up the volume too loud as to blow the speakers. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong or fill in the gaps. __________________ Living Room Setup: Philips 42" PFL7422D/37 (DVE Blu-Ray calibrated) PS3, Xbox 360 & Wii VIP722 HD DVR (Dish Network) Sony STR-DG820 AV Receiver Boston Acoustic Horizon MCS 100 5.1 Speakers Boston Acoustic 100 Watt 8" Powered Sub Harmony 550 Remote

12-17-2008, 07:30 PM	#4
Pycroft High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 401	.. Loves2Watch... VERY helpful. Unfortunately, It seems there is no Advent Laureate Center Speaker...at least not one I could find online or on ebay. The company, as I'm sure you know, went out of business, so they are tough to find. I did find two things on ebay that were Advent Center Speakers, but not Laureate. Do you think these would work any better or worse than another brand? http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-HT103-CEN...3A1%7C294%3A50 or http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-AHT850-CE...3A1%7C294%3A50 Thanks so much. pycroft

12-17-2008, 10:12 PM	#5
Loves2Watch Former Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In Flux Posts: 20,284	I would think that the ADVENT HT103 CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER would probably be the best match (1st link) and close to the Lauerate in tonal match.. Did that help? __________________ It's always time for pie Live everyday as if it was your last and plan on living forever...

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12-19-2008, 12:02 PM	#6
Jim Bob Jones High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,181	A good speaker is a good speaker. Period. Just because a speaker is the new slam-bam-kid-on-the-block does not make it better. There are thousands of new name brand speakers that suck. You should always personally audition speakers.

12-20-2008, 12:30 PM	#7
marcallo Two Words, No Refunds. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4,632	It is my understanding that great speakers so long as they are taken care of and not abused will be great speakers for 10-20 years. It seems like a computer case. A good one will last you for 3 motherboard upgrades or more. My speakers are 10 years old and sound as good as the day I got them. They are definately not something needing "upgrade". However if you start adding MORE speakers then you are going to run into the issues L2W mentioned. This is why I am staying 5.1 for now. When I do finally go 7.1 I expect to be in a different room (wanna buy a house) and to get a full set of matching 7.1 speakers that will hopefully last me 10 more years.