Looking to upgrade

[Mysterest]

Hello and thanks. I currently have a 5.1 system that is made up of Polk Monitor 30 speakers for front and rear surround, a Polk center channel, and the 10" sub PSW10. My receiver is an Onkyo HTRC 260. My room is 15 by 25. (8' high)
I use the system mostly for music, not movies, as I have many DVD audio discs, and other surround discs, SMH -CD, DSD music, and SACD.
I am looking to upgrade all the components, and my price range will be $5000. Hopefully at this price point, I can get better sound.
I've been ok with the sounds from the Polks overall. As I started to research some of the newer brands, I see that Polk is not considered high end. I wonder if I can go with a set of (newer tech) speakers by some names as Fluance; Paradigm; Focal; Elac;Emotiva; Q Acoustics; SVS or PSB. I dont want anything with a rear port, my fronts are on stands just 15" off the wall. As I look, I think may have to go over budget. Maybe over 4 for the speaker setup and under 2 for the receiver if I have to.
Thanks in Advance

 

[AnalogSteph]

I dont want anything with a rear port, my fronts are on stands just 15" off the wall.

15" is plenty to not interfere with port operation. What effect there is will be from boundary gain, but that's what room EQ is for. Rear ports are cheap insurance against port noises.

So you still want to go the classic AVR route with passive speakers, correct? I may be somewhat tempted to try an AVR with pre-outs plus a gaggle of Kali IN-8s or the like, assuming you don't mind the extra power cables and buy the right RCA to XLR cables to avoid issues with ground loops (Monoprice has some that should do the job if memory serves).
Otherwise I guess a bunch of Elac DBR62s would be an upgrade from your rather cheap Polks already, though you have the budget for something better still (including floorstanders for the front at least). Maybe an assortment of KEFs? (2x Q Concerto Meta or Q7 Meta or Q 11 Meta front, 2x Q3 Meta or Q Concerto Meta back, and either Q6 Meta or another Q Concerto Meta or Q3 Meta as center.) Having some money left for room treatment is not going to hurt, mind you.

Do you even need the center to be, well, center-shaped? They only look like that to fit where they normally go, below or above a screen. The typical 2-way MTM centers (like what you probably have right now) are rather inherently broken, actually. If you have the space, there is nothing wrong with using a "normal" speaker there. Keep in mind that those are generally going to be ported, while a center will be closed with accommodations for wall mounting.

Your sub may be no great shakes (potentially literally) but should be adequate. You may consider getting a second one for a more even in-room response.

I'm not up to speed regarding AVRs and their room correction options, but I'm sure someone will chime in.

 

[Scytales]

For multichannel music listening, I would certainly upgrade the loudspeakers first and foremost. And I would buy identical speakers for each channels, including the center one if there is no monitor display which would be partially masked by the center speaker.

Considering the fact the Onkyo amplifier power is nominally 100 Wpc on 8 ohms load, but that the Onkyo is not explicitly specified to be able to produced that power per channel with more than two channels simultaneously in function, I would searched for speakers having a sensitivity equal or above 90 dB/1W/1m. I would avoid speakers with a nominal impedance of 4 ohms as the Onkyo is not designed for such loads.

I think the rest is a matter of matching the loudspeakers in-room response to the acoustic of your listening environnement.

 

[ZolaIII]

For stereo I would go with 2.2 and 120 Hz crossover. For surround you will be much more limited so check the KEF R Meta series that you can properly pair. Budget probably won't be enough in that case with new AVR. If you don't want ports you can go with such subs and probably out of luck when it comes to speakers (there are still some for better and worse). If the output is significantly cut (high crossover) so it will be port output but it will still be a ported speaker (by response) even when you plug it. You can't have good back to front reflection regardless with only 15" behind, you need a big room and lot of space behind so you go with next best thing you can. Make it less relevant by minimum phase and more direct by putting speakers close to the back wall, eventually put isolation in between (heavy curtains, rock wool). Do the DSP part properly and it will sound fine.
It's about what you want to get in general expectations (room, SPL) and how to get there (hard work) resolving the problems as much as possible.
Good luck and have a nice time.

 

[Mysterest]

I have been looking at reviews on youtube, etc, and listening to Crutchfield's, "compare speakers" application.
I am thinking of purchasing the Warfdale Evo series to put together my 5.1 music listening environment.
I would use the Evo 4.2 as my fronts, and Evo 4.1 as my surrounds.
The Evo 4.CS will fit in my space for the center, and add a Warfdale SW 10 as my sub (possibly buy 2, as my AVR has 2 sub outputs.).
However, I am so used to my Polk Monitor 30 set up (see above) and how they sound,h tat I think I would be unhappy if the new speakers did not greatly improve the sound quality. I would appreciate your thoughts, thank you.
I did notuce today that Crutchfield just dropped the price on the Evo 4.1 and 4.2s
Again, I have many 5.1 DVD audio discs, 5.1 bly ray music etc. SACD and and Japanese SHM CD and Mobile Fidelity discs. I am mostly a Prog Tock and 70s rock person.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I have been looking at reviews on youtube, etc, and listening to Crutchfield's, "compare speakers" application.
I am thinking of purchasing the Warfdale Evo series to put together my 5.1 music listening environment.
I would use the Evo 4.2 as my fronts, and Evo 4.1 as my surrounds.
The Evo 4.CS will fit in my space for the center, and add a Warfdale SW 10 as my sub (possibly buy 2, as my AVR has 2 sub outputs.).
However, I am so used to my Polk Monitor 30 set up (see above) and how they sound,h tat I think I would be unhappy if the new speakers did not greatly improve the sound quality. I would appreciate your thoughts, thank you.
I did notuce today that Crutchfield just dropped the price on the Evo 4.1 and 4.2s
Again, I have many 5.1 DVD audio discs, 5.1 bly ray music etc. SACD and and Japanese SHM CD and Mobile Fidelity discs. I am mostly a Prog Tock and 70s rock person.

If you don't like the sound of the Wharfedale EVO loudspeakers, Crutchfield will issue a prepaid return label for a fee. ASR found the Revel Performa3 M105 bookshelf/standmount loudspeaker to measure well. Crutchfield is again showing inventory of the M105 in Piano Black for $577.50 each.

Perhaps you have the space to use a single M105 vertically as a center channel speaker.

Revel M105 Bookshelf Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel M105 Bookshelf/stand-mount speaker. A member was interested in it so I decided to buy it through our company. The retail cost is US $750 each for a total of $1,500 for a pair. NOTE: my company, Madrona Digital is a dealer for Harman and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Revel Performa3 M105 (Piano Black)

Bookshelf speaker

www.crutchfield.com

Edit - pardon, I forgot no rear port was wanted....

The ELAC DBR62 bookshelf/standmount loudspeaker uses a front port and is highly recommended by Amir.

 

[Mysterest]

If you don't like the sound of the Wharfedale EVO loudspeakers, Crutchfield will issue a prepaid return label for a fee. ASR found the Revel Performa3 M105 bookshelf/standmount loudspeaker to measure well. Crutchfield is again showing inventory of the M105 in Piano Black for $577.50 each.

Perhaps you have the space to use a single M105 vertically as a center channel speaker.

Revel M105 Bookshelf Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel M105 Bookshelf/stand-mount speaker. A member was interested in it so I decided to buy it through our company. The retail cost is US $750 each for a total of $1,500 for a pair. NOTE: my company, Madrona Digital is a dealer for Harman and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Revel Performa3 M105 (Piano Black)

Bookshelf speaker

www.crutchfield.com

Edit - pardon, I forgot no rear port was wanted....

The ELAC DBR62 bookshelf/standmount loudspeaker uses a front port and is highly recommended by Amir.

Did Amir do a review of the Warfdale Evo 4.2 ?

 

[Power Pop 23]

Did Amir do a review of the Warfdale Evo 4.2 ?

Not that I am aware of.....

I see Amir reviewed the Wharfedale EVO 4.1

Wharfedale EVO 4.1 Review (Speaker)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Wharfedale EVO 4.1 bookshelf speaker. I purchased it new a couple of months ago thank to generous partial funding from a member. The EVO 4.1 costs US $799. I chose walnut among the few colors it comes in: As you see it uses AMT tweeter in a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I do not know if the measurements of this review can be applied in any way to the Wharfedale EVO 4.2

 

[Mysterest]

Not that I am aware of.....

I see Amir reviewed the Wharfedale EVO 4.1

Wharfedale EVO 4.1 Review (Speaker)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Wharfedale EVO 4.1 bookshelf speaker. I purchased it new a couple of months ago thank to generous partial funding from a member. The EVO 4.1 costs US $799. I chose walnut among the few colors it comes in: As you see it uses AMT tweeter in a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I do not know if the measurements of this review can be applied in any way to the Wharfedale EVO 4.2

I never heard of Revel.
The reviews are indeed good !!
Looks like I may have found what I'm looking for !! Thanks

 

[Power Pop 23]

I never heard of Revel.
The reviews are indeed good !!
Looks like I may have found what I'm looking for !! Thanks

A Revel loudspeaker a reliable choice if they fit your budget and listening space.

 

[Mysterest]

A Revel loudspeaker a reliable choice if they fit your budget and listening space.

Looks like I may be too late. If I replace my Polk setup with Revel Performa3, I'll have a hard time matching finishes. Looked all around and if I get either F206 or M106 fronts, and pair them 105s (or all 4 the same), I can only find the C205 in Walnut. The others are only available in black or white. The 10" sub, I can find new anywhere.
Too bad, I like what I read about Revel, but it looks like they are going with everything, " in wall".
I did email Patrick Gaffney at Harmon to see if he could help me find the items

 

[jsrtheta]

If you're looking for other speakers, I'd suggest strongly that you audition Monitor Audio.

As for Polk, I wouldn't even use them in my car. That's me, and I'm far from a speaker guru. (Or any kind of audio guru.) For purposes of budget I bought Infinitys. I've auditioned car speakers many times, though, and the Polks just always sucked. YMMV.

 

[ZolaIII]

Just for not generalising there are good Polk speakers for theatre setup in the price range but ports will be on all sides. R600 down foreign and R200 & R400 back flared with filter and staying on same woofers 6.5" twisted cone. What's with 10" subs? I have a pair of Wharphadale D10 and all do not beat in any way they serve me fine down to 26/30 Hz. You could go with similar 12" if you need couple dB more or only one like SVS 1000 Pro.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Looks like I may be too late. If I replace my Polk setup with Revel Performa3, I'll have a hard time matching finishes. Looked all around and if I get either F206 or M106 fronts, and pair them 105s (or all 4 the same), I can only find the C205 in Walnut. The others are only available in black or white. The 10" sub, I can find new anywhere.
Too bad, I like what I read about Revel, but it looks like they are going with everything, " in wall".
I did email Patrick Gaffney at Harmon to see if he could help me find the items

FYI - The 'successor' to the Performa3 series of loudspeakers 'may' be available for purchase in the first quarter of 2025.

Madrona Digital told me in April 2024 that Revel had confirmed there would be replacements for the Perfoma3 series of loudspeakers, but not 'when'. Subsequent to that confirmation, another ASR member mentioned seeing a posting on the AVS forum of another Revel dealer claiming the new series of loudspeakers would be available in the first quarter of 2025.

Amir found the Revel Concerta2 M16 bookshelf/loudspeaker measured well. It and the companion Concerta2 C25 center channel loudspeaker are available at Crutchfield in High Gloss Black. Occasionally Revel has put the Concerta2 line on sale for 30 percent off list price.

I enjoy my Perfoma3 F206's very much. Consider waiting for the next 'deal' on Revel loudspeakers. If you can.......

EDIT - I have enjoyed a pair of KEF LS50 "Meta' bookshelf/standmount loudspeakrs and Amir found they measured well. KEF sells them in pairs and singles for use as a center channel. KEF recently refreshed their Q series of loudspeakers with 'meta' material. The KEF Q3 Meta was recently reviewed at Erin's Audio Corner.

 

[Mysterest]

Thank you very much

 

[Mysterest]

I finally pulled the trigger. It came down to Polk Audio Reference series or Monitor Audio Bronze. I went with the Monitor Audio speakers after listening to both.
The Polk Audio reference speakers are very balanced, a very neutral sound that is very transparent, very natural sounding.
The Monitor Audio speakers were a bit more bright and a bit punchy in comparison .
The midrange was very clear, where as I felt, the Polks were a little muddy in the middle to me.
Got the Onkyo TX RZ70 to power the two 500s, the 100s for the rear, and I bought 50s for my front highs , but dont have them yet. Got the M A sub, but its not hooked up yet. The 500 towers and the 100s have good bass l, but I'm goad I got the sub.
I feel everything except the sub were a good bang for the buck.
I thank everyone here for their help and suggestions