The dilemma about the rest of the speaker selection when building a 7.1 or 5.1 quality system with my new Pioneer VSX935 receiver!

[Grom]

Good morning everyone!

As the long title suggested I'm deciding between several different options to build a nice setup for my living room. I want something good not just for movies and games, but also for music listening.

I just ordered a Pioneer VSX935 receiver, and just recently, I purchased a pair of KEFQ150 to use as my main right and left speakers. But I'm unsure about the rest.

I have several different options on my mind and I need your help before I decide.

I already own a Sony SA-WMSP85 subwoofer. If you have other suggestions for a better-sounding inexpensive subwoofer, let me know.

I have the opportunity to buy a Polk RM6750 set to use as the rest of the speakers to build 7.1 which means I would add a center and 4 small speakers to complete the set.

I could get a Polk RM6750 (C$60) and build 7.1, or an Infinity Primus P142 (C$45) and use them as my rear speakers and Celestion F (C$35) as a center, in which case I would build a 5.1 system for now. I can always add another two to achieve 7.1. Not in a rush at this stage.

Any advice is highly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Grom]

1. PolkRM6750
2. Celestion F centre
3. Infinity Primus p142 rear

 

[Grom]

And my KEFQ150

 

[Putter]

I'd be more concerned with having the front 3 speakers with similar response which would lead one to get the matching center Kef Q 250 for the Q 150's. It's being cleared out to make way for the Q meta series. If that's not in the budget, I would set up a 5.1 system and use the Dirac to fine tune to your room. Also, it's possible that you just won't like a multichannel system and prefer stereo; crazy I know but it's quite common in this forum.

P.S. Another sub would be helpful, something larger than your current sub.

 

[Grom]

The only way to find out if I will like more 5.1 or 7.1 is to listen to it. But, you are right when you say that some people prefer one setup over the other.

I would like to achieve a balance between music and games.

I live in the apartment and I can't play loud music anyway because of the grumpy neighbours upstairs.

I do like the look of Infinity Primus p142 and the Celestion F centre speaker because I think it would visually complement KEFQ150. And from what I read online, they would be a great-sounding match. Their price is also a bargain for something older that's in the mint condition.

 

[10PSPMemSticksForMiku2007]

Being coaxial, the KEF q150 looks like it would make a good center speaker as long as you can fit it into your setup and it would sound exactly the same as your left/right channels. Many center speakers have the horizontal mid-tweeter-mid layout which is arguably unsuitable compared to coaxial or vertical layout.
Actually, why not get three and use q150 for your surround speakers as well? If it costs too much, I would suggest one more q150 for the center and whatever cheap speaker you can get for the rears. I did look up the Celestion F. If you're talking about the "F35 centre", it does look decent enough with frequency response to 80hz. I just don't know if its tonality will match with your KEF.
I can recommend the Polk brand but would not go for those tiny 3" speakers, especially not for the center. They will leave a hole in your frequency response unless you cross over your sub at like 120hz. That's an important frequency, it's the fundamental frequency of deep male voices. It's the kind of thing you would want to upgrade as soon as you get them. Whatever you get, try to get a frequency response with -3db at 90hz or less. That's the bare minimum IMO.
I have Polk RTi8 towers for the rears in my setup. It was convenient that I could just place them where I wanted without having to come up with stands or mounting solutions. I got them used for very cheap too. I know many people do not want to take the time or trouble to buy used stuff, but if you are seriously working with a $100 budget for your rear speakers, that's what I would recommend. I got tower speakers for the same as what you'd pay for those little satellites. Maybe you can find a decent bookshelf speaker for $50 new though. The Infinity Primus are definitely better than the small Polks.

 

[Grom]

Thanks guys. And how about Bowers & Wilkins LCR60 S3 Center Channel Speaker? Would that work better with my KEF Q150 as mains?

I could get one in a mint condition for under C$200.

 

[Grom]

Does anybody else know if any other center speaker would pair perfectly with the KEF Q150?

 

[10PSPMemSticksForMiku2007]

I mentioned this before, but nothing will pair better with a KEF Q150 than another KEF Q150.

 

[Grom]

I mentioned this before, but nothing will pair better with a KEF Q150 than another KEF Q150.

I'm considering buying another pair because of what you said earlier and because I have done more research since and this is. What others mentioned as well. But I'm really surprised that no other speaker from a different company, and actual center speaker can't be a perfect match for KEF.

I would rather not spend this much money at this time and would rather get a used, cheaper alternative that will still produce quality sound.

So, if somebody else can confirm that getting another KEF Q150 to use as a center speaker is the best option for the buck, then I would most likely bite the bullet and spend the money on purchasing another pair.

BTW, I'm not sure how visually appealing it is to have a bookshelf lying on its side to be used as a center speaker no matter the sound?!

 

[10PSPMemSticksForMiku2007]

They won't let you buy just one Q150? I do see some singles on ebay. I get what you're saying, and my system was also built on a small budget from mostly used stuff, so I get it. I just couldn't tell you what else sounds like Q150. I haven't heard one in person.
If you're using a PC or an AVR with basic PEQ you might be able to get two different speakers to sound surprisingly similar. Most people do have a center speaker different from their left and right, it isn't necessarily a big deal. I do have identical right, center, and left speakers and I think that was worth it. The rears are different, and I just got them as close as I could and I'm happy with that.
I don't care that much about appearances personally. I'd happily compromise that for sound quality and cost effectiveness.
It's more a question of how much you care about them matching exactly vs. other aspects, so only you can decide if it's worth it.

 

[Grom]

They won't let you buy just one Q150? I do see some singles on ebay. I get what you're saying, and my system was also built on a small budget from mostly used stuff, so I get it. I just couldn't tell you what else sounds like Q150. I haven't heard one in person.
If you're using a PC or an AVR with basic PEQ you might be able to get two different speakers to sound surprisingly similar. Most people do have a center speaker different from their left and right, it isn't necessarily a big deal. I do have identical right, center, and left speakers and I think that was worth it. The rears are different, and I just got them as close as I could and I'm happy with that.
I don't care that much about appearances personally. I'd happily compromise that for sound quality and cost-effectiveness.
It's more a question of how much you care about them matching exactly vs. other aspects, so only you can decide if it's worth it.

So far, I haven't found a single Q150 yet but I will look around more.

It's not a bad idea to maybe get another pair and use one as a center and save the other one for later when I can buy an actual KEF center. The extra pair of Q150s I could then use as a rear.

BTW, what do you mean if I use a PC? I do use it, and it will be connected to a receiver in a couple of days once I get the receiver delivered. Can you help me understand how that would change anything? I'm curious!

 

[10PSPMemSticksForMiku2007]

If the audio source is a PC, you can use DSP software on it to adjust the tone of your speakers. It could help you to do mixing, equalization, room correction, or adjust different speakers to sound more similar. There are many commercial options but I use the free, excellent EqualizerAPO: https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ This program applies to the output of any audio device on a Windows computer, so it just works with any movies you watch or games you play. However I'm not sure if it works with Dolby Atmos encoded content. I don't have any height speakers and my reciever is too old.
It's very helpful to me, since my old receiver doesn't have any real DSP capabilities. It looks like your newer model does have at least some DSP but i haven't looked into it. I also have tried different speaker layouts with it. For example, when I had a 4.1 setup, i just mixed the center channel into L and R.

 

[Grom]

If the audio source is a PC, you can use DSP software on it to adjust the tone of your speakers. It could help you to do mixing, equalization, room correction, or adjust different speakers to sound more similar. There are many commercial options but I use the free, excellent EqualizerAPO: https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ This program applies to the output of any audio device on a Windows computer, so it just works with any movies you watch or games you play. However I'm not sure if it works with Dolby Atmos encoded content. I don't have any height speakers and my reciever is too old.
It's very helpful to me, since my old receiver doesn't have any real DSP capabilities. It looks like your newer model does have at least some DSP but i haven't looked into it. I also have tried different speaker layouts with it. For example, when I had a 4.1 setup, I just mixed the center channel into L and R.

Interesting! I haven't thought of this yet. I will look into it, thanks.

 

[Willem]

I would prefer to have a centre speaker with a matching sound signature. The front is crucial, and you really want your centre speaker to blend properly, so getting either a q150 or q250c is important. I notice that this series is being discontinued, and at least here in the Netherlands it currently sells at a considerable discount. Ultimately, it all depends on your budget, of course. Personally, if money is tight, I would forget about upgrading the subwoofer - you can always do that later. I would also forget about 7 channels. The most expensive sensible trajectory would be to use your q150's as rear speakers, buy two q300's as your main speakers and a q250c centre. They would be a good buy given current discounted prices. The cheapest option would be to use the system as a stereo system. That is what I do because my main speakers are bulky enough and it works surprisingly well. Find your personal budgetary optimum between those two extremes.