Upgrade advice

[Adrian.I]

Greetings!

I intend to upgrade my system and i could use your advices. For the moment i have the following configuration:
- Receiver Yamaha RX-V685
- Front speakers 2 x KEF Q950
- Center speaker KEF Q650c
- Rear speakers 2 x KEF Q350
-1 x SVS PB-3000 subwoofer ( I know I should put another one but I actually don't have the space)

The question is: What should i change or ad at the current system to have a better sound?

I want to Mention that I use the above configuration in almost equal proportions between: music, movie and games (say 36%, 32%, 32%). A small problem is the space in which they are arranged ( it is a living room partially used for the "entertainment" area 330cm x 520cm out of 580cm x 520cm). I mention that I am a novice in audio configurations but i love a good sound.

If you need more information, I am at your disposal.

Thx! Adrian

 

[Jimbob54]

Welcome Adrian. To help other members assist you, what is your question?

 

[Beave]

What do you find lacking or annoying with your current setup? What is it you are looking to improve?

And what is your budget?

My advice is always, before buying anything, make sure that what you have is set up as optimally as possible. Speaker placement and room acoustics make a huge difference. Moving speakers, or moving the listening position, or even moving furniture can make an improvement for free.

 

[Adrian.I]

To be honest, I'm happy with my system, with how it sounds, but I would have about 2000 euro that I would like to invest in an upgrade if the result will be a better sound.

A friend suggested me to change the AV first (with a marantz cinema 50, Yamaha rx-a4a or denon avc-x4700) and next time i upgrade to add an amplifier for the front speakers, and after that to get better speakers, but I was thinking of asking for a second opinion.

 

[scrubb]

I think the best way to improve your current sound would be to buy a Umik-1 and download REW (Room EQ Wizard). Learn how to measure your system and room and make adjustments in speaker placement, equalization, and/or room treatment. The best part is it won't cost much ~€100. The other option would be speaker upgrade, but with €2,000, I don't think you would gain much improvement over what your already have. New equipment isn't a panacea. Learning how to optimize what you have is.

 

[Spkrdctr]

If you are happy with what you have, there is most likely no need to spend money. If it goes loud enough, low enough and you like it, your pretty much there. What volume do you listen at? If you listen at very high volumes than maybe a different setup would work, but again, you said you are happy now. You have a good set up now. I think from your post you are in a smaller room so what you have should do very well. I also think that if you want to tinker and have fun, get REW and a mic and learn how to use it. You will then find out that everyone's setups are not nearly as nice as they think they are. The room, furniture and other issues tend to dominate how the sound is presented in your room. Luckily, you don't need perfection as your brain will automatically make adjustments so that you hear a pretty darn good sound from your system. Whatever you do, have fun and stick to your budget, it is no fun over paying for audio gear! Good Luck.

 

[Galliardist]

I think the best way to improve your current sound would be to buy a Umik-1 and download REW (Room EQ Wizard). Learn how to measure your system and room and make adjustments in speaker placement, equalization, and/or room treatment. The best part is it won't cost much ~€100. The other option would be speaker upgrade, but with €2,000, I don't think you would gain much improvement over what your already have. New equipment isn't a panacea. Learning how to optimize what you have is.

Apart from optimising what you have, you face a pretty big bill to upgrade the sound considerably (one aspect of a surround system is that it costs more to upgrade more speakers!).

So, you could look to upgrade to Atmos if you can fit height speakers into your space. Adding capability is in my opinion as important as "upgrading the sound". You could also look at ergonomics. If you don't like your streaming source, adding something with better operation may not cost that much.

Otherwise, where next? Floorstanding R series speakers are multiple times your budget. If you're happy with the sound, save and wait. Better still, save lots and wait till you get a better room. (Circumstances for me have led to each room I've had being worse than the last, so I'm quite equipped to recommend you do the opposite!)

 

[Steven Holt]

Adrian, do you stream? There's nothing wrong with your gear. The only thing I can suggest is a good DAC, but I hope you take @scrubb advice to heart. Welcome to ASR!

 

[Sal1950]

I think the best way to improve your current sound would be to buy a Umik-1 and download REW (Room EQ Wizard). Learn how to measure your system and room and make adjustments in speaker placement, equalization, and/or room treatment.

Ditto! After you see the results of the measurement you can decide where to go forward.
You said your pretty happy now so maybe no changes require?
If the measurements aren't so hot I think the next step would be into a new AVR with Dirac or Audyssey-X DRC.
Going that way will also allow you to do a full 4 speaker Atmos upgrade at some point. It's simply MHO that 2 speaker
Atmos isn't at all optimal.
At this point it looks like you already have a very nice multich system, enjoy.

 

[Putter]

Here is what I came up with.

1. You could as Sal1950 suggested upgrade the AV receiver with a better room Eq which is likely easier to use than REW, but will be more expensive although with your budget.

2. You could add a 2nd sub which can even out the bass and give more output. This may not be practical within room constraints as you actually said.

3. You could upgrade the mains to a higher Kef line which would likely bust your budget.

$. Finally, you can buy more source material; music, video or games.

 

[Adrian.I]

1. @scrubb - I will take your advice into account and purchase the umik-1

2. @Spkrdctr - I like to listen to music in the middle volume area and watch movies at high volume. On the music side, I have the impression that there would be room for improvement, that's why my friend recommends a combination of AVR with an amplifier and the current one has no output for such a thing. I don't have too much furniture to move (just a sofa and a desk) and unfortunately I can't even move it because the space for TV is fixed.

3. @Galiardist - unfortunately the space I have does not allow more speakers, the 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 variant is unfortunately not up for discussion. Also, I don't think the option of a better camera will appear in the near future.

4. @Steven Holt - for music I use Tidal, Youtube and when time helps I listen to a vinyl record on a ProJect Debut Carbon EVO 2M-RED. Which DAC would you recommend?

5. @Sal1950 - what upgrade option for AVR do you suggest?

 

[Sal1950]

5. @Sal1950 - what upgrade option for AVR do you suggest?

I put my money on a Denon X4700H for my last purchase, very pleased nearly 2 years down the road.
I don't know what the budget is but the new 4800H would be an excellent choice with the 6800H offering a little better measurements though I very highly doubt any audible difference.
They both come with Audyssey DRC, a $20 Editor upgrade app gives a great amount of finer control. Or you can go whole hog with the $200 full Audyssey X upgrade.
Orrrrrr you can chose to add the Dirac DRC system, which is quite a bit of extra money, that discussion is for another posting.
Bottom line, I would go for the Denons.

Denon AVR-X4800H AVR Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Denon AVR-X4800H 9.4 home theater receiver. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and costs US $2499. While the look is the same as previous generations, the feel of the control knobs is much improved which I appreciate. Menu system is also...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Steven Holt]

1. @scrubb - I will take your advice into account and purchase the umik-1

2. @Spkrdctr - I like to listen to music in the middle volume area and watch movies at high volume. On the music side, I have the impression that there would be room for improvement, that's why my friend recommends a combination of AVR with an amplifier and the current one has no output for such a thing. I don't have too much furniture to move (just a sofa and a desk) and unfortunately I can't even move it because the space for TV is fixed.

3. @Galiardist - unfortunately the space I have does not allow more speakers, the 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 variant is unfortunately not up for discussion. Also, I don't think the option of a better camera will appear in the near future.

4. @Steven Holt - for music I use Tidal, Youtube and when time helps I listen to a vinyl record on a ProJect Debut Carbon EVO 2M-RED. Which DAC would you recommend?

5. @Sal1950 - what upgrade option for AVR do you suggest?

Topping D10 Balanced

 

[Galliardist]

3. @Galiardist - unfortunately the space I have does not allow more speakers, the 5.1.2 or 5.1.4 variant is unfortunately not up for discussion. Also, I don't think the option of a better camera will appear in the near future.

I quite understand. In fact, my space is such that I stick with stereo (not just space, but problems with doorways and such) and we aren't moving anytime soon.

 

[LTig]

4. @Steven Holt - for music I use Tidal, Youtube and when time helps I listen to a vinyl record on a ProJect Debut Carbon EVO 2M-RED.

You might replace the elliptic needle of the 2m RED by the fine line needle of the 2m BRONZE. This should result in an audible upgrade of SQ, especially with older worn records.

Which DAC would you recommend?

DAC's are a solved problem for a long time and usually even the not so good ones are audibly not different from a SOTA DAC.

 

[Timcognito]

You might replace the elliptic needle of the 2m RED by the fine line needle of the 2m BRONZE. This should result in an audible upgrade of SQ, especially with older worn records.

Won't work Red and Blue interchange and Bronze and Black interchange but Bronze does not fit on Red.

 

[LTig]

Won't work Red and Blue interchange and Bronze and Black interchange but Bronze does not fit on Red.

Pity, didn't know that. Thanks for the correction!

 

[BJL]

Greetings!

I intend to upgrade my system and i could use your advices. For the moment i have the following configuration:
- Receiver Yamaha RX-V685
- Front speakers 2 x KEF Q950
- Center speaker KEF Q650c
- Rear speakers 2 x KEF Q350
-1 x SVS PB-3000 subwoofer ( I know I should put another one but I actually don't have the space)

The question is: What should i change or ad at the current system to have a better sound?

I want to Mention that I use the above configuration in almost equal proportions between: music, movie and games (say 36%, 32%, 32%). A small problem is the space in which they are arranged ( it is a living room partially used for the "entertainment" area 330cm x 520cm out of 580cm x 520cm). I mention that I am a novice in audio configurations but i love a good sound.

If you need more information, I am at your disposal.

Thx! Adrian

Purchase an AVR the incorpoates Dirac Live.

 

[Adrian.I]

First of all, I want to thank you all for your time and for the advice you gave me!

@Sal1950 - The Denon X4700 looks like an extremely interesting option, but I've often seen it compared to the Marantz 50 and I like the design of the second one, a little more minimalist and it seems better built (remote control too)

@BJL - do you have an AV model with the DIRAC option that you would recommend (ideally a model for Europe)?

 

[raindance]

I also vote that you upgrade your receiver to one with better room EQ. Doesn't have to be Dirac. Audyssey can be fine for a simple setup like yours.