Speakers and sub for my room with Onkyo TX-NR5008

[rwjr]

As posted at AVSforums:


I just upgraded my Onkyo TX-SR805 to the TX-NR5008 and also want to upgrade my speakers, if needed.

For the last 3 years, I have been running the 805 with JBL Venue series speakers. I have the Stage and Voice LCRs, and all 4 surrounds are the Balcony. I had the Sub12 connected until the amp fried 2 weeks ago. I temporarily replaced it with an ES250PBK. I have been quite content with this setup, but it's time for more.

My room is 17x22, but I am stuck watching across the room rather than lengthwise. The TV is 73", and viewing distance is 9.5-10 ft. L/R speakers are 10' apart. There is a corner fireplace immediately to the left of the left speaker. The SL and SR are on the 17' walls, just behind and 3' higher than listening position. SBL and SBR are 8' apart on the back 22' wall, slightly off center, 5 feet behind and 3 feet above listening position.

I'm looking at the BIC Acoustech PL-89 setup, but I'm not sure if this would be an optimum match to the 5008. I am not necessarily constrained to the $1000-1500 price range, but don't want to spend big bucks if it's not necessary. I'm content keeping the JBLs if it's not worth an upgrade. I'm sure the PL-89 setup is sufficient for my room size. Is it overkill? How about over/underkill for the receiver?

I really like looking at the Klipsch THX Ultra2 setup, but I think it's way overkill AND I'd have a really hard time coming off the cash. I need to save that for a dedicated HT room.

One thing I'm worried about with the PL-89 is the PL-200 sub. It advertises 250W RMS and 1000W peak. Is this enough? Would I need a second sub? The temporary JBL sub is 400/700W. The extra 300W peak of the PL-200 is good for excursions, but what about the RMS difference?


Please see the attached sketch of my living room layout. I had a reference to HSU, among others, and thought I'd post here for some help. For speakers, I basically need a good medium between underkill for the receiver and overkill for the room. I have, since my initial post at AVS, concluded that the first thing I need is a sub. I like the VTF-2.3 and 3.3, the VTF-15H, AND the ULS-15. What is best for my room?
I'm considering keeping the ES250 and using it for a mid-range sub. I could put it behind the couch and set the crossover to 80 or 90Hz and set the new sub (whichever brand/model that may be) to 50 Hz. Or is it too poor of quality to consider that?

Important part of the quote above for this discussion: My room is 17x22, but I am stuck watching across the room rather than lengthwise. The TV is 73", and viewing distance is 9.5-10 ft. L/R speakers are 10' apart. There is a corner fireplace immediately to the left of the left speaker. The SL and SR are on the 17' walls, just behind and 3' higher than listening position. SBL and SBR are 8' apart on the back 22' wall, slightly off center, 5 feet behind and 3 feet above listening position.

And I'd like to add that the openings to the right and to the right rear are 60" doorways. The formal dining room is my band room and contains sound gear and a drum set. The drums are centered on the wall beteeen the windows and I have never noticed any echo of the HT from them.

Here's a link to the rest of the discussion:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1305968

[kinggimp]

With the size of your room and the fact that you sit so far away from the speakers I would suggest that you get a VTF-15H. As for the ES250 I don't think you will have a need for it if you get a VTF-15H.

[rwjr]

Thanks. What about the speakers?

What's the difference between something like BIC Acoustech and speakers that cost twice as much with less impressive specs?

[kinggimp]

Thanks. What about the speakers?

What's the difference between something like BIC Acoustech and speakers that cost twice as much with less impressive specs?
When you say twice as expensive with less impressive specs which specs are you referring to? Frequency response?

[rwjr]

Sensitivity, frequency response, and power handling combined. A lot that I see have the power handling capabilities, but don't have the FR or sensitivity. Usually, it's the sensitivity I find lacking in other speakers.

The best example I can give is Klipsch. Most of their towers compare well, but the matching speakers for the rest of the system don't. Take the WF-35 for example. The matching center is the WC-24 with a FR of 85Hz-23kHz and power handling of 100W. sensitivity is down to 94.5. The big one here is the FR. The matching surrounds are worse.

Even looking at just the towers, what's the difference between something like the WF-35, RF-82II, F-30 from the BIC Acoustech PL-series? The specs are there on the BICs, but what's the big price disparity? The name?

[kinggimp]

I would not get too hung up on specs. Especially if you are going to use a subwoofer. It's pretty common for a center speaker or surround sound speakers to have different sensitivity and less bass extension than the main speakers. As for sensitivity it doesn't matter if your surround or center speakers have a lower sensitivity than your main speakers. You just have to raise the level of the center and the surround speakers so they play at the same volume as your main speakers.

After looking at the speakers you mentioned. I think the reason the WF-35 is more expensive than the RF-82II and the F-30 is that it has real wood veneer while the other two just have vinyl finishes.