mrg
05-25-2008, 12:15 PM
Hi. Newbie here. I've been reading through the forums and posts and was impressed by the willingness of others to share their expertise and opinions with others, so I'd like to ask for your help.
I recently decided that since music is one of the things that makes me happy, I should upgrade my system (albeit with a somewhat limited budget). Probably 80% of my system is used for music, 20% for movies.
Here's what I currently have:
- Marantz SR-8500 (just purchased used; love it!)
- Kenwood - CS203
- Toshiba SD-4700
- Polk RT600i (front)
- Polk CS400i (center)
- Polk PSW120 (sub)
- Polk Monitor 4 (surround) :) hey, for 30 year old speakers, they still sound good (although I must admit, not as surrounds).
:eek: I guess I just gave away my age!
Oh, and I want to put speakers in my kitchen, and move the Monitor 4's back into my office (I plan on using the connection for the other set of surrounds for one set of speakers, and then speaker B setting for the other).
Anyway, here's what I am hoping you'll share your thoughts on:
1. Recommendation for rear speakers
2. Recommendation for bookshelf speakers to be used in my kitchen (I plan on using the Monitor 4's in my office - although if they really don't work well with what I have I'm open to others)
3. Advice on upgrading DVD and/or CD players
4. Advice on getting an SPL meter
5. Wiring - I have just normal monster wiring and RCA/Optical/S cables. Speaker wiring can be very expensive, especially for long lengths. How important is it?
6. If this were your system, in what order would you do the above enhancements?
I know I'm asking a lot of questions ... thanks in advance for helping me through my mid-life crisis! :D
I recently decided that since music is one of the things that makes me happy, I should upgrade my system (albeit with a somewhat limited budget). Probably 80% of my system is used for music, 20% for movies.
Here's what I currently have:
- Marantz SR-8500 (just purchased used; love it!)
- Kenwood - CS203
- Toshiba SD-4700
- Polk RT600i (front)
- Polk CS400i (center)
- Polk PSW120 (sub)
- Polk Monitor 4 (surround) :) hey, for 30 year old speakers, they still sound good (although I must admit, not as surrounds).
:eek: I guess I just gave away my age!
Oh, and I want to put speakers in my kitchen, and move the Monitor 4's back into my office (I plan on using the connection for the other set of surrounds for one set of speakers, and then speaker B setting for the other).
Anyway, here's what I am hoping you'll share your thoughts on:
1. Recommendation for rear speakers
2. Recommendation for bookshelf speakers to be used in my kitchen (I plan on using the Monitor 4's in my office - although if they really don't work well with what I have I'm open to others)
3. Advice on upgrading DVD and/or CD players
4. Advice on getting an SPL meter
5. Wiring - I have just normal monster wiring and RCA/Optical/S cables. Speaker wiring can be very expensive, especially for long lengths. How important is it?
6. If this were your system, in what order would you do the above enhancements?
I know I'm asking a lot of questions ... thanks in advance for helping me through my mid-life crisis! :D