Classic v. SE - Do I *NEED* to upgrade?

[TNVolTD]

I have been a long-time occasional lurker here and on AVS, but this is my first post - hello all! To bore you with a bit of background, a couple of years ago I started on the quest to start putting together a nicer system. I read a lot online and spent some time at local stores listening before ordering a pair of 170s. I was very impressed with them and quickly ordered the 340m's and 340c to complete a 5.1 setup with the 170s in the rear. I got the HSU VTF2 sub (the original not the MKII). I am currently running it all with an HK325. For the last 2 years, I have LOVED this system - it is WAY better than the Polk sat and (passive) sub that preceded it.

In my constant quest to tweak/improve things, I had been looking at the HK325 as the next thing to upgrade. The other thing is a desire to step to 7.1, but that's on hold until I can finish persuading SWMBO to let me re-configure the room to make room for the couch to move off the back wall. It also involves me moviing and re-wiring the projector - so it may be a while before I get around to 7.1.

Anyway, to the point of my question, I've been reading about the SE's and they sound very nice. I am now wondering, do I need to hurry and grab another pair of 170s (classic) so I'll have a matching set of 4 for when I'm ready for 7.1? Or, do I set aside the money to put toward upgrading the whole system to SE's? I know the SE's are supposed to be better across the full spectrum, but it sounds like the low end is where the big difference can be heard. Since my use is probably 95% HT (always with the HSU), how big of an impact are the SE's likely to make over the classics? I certainly have no gripes with my current Ascends but now that there are even "better" Ascends, I am wrestling with the upgrade bug

Thanks for the great info on this board in general and any thoughts you share in response to this post.

Brian

[bikeman]

If my purposes were 95% HT, I wouldn't be concerned with upgrading the 340's right away. I use my HT theatre speakers about 75% for music so I believe the SE's are going to have a noticable impact on the majority of my usage.
The current 340's are excellent. I'd wait till we get some feedback before making a decesion if I were in your situation. I know, patience sucks. ;)

David

[Lou-the-dog]

We should be recieving some feedback on the new SE's in a few days. Wait until you hear some comparisons before making the decision. DaveF had said that the Classics will still be available on a special order basis so you still have that option yet.

Randy

[TNVolTD]

Thanks for the quick feedback. It can be hard to be patient sometimes! I will look forward to hearing the thoughts on the SEs.

Brian