Best choice for upgrade?

[Down]

I have been the proud owner of a pair of of 170 Classics and some 200 Classics for quite some time now and have enjoyed them immensely. I'll be moving in a few weeks and my HT room will-
Lose a 55" CRT RPTV
Gain a DLP projector
And the cubic feet I'm needing to fill up will drop by around 65%
To say the least, I'm excited.

While most of my funds will be tied up elsewhere, I may be able to squeeze a little bit more money out...just a little bit though. I'm trying to decide between picking up a 340C SE or a pair of 170SE's. Here's my complete (audio) setup-
FR/FL - 170C
LS/RS - 200C
Sub - PB10

Which do you think woud show the most noticeable difference, adding a center and ditching the "phantom center" or the increased sound of the 170SE's? This would be for 80% Movie / 20% Music useage.

Thanks in advance.

J

[BradJudy]

I vote adding a dedicated 340 center, particularly for a 80/20 movies/music split.

[kinggimp82]

I vote adding a dedicated 340 center, particularly for a 80/20 movies/music split.

i agree, get the 340 center.

[Gov]

Ill third

[Sam AV]

Get the center. Then you can add the 340SE LR later and move the 170s to the rear. :D

[MichaelG]

I agree with everyone else that the 340SE center would be a great choice! I have found that the group here gives great input! :D

Michael

[drewface]

+1 more for the center

[robruffo]

A 340se center is among the best you can buy - it will give sound dispertion and definition miles beyond a 170 "classic" phantom arrangement. The new tweeter does wonders for increasing clarity and eliminating sibillance.

Even if you update the L-R to Sierras, the 340se center is not a bad match (I ran this setup here for a while).

That being said, if I were you I'd spend the extra few bucks and get a Sierra Center. 75% of movie sound comes through the center, after all. I think you'd have a really hard time finding anyone who actually regretted their Sierra purchase, but quite a few people who regretted having started with lower models and then upgrading (so wasting money reselling used, and paying for shipping twice).

Speakers like these are not semi-disposable like flat-panels and DVD players- They can easily last well over 20 years, maybe 40 even, so why not get the best and just keep it forever? Costs less than upgrading all the time, and is way less hassle. Later, you can upgrade your L-Rs to Sierra or 340se. Ascends are all neutral, so there will not be any tonal problems - everything will match up.