Sierra-1 center channel with 170s left/right?

[ahender]

Hi:

I am trying to figure out the best way to extend my speaker budget.

First step will be to get 3 speakers with plans to add two more later on.

Correct me if I am way off base.

Get the Searra-1 for the center and two 170s for the LR channels.

Down the road (way down the road!) get two more Sierras and move the 170s to the rear.

I currently have some Infinity 150s I can use for the rear.

Will the Sierra center and 170s left and right work fine in the short-term?

I also have this question in the que for the sales people.

I will be using an Onkyo 705 in a room with dimensions 21x16x8.

thanks...alan

[curtis]

What is your music to HT ratio?

[ahender]

Haven't had a working audio setup in a while.

Probably will be 75% music 25% HT with some SACD thrown in there.

alan

[curtis]

With 75% music, I would temporarily leave the center out and get two Sierras for L/R.

[ahender]

Curtis, thanks for your replies.

So for movies, two Sierras in the front and my two Infinity Primus 150s in the rear with no center?

alan

[Sam1000]

Curtis, thanks for your replies.

So for movies, two Sierras in the front and my two Infinity Primus 150s in the rear with no center?

alan

With your preference for the music, yes, I would agree with Curtis's recommendation. You can add center later..

[ahender]

Excellent.

Now just got to slip these in under the Christmas radar.

Thanks to all.

alan

[azanon]

I am trying to figure out the best way to extend my speaker budget.

Unless you're ok with spending quite a bit of money on speakers, yet still want a 5.1, I'm not sure Sierra's come to mind when I think about "extending a budget".

I have to chuckle when I see Ascend referred to as "budget audiophile" because while that may be true to audiogeeks, to 95% of the people I know, I have "high-end" speakers, from both a price and quality perspective.

So from my point of few, bang for buck Ascend is probably still the 170s. High end (cost and quality), with cost being a low concern, is Sierra-1 anything.

[ahender]

Azanon:

How do you like your current setup?

Would you have changed anything without radically increasing the amount you spent?

thanks...alan

[azanon]

Azanon:

How do you like your current setup?

Would you have changed anything without radically increasing the amount you spent?

thanks...alan

I haven't heard Sierra's, but I've heard every other Ascend other than the SE variant of the 170. With that:

I'd say the current HTM's are not just adequate, but 100% competent at rear sound duty, including multi-channel audio like SACD/DVD-A. They're small so they're great for decor in the back.

OTOH, I really miss the depth and room filling sound of a 340 (non-se) i used to have as my center channel. I had to sell that because I went from a large CRT to my current LCD. The 200SE is doing a great "stop-gap" job in that role, but my room is pretty large and its noticeably lacking.

Personally, I like at least 340s for L/R (I used to have 170s there), at least 340 for center channel, and 200s for rear. On a restricted budget, I"d go no lower than 170s for the front 3 speakers. If it were me, I'd get 5.1 ASAP (3 170s, htm backs), and down the line, upgrade by ebaying the 170s for 340s or Sierras. There's some great music out there not just in movies, but I'm even seeing Blu-ray music come out now. Since you have that 705, you'd be blown away by Dolby True HD, PCM 5.1, and DTS HD Master. Get a blu-ray player ASAP!

From personal experience, Ascends ebay fast and at great prices.

[azanon]

On the movies vs. music:

I've always been confused by this contrast to at least some extent because some of the most beautiful music tracks Ive heard have been on movies. With the new blu-rays, I've heard tracks that will almost make you cry because they're so awesome. Some of the best ones are often at the end of the movie during the credits. Though I don't personally buy them anymore, I completely get people who buy movie soundtracks because some are so well done.

Anyway, with blu-ray now, there are some GREAT sounding movies with wonderful music!

[DougMac]

On the movies vs. music:

I've always been confused by this contrast to at least some extent because some of the most beautiful music tracks Ive heard have been on movies.
I used to think the question was about listening source, but I think those who ask are hoping to help with the decision of allocation of limited resources.

I have not heard Sierras. Some feel they are better suited to music than 170's or 340's. Some say 340's can handle dynamics (read really loud passages) better than Sierras.

Assuming that is true for the sake of argument, I might suggest someone who has expressed a 70/30 music to movie ratio buy L/R Sierras and use a phantom center channel with the intent to upgrade later. If the ratio is reversed, I'd suggest 340's L/C/R.

FWIW, I find my 340's very musical. They are by far the best sounding speakers in the house. Not only do music CDs/SACDs sound great but also movie soundtracks, especially Blu Ray. We just watched MirrorMask and the soundtrack, along with the rest of the movie, was stunning.

Doug

[azanon]

I used to think the question was about listening source, but I think those who ask are hoping to help with the decision of allocation of limited resources.

I guess I'm just saying if I was asked this question now (primarily music or music), I'd probably answer, "Yes".

I bet people would be absolutely stunned how much a movie would change if you removed all of the music and only had dialog.

Again, I think most people who are still thinking of music in movies as being a lower form or quality of music are simply not into the latest HD audio formats that you find on most blu-ray movies. Given the extreme bitrates of PCM 5.1/DTHD, DTS HD master, any imperfections that you're going to hear are going to be either in the recording..... or in the Sierra's.

If I could only pick one disk now to demo my speakers, I don't know exactly which it'd be... but I can tell you the type.... It'd be a blu-ray.

.............

Anyway, my short answer to "limited resources", is anything but Sierra's unless all you ever will want is a stereo set-up.