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Center channel speaker to match Snell Type J speakers?

I'd like to upgrade to 5.1 surround sound. I'm hoping to keep my current speakers (Snell Type J -- the originals, reconed, from around 1981) and subwoofer (Hsu VTF-2).

I've been told that matching the center channel speaker timbre to the main speakers is important. I'd appreciate suggestions for a specific center channel speaker that will match (as closely as possible) my 40-year-old Snells in tone and quality.

Extra thanks for also recommending rear satellite speakers of roughly the same quality as the rest of my stuff (see below). Thanks!

  • Yamaha RX-V679BL 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver
  • Sony Wega HDTV KD-36XS955
  • Panasonic Blu-ray/VHS DMP-BD70V
  • Saachi All Multi Region Code Zone Free Blu-ray BDP-SA98
  • Motorola HDTV DVR QIP-7216
fivebluestones

Showing 2 responses by fivebluestones

fivebluestones OP
4 posts
 
I like akg_ca's suggestion. One question: I see that Snell Type J speakers come in four flavors (my originals, II, III, and IV). Can I freely mix and match these? Or do I have to find four original Type J's?

Also, anything else I should consider if I go this route? (I presume it's already clear, but, just in case: I have no audio expertise whatsoever; I'm just a guy who would like to go from 2.1 to 5.1, and I happen to like the Snells I've got. Maybe this is a dumb idea -- feel free to let me know.)

Thanks!

Best,
F
fivebluestones OP
4 posts
 
Thanks to all for your advice! I now understand the logistics involved in sticking with my Snells.

Obviously, I haven't bought speakers recently (unless you consider 35 years "recent"), so now I'm wondering if improvements have made some reasonable replacements available. Are their current speakers that are "Snell-like" in quality where I could purchase five for under $2,000? $1,000?

I apologize if this isn't a suitable question for this forum, and I don't mean to start a long debate. I just don't know other places where people have even heard of Snell, much less can suggest something that sounds like them.
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