I would get the sub - it really does make for a huge improvement with movies. I have the KC62 and it's good, but it's part of a 2 channel rig with no tv - if i were doing a home theater setup i'd probably look for something that can move more air. the kc62's form factor is great but depending on the size of your room it might not do it for you. If you have the space, i'd try a Rel t/9 or something along those lines.
Ideas to improve my system
In short, I’m looking for ideas to improve to my system.
What do I want out of a system?
I would like to have a system that sounds great during both 2ch music and movies (think criterion not marvel).
I live in NYC and my living room does double duty as a listening area + home theatre. I am unlikely to be able to have a separate listening and watching space anytime soon. I primarily listen to music from records, Apple Music and Spotify and watch movies from an Apple TV 4K.
What do I currently use?
A bit of a hodgepodge/mess bought over the past 10+ years
Rega Planar 1 with Ortofon Blue (and a few other minor upgrades)
Musical Fidelity phono pre-amp
Sony DN1080 Receiver
B&W HTM6 S2 Center channel
Klipsch Hersey IV
4 Mirage Omnisat v2 speakers
The system also has a dedicated line
At my desk
Sony IER-M9 powered by a RME ADI-2 DAC with corrections from AutoEQ (I love this setup)
What do I not want?
I tried height speakers and they didn’t give me much.
What do I like?
I want my living room sound to feel exciting, visceral and something special. My desk setup is pretty perfect for me reference wise but I want the living room to be a bit different. I like the Hersey much more than expected and I want to generally build a cohesive system around them. They perform great in my apartment for music. For movies, they are actually great left/right speakers! They make string or brass soundtracks come alive. The B&W center channel isolates dialog pretty well and transitions between the Heresy and B&W rarely bother me or other listeners I’ve had in the space.
What isn’t going to fly
- Going 2 channel. My girlfriend objects and likes the surround speakers (as do I).
- Wall treatments. Not a lot I can do here unfortunately - I have thick rugs and a fair amount of furniture + books on walls.
Options considered
- Add a sub like KEF KC62 (I can’t do 2 tho)
- Match the center channel to the Hersey’s via Klipsch center
- Upgrade the receiver (thinking something like the NAD t 778 or upcoming Yamaha RX-A6A)
- Switch to separates (I’m very fond of the Anthem’s room correction but would need the AVM70 + a 5 channel amp)
Are there other things folks would recommend? If you had 3-5k to spend, where would you put it?