I'm starting to update my Home Theater equipment and I am starting with speakers. Over the next few months I plan on researching and auditioning several speakers and would be interested in any recommendation you guys may have.

Budget should be ~$2-3k for a 5 speaker set, w/ wood (simulated or real) cabinet floor standing fronts and matched center/rears.

I've got the following on my short list:

*Monitor Audio RS6/8 Silver Series or Used Gold
- I auditioned these a while back and was really impressed with the value here.
* Klipsh RF-83 (A bit out of my price range though)
* B&W 600's
* AV123 Rockets
* Focal Chorus 700-800 series - Auditioned the 826V's and they were great in all areas but I wasn't digging the exterior style and I doubt they will get the wife approval either. But the entire system was very well matched and the center was especially nice!

I would say my habits are roughly 60/40 or 70/30 mix of Movies/Music....so I definitely want capable 2ch fronts. I plan on adding two subs (currently I have one NHT Subone) once I choose the main speakers so if you have any recommendations in this area for matched subs that would be helpful as well. I'm planning on updating the system on bit at a time so the more research I can do, the better.

Currently, I have a Sony ES 777 Receiver (which is a bit dated) but it does a great job and SQ is great. I may add a separate amp depending on the speakers with hopes to replace my Sony a/v receiver with a pre/pro later on.

Thanks in advance for the time!

I do a lot of editing work and figured that would be killing two birds w/ one stone. Been eyeing the Event Studio Precision series. Matched with a nice Sub, I think it will sound incredible.

I have the RS1's I think...nice speaker for the money, and I would recommend them. The rest of the line gets a nod as well...not sure how the price to performance ratio works out with the rest of the line, but I imagine it's pretty similar (meaning I don't remember the other RS silver series being rediculously priced last I checked).

One thing to consider...the sound will change dramatically when you move from a receiver to a pre/pro combo. So spend away on the speakers, but leave a little seed money for the pre/pro upgrade...that's where it will all start to come together.

Subs can come last. I'm a huge fan of the REL subs...probably to the point where I'm biased. They don't have the heart stopping effect of a 15" Velodyne, but they can dance (quick, snappy clean bass).

close out special pricing on the 6s. they recently started shipping the new version of the 6s. the line up used to be 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, now it is 686, 685, 684, 683.
we ended up selling the end of our stock at 40% off msrp, which made them a really good deal. I personally like the 600s and the 601s better than the 602s (these are all bookshel/stand mount models. the sound difference in the new models however is not insignificant....

and they finally are making a 600 series sub that is worth auditioning. though I would still choose a martin logan sub in the same price range.

you will be hard pressed to get two capable floorstanders AND a decent center AND surrounds AND a sub for under 2k.

I have not heard the others mentioned in your short list so I cannot offer comparisons.

I am using old Audio Pro A4-14s as my L&R. the are powered and sound amazing with astounding bass for their size. I would seriously consider active monitors.

Good luck

They are very shouty, unrefined and severely lacking in smoothness. Great for parties and for low-powered amps (because they are very sensitive), but not very musical.

I just read a review of the RF83 system in the latest Home Theater and it made me think twice. This was also by someone who said he disliked Klipsch speakers...I figured I'd at least listen to them.

Oh and my budget of $2-3k wasn't including the sub...just center/fronts/rears which I should be able to accomplish.

in the budget for a pre/pro upgrade :)

you put in front of them and what cables you use.

Don't be surprised if what you think of them is different from the guys at HT magazine. It's often the way in demos.

financial reason for a magazine to provide a "good" review of a speaker :) In the past the horns just were not to my liking so you are probably right!

monitors are new to me outside the studio...etc...I'll have to do a bit more research. It appears that DynAudio makes some nice active monitors but if my memory serves me they are probably way out of my price range. I used to own a set of the car audio component sets....they were awesome!

I haven't paid much attention to whats out there for about 15yrs.

<ul><li><a href="http://www.paradigm.com/">http://www.paradigm.com/</a</li></ul>

You can keep the Subone if you want, but the Fours will kick a$$.

You can use a Three as a center or use a Three C.

How big is the room?

Consider getting a nice 2-channel amp for the fronts and use the Sony for the rest. Or even get monoblocks for each Four if you like.

and I was just reading a lot of good reviews of the NHT fours on avsforum. I will definitely add them to my list.

Alimentall (John Ashman).

I bought my stuff from him a while back when NHT was pretty obscure. He might not sell to you out of respect for the local NHT dealers, but he's good for any advice you might want.

Also, Jack Hidley (NHT Director of Engineering) posts on there.

<a href="http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=575291">Here's the thread about the Classic line</a>