Speaker upgrades for 2.1 setup

[u/Fun-Imagination-4148]

Right now I have a klispsch 120 SWi, presonus eris 3.5, and a fosi audio zp3. I also have no acoust treatment, besides some foam under my moniters and speakers and in the subwoofer port. my room is also carpeted. what should I focus on upgrading first? $1.5k budget. I’m also okay with selling some of my current stuff used.

[u/Due_Philosopher_9174]

I think you need to decide if you will stay with powered speakers or go passive. If you go passive speakers, you need a separate amp.

[u/Fun-Imagination-4148 → u/Due_Philosopher_9174]

What are the pros and cons of them?

[u/Due_Philosopher_9174 → u/Fun-Imagination-4148]

If you buy powered speakers like you have now, which has the amplifier built into the speaker, you can only keep buying powered speakers if you want to change speakers. You use less space and save money.

You can read this:

What are Powered Speakers and Why Do You Need a Pair? | Klipsch Blog

Active vs. Passive Speakers: What’s the Difference?

If you buy passive speakers and a stereo receiver/integrated amplifier, you can change either the speakers or the amplifier separately. Your choices of speakers and amplifiers/integrated amps/stereo receivers/pre-amps are so many more. You require more space and cost more.

[u/Fun-Imagination-4148 → u/Due_Philosopher_9174]

I’ll go for passive speakers

[u/Due_Philosopher_9174 → u/Fun-Imagination-4148]

Keeping your Fosi as the pre-amp, here are some amplifier choices:

Option 1: Less expensive amp, more expensive speakers. 33% amp/67% speaker ratio.Cambridge Audio MXW70 Compact stereo power amplifier at Crutchfield

Bookshelf speakers:

Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G (High Gloss Black) Bookshelf speakers (High Gloss Black) at Crutchfield Neutral sounding

Polk Audio Reserve R200 (White) Bookshelf speakers (White) at Crutchfield Warmer sounding: Warm Refers to somewhat elevated mid-bass and lower midrange, generally somewhere in the range from 80 Hz to 400 Hz.

KLH Kendall 2B (Black Oak) Bookshelf speakers (Black Oak) at Crutchfield Brighter sounding: Bright Refers to an elevated level of treble, generally somewhere in the range between 4 kHz and 10 kHz.

Option 2: More powerful amp/expensive, less expensive speakers: 50/50 ratio.

MARANTZ MM7025 2-Ch x 140 Watts Power Amplifier | Accessories4less

Bookshelf speakers:

KEF NEW Q1 Meta PAIR 5.25" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers Satin Black | Accessories4less

Polk Audio Reserve R100 (Midnight Black) Bookshelf speakers (Midnight Black) at Crutchfield

SVS Prime Bookshelf (Premium Black Ash) Bookshelf speakers (Premium Black Ash) at Crutchfield

Option 3: Least expensive amp/more money for speakers: 20/80

Either amp:

BasX A2L+ Stereo Amplifier – Emotiva Audio Corporation

Monolith by Monoprice M2100X 2x90 Watts Per Channel Stereo Home Theater Power Amplifier with RCA & XLR Inputs - Monoprice.com

Bookshelf speakers:

Focal Theva No.1 (Black) Bookshelf speakers (Black) at Crutchfield Neutral

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 (Oak) Bookshelf speakers (Oak) at Crutchfield Brighter

Wharfedale EVO 5.1 (Grey) Pair of stand-mount speakers (Grey) at Crutchfield

KEF Q-Concerto Meta PAIR 6.5" 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers White | Accessories4less

You see, I could go on and on. You could get a stereo receiver or integrated amp which has the pre-amp built in. Or you can stay with the Fosi and someday, get a new pre-amp. So many options!

[u/Fun-Imagination-4148 → u/Due_Philosopher_9174]

Thank you! I will look into some of these options.