Upgrade 5.1 Speaker Package or Buy a BookShelf or Floorstanders+Stereo Amplifier

[rana_kirti]

Hi Freinds.. .
Here i will try to explain my situation in Details so you all may give me inputs & suggestions....
Room Size 12x10
Current Setup
Music = Laptop + Creative T20 Speakers
Movies = Yamaha RX V 450 + Yamaha 5.1 Small Wall Sattelite Speakers.
Target = To improve sound of both.
Budget = £ 1000
Usage = Music 80% + Movies 20%
I was thinking of adding a 5.1 Q Acoustics 2000 ( 2020 ) to replace the old 5.1 Yamaha Sattelite Speakers and add a Stereo Amplifier to the equation to but my 5 yr Old AV Reciever does not have "Pre-Outs". Is there a way around this...???
So i thought a lot and read a few threads here and researched and came up with these options..... Please help me select one...
1. Audio Engine A5 replaces Creative T20 Speakers. & Yamaha+5.1 Sattelite Speakers remain same.
2. Bookshelf/Floor Standers Speakers ( Which one ?? ) + Stereo Amplifier replaces Creative T20 Speakers. & Yamaha+5.1 Sattelite Speakers remain same.
3. Q Acoustics 2000 + Yamaha RX V 450 for both Music + Movies.
4. Buy new AVR Receiver with "Pre-Out" + Stereo Receiver + QAcoustics 2000
I'm mainly looking to improve my music listening experience but if the Movie experience can be improved then that will be nice too... Or will i have to compromise...??
Although from what i have read i understand that a Bookshelf/Floor Standers Speakers + Stereo Amplifier will be better for music than a AVR Receiver + 5.1 Setup. But if i add a Stereo Receievr to the Pre-Out of the AVR Reciever would that make my music experiece better ..?

Which Option should i go for and why... ??
Thanks.

 

[strapped for cash]

Well, as you state your priority is music, by some margin, I think you should start by eliminating all compact 5.1 "style" systems from your shortlist. Even the best within your quoted budget (say, the B&W MT25 package) won't match the performance of larger bookshelf speakers when it comes to music.

The addition of a stero amplifier connected via pre-outs will certainly improve things with music, but in a 5.1 array may produce some tonal inconsistencies (your stereo amplifier will be driving your front two speakers while the receiver drives the other speakers).

If you are only marginally interested in a separate system for movies, then there might be some logic in sticking with a stereo amplifier and two speakers (a novel idea in this day and age, I know). You can still gain improvements in sound over your television speakers (although not full surround sound) and you will definitely be making the most of your music collection.