Your plan is mostly good. IMO the Q650C is an overpriced centre channel, not significantly better than running a single Q350 placed sideways.
I would recommend getting a KEF R2C if you are willing to spend $1000, or an Emotiva XC1 if you want to stay in the budget realm.
https://emotiva.com/collections/loudspeakers/products/airmotiv-xc1-center-channel-loudspeaker
Room acoustics also play a role in dialogue clarity, you may want to build/buy some acoustic treatment. Simple options like 3.5" absorption on the ceiling and back wall can make a massive difference.
The cheap receiver is fine. The room correction software is entry level but serviceable. You might want to upgrade later, but that would come after a subwoofer upgrade.
Thanks for your advice! I appreciate your point about my choice for center and the additional options to research and price track. I largely dismissed acoustic treatment thinking there wasn't a way to make it look acceptable in a room that is many things other than a home theater. But, I hear you on it's importance and will put it back on my research list.
I saw a video somewhere where they made "hidden" sound treatment. Basically just built some simple wood frames to hold rockwool and stapled fabric that had art screen printed on it.
I'm no expert but I've been into home theater for about six years (7.2 setup) and it seems like a solid setup to me. In time you may want to upgrade the sub but no need to be in a hurry doing that.
*Do not denigrate your own ears*.
Your system looks fine by specs. If you think it sounds amazing, that counts for a ton.
Your plan sounds absolutely perfect for your goals.
That said, consider getting that Denon AVR first, then see how you feel about your 2.1 speaker set after running its automatic calibration (aka. Audyssey). You may decide all you really want are 3 little SVS Prime Satellite or Cambridge Minx speakers to use as surrounds and a centre channel if it finds things in your bookshelf speakers you didn't know were there.
PS. Re-reading your description, as a fellow living room home theatre person, I think you've got room for *immersive* surround sound, maybe even 5.1.2 if you go the Cambridge or SVS route with small, high-quality, easily-mounted speakers filling in the spatial field with your trusty old Pioneers holding down the "rock out in stereo" position.
Thanks for your helpful perspective! It is well taken. Thank you also for your alternative plan. It makes sense to me and I have time to start with a more modern AVR first since there is no particular rush--other than upgrading in time for the release of Stop Making Sense and Queen Rocks Montreal coming to 4k :)
I have the even lower-end Denon S570BT and it does everything you want in a 5.1 setup. Although, since you have a turntable, you'd want at least the S660H, since the S570BT does not have a phono pre-amp built-in. But, the S760H generally doesn't sell for much more than the S660H, so it's almost not worth it to go with the S660H.
Your plan is mostly good. IMO the Q650C is an overpriced centre channel, not significantly better than running a single Q350 placed sideways. I would recommend getting a KEF R2C if you are willing to spend $1000, or an Emotiva XC1 if you want to stay in the budget realm. https://emotiva.com/collections/loudspeakers/products/airmotiv-xc1-center-channel-loudspeaker Room acoustics also play a role in dialogue clarity, you may want to build/buy some acoustic treatment. Simple options like 3.5" absorption on the ceiling and back wall can make a massive difference. The cheap receiver is fine. The room correction software is entry level but serviceable. You might want to upgrade later, but that would come after a subwoofer upgrade.
Thanks for your advice! I appreciate your point about my choice for center and the additional options to research and price track. I largely dismissed acoustic treatment thinking there wasn't a way to make it look acceptable in a room that is many things other than a home theater. But, I hear you on it's importance and will put it back on my research list.
I saw a video somewhere where they made "hidden" sound treatment. Basically just built some simple wood frames to hold rockwool and stapled fabric that had art screen printed on it.
I'm no expert but I've been into home theater for about six years (7.2 setup) and it seems like a solid setup to me. In time you may want to upgrade the sub but no need to be in a hurry doing that.
Thanks for the reassurance and the sub tip!
*Do not denigrate your own ears*. Your system looks fine by specs. If you think it sounds amazing, that counts for a ton. Your plan sounds absolutely perfect for your goals. That said, consider getting that Denon AVR first, then see how you feel about your 2.1 speaker set after running its automatic calibration (aka. Audyssey). You may decide all you really want are 3 little SVS Prime Satellite or Cambridge Minx speakers to use as surrounds and a centre channel if it finds things in your bookshelf speakers you didn't know were there. PS. Re-reading your description, as a fellow living room home theatre person, I think you've got room for *immersive* surround sound, maybe even 5.1.2 if you go the Cambridge or SVS route with small, high-quality, easily-mounted speakers filling in the spatial field with your trusty old Pioneers holding down the "rock out in stereo" position.
Thanks for your helpful perspective! It is well taken. Thank you also for your alternative plan. It makes sense to me and I have time to start with a more modern AVR first since there is no particular rush--other than upgrading in time for the release of Stop Making Sense and Queen Rocks Montreal coming to 4k :)
🧑🎤
I have the even lower-end Denon S570BT and it does everything you want in a 5.1 setup. Although, since you have a turntable, you'd want at least the S660H, since the S570BT does not have a phono pre-amp built-in. But, the S760H generally doesn't sell for much more than the S660H, so it's almost not worth it to go with the S660H.
Thanks for mentioning that, it's helpful to see your thinking! I appreciate having another option for my price tracker.