Wanted to give and update on my progress.
I got the MCACC mic in. Ran the setup. Still needed to replace speakers and add a center.
I went with Klipsch over Ascend Accoustic for two reasons. First I was able to hear them locally. Second, if I went with ascend I’d have to spend another $100-150 on stands. Seemed a waste.
Setup:
Pioneer VSX1020 Reciever (kept the same)
Klipsch RP-250f for L/R ($500)
Klipsch RP-450c for center ($400)
Klipsch R-10SWi ($250).
I kept the receiver because it was still working and didn’t need wireless though some day I might upgrade.
I did not go bookshelf speaker because they would be under sized for the center and the setup would look weird.
The center was the hardest decision. RP-250c vs 440 vs 450. The prices were $220, $350, $380. It just seemed like a good place to invest the money. I didn’t think it would be too big for the space and I got the biggest I could afford. Somewhere I read someone explain it that bigger sounds better even if you aren’t using it to it’s fullest ability.
As for the sub, I was going to wait. And I’ll eventually upgrade the one I got. But wireless kits run $100-200 alone so a speaker with wireless built in for $250 will work for now. Plus, most of the time we turn it way down when my wife is watching TV because she doesn’t care for it.
Result: I like it. In the end, I’ve spent a little more than I planned but I’m happy with it.
As for the quality of sound: we’ll see. I don’t hear the brightness yet. Maybe the MCACC adjustment tamed that beast. I’ll test it this weekend when the kids aren’t sleeping and make a better judgment.
Thank you guys for helping me put my money to meet my goals. (In a matching front set vs receiver).