[Dapuma]

What would be an equivalent level of replacement to replace 3 LCR's as a LCR set up.   Just kind of curious what would be "equal" to the level these perform at from some other brands to get an idea of where to start at  when looking to eventually upgrade.  Eventually I would like to improve on the set up and want to determine the floor, so to speak. 

Are these better than a KEF R3 Meta Bookshelf, or their R2 Meta Center channel or equal to etc.

Hoping for input from people who have actually listened to what I have (which is pretty hard to find) and give a relative range of "quality" compared to other offerings

[WGH]

What would be an equivalent level of replacement to replace 3 LCR's as a LCR set up.   Just kind of curious what would be "equal" to the level these perform at from some other brands to get an idea of where to start at  when looking to eventually upgrade.

Are these better than a KEF R3 Meta Bookshelf, or their R2 Meta Center channel or equal to etc.

I haven't listened to cheap speakers for a long time, any speaker with a silk dome tweeter from $199 to $399 in the Crutchfield catalog would probably be equivalent. The KEF R3 could be a huge step up in quality. But what you use for a receiver and source will also determine if you like what you hear. The LCR-15 has a forgiving sound with a lumpy, warm bass bump that adds a chestiness to male voices, perfect for low priced electronics with shrill, piercing high frequencies and limited bass power. An accurate speaker like the KEF R3 could reveal all your electronics flaws and your home theater now sounds like crap.

Or you could have real nice electronics and the LCR-15 speakers are holding back your systems potential.


15 years ago a buddy brought his Von Schweikert VR-2 and LCR-15 speakers to my shop for my "ultimate" mod. At the time I had modified my VR-2 speakers and posted the mods here on AC and he wanted the same procedure done to his speakers.

Von Schweikert VR-2 speaker mods
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

The LCR-15 mod was a success compared to how it originally sounded but it was still a speaker I would never own. The sound was always trapped in the box, never able to get out it's own way and make music float in space and disappear. The LCR-15 sold for $749 each which I thought was horribly overpriced for the build quality and sound. The VR-4 Jr, VR-2 and LCR-15 were made in China to a price point. Reviewers liked how they sounded which convinced me to buy a pair, but I got mine at half price which was what they were actually worth sound wise.

Modifying the Von Schweikert LCR-15 Center Speaker
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=79773.0

"I finally plugged in the LCR-15 and was not impressed... The speaker is tonally similar to the VR2 but there is a definite chestiness to male vocals. Music has a nice thump but since this is a center speaker designed for vocals the LCR-15 needed a little emasculating."




NoRez, Kapok stuffing and Plasti-clay improved the sound somewhat



Fritz Carbon 7 SE Mk 2 Speaker

The Fritz Carbon 7 speaker will blow away almost any commercially made speaker at it's price point. Do a search here on AC and on Google for the Carbon 7 SE Mk 2 and you will find zero negative reviews. Our audio club had a pair for a couple of months and everyone agreed they are the best.
Review by hilde45: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=170117.0


Philharmonic Audio BMR Monitor loudspeaker

The Philharmonic Audio BMR Monitor loudspeaker would be another excellent choice.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/philharmonic-audio-bmr-monitor-loudspeaker


Philharmonic Audio also has a dedicated center channel speaker
The HT Center Channel
https://philharmonicaudio.com/products/ht-center-channel

[Dapuma]

Way back when, VS was discontinuing their lower end systems and they had a pretty great package deal for 3 LCR-15's, 2 TS-150 Di-pole Surrounds and VR1 Sub - over time the sub amp died and it was cheaper to replace with a SVS Sub than ship and get the amp repaired.  I wish I would have done the VR1/2's back then, however the LCR's have done a solid job over the years. 

I still have the Sub, however it is just sitting in storage.  The Denon replaced a Denon 3805 which was just too old for modern formats.  When I do the upgrade, I will go to McIntosh more than likely because I like the look and always wanted McIntosh separates.  I would prefer floor stand fronts over bookshelf's, again primarily because of the look, as this is going to go in a non perfect movie living room kitchen so some compromises have to be made.  Perhaps I have to stick with bookshelfs because of placement to the wall.  1 foot is about the space I have, however if the speaker is front ported I believe that is acceptable.  I believe with DIRAC and a bit of treatment, I can get pretty good...which will still be superior to what I am have currently. 

Also:  The system gets used more for home theatre than music, i generally prefer to keep everything in the same line for aesthetics - so that is another consideration - i am very aware of the trade offs I need to make up front compared to pure audio nirvana - nirvana adjacent is good enough

Some speakers I have considered are: 

Sonus Faber Sonetto G2 line - they seem to have a pretty good surround package set up, look nice, and are front ported I believe - the V and VIII seem to have the upgraded tweeter from their high end line
Kef R Meta line
Totem Tribe - look sharp and wall placement is a non issue - wish there was a comparison between the Totem Tribe and Totem Forest Signature out there somewhere
Focal Kanta - however these seem more expensive and not as good as Kef or Sonus, will listen to them, however not high on the list

The recommendations you gave are very nice, the philharmonic speakers in piano rosewood look very similar to the LCR's and one thing i loved about the LCR's was the African hazelwood finish - seems like they would be a little cheaper than what I have been looking at and still retain the aesthetic I am look for - I will dive deeper into these - curious how their HT Tower stacks up and if the mini monitor vs ceramic mini compares for surrounds

[WGH]

... the philharmonic speakers in piano rosewood look very similar to the LCR's and one thing i loved about the LCR's was the African hazelwood finish - seems like they would be a little cheaper than what I have been looking at and still retain the aesthetic I am look for - I will dive deeper into these - curious how their HT Tower stacks up and if the mini monitor vs ceramic mini compares for surrounds

Contact Dennis Murphy at Philharmonic Audio about the speaker differences, he is honest and won't try to up-sell you. Dennis designed all the crossovers for Salk Sound and is familiar with practically all the drivers made today.

[WGH]

The recommendations you gave are very nice, the philharmonic speakers in piano rosewood look very similar to the LCR's and one thing i loved about the LCR's was the African hazelwood finish - seems like they would be a little cheaper than what I have been looking at and still retain the aesthetic I am look for - I will dive deeper into these - curious how their HT Tower stacks up and if the mini monitor vs ceramic mini compares for surrounds

These won't last long - Audio by Van Alstine has a pair of BMR Towers for sale for $3280. Don't even think about it if you want them or you'll be too late.

https://avahifi.com/collections/used-demo-and-quick-ship/products/used-bmr-monitor-mirror-rosewood