I recently bough a speaker system from Fry's for $400.

It is the Cambridge Soundworks Newton Series II:

Left/Right Main - MC100
Center - MC150
Left/Right Surround - MC100
Sub - Basscube 10S

I was wondering if this is the best speakers I can get for that price/performance or are there anything better speakers out there at my specified price range. I have a Sony STR-DE485 Receiver, but might upgrade that too in a year or 2.

The old speakers that I was using was from KLH but I forgot the model no., it came free when I bought that receiver.

My .02.

Speakers are the most subjective part of an audio/video system. No one can tell you what you will like the best. Therefore it is important that you listen to as many different types of speakers that you can, within your budget.

Thanks for the reply.

I was hoping to narrow my search down to 4-5 selections. I was hoping some of you guys could recommend something I could listen to and test to make the selection process easier.

BTW, does the speakers in the Polk Audio RM6700 and RM6750 model identical?

It sounds like you don't like the speakers you've already bought? In your price range there's not going to be much better than the CS unless you come across a really hot deal.

What Brian said though, audio is completely subjective. From looking at the Cambridge website it looks like your sub and center are in the middle of their quality range 'better' and the fronts and surrounds are at the bottom 'good.' Maybe trade in the floor standing speakers for the next level up so their quality matched with the center and sub?

The Northridge E Series from JBL is probably going to sound better, but you're also going to spend about $300 more for them, not including surrounds.

What receiver do you have, and what don't you like about the CS speakers you've bought? Maybe we can help turn them around for you.

I just wanted to make a suggestion that fits very well into your price range. Check out http://www.hometheaterdirect.com/ They have amazing speakers for the price. You won't be able to listen to them beforehand, but they allow you to return speakers within thirty days without penalty, including paying return shipping! Here's a review of one of their level 3 systems: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...3y-1-2002.html It's out of your price range, but gives you an idea of what they offer. I have the level three mains (not the towers) with the level three center channel and level two mains as surrounds and I absolutlely love these speakers. They are very high quality for the price. I wouldn't recommend one of their subwoofers however.

Would the Polk Audio RM6700 + PSW303 set be better than the CSW set I just bought. The cost is the same.

Or should I just return the current sub-woofer (basscube 10s) and get something like the new SVS sub ($399).

You would have to listen to them to determine whether they are or not.

Having an excellent sub will not make up for poor performing speakers