Help for matching JMlab speakers for multichannel use

I am currently auditioning components for a planned media room. Currently
my priority is 2 channel music listening, and therefore at this time I am
not sure I want to commit to multichannel surround sound for home theater.
For the music system I am fairly certain that I will be going with the
Simaudio P-5/W-5 preamp/amp combo, along with the Simaudio Nova CD player.
As for speakers, I was initially considering the Focal JMLab Electra 936. I
was really impressed with the speaker/electronic component combination and I felt that
if I wanted to get into HT in the future I could always add the JMLab
Electra surrounds SR900, the center speaker CC 901, and the subwoofer SW
900.

However, more recently I have had the opportunity to demo the JMLab Utopia Alto, and
when auditioning them with the Simaudio, I quickly fell in love with the
Beryllium Tweeter and Bass response of the Alto in comparison to the 936. Beyond the price difference, I am concerned about going with this critically acclaimed
speaker in the event that I do want to get into home theater. Although, I
could perhaps afford the expense for the Alto's as the speakers in a 2
channel system, I cannot afford eventually adding Utopia Center speakers,
surrounds and sub. So, my long winded question is how important would it be
to stick with Utopia line for the center, surrounds, and sub. That is, how
terrible accoustically would it be to downgrade to the JMLab Electra for the center,
surrounds, and sub as a cheaper alternative to accompany the Utopia Alto
front L and R speaker.

 

I'd say it's pretty important to get the centre to be tonally matched to the left/right speakers but you may be able to achieve this by using a cheaper centre from the same manufacturer - only way to find out is to try it.

The surrounds are less important so a pair from a cheaper range by the same manufacturer should be fine.

As for the subwoofer, other than for aesthetics, I can think of no good reason to by one from the same manufacturer. In fact some of the better subs are made by specialist companies (REL, Velodyne etc) who don't generally make "normal" speakers.

Matt.