Mismatch center speakers w/ new front speakers?

[albo23]

I've been forced to keep a 3.1 setup for a while now because I've had sectional couches that didn't allow me to put rear speakers. I'm going 5.1 now since I've got more space-friendly couches and I would like to relegate my old front speakers, Polk Monitor50's, to be rear speakers and get new front speakers. However, my center speaker is the Polk CS2 and I have not had a problem with it at any point.

1. Am I "forbidden" from mismatching my center channel with higher model/different brand front speakers?
2. Is my plan, overall, fine? Do you recommend me do something else with my Monitor50's, or is relegating them to the rear my best option?
3. I'd like to get the two new front speakers for ~$300-400 total, any recommendations? Are there any speaker pairs that frequently go on sale?

 

[thee_prisoner]

Mismatching is fine, you will need to adjust sound levels and etc but with even all the same speakers you would have to do that.

For inexpensive front speakers, Paradigm or NHTs are pretty nice. 300-400 is pretty cheap for front mains.

You could just keep the Polk 50s for front since they are floor standing speakers otherwise some good fronts would need a stand.

You didn't mention a sub woofer. I would get that before rears since you are on a budget. Some real cheap rears would work ok since they don't have to be expensive.

Also, if you have a used/new stereo store around I highly recommend going their first. You can great some great deals on used stuff and they allow trade in to upgrade your equipment.

Happy listening, the Prisoner...