Yamaha HTR-5860 and Polk RTi6, ...

[adamsap]

I'm a newbie in this area and would appreciate your expert advice.

I’m setting up HT system (mainly movies and games, maybe some music – jazz, alternative). The room is an open plan family room extending to kitchen so overall it is about 15’x30’x8’ but the HT area is about 15’x15’ (11’-12’ seating distance).

I’m planning to get Yamaha HTR-5860 receiver. I’m now deciding on speakers. I don’t have space for floor standing fronts.

I’m considering following setup:

Front: 2 x Polk Audio RTi6
Center: none for now but want to have option to add a matching Polk in the future
Surrounds: 2 x Polk Audio RC60i (in-ceiling) – I know in-ceilings are not optimal but this is really the best option in my room
Sub: Polk Audio PSW10 (Crutchfield has it free with $500 Polk Audio purchase)

I don’t expect to extend the setup beyond 5.1.

Will the receiver have enough power for those speakers? I’m not into super loud sound but I want sound that is “clear” even when listening on lower volume (like movie watching at night). Does this make sense?

Another option I’m considering is Axiom M22ti fronts. I have however problem deciding what in-ceiling would match it. Also in this case I would have to get a cheaper sub (I’m looking at Velodyne VX-10 for $145).

If you can think of completely different option in this price range (receiver + speakers < $1000) I’m very open to your suggestions. I'd rather stay with new components.

Thanks,
Adam

[jcPanny]

I think that the Axiom M22ti mains would perform better than polks, but would the Axiom QS8s or in-wall speakers be an option? You can also get creative with brackets like some of the omnimounts that connect to the ceiling and would thread into the Axioms.

After purchasing that receiver for about $350, you only have $650 left for speakers and a sub. The Axiom M22s would cost $400 from the outlet and you could save for a good sub, center, and eventually surrounds.

If you want all 5.0 channels for $650, check out the Bic Venturi and Athena Audition series lines. I think these are more feasable in your budget. A cadence X-Sub for <$300 might be a good option, or save for one from SVS or HSU.

[Buckeyefan 1]

The 5860 should have no problems driving the RTi6. Those are really great sounding bookshelves. Excellent tweeter, and a large enough woofer to take over where the sub rolls off. I've got the RTi4's as well as FXi3's, and they really impress me - even by themselves.

The RTi6's are probably a bit more efficient than the Axioms. If you go the Axiom route, you may want to upgrade to the 5890/5990 if you plan to run 5.1. Stick with all Axiom if you can budget out in the end. I'm not a big fan of mixing speakers. It's difficult enough to dial in a 5.1 setup, let alone a mixed 5.1 setup.

[adamsap]

Thank you both for the answer.

With the Polk for $580 I will get 2 RTi6 for front ($380 pair), 2 in-ceiling RC60i ($200 pair) surrounds and PSW10 sub (free at Crutchfield).

With Athena I could get AS-B2.2 for front and AS-IC6 in-ceiling for about $500.

With Bic I could get DV62si for front and M-SR6 in-ceiling also for about $500.

With Velodyne VX-10 sub for $145 both Bic and Athena would be within my budget.

Which setup would provide better sound with Yamaha 5860? Polk, Bic or Athena?

Thanks,
Adam

[adamsap]

After searching more online I can see that a pair of Bic DV62si and a pair M-SR6 (in-ceiling) can be had for much less than $500, more like $250.

This is very atractive price. Since jcPanny suggested Bic as an alternative to Polk RTi6 I assume that these are comparable speakers. Is this correct assumption?

Also does anyone have experience/knowledge how Polk RC60i in-ceiling compare to Bic's M-SR6?

Thanks,
Adam

[jcPanny]

I think you will be selling yourself short by purchasing inexpensive in-ceiling speakers from any manufacturer. In them same price range, you will get much better performance from a bookshelf or dipole type speaker. Investigate the options for stands or mounting brackets before purchasing the in-ceiling speakers.

If you do get in-ceiling, pick a driver that is the same size as your main and center channels and a directional (movable) tweeter.

Finally, I would rank your choices in the following order of price and performance.

Axom Audio M22ti
Polk RTi6
Bic or Athena.