Perfect 7.1 speaker set-up for 2K?

[TVJon]

So, let's say you're looking to spend 2 grand on a home theater speaker set-up. You've already decided you want floor-standing L and R front, a great-sounding center, surface-mounted bi-pole sides and in-wall mounted rears, plus a nice sub. You're trying to fill a room that's 15 x 20 feet with a system that performs equally well with music and movies.

You're open to "name brand" speakers like Polk, as well as specialty store brands like Paradigm and internet brands, so long as they're the best value for the money.

What would your ideal speaker package be and why?

TVJon

 

[MDS]

My ideal speaker system would meet all of your stated goals and also be available in a nice finish that would complement the room decor. I'm willing to spend about $4,000 total but every 'system' I've seen fails one or more of the required criteria - usually size for wall mounting or not available in a bi/dipole configuration.

It is very difficult to find a set of speakers that meet all of your requirements and that is even before you've even had a chance to listen to them.

So...keep looking.

 

[-Kevin-]

Take a look at the Swans. I've heard lots of fantastic things about them!


http://www.theaudioinsider.com/products_new.php?cPath=21_30

 

[mazersteven]

Take a look at the Swans. I've heard lots of fantastic things about them!


http://www.theaudioinsider.com/products_new.php?cPath=21_30

And this is where you purchase them.

Mains http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_30&products_id=47&osCsid=c2ca2a2f34d134e7eefe35d11b240158

Center http://www.ozhometheater.com/ozht_prodcat_htspeakers_center_c3bc.htm

Surrounds http://www.ozhometheater.com/ozht_prodcat_htspeakers_bookshelf_r3.htm

Subwoofer http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm

There is your $2000 speaker budget.

 

[mazersteven]

And if you want to maximize that budget you should stay with 5.1. You could always add on later.

 

[AVRat]

Polk RTi series are being cleared out for new models. A Polk RTi8/CSi5/Fxi5 combo – can be had right now for $1000 offering excellent price/performance. But you better be quick. You should be able to find these in your area for auditioning.

Polk RTi8 L/R- $225 ea.

Polk CSi5 Center - $250

Polk FXi5 Bi/Di-pole surrounds - $300/pr.

You can step down to the CSi3 Center/FXi3 Surrounds and add the appropriate rears to meet your budget.

It is amazing how much a good sub impacts the experience which is another area you don’t want to skimp on. For approximately $1000 incl. shipping I’d go for an HSU VTF-3 HO or SVS PB12 Plus or SVS 20-39 PC-Plus

 

[TVJon]

If I did it in Polk...

If I did it in Polk, I'd consider this:

2 RTi10s for the front (700/pr)
2 FXi3s for the sides (300/pr)
2 TC65i for the rears (in-wall)
1 CSi5 center for (279)

1 PSW505 sub (400)

It's about 2100... I'm not married to this system, but it would seem to make sense if the sound is good. Thoughts?

TVJon

 

[mazersteven]

If I did it in Polk, I'd consider this:

2 RTi10s for the front (700/pr)
2 FXi3s for the sides (300/pr)
2 TC65i for the rears (in-wall)
1 CSi5 center for (279)

1 PSW505 sub (400)

It's about 2100... I'm not married to this system, but it would seem to make sense if the sound is good. Thoughts?

TVJon

Ya the sub is a waste of $400 bucks.

 

[TVJon]

If not that sub, what's a better alternative at $400 or so?

TVJon

 

[mazersteven]

If not that sub, what's a better alternative at $400 or so?

TVJon

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow3.cfm

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1.html

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk3.html

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=1.1

x-plosive
http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=22692

 

[AVRat]

You may want to base your front L/R decision on what they’ll be powered with. Or visa versa. The RTi8s are an easier load to handle than the 10s. The 8s offer the vast majority of the 10s performance capability, freeing up money for a much better sub that is powering the more power hungry bottom end. The TC65s go for about $450/pr. I’d go with the TC615s - $200/pr. instead.

 

[TVJon]

Denon AVR 2307ci is my receiver of choice... would it be enough to drive the RTi10s?

TVJon

 

[AVRat]

Yes, it will, to a certain extent. The Polk RTi-10/12s have impedance characteristics that may cause low/mid level receivers’ protection circuitry to engage and shutdown at moderate to upper volume levels. However, the 2307 does have pre-outs if you needed/wanted to add a separate amp to power the 10s more appropriately.

If you look at the configuration and specs of the RTi10 & RTi6, you’ll see that the 10 is essentially the 6 with the addition of the two woofers crossed-over at 125 Hz. The power rating then goes from 125W for the 6, to 300W for the 10, meaning those two woofers consume about 60% of the provided power and only supply a small fraction of the frequency spectrum.

From this analysis, one might surmise that by using a quality set of bookshelfs powered by a low/mid level receiver and adding a good quality subwoofer you could achieve the same if not better results than a full range set of floorstanders appropriately powered. Of course this is not always true but there are many, many ways to configure a system.

 

[TVJon]

Now that's what I call an answer! The technical logic makes sense to me... as does the earlier suggestion that buying a better sub would make a big difference, regardless of the other speakers I choose. Time to re-evaluate. Thanks!

TVJon

 

[zumbo]

RTi 8's............................

 

[AVRat]

Another system option that would be great and work well with the 2307, though it will stress the budget limit.

Boston Acoustics
VR2 - $250 ea. http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=20792
VRC - $250 http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=20795
VRX - $500/pr. http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=25353
DSi260 - $250/pr. http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=25359

 

[TVJon]

Thanks for the alternative. I'm also considering a set-up from Paradigm, but I believe it'll cost more than the Polk set-up with RTi8s. I've heard some Paradigm speakers - they sound great.

TVJon

 

[TVJon]

Looking at the subwoofer forum, I've also been looking hard at adding a SVS sub to the Polk option. The 16-46 pci appears to be impressive for the money. Anyone listened to these?

TVJon

 

[mazersteven]

Call or e-mail SVS and ask their recommendation.

 

[TVJon]

So, I emailed SVS - very helpful and prompt. Now I'm rethinking whether I need floorstanders versus nice bookshelf speakers. Doing this would really work well with the plan for the room (built-in bookshelves shadowboxing the screen). I've read nothing but good things about SVS subs... just want to be sure the rest of the system can keep up. SCS OM1 might do it... or maybe the Polk RTi6s. Anyone got any advice now?

Thanks.

TVJon