New A/V

[halfj-7]

First time poster, long time viewer.
Anyway, I finally am able to afford a decent A/V system.
Here is what I plan on putting together. Anything I'm missing or mis-matching?

Samsung HL-T6189s DLP w/ LED Light Engine
Onkyo TX-NR905
Polk RTI-12
Polk CSi-5
Polk TCi-65 surrounds (bought already, with in wall brackets)
Three Outlaw 200W mono's for the fronts and center speakers
Outlaw LFM-1 Plus Sub
Toshiba A30 HD-DVD
X-box 360 (bought)
Not sure on the local cable vs a dish.

Of course I'm lost on the HDMI cables and the 1.3 format, 12-bit deep color, etc and what cables will carry this bitstream, etc.

Thanks in advance

 

[avaserfi]

Well everything looks good if you like the stuff you are talking about. One thing I do notice is your price distribution. You have way more money planned to be spent on your receiver/amp than your speakers. Speakers have a far far bigger impact on the total sound quality than the receiver so much so I would say you couldn't even compare the two. I would suggest perhaps getting an the Onkyo 875 and no amps at all as they won't help sound quality too much for most applications and spend that excess money on higher end speakers so you can get better sound quality.

Another thing to remember is room treatments, if you can work some on your room it will help your sound quality tons.

Also, I would recommend looking into HSU and SVS subs I have heard both brands and they sound great. I have seen many good reviews on Outlaw and Velodyne as well. See if you can compare them and choose which you like the most.

As far as HDMI goes if you have a short run don't worry about the cable, if you have a longer run get a thicker gauge quality cable (bluejeanscables.com) and you will be set with everything else. Currenlty most of the features within the 1.3 format are unused anyways.

1.3a added the ability to send a signal bitstream which allows a receiver to decode the audio rather than the player, it also added the ability to use "deep color" (12 bit) which has yet to be used anywhere substantial. In the end I wouldn't worry too much about this situation.

 

[Adam]

I agree with Andrew in regards to it looks good if you're set on those brands. I don't agree about not getting the amps, though, based on my recent experience. Granted, my receiver probably isn't in the same class as the 875 or 905 in terms of application, but I noticed a large improvement when I added a 200W amp (Emotiva RPA-1) for my front speakers into the mix. At my normal listening levels, there is no noticeable difference between having the amp or not having it. At higher volumes (for concert DVDs and some movies), it makes a big difference. I really wish that I would have initially purchased three channels of amplification to also amp the center channel, so I think that you are going a good route with your thinking. I am considering one of those Outlaw monoblocks for my system. I would suggest that you look at the Emotiva amps (if you haven't already), especially because they are on sale this month. In case you don't know, you can have the MPS-1 and MPS-2 custom-configured with fewer than seven channels with the future option to add more amp modules.

 

[avaserfi]

As far as power goes the 905 is pretty beefy with four seperate toroidal power supplies so its got some power to send. Also, my comment was in regards to speakers compared to power/receiver. The 905 itself costs more than the whole planned speaker set up which just seems a little off to me especially when the amps are added in. More power to mediocre speakers doesn't make them sound great .

Also, from what I have heard Emotiva is no longer doing the custom configuration on the MPS series you just have to buy the whole thing .

 

[Adam]

Also, from what I have heard Emotiva is no longer doing the custom configuration on the MPS series you just have to buy the whole thing .

Never hurts to ask them. I hadn't heard about them stopping that policy.

 

[jostenmeat]

Well everything looks good if you like the stuff you are talking about. One thing I do notice is your price distribution. You have way more money planned to be spent on your receiver/amp than your speakers. Speakers have a far far bigger impact on the total sound quality than the receiver so much so I would say you couldn't even compare the two. I would suggest perhaps getting an the Onkyo 875 and no amps at all as they won't help sound quality too much for most applications and spend that excess money on higher end speakers so you can get better sound quality.

+1.

OP, do you have very limited space for the center channel, and no floor space for surrounds/rears? With that kind of budget (and you must have a healthy one), I would personally look for a line with a much beefier/better center. What, it produces about 3/4 of all the audio from a movie? All the channels are given full-range signals btw, so if your speakers can handle them, more power to you. Also, can your return those rear in-walls? Thats a lot of power for a pretty small and light speaker. (Getting good midbass/bass from your surrounds is one of the coolest effects in HT audio, imo...)

The sub... Outlaw is selling their best (EX version) in combo with the SMS-1 for 1k. If you live in SoCal by any chance, I can split the costs with you (Id take SMS-1. Then again, maybe you want both anyways!). Then you would pay $50 less ($500 instead of $550) and actually get the better sub for less money. Im down if you are.

Anyways, wait on the monoblocks till you're absolutely sure you need them. Im not sure that you will. That small center will be powered plenty by the 905. (How big is your room, and how many feet will you be from the front three?). Good luck.

 

[alexsound]

First time poster, long time viewer.
Anyway, I finally am able to afford a decent A/V system.
Here is what I plan on putting together. Anything I'm missing or mis-matching?

Samsung HL-T6189s DLP w/ LED Light Engine
Onkyo TX-NR905
Polk RTI-12
Polk CSi-5
Polk TCi-65 surrounds (bought already, with in wall brackets)
Three Outlaw 200W mono's for the fronts and center speakers
Outlaw LFM-1 Plus Sub
Toshiba A30 HD-DVD
X-box 360 (bought)
Not sure on the local cable vs a dish.

Of course I'm lost on the HDMI cables and the 1.3 format, 12-bit deep color, etc and what cables will carry this bitstream, etc.

Thanks in advance

You don't need 3 mono amps. The 905 you plan on getting will have more than enough power for all of your speakers. If you forego the extra amps, you can actually go a little better on the speakers, maybe even get a second Outlaw sub.

 

[Seth=L]

I would keep the amps off the list for now and think about diverting some of that budget to some higher end speakers. Onecall has some stellar deals on the Polk LSi series. SVS would be a wise choice for a subwoofer.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28500

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28501

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28808

 

[rnatalli]

I agree with waiting on mono blocks and investing heavier in speakers and the sub.

 

[zumbo]

Don't skip the amps. Those Polks want, and need the power. There is nothing wrong with what you have chosen, and, I would bet money that it would probably smoke any system owned by the people telling you that receiver has enough power. People using mid-fi receiver power don't know the difference. If they did, they wouldn't be using receiver power.

 

[zumbo]

I would keep the amps off the list for now and think about diverting some of that budget to some higher end speakers. Onecall has some stellar deals on the Polk LSi series. SVS would be a wise choice for a subwoofer.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28500

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28501

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28808

That is no where near the deal you can get on RTi. Are you feeling ok?

Built-in subs?

 

[Seth=L]

Don't skip the amps. Those Polks want, and need the power. There is nothing wrong with what you have chosen, and, I would bet money that it would probably smoke any system owned by the people telling you that receiver has enough power. People using mid-fi receiver power don't know the difference. If they did, they wouldn't be using receiver power.

I wouldn't classify the TX-NR905 is mid-fi. I have owned seperate amplifiers before, and they do make a difference. Better speakers will make a bigger difference.

 

[zumbo]

I wouldn't classify the TX-NR905 is mid-fi.

The amp section is.

I have owned seperate amplifiers before, and they do make a difference. Better speakers will make a bigger difference.

Just because speakers cost more money, don't mean they are better. I would never pay that price listed for those LSI. Never.
Have you heard them?

 

[Seth=L]

That is no where near the deal you can get on RTi. Are you feeling ok?

Built-in subs?

OP could go for Bookshelf LSi speakers. It seemed like a good deal to me.

(I am a bit under the weather and unwilling to dedicate much time to research at the moment)

 

[Seth=L]

Just because speakers cost more money, don't mean they are better. I would never pay that price listed for those LSI. Never.

You do realize those are paired prices right? And shipping is included.

RTi 12s are at the cheapest $1000, I saw some for $530 a piece, shipping not included. Doing the math it will come close the same price as the LSi 15s, without the ring radiator and not to mention excellent build quality.

 

[zumbo]

You do realize those are paired prices right? And shipping is included.

RTi 12s are at the cheapest $1000, I saw some for $530 a piece, shipping not included. Doing the math it will come close the same price as the LSi 15s, without the ring radiator and not to mention excellent build quality.

$499.82 ea. Free shipping. Found them that fast.

The math. $499.64 less, and a much better pair of speakers for 5.1(IMO)

 

[zumbo]

You don't need the woofers in the LSI15's, and the mids are only 5.25".

Plus, you are recommending the OP drops the amps, and moves to a 4ohm speaker.

 

[zumbo]

Built-in subs?

Doesn't look to be a built-in sub. Just looks like one 8".

The RTi12's have three 7".

Do that math.

 

[Seth=L]

Doesn't look to be a built-in sub. Just looks like one 8".

The RTi12's have three 7".

Do that math.

I still firmly believe that the LSi series is more refined than the RTi series. The tweeter difference is more than enough for me. Just because it has more woofers or has more displacement doesn't make it a better speaker. It has been mentioned here before that if you use the receiver's x-over the three 7" woofers are a moot point. The OP could opt to get the LSi9 with stands instead since it is likely a receiver's x-over will be used. No sense in having large speakers when you aren't going to use the lower frequency drivers anyway right?

Concerning the 4 ohm impedance, the Onkyo TX-NR905 is 4 ohm stable. If additional amplification is needed it can be added later. There is no sense in buying everything not knowing if you need it or not.

 

[zumbo]

While the bookshelf is an option, for HT, I prefer the RTi8's over any of the others. Next, I would have to move to the new RTi line, or another brand.