First post, 2 questions

[Nick250]

Samiam, here's my thinking.

1. No system you buy is perfect, one has to compromise somewhere.

2. With a limited budget, compromise on electronics, not speakers.

3. Audition as many speakers as you can.

4. Get the best two front speakers you can afford and compromise elsewhere.

5. Take the long view that you will be adding a quality sub, surround and center over time as your budget will allow.

6. Go back and read point number 4


Nick

 

[Samiam]

Samiam, here's my thinking.

1. No system you buy is perfect, one has to compromise somewhere.
In my case its the sub.

2. With a limited budget, compromise on electronics, not speakers.
The Pioneer over the Onkyo would be the compromise...I think, although it doesn't look like I'm losing anything.

3. Audition as many speakers as you can.
I could make a full time job of this! :)

4. Get the best two front speakers you can afford and compromise elsewhere.
For me the Polk Rti10's fit here

5. Take the long view that you will be adding a quality sub, surround and center over time as your budget will allow.
I could make it a 2.1 system and bump the front speakers up to a pair that cost $1000 but the csi3 center and the fxi3 surrounds are getting some decent reviews. Over time I will be adding a sub for sure.

6. Go back and read point number 4
Ha! Reminds me of the algebra teacher who had a placard that said, "RULES: 1. The teacher is always right 2. When in doubt read number 1."



Nick

pls see my inline replies

 

[AVRat]

The RTi-10s, and up, need a high-end receiver or separate amplifier to be powered properly. I would stick with the 8s and add a small respectable sub like an HSU STF-1 or Outlaw Audio LFM-2. I know it's daunting , but we'll get you through it!

 

[Samiam]

The RTi-10s, and up, need a high-end receiver or separate amplifier to be powered properly. I would stick with the 8s and add a small respectable sub like an HSU STF-1 or Outlaw Audio LFM-2. I know it's daunting , but we'll get you through it!

Isn't 120 per channel good? Ah, you are right, this is nuts, but fun indeed.

I looked at the Outlaw and HSU, both look good, but they have floor firing bass, and it would be pointing at carpeted cement floors. I have neighbors upstairs and a room that is 13x12, with a bar divder into the kitchen which is an additional 8-10 feet. My thinking for the rti10's is that if I forgo a bass, I still get it with the 2 7 inch woofers built into the rti10's. I don't want to drive my neighbors upstairs NUTS. So... I'm guessing they would be easier to control their direction and output on the 10's.

followup> I've been reading up on the 10's and have found that there are complaints of their middle range being flat. Grr.. I'll need to go in tonight and have a listen. If this is the case then I'll definetely go with a sub. I'm not willing to shell out $1500+ to get the 10's to work correctly. Yea, I'm a cheap bastard. I'm nutz for vocals, instrumentals, indie music, synth, etc and home theater is in second place.

Why would I need an amp to get these babies to run with the 120 watt Pioneer receiver?

 

[AVRat]

There’s more to a receiver/amp’s capability than its power rating. It’s about the components and technology that go into the product. Speakers, the same thing.

For anybody on a budget (cheap b@st@rds included), my philosophy is to pair up a good set of speakers that can be easily driven by a decent receiver with a respectable sub. The concept is to power the less ravenous upper frequencies with the receiver’s amp while allowing the sub’s amp to provide the power for the power hungry bass frequencies. A good sub will perform similarly to a properly powered full range speaker in the bass region. It doesn’t have to “BOOM, BOOM, BOOM”, unless you want it to.

For example, to mimic the RTi10s, you could use the RTi6s with a good sub.

UH, OH, post #666

 

[Johnd]

There’s more to a receiver/amp’s capability than its power rating.

Easy for you to pontificate @ 170 wpc! Just kidding...solid advice.

 

[Samiam]

the saga continues!

I went into Frye's here locally in Washington. I had them put up some polk rti6s and compared them to the rti8, and rti10 models. While the rti6's were fantastic speakers, they weren't as good acoustically in the middle range as the rti8s. Interestingly enough the rti10's were phenomenally jaw dropping when it came to movies and music, but for my taste in music, the rti8's just had the edge on vocals. The Rti10's did have a better spatial sound to them, ergo I think they would be better for a bigger room, with their forte in movies.....

That being said, I asked the patient sales rep if he was ready to talk numbers.
No smile from the sales rep.

I basically told him I had done my homework and here is what I thought was reasonable to pay. Keep in mind 2 days ago Frye's told me to come in and they would "make my numbers work."

My asking prices out the door:
RTI8 x 2 = $698
CSI3 x 1 = $169
FXI3 x 2 = $328
Onkyo tx-sr674s =$549

GRAND TOTAL $1744

Their price? $1940.94

A difference of $196.94 but wait, they already threw in a $100 discount on the receiver. So if I didn't do my homework it would be a purchase over $2k.

I would say at this point I am 100 percent on speakers. I just don't like the look of the Oinkyo and it has a review average of 50-50....Fifty percent are satisfied, and 50 percent thinks it blows... My personal benchmark on any electronic is that it has to have 70% positive reviews before I'll consider it. I think the Denon receivers look snazzier. I want something with great reviews in the $500+ range. I can't find any reviews on that Pioneer. I'll try again.

 

[AVRat]

You’re on the money for speakers. Crutchfield and JR Music offer free shipping. If you want the B&M convenience at Frye’s, try talking with the sales manager.

You’ll pay a little bit of a premium for Denon, Yamaha, & Marantz over Pioneer or Onkyo for the low-mid level receivers. Over $800, things start to even out. The Pioneer 1016 is fairly new, so you might not find much. It is the best model that is not in the Elite series. For the RTi-8s, you’ll want a good quality receiver with a decent amp section. The Pioneer VSX-80TXV would be a better option. A Denon AVR-2307CI is the minimum for HDMI switching. I just noticed that JR Music has a refurbished 2106 (component switching) for $400: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4090573

A Yamaha RX-V1600 would also be a good option if you can find a good deal.

 

[Samiam]

Phew, this is a lot of work. The Oinkyo is off the table for good. Every store I go to, they want me to get it. I don't like it, it's ugly and hard to pronounce. I'm looking into the Yamaha, it's got a bazillion more outputs, 3 room stereo, 100mhz processing, all in all a better receiver altogether. I am also looking at this one. what do you think? The driving factor for my receiver is mind boggling vocal and instrumental music. I'm guessing more processing power, the better.

http://us.marantz.com/Products/1880.asp

 

[AVRat]

The Marantz SR5001 is a good option.

 

[Samiam]

Thanks for all the help everyone, esp avrat!

I am the proud papa of 2 polk rti8, a polk csi5 main and 2 polk rti6's for surrounds.

Just waiting for them to arrive next week!

Now I need to narrow the choices down between receivers.

My sub is going to be a SVS PB10-ISD. It's a little 10 incher, but it throws down a more dynamic range than the others I was looking at, and for my 13x13 I think it is more than enough!

Does anyone recommend a power conditioner brand over the other?

Thanks!

 

[Nick250]

I am one who thinks that power conditioners are unnecessary for most. That beind said, because of a pricing snafu at BB regarding a Belkin surge protector I got a Belkin Pure AV for $150. It's regular price was $329. It works fine, it does surger protector duty, organizes my cables, tells me everything is ok with lights on the front. It also has pretty good cool factor for me in the audio rack. No audio or video improvements that I can detect.

Nick

 

[Samiam]

Phew, I got a really great deal on a Marantz sr7500. I've listened to a lot of music lately and the best bang for my buck is the Marantz. I'm thinking of eventually getting a couple or a few of the outlaw 2200 mono block amps and really bringing the rti8's a loving dose of power.

I think I will be very happy with this setup! So thanks everyone!

 

[AVRat]

Glad to be of help! I’d get the sub first and hold off on the amps. The amps will help the 8s on the low-end which, essentially, will be taken care of by the sub. In your smallish space, the Marantz has plenty of quality power for frequencies above 80Hz. However, if you’ve really got the bug , then by all means purchase the amps!!