Home Theatre Setup

cbhargab

Hi All,

I am planning to buy a home theatre which will be 40% for movies and 60% for music.

I have narrowed down to the below components considering my budget and have also auditioned them.

Denon 1910 New AV receiver.
Polk Audio Tsi 400 floor standers
Polk Audio CS 10 Center
Polk Audio Tsi 100 boolkshelves for rear
Polk Audio PSW 125 Sub.

Experts please comment on this setup. the whole setup will cost me around 2300$ in India

LuSh

Why do you need advice if you've already heard it? Why trust a person who you've never met, or will likely meet then your own ears? Like it? Buy it. Nothing will be learned by reading a forum, everything will be learned through listening.

What's your favorite color? Wrong...it should be green.

Rodeo0530

LuSh wrote: »

Why do you need advice if you've already heard it? Why trust a person who you've never met, or will likely meet then your own ears? Like it? Buy it. Nothing will be learned by reading a forum, everything will be learned through listening.

What's your favorite color? Wrong...it should be green.

Maybe he's just looking for a little reassurance about this. I think your comment was a little unnecessary seeing as he is planning on spending a good bit of money on the setup. I know that I would like a little bit of reassurance that I was buying the right thing if I was in the market for a new home theater setup.

I would recommend the larger CS20 over the CS10, but I'm just saying that because I have the CS2 of the Monitor series and it's a great speaker. I don't know about the cost of the sub, but I know that a lot of people like the PSW505 here because of the relatively cheap cost for its good performance.

I hope that this is helpful to you and maybe some more people will chime in on this as well.

cstmar01

I would go with the CS20 as well as I prefer larger centers, but thats just me.

ccruiser

I have the CS10 now and though it's a solid enough center I think you will likely be happier pairing the 400's with the CS20. I'm planning upgrading my 10 to a 20 as soon as I can and using the 10 to start a computer or bedroom system.

I don't have a psw 125 myself, but I have heard they are not quite up to par for a polk sub. That being said, I don't own one and have not heard one for myself.

-Carson

Edit: throwing in my disclaimer that I am far from an expert.

jemrey81

Not an expert either, but I have the CS10... I would definitley say get the 20 if you're using the 400's. The CS10 would be great with some bookshelf speakers up front (that's what I am doing), I don't think it will keep up with the 400's though. As far as the sub goes, I haven't heard the psw 125 but I own the psw 505.... I definitely recommend this sub over everything in it's price range. I think it's still $249 @ Newegg, might be $229.... it's a steal at either price point and puts out a ton of sound if you want it too, or just nice solid fill for the lower end.

I can't comment on the receiver... Hope it helps.

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!

I understand what LuSh is saying and agree, but Rodeo, I think has put his finger on the issue here. So yes listen, 'if you can'. And if you need reassurance....I've run a Denon AVR 2807--a bit more powerful than yours but a similar sound and it sounds fine with a set of TSI-300s I run in a second system.

The 400s will give you more low end and more room filling sound. The 1910 is powerful enough to run that set up. The only thing I would change is moving up to a DSWpro 600 Polk sub....that would be if you have a decent sized room. But if that's beyond your budget the PSW125 is acceptable for your system above.

Of course hearing is believing! But let me add one point to LuSh's argument that may soften it. If you look at the posts on this site....you will see that these guys and gals, INCLUDING LuSh, himself, have 'upgraded' continually! Even after they have LISTENED with their own ears. After a few months or years. Those same Ears decide that what sounded GOOD a while back is NOT GOOD ENOUGH. So off they go to hear something better and buy it. Now, that can continue FOREVER. So even listening with your own EARS is a 'fickle' enterprise. And some people's ears are more 'fickle' than others. Some people on this site change speakers, amps and sources the way I change my 'clothes'. And that's just not PRACTICAL for most of us. So if listening with your ears means NEVER being satisfied...then maybe that argument also has some flaws in it. IS not IRON clad.

Of course I'm pulling LuSh's leg here...because I would ALSO recommend listening to anything before you buy it. But that does not fully SOLVE the problem. Because there is NO SOLUTION--to what Reeltrouble calls 'the rabbit hole'!

cnh

cbhargab

Thanks all for the comments...

I think I will listen to CS20 before finally going for the system. I also auditioned the RTi series and the similar KEF speakers but they are too expensive for me, and there is not end to it.

How about the Polk Audio Tsi 100, I dont see any comments for those.

A few more question.

1. The shop owner suggested me the QED cables and told to get the high end cables for the front floor standing and center, the surround speakers can be connected with normal QED cables. Is an uniformity required in terms of cables or its fine what the shop owner is suggesting.

2. Denon 1910 is 6 ohms and the speakers are 8 ohms so, will there be any problem regarding the impedance matching.

3. I am planning to get a normal sony cd/dvd player as of now and get a Denon blue ray disc player later on. Does a normal cd/dvd player produce the same o/p as the expensive denon ones?

Thanks
Bhargab

cnh

Do yourself a favor and look at www.bluejeans.com for some good quality cheaper cables for now?

The ratings on the back of the Denon only mean that you should not run a speaker that is less than 6 ohms...or that the Denon is good with speakers from 6-8 ohm loads...You are FINE!

A higher end Denon like a DVD2930 or 2800 series will SOUND better on CDs than a lower end. The Picture quality will also be a tad better but not as noticeable.

Hope this helps.....

cnh

wutadumsn23

I agree that the CS20 will be a much better center channel for you, just make sure you can accomadate it, it is a bit bigger than the CS10. Also, I have a PSW 125 and say what you want about the PSW series, but that sub has NEVER let me down and sounds very good in my humble HT rig. The 505 would be a better choice of course, and for the prices that you can get it for these days, it is almost a no brainer for a quality budget friendly sub. The DSW series is a better sub than the PSW series, but are a bit more pricey. I think you are on the right track, and trust your ears, they are the best judge. Good luck and welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

Rodeo0530

I have the TSi 100's and think that they're an excellent speaker for the price range. They have multiple uses, but they would be perfect for surrounds!

mystik610

cbhargab wrote: »

Thanks all for the comments...

I think I will listen to CS20 before finally going for the system. I also auditioned the RTi series and the similar KEF speakers but they are too expensive for me, and there is not end to it.

How about the Polk Audio Tsi 100, I dont see any comments for those.

A few more question.

1. The shop owner suggested me the QED cables and told to get the high end cables for the front floor standing and center, the surround speakers can be connected with normal QED cables. Is an uniformity required in terms of cables or its fine what the shop owner is suggesting.

2. Denon 1910 is 6 ohms and the speakers are 8 ohms so, will there be any problem regarding the impedance matching.

3. I am planning to get a normal sony cd/dvd player as of now and get a Denon blue ray disc player later on. Does a normal cd/dvd player produce the same o/p as the expensive denon ones?

Thanks
Bhargab

How much are you spending altogether on the TSi series speakers?

The reason I'm asking is that if you're willing to take your time and scour polks ebay store, and the used market, you can easily build a system based on the RTi line for the price of the TSi line even at discounted retail prices.

I started with a system based on the TSi line, and over time upgraded everything to the RTi line. I ended up spending more than I had to selling my old speakers at a loss. The RTi line is the best line of speakers at their price range, and can be found at huge discounts these days. I honestly don't think my system could get much better without spending considerably more (above and beyond anything Polk offers)

You're right when you say there's no end to it, and ultimately your budget will dictate how far you take this hobby (especially if you spend a lot of time on this, and other similar forums). But if you can be patient, you can stretch your budget much further than you initially think.

wingnut4772

LuSh wrote: »

Why do you need advice if you've already heard it? Why trust a person who you've never met, or will likely meet then your own ears? Like it? Buy it. Nothing will be learned by reading a forum, everything will be learned through listening.

What's your favorite color? Wrong...it should be green.

Well there goes the forum!

cnh

I understand what LuSh is saying and I agree above. But with all the brick and mortar stores closing up shop it's not that easy to find a place to listen to everything, and lots of people buy their first system online without 'ever' hearing it. This is, unfortunately a reality and will become more and more the case for first time buyers. So all I can say is 'live and learn'--if you screw it up the first time, you can always try again? You want to see a life 'lived' audio and a musical 'revolving door'--check out Ricardo's showcase....great stuff but man there were a lot of/are a lot of upgrades and changes. Nonetheless--some really nice stuff there.

cnh

hagmanm2

I live in Columbia SC and there isn't a store in the state that carries Polk's RTi lineup, and the only TSi speakers I can listen to are the 400s, 100s, and the CS10 at my local BB. Meh. I bought all my speakers on 'faith' but I am by no means disappointed.

mdaudioguy

LuSh wrote: »

Why do you need advice if you've already heard it? Why trust a person who you've never met, or will likely meet then your own ears? Like it? Buy it. Nothing will be learned by reading a forum, everything will be learned through listening.

What's your favorite color? Wrong...it should be green.

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

I would recommend the larger CS20 over the CS10, but I'm just saying that because I have the CS2 of the Monitor series and it's a great speaker.

cstmar01 wrote: »

I would go with the CS20 as well as I prefer larger centers, but thats just me.

ccruiser wrote: »

I have the CS10 now and though it's a solid enough center I think you will likely be happier pairing the 400's with the CS20.

jemrey81 wrote: »

Not an expert either, but I have the CS10... I would definitley say get the 20 if you're using the 400's.

That's why! I started with a smaller center when I originally auditioned in a store with their setup. Once home, I quickly realized that it wasn't doing the trick in mine. There's good advice to be had here. Why not ask? The combined experiences of the forum members may not outweigh actually hearing something oneself, but they are a resource that I've benefited from greatly. They've kept me from making many "mistakes," although I still have a propensity to make enough on my own...

madnod

the TSI choices are ok (except the CSI20 over CSi10), but try to get a DSW rather a PSW sub. i opted for a DSW pro 600 over 2 PSW 125, once u audition them u will easily notice the difference

Pappy1

Hi cbhargab!

Like hagmanm2, I bought my speakers on faith, but also like mdaudioguy, I relied heavily upon the advice and experience of the forum members. I'm a novice, but what I recently purchased sounds so much better than what I had before. My budget would not allow for the RTi's, or even the TSI's, but I am not disappointed in the least with what was recommended here on Club Polk.

Best Wishes!

Pappy

AVR - Pioneer VSX 9040TXH
Subwoofer - Polk Audio PSW 505
TV - Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
BD - Panasonic DMP-BD605
Cable - CableOne HD DVR
Center - Polk Audio CS2
Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 70s
Rears - Polk Audio Monitor 60s

comfortablycurt

LuSh wrote: »

Why do you need advice if you've already heard it? Why trust a person who you've never met, or will likely meet then your own ears? Like it? Buy it. Nothing will be learned by reading a forum, everything will be learned through listening.

What's your favorite color? Wrong...it should be green.

I don't think this was really necessary. He's just looking for suggestions, and things to reconsider.





As others have said, I'd suggest stepping up to the CS20 center channel...especially since you're looking at the TSi400's. The 400's are pretty good sized speakers, and a smaller center channel would struggle to keep up with them. A CS20 would make for a much better blend.

I'd also suggest going with a PSW505 instead of the PSW125. It's a lot more sub, and costs a lot less money.


Just my $.02


Welcome to Club Polk.:)

cnh

Pappy1 wrote: »

Hi cbhargab!

Like hagmanm2, I bought my speakers on faith, but also like mdaudioguy, I relied heavily upon the advice and experience of the forum members. I'm a novice, but what I recently purchased sounds so much better than what I had before. My budget would not allow for the RTi's, or even the TSI's, but I am not disappointed in the least with what was recommended here on Club Polk.

Best Wishes!

Pappy

AVR - Pioneer VSX 9040TXH
Subwoofer - Polk Audio PSW 505
TV - Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
BD - Panasonic DMP-BD605
Cable - CableOne HD DVR
Center - Polk Audio CS2
Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 70s
Rears - Polk Audio Monitor 60s

As far as I'm concerned, M70s can hang with Rti-8s all day long and will be the more 'musical' of the two!

cnh

wutadumsn23

+1 cnh, I love my 70's and they are the better of the two when it comes to my TSi 500's as well. They sound even better hooked up to a good external amp in 2 ch. mode, I was blown away the first time I heard them in that capacity.

-Jeff