Ready to buy, would appreciate opinions

mudwrx

First, I am not an expert by any means. However I have been researching equipment and am ready to purchase a 5.1 system and would like to hear any opinions others may have.

I have a family room about 25' x 30' with cathedral ceilings (it's a room above garage). I just got a 55" TV and am about to buy the audio. I was going back and forth between Klipsch and Polk Audio, I don't think either is a bad choice. However it looks like I could save a good amount by going with Polk Audio.

I am going to get an Onkyo TX-SR608 receiver but would like to know any thoughts on these speakers:

- TSi 400 floor speakers
- TSi CS10 center channel
- FXi A4 surround
- PSW505 sub

I want to stay around $1500, thus the floor speakers are not higher end but I am assuming are still good quality? I am not looking for a mega-super system that will disturb the neighborhood, just something that will do an above average job with playing movies, music and of course Rock Band ; )

I would also get some 12 gauge wire. Also, is bi-amping really worth it? (I'm still trying to learn about this too).

Thanks!

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!

With a room that size, I'd really think about the TSI-500s up front and a CS20. I'd suggest an upgrade to the CS20 at the very least. I'd also think about moving up a model on the Onkyo for the pre-outs in case you need more amplification. That's a pretty big room there.

I realize you have budget constraints. But do upsize the center...that's a very important set of drivers for HT sound!

Good Luck!

cnh

mudwrx

Thanks. I'll have a closer look at the center channel. Just a quick note, the room does have some "half walls" as there is a set of stairs leading up from the garage. It actually gives me a couple of corners to place the surrounds.

Knucklehead

Welcome to CP +1 cnh....

also check out: http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/s...lder/index.php

mudwrx

Thanks. That link seems to be dead. Is it the link to the Polk configuration builder? I entered my info on that but it did not have anything in my budget, funny enough.

Any thoughts on where to buy from? Local stores don't seem to have everything, I was looking on Crutchfield.com.

cnh

Best Buy carries 300s and 400s in stock but only in black. They have everything else on line but their prices are about the same as Crutchfield but Crutchfield has EXCELLENT customer service. So although, they're not the cheapest they're a good place!

www.jr.com carries Polk, and you can also buy from POLK direct--see links above.

Also check out (above) Polk's ebay store. They sell refurbs there that are usually in mint condition with a 2 year rather than the full 5 year warranty. But the prices are very good!

cnh

TECHNOKID

mudwrx wrote: »

First, I am not an expert by any means. However I have been researching equipment and am ready to purchase a 5.1 system and would like to hear any opinions others may have.

I have a family room about 25' x 30' with cathedral ceilings (it's a room above garage). I just got a 55" TV and am about to buy the audio. I was going back and forth between Klipsch and Polk Audio, I don't think either is a bad choice. However it looks like I could save a good amount by going with Polk Audio.

I am going to get an Onkyo TX-SR608 receiver but would like to know any thoughts on these speakers:

- TSi 400 floor speakers
- TSi CS10 center channel
- FXi A4 surround
- PSW505 sub

I want to stay around $1500, thus the floor speakers are not higher end but I am assuming are still good quality? I am not looking for a mega-super system that will disturb the neighborhood, just something that will do an above average job with playing movies, music and of course Rock Band ; )

I would also get some 12 gauge wire. Also, is bi-amping really worth it? (I'm still trying to learn about this too).

Thanks!

cnh wrote: »

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!

With a room that size, I'd really think about the TSI-500s up front and a CS20. I'd suggest an upgrade to the CS20 at the very least. I'd also think about moving up a model on the Onkyo for the pre-outs in case you need more amplification. That's a pretty big room there.

I realize you have budget constraints. But do upsize the center...that's a very important set of drivers for HT sound!

Good Luck!

cnh

I do agree with cnh on the AVR with pre-outs since this will allow you to upgrade later on, IMHO bi-amping is useless until you decide to acquire external amplification. The CS20 along with possibly the TSI-500s with an XPA3 (just an example) would allow you to provide a strong soundstage. As far as the surrounds goes, you can have a break dollar wise since they don't need to be as powerfull.

In order to maximise your budget, you could go used and should check Club Polk For Sale Forum since you could find some great deals on speakers an amplifier(s). The 505 sub is a good bang for the buck these days so don't hesitate as this will provide decent bass for your room at a more then good pricing. By the way, save a little money on the speaker cables as 14 gage is more than enough... 12 gage is money wasted IMHO

Cheers!
TK.

TECHNOKID

deleted!

TECHNOKID

Don't forget to consider newegg for your needs as they usally have good pricing on Polk speakers. They seem to have the 500, 400 and matching center. The 505 has been priced to 250$ for quite a while now. Depending on shipping cost, this would bring you pretty close to your prsent budget. However, you also have to budget for your receiver...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=polk+audio&Page=1

mudwrx

Ya, I have been looking at Newegg as well. I've ordered from them before and had good luck.

I'll probably get the receiver from Bestbuy as I have some gift cards to use from there.

Thanks.

TECHNOKID

mudwrx wrote: »

Ya, I have been looking at Newegg as well. I've ordered from them before and had good luck.

I'll probably get the receiver from Bestbuy as I have some gift cards to use from there.

Thanks.

If you are not in a hurry, put some price tag alert as newegg sometimes has some great deals. Matter of fact last week they were giving some nice gift cards that could be applied to next puchases if you play your cards right you could save substantial money :cool:

Lately they offered monitors at great rebate, who knows maybe the TSI will come soon?

inazsully

The 70 series towers work well with the CS2 and both are available at very good prices. I'm using the Yamaha 66? series and it sounds great. Fry's has it on sale for under $400 right now.

TECHNOKID

Newegg pricing:

TSI500 = 2 x 399 = 798 + shippimg charges
TSI200 = 2 x 299 = 598 + shipping charges
CS20 = 1 x 199 = 199 + shipping charges
PSW125 sub = 1 x 249 = 249 + shipping charges
__________________________________________

Package cost would be = 1844 + shipping charges



Compared with this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220581521160

1606.80 Shipped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about a TSI 300 package for 1049.80 shipped: http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-TSi300-Home-Theater-System-Brand-New-/200454768183?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2eac090637?



substantial savings I'd say!!!

mudwrx

Thanks for all the research technokid! I did see newegg had the best price by $50 on the cs20. They also have the psw505 sub for $249 so I think I will definitely order at least these from them.

As soon as the bill for my 55" TV comes in I will pay that off and then order the speakers.

It at least makes me feel better no one yet has said to avoid anything I'm considering.

TECHNOKID

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAIR-TSi500-BLACK-Tower-Speakers-Polk-Audio-/390198729394?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ad9a81ab2

http://cgi.ebay.com/CS20-TSi-Series-CHERRY-Center-Channel-w-FREE-SHIPPING-/390180128208?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ad88c45d0

Polk so called refirb are like new, sometime could simply be opened box!

That should give you quite a break :cool:

mudwrx

I'm in work now and our firewall blocks ebay. I'll check it out when I get home. Thanks.

cfrizz

Welcome to Club Polk!

The only thing we are suggesting STRONGLY is to go up a notch on your receiver. Make sure to get one with preamp outputs for future upgrading flexibility.

These outputs will allow you to purchase a seperate more powerful amplifier in the future which will allow your speakers to operate to their full potential.

Also consider getting one of Polks DSW series subwoofers. I have the DSW 400 sub & it simply blows away my Boston Accustics sub!

mudwrx

Thanks. Again, I am no expert so pardon the ignorance; are you saying this receiver may not be strong enough? It is 100 wpc, and more importantly fits in my budget : )

cnh

That really depends on how loud you want to go? And the room is BIG! So yeah, you may benefit from pre-outs and an extra amp. But you'd be good with an Onkyo 707 or 708 when that becomes available...maybe even an 807 series? cfrizz is quite right!


The other advantage of going up a model is that you can FLIP that more easily in the future. A receiver with pre-outs retains MORE of its original value than one that does not have any. It's a good investment all the way around.
cnh

mudwrx

OK, cool. I have some decisions to make as upgrading to a receiver with pre-outs may put me over budget (since I will probably go higher on the center channel than I originally planned, plus I just bought the house and got married so lots of my money went on that. Priorities I guess...)

Thanks for all the advice to everyone.

rru2s

I have a living room 25' x 15.5', low ceilings and use 4 x monitor 70s plus a 15" Epic Valor sub for both music and HT. Would recommend you consider the bargain prices on monitor 70s and also think that at these prices from newegg, there is only about 30 or 40 bucks difference between the 60s and 70s. While the 60s would be fine for rears strictly for HT, if you would also like to play music, I'd recommend the 70s. Previously I had only two Monitor 70s in my living room, and it did not provide enough room filling sound in all locations of the room. Four was ideal for my situation, especially with corner placement. See the diagram of placement on the link underlined below to the polk webpage for members to show pics of their systems. Not a cadillac system, but rather huge bang for the buck.

Lietuvis91

Interesting that you post that...

I bought a set of 60s and now I'm thinking exactly as you are:
put the 60s in the rear and set up 70s for the fronts. I bet that would sound killer. If only new egg would run their $150 deal on 70s, I'd be on it like white on rice!