Four RTiA3 + CSIA6 for 5.1 HT?

drfluid
drfluid Posts: 3
edited June 2010 in Speakers
Recently purchased a pair of RTiA3 and CSI A6 planning to expand these to a 5.1 system in near future.

I have ordered ED A3-250 (subwoofer), but today I learned that it won't be delivered for another 2 or 3 weeks.

My question is
1) Can the current setup of speakers (two RTi A3 in front with center) work without a subwoofer? I have pioneer 1020k receiver delivered in a couple of days.

2) (After I get the subwoofer) Is it 'okay' to set up HT with four RTiA3; 2 for front and 2 for surround (with the CSiA6 as the center, of course)? I really have no room for floorstanding speakers due to the size of the room (12'x10') and the location of furniture et al.
I will probably do 70:30 (multichannel music: movie+cable TV).

thanks in advance! I learned a lot through this forum, but wasn't able to find the answers to my question listed above.
Post edited by drfluid on
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Comments

  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2010
    People build nice setups around bookshelf speaks all the time. You will be fine with A3s around just make sure you have enough power to drive them properly. As for setup just run calibration, MCACC should set sub to "NO" and direct LFE to the other speakers. Once your sub comes in, run MCACC again, use an SPL meter to tweak your sub output level and enjoy. Fairly simple. Ask if you need anything else.
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  • madnod
    madnod Posts: 79
    edited June 2010
    actually the speakers will make a nice setup for you, with bookshelf setups the sub will make a big difference as booshelves don't posses a low frequency extension like towers.

    the most important thing is that to try to get the best sub u can get/fit.
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2010
    That setup will work just fine. Can you run it without a subwoofer? Of course! But you'll notice a substantial improvement once you had the low frequencies of the Elemental Designs sub. Welcome to the forum!
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited June 2010
    WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

    +1, on advice above. The Rti-A3s and their predecessors along with the larger center in that Rti series will make a very very nice HT system. And you can run it 'as is' right now. But when you add the sub...hang onto your chair because you're in for a real treat.

    You will also find that the Rti-A3s by themselves are pretty nice for 2 channel 'music'!

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited June 2010
    Killer setup!

    Do it and don't stop grinnin' at the sonic goodness! :D

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited June 2010
    Does anyone else think the CSi A6 is a bit overkill for only having RTi A3's to anchor down the front? I suppose it's too late to choose the A4 since you've already got the 6, but it was just a thought.

    Mad props on picking the RTi A line though. I just picked up the A3s for a 2.2 setup a week ago and they're absolutely magical :D
    - Computer Rig -
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    - Main Rig -
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    - Currently In Progress -
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2010
    CSiA6 is an excellent center speaker. Not overkill as most dialog comes from center speaker in most movie sdtks. It's a big improvement over the small center.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

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  • Ric5811
    Ric5811 Posts: 400
    edited June 2010
    JimAckley wrote: »
    Does anyone else think the CSi A6 is a bit overkill for only having RTi A3's to anchor down the front? I suppose it's too late to choose the A4 since you've already got the 6, but it was just a thought.

    Mad props on picking the RTi A line though. I just picked up the A3s for a 2.2 setup a week ago and they're absolutely magical :D

    Why would be overkill? Same drivers...I'm with Sher...
    Polk RTi A7's FrontPolk CSi A4 CenterPolk Tsi 100's SurroundOnkyo TX-RZ50:)Oppo BDP 83 (Collecting dust)MIT Terminator 3 Speaker CableMIT Terminator 2 IC's (Oppo 2 chan)Signal Cable HT TWOEpson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080Hisense 55 U8GBelkin PF 60 Power Center
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited June 2010
    JimAckley wrote: »
    Does anyone else think the CSi A6 is a bit overkill for only having RTi A3's to anchor down the front? I suppose it's too late to choose the A4 since you've already got the 6, but it was just a thought.

    Mad props on picking the RTi A line though. I just picked up the A3s for a 2.2 setup a week ago and they're absolutely magical :D


    There's no such thing as overkill when it comes to a center channel. The bigger the better...regardless of what other speakers you're using.
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited June 2010
    I just didn't know if you wanted a giant center or one kinda similar sized to your L/R's or what. I'm more of a 2-channel guys so i'll just hush :P
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • drfluid
    drfluid Posts: 3
    edited June 2010
    I'm the OP.
    Thanks for the advice/support.

    My center and 2 fronts have arrived today - and the receiver (pioneer 1020k) too.
    BUT, the speaker wire didn't get delivered yet! I guess I should've ordered the wire first. A typical newb mistake I guess.

    The reason I decided to go for CSi A6 was that there still is a slight possibility of me getting floorstanding speakers for fronts and use RTi A3 for surrounds. That's why I didn't order the four RTi A3's at once. We'll see how it sounds in my listening room.

    Just to celebrate(?) the deliveries of these speakers, I ordered bunch of SACD today (mostly Mahler symphonies). I can't wait to 'hear' the hammer blows in the his 6th symphony. And pipe organ pedal tones in his 8th. hmm, maybe I should wait till my new sub arrives for those.. :)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited June 2010
    drfluid wrote: »
    I'm the OP.
    Thanks for the advice/support.

    My center and 2 fronts have arrived today - and the receiver (pioneer 1020k) too.
    BUT, the speaker wire didn't get delivered yet! I guess I should've ordered the wire first. A typical newb mistake I guess.

    The reason I decided to go for CSi A6 was that there still is a slight possibility of me getting floorstanding speakers for fronts and use RTi A3 for surrounds. That's why I didn't order the four RTi A3's at once. We'll see how it sounds in my listening room.

    Just to celebrate(?) the deliveries of these speakers, I ordered bunch of SACD today (mostly Mahler symphonies). I can't wait to 'hear' the hammer blows in the his 6th symphony. And pipe organ pedal tones in his 8th. hmm, maybe I should wait till my new sub arrives for those.. :)

    Congrats!

    We'll need a full report with pictures....or as we say here...it never happened :p;)

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • drfluid
    drfluid Posts: 3
    edited June 2010
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Congrats!

    We'll need a full report with pictures....or as we say here...it never happened :p;)

    agreed.
    Will put up some pictures as soon as I set it all up.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2010
    Congrats on the new gear.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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