New guy! LSi speaker questions.

Sonic45
Sonic45 Posts: 10
edited June 2003 in Speakers
OK - I'm new to this forum but from what I've been reading you guys know your stuff. that being said, I ask you this question:
I bought a Pioneer Elite 45TX last January and I think it's great, but it has put my present speakers to shame, I presently have a 7.1 mix of cheap stuff and they have to go!
Unfortunately I live in a very small town and can't audition any speakers of quality.
I seem to be drawn to the Polk lineup. Any chance someone here can offer advice on my thoughts for this lineup, it would be about the max for my budget?
I do HT 70% and classical/eclectic type music 30%
My AV room is about 21'x15' with 12' vaulted ceiling.

Polk LSi15 fronts, left & right
Polk LSiC center
Polk FXi30 Surrounds left & right dipole mode
Polk FXi30 rear left & right bipole mode
I already have a sony sub that seems to do the job for me.
No bi-wiring options here.

I've heard that the Pioneer 45TX may have problems driving 4 ohm loads, does anyone have any experience driving the LSi15's with this reciever?
I do not listen at high levels, since Jan the highest level I've had it to is -15.

Also, do you think the FXi30's for surrounds will match OK with the LSi series?

I guess I'm just looking for someone to either say I'm way off base, or it sounds reasonable, go for it.

Or... please modify my choices.....
THX for the help guys...
Fronts: Polk RTi70 - Bi Wired
Center: Polk CSi40 - Bi Wired
Surrounds L/R: Polk FXi30 (Dipole)
Surround Rears: RTi28 x 2
Sub: SVS PB1-ISD
Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-45TX
Post edited by Sonic45 on
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Comments

  • Grimster74
    Grimster74 Posts: 2,576
    edited June 2003
    Sonic45, Not quite sure if your Pioneer will have a problem driving a 4 ohm load but I don't THINK it will have a problem. The only problem I see with the setup you are interested in is the LSi line are 4 ohm speakers and the FXi line are a 8 ohm load. Don't think that is going to work because because you can't mix different ohm loads unless your running seperate amps. I'm sure someone will agree with me here, at least I hope so. What I would recommend is to go with one of the two lines, either the RTi series or the LSi series. I'm currently running the RTi and I'm very pleased with the way things sound.
    Money Talks, Mine says Goodbye Rob!!!!
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited June 2003
    I personally think thats a fantastic lineup of speakers you picked, although. I just know that the Lsi series is fantastic and I'm not sure if the FX's will be good enough for it. I'm sure they are, but I guess someone else can takle that.
    I already have a sony sub that seems to do the job for me.

    If you get those speakers you need to get rid of that Sony. It would sound horrible and won't be able to keep up with the polks. In fact, you'll get more bass out of your LSi15's I'm sure.


    Talk to Dr. Spec about the subs, but if you want to look now...Get an SVS. I don't have one, but I've heard nothing but good thing.

    I just think that since you're going to be spending a good chunk of cash whats a little more? Do it right or don't do it at all, right?
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  • Sonic45
    Sonic45 Posts: 10
    edited June 2003
    Ok, since I do have some concerns about the 45TX driving 4 ohm loads and also that I've choosen mixed series speakers, I've decided to modify my choice.

    While the LSi's look great, I think I'll consider the RTi lineup.

    RTi70's for the main fronts
    CSi40 center
    surround question follows...

    ATCVenom's post got me to looking at RTi70 prices and he's right, I've found some very good prices on those speakers.

    Now, is it stupid or a ridiculous over kill for me to also use RTi70's as my L&R surrounds with FXi30's for the rear??

    I have to put the L&R surrounds on pole type speaker stands so I'm kind of limited on size and weight. That's why I was considering the RTi70 floor stand model.

    My other choice would be the FXi30's for L&R surrounds and also the rear surrounds as that would be about the largest speaker I could get on my "poles".

    If I would not be gaining any significant aural enhancement using the 70's as surrounds, obviously the FXi30's are the choice.

    Any thoughts??
    Thanks for your help so far...
    Fronts: Polk RTi70 - Bi Wired
    Center: Polk CSi40 - Bi Wired
    Surrounds L/R: Polk FXi30 (Dipole)
    Surround Rears: RTi28 x 2
    Sub: SVS PB1-ISD
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-45TX
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited June 2003
    The FX's should be your surrounds, and you could get 70's for rears too. Your call though. I wouldn't use the FX's for rears though.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited June 2003
    I suggest that you get the best possible receiver/integrated or seperates that you can afford. You'll be surprised how good your present speakers will sound and when you upgrade your speakers, you'll be set.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited June 2003
    Going along with F1's post, what do you have currently, speaker-wise?

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited June 2003
    Mixing Lsi's and RTi speakers is not a good idea. The fact that they are differant impedances could cause problems. Go all RTi or all Lsi.

    As for the 45tx, take a look at WWW.AVSForum.com & WWW.Hometheaterforum.com for more info about recent problems with this receiver. As a Pioneer Elite owner I can tell you that my PE struggled to drive the Lsi's. Adding a separate amp and using the receiver as a preamp worked great.

    If you do decide to go with the Lsi's, you should consider a separate amp with the 45tx, or make the jump a dedicated preamp/amp combo.

    Good luck with your upgrade!
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • Sonic45
    Sonic45 Posts: 10
    edited June 2003
    OK, for those who say "upgade my equipment", here's the embarassing truth about my present speaker setup.

    First off, I just spent $1000 to upgrade from a Pioneer VSX4500(maximum decoding=Dolby Pro Logic) to a Pioneer Elite 45TX, I really don't want to spend any more to upgrade my reciever/amp equipment.

    Embarassing Truth:
    My current speakers are a very old mix of cheap Radio Shack, JBL, and Pioneer stuff.
    To be specific:
    L/R Mains: Radio Shack Realistic Optimus 50
    Center: Sitting side by side, Pioneer CS-C400 and JBL G series.
    L/R Surround: Pioneer S-H052S-K
    Surround Rear: JBL G series.
    Sony SA-WM40 sub
    Now you know why I HAVE to
    upgrade... Nothing will make this crap sound good!

    I think I've decided on the following setup after reading the good inputs from you all.

    RTi70 main fronts
    Csi40 center
    Fxi30 L/R surround
    RTi28 x2 rear surround
    Sub to be upgraded soon....

    Thank you all for your help and insight.
    TB
    Fronts: Polk RTi70 - Bi Wired
    Center: Polk CSi40 - Bi Wired
    Surrounds L/R: Polk FXi30 (Dipole)
    Surround Rears: RTi28 x 2
    Sub: SVS PB1-ISD
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite VSX-45TX
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited June 2003
    Sounds good to me.

    Once you're "done" (never done) you may want to look at pre-amps and stuff too.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited June 2003
    Sonic,

    Ok, I see your point. Get the speakers.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Loud &amp; Clear
    Loud &amp; Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited June 2003
    The plan of action you've decided on is a damned good one. Polk's 'Reference Theater' line is outstanding; you will have a home theater to very much enjoy.

    Find a decent sub, there plenty of very nice options to choose from, and you'll have quite a nice time in your movie environment.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited June 2003
    hm.........wow.......ya get the polks and fast
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