HT Install Complete - Polk/Onkyo - Impressions

geneb2450
geneb2450 Posts: 5
edited September 2010 in Speakers
I finished the installation this weekend. The layout is:

Samsung 55" LCD 120Mhz refresh - Main viewing area is 9 feet away
Onkyo TX-SR608 - HDMI inputs/single HDMI out to TV
Fronts: Monitor 70's - 12' from listening area, 12 feet apart in corners of room forming a triangle with the couch
Surrounds: Monitor 30's - Hung from keyholes using long screws so they angle ~ 20 degrees down (point down to listening area 12' apart on side walls)
Center - CS2
PL2Z 'Height' - Two small Denon satellites
Sony Subwoofer - 10" 100 watt powered (disabled for music, turned on for movies))

Ran Audyssey setup and saved the suggested configuration. The first test was with CD's using my Panasonic BD-60 Bluray. Chose Rock/Jazz/Classical. The Onkyo was very 'open' sounding. The various Dobly/THX etc simulated surround environments were all fun and convincing. The 608 is supposed to be 100 watts per channel and drives the speakers loud enough without distortion to satisfy most family room environments. (On a scale of 0 ~ 99 setting the volume to 70 is very very loud in my living room). I lastly streamed some Netflix movies using my ROKU wi-fi box. It also sounded great as Netflix doesn't stream 5.1 yet - only stereo, and playing with Dolby cinema modes really added to the experience.

Regarding the height speakers. The effect is subtle. Enabling and disabling them made little difference in the music or movie experience. Maybe if I had a decent set of larger speakers to dedicate to them. For now I'm unimpressed.

Next was a few Blurays - DTS HD and Tru Dolby - Sound was punchy, the soundfield wide, and the surrounds immersed us.

Impressions: The hight channels I finally disabled. I don't think the power they take from the amplifier is worth the gain in ambience.

Subwoofer: For CD music, I have not found a sub that doesn't take away from the experience. Maybe if I spend a lot more money. For BD's, the SONY sub I have is fun and I turn it back on.

Polk Monitors - The 70's were very sensitive to placement. Putting them in the room corners and angling them inwards about 40 degrees really punched up the bass response. Also, spreading them so far apart (at first I had them separated about 6 feet in the center of the room) removed the beaminess and really filled the room with sound. The 30's, while lacking a bit of bass, make excellent surrounds. Being able to hang them on the wall is a benefit, and they match the 70's well in terms of midrange and treble.

Note I didn't really spend a lot on the setup. I got the Polks from Newegg in black as they went on sale. Same with the Onkyo - it can be had for $399 if you're patient.

If you want some nice pure sound and an immersive HT experience for a decent priceI recommend the Monitor/Onkyo combination.
Post edited by geneb2450 on

Comments

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited September 2010
    WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

    Nice assessment and review above. I agree that the 70s are a bit sensitive to placement depending on the room. In mine...which is a narrow but long rectangle...they do fine in your original configuration...but sound too bright when too far from the back wall? I also run an Onkyo (TXSR-805--no height channel capability, it's like an anchor, though). Love the surround processing. No problems with the HDMIs but really a much better surround AVR than two channel.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • spock 2054
    spock 2054 Posts: 163
    edited September 2010
    Hi Gene:

    Running an Onkyo 806 with the 70's, about 12 feet away from the couch. Separated 11 feet. 30 inches away from the front wall of the living room. Have moved the 70's from the sides of the tv to either side of both equiment racks. I agree that having them spread out gives a better soundstage. They had kind of an in your face presence when they were on the sides of the tv.

    Wondering why you disable your sub when listening to music? I might suggest looking at the BIC PL 200 as a replacement for your sony sub. A reasonably priced unit that is capable of reproducing tight, accurate bass for both music and movies.

    Have you thought about utilizing your height speakers as your surround back channels? I think the whole height speaker thing is a lot of steak without the sizzle - kinda like 3D tv...

    "If you want some nice pure sound and an immersive HT experience for a decent price I recommend the Monitor/Onkyo combination."

    I totally agree - when balanced properly, the monitors seem to dissappear into the room. An excellent value...

    Just my 2.5 cents.
    polk monitor 70's
    center - polk monitor cs2
    surround - polk monitor 60's
    surround back - jbl e10
    sub - velodyne dps 12
    sub - polk psw110
    avr/pre-amp - onkyo tx-nr809
    amp - adcom gfa-5500
    amp - carver av405
    display - sharp lc70le847u
    tv - silicon dust hd homern
    blu-ray - oppo bdp-103
    hd dvd- toshiba hd xa2
    control - logitech harmony one
    turntable - technics sl1500 mkII
  • geneb2450
    geneb2450 Posts: 5
    edited September 2010
    Thanks for the BIC subwoofer suggestion. It's certainly in my pricerange and is under consideration as the final upgrade. I disabled the SONY for CD playback because it just isn't 'musical'. It woofs great for movie explosions but doesn't make CD's sound better, just more non-musical rumble. The previous homeowner pre-wired the house for speakers. I chose the locations for the surrounds based on the hidden in-wall wiring. I think rear surrounds would certainly be a better choice than the height speakers. But for now I have now way of running (hidden) wire back to them.
  • LeftCoast
    LeftCoast Posts: 406
    edited September 2010
    I've read a review on Audyssey DSX and the review indicated that the difference is subtle and adds ambience. Whether or not it is enough to justify the power they take...yes, that's the question.

    But how about the width set up? Have you tried that?

    Haven't done it myself, but I am curiousl.
  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited September 2010
    I don't like Audyssey DSX at all. I tried width channels and they didn't add much, mostly because of how widely spaced my mains are already, I think. I also don't like what DSX does with the height channels for movies, since sometimes panned voices make their way into the heights a little too much. I do, however, really like DPL-IIz Height. Yes, the effect is subtle most of the time, but it definitely makes the entire soundstage seem fuller with movies (and when you get an overhead flyby from a helicopter or a solid thunderstorm in a movie, it can be damn impressive). You really have to get the levels matched for it to work well though, and it really helps to have height channels that match your mains. Considering how little content gets shifted up there, they don't steal much power from your other channels... and if properly implemented, they're a nice addition.

    That said, if I had a choice between heights and rear surround, rear surround all the way. I'm running 9.1, so I get the best of both worlds.
    Equipment list:
    Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2 AVR
    Emotiva XPA-3 amp
    Polk RTi70 mains, CSi40 center, RTi38 surrounds, RTi28 rears and heights
    SVS 20-39CS+ subwoofer powered by Crown XLS1500
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player
    DarbeeVision DVP5000 video processor
    Epson 8500UB 1080p projector
    Elite Screens Sable 120" CineWhite screen