~which speakers to buy~

MCCOBRA
MCCOBRA Posts: 68
edited December 2010 in Speakers
newbie here!!!!

i have just decided to bite the bullet and get some damn good quality speakers. probably did it in the wrong order by getting my reciever first but oh well. I got a Pioneer VSX-1020k that claims 110w per 7 channels.

i was looking at getting some tl250's but after listening to some bookshelfs (rti a1) i decided to go bigger. I am tossed up between the bookshelfs and some floorstanding speakers. with my reciever what would be a good suggestion for front center and surrounds. thanks for any help on this.

This will be the first set of great speakers ive purchased. i just want to make sure im getting the right speakers!!

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
My setup:
58" Samsung C7000 plasma
Pioneer VSX 1120-k
Sony BDP 770 b-ray
ROTEL RMB 1095
ROTEL RB 1090
Black Mamba II intc.
RTi A9 (pair)
CSi A6
FXi A6 (pair)
DSW PRO 550wi
:biggrin::biggrin:
Post edited by MCCOBRA on
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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    prally going with the dsw 500 sub too
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    newbie here!!!!

    i have just decided to bite the bullet and get some damn good quality speakers. probably did it in the wrong order by getting my reciever first but oh well. I got a Pioneer VSX-1020k that claims 110w per 7 channels.

    i was looking at getting some tl250's but after listening to some bookshelfs (rti a1) i decided to go bigger. I am tossed up between the bookshelfs and some floorstanding speakers. with my reciever what would be a good suggestion for front center and surrounds. thanks for any help on this.

    This will be the first set of great speakers ive purchased. i just want to make sure im getting the right speakers!!

    :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

    Welcome to Club Polk!

    What's your budget and what is preference between HT-movies and music?

    Polk has different 'families' of speakers that you would want to stay in if you are putting together a surround setup.

    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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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    2000 ish budget. will be 70% HT movies 30% music. somewhere around there
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    2000 ish budget. will be 70% HT movies 30% music. somewhere around there

    How big of a room?

    If it isn't a big room, you could save some budget on the fronts and go bookshelf, and use that for a good sub.

    RTi line of speakers would be a sweet setup - maybe look for some deals on Polk's ebay outlet if you don't mind refurbished - more bang for your buck that way.

    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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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    How about this:
    RTiA5 floor standers for fronts
    CSiA4 for center
    RTiA3 for surrounds (or FXiA4s)
    DSW microPro 4000

    All from Polk's ebay store - total price $1900

    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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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    18x18 room. really like the Rti-A lineup. really just trying to decide if i should go floor or bookshelf. if i have to spend a little more thats ok. just wondering about my reciever and powering the speakers.
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited December 2010
    Don't go too big with that receiver. The 1020 doesn't have preouts to add an amp for more power if/when you need it. The 1120 would have been a better bet. With the 1020 in surround mode, I wouldn't go bigger than the RTIA 7's.
    Erik put together a nice system there, your other options of coarse are buying used to stretch the budget.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    18x18 room. really like the Rti-A lineup. really just trying to decide if i should go floor or bookshelf. if i have to spend a little more thats ok. just wondering about my reciever and powering the speakers.

    From what I can tell of your AVR, it doesn't have pre-out connections, so you won't have the ability to add an external amp in the future for better amplification - meaning you'll have to live with the AVRs power amp to drive your speakers.

    Fortunately, the RTi and RTiA family of speakers are easy to drive, so unless you like to go 'stupid loud' you should be ok there.

    My family room is about 14x14 and opens onto my kitchen. I had RTiA3s for fronts with RTi4s as surrounds and a CSi3 center - powered by a 130W/channel AVR and could make the room shake during movies no problem!

    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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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    i can return my pioneer 1020 bc i just recvd it today from amazon. should i get the 1120 model intstead bc of the preamp so i can add an amp in the future?
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    i can return my pioneer 1020 bc i just recvd it today from amazon. should i get the 1120 model intstead bc of the preamp so i can add an amp in the future?

    Pre-outs at least give you the option of adding external amps which, in general, will result in a better sonic experience when you have the budget.

    I'm not familiar with those Pioneer models, so I'll let others chime in on that. But I have heard that they are a good value. Look for the other features you need in an AVR - pre-outs should be on that list.

    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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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    ok here we go. gonna get the pioneer vsx 1120 receiver, RTi A7 fronts, FXi A? surrounds and Csi A? center. should i get the A6 center??


    so i blew my 2000 budget huh. lol oh well
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    ok here we go. gonna get the pioneer vsx 1120 receiver, RTi A7 fronts, FXi A? surrounds and Csi A? center. should i get the A6 center??


    so i blew my 2000 budget huh. lol oh well

    If you have the budget - go up to the CSiA6.

    As for the surrounds - you may want to consider your room layout and listening conditions.

    Here's a general 'rule of thumb':
    If your room is smallish and/or acoustically dead and/or you have multiple seats, dipoles tend to work better, with an even but compromised listening window.

    If you have a larger and/or more live room with less seating, or seating away from the surround speakers, direct-radiating surrounds can be better.

    If you are a sad, lonely, pathetic little man who sits in his solitary, cushy theater chair, five identical direct-radiating speakers, equidistant from your ears, can provide an absolutely holographic movie experience, allowing you to momentarily forget that you are lonely and unliked, with no friends.

    :biggrin:

    Which sub are you going to get?

    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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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    my surrounds will be mounted on the rear wall. couch will be on same wall. which way should i go for surrounds

    as far as sub crutchfield has a dsw 550i (wireless) i was also looking at that or the dsw pro 500
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    ok here we go. gonna get the pioneer vsx 1120 receiver, RTi A7 fronts, FXi A? surrounds and Csi A? center. should i get the A6 center??


    so i blew my 2000 budget huh. lol oh well

    Ya know the old saying, if your gonna do it, do it right. Nice system your getting together, should give you some bragging rights in the neighborhood.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    my surrounds will be mounted on the rear wall. couch will be on same wall. which way should i go for surrounds

    as far as sub crutchfield has a dsw 550i (wireless) i was also looking at that or the dsw pro 500

    You probably should do some homework on what your preferences are for sound field effects for movies and music.

    Pros and Cons for direct radiating (like the RTiA3) or bipole/dipole (like the FXiA).

    Have a look at this:
    http://forum.blu-ray.com/speakers/66471-guide-bipolar-dipolar-direct-radiating-monopole-surround-speakers.html

    Me - my preference is direct radiating mostly cuz I watch alot of concert blurays, or multichannel SACD music discs.

    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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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited December 2010
    If you have $2000 go for the LSI

    buy 4 lsi bookshelves and center for $1500 and use the extra $500 for a used amp
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited December 2010
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    If you have $2000 go for the LSI

    buy 4 lsi bookshelves and center for $1500 and use the extra $500 for a used amp

    ....and a sub is suppose to magically appear ?:smile: Lets not guide the poor guy down an upgrade path before he ever gets started. Within or close to his budget,he's doing great, better than most have in their homes, I'm sure he will be delighted at what he has choosen. The receiver with preouts is key to an upgrade path if he ever chooses to do so.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    thanks for all the input!!! made the order today.

    2 RTi A7
    CSi A6
    2 FXi A6
    DSW PRO 550i (400 watt 10" sub) crutchfield will let me try it out to make sure it works good with my selections! cant beat good cust service

    also sending back the pioneer vsx 1020 and ordered the pioneer vsx 1120-k
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,233
    edited December 2010
    Very nice system you're putting together. Enjoy!
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    thanks for all the input!!! made the order today.

    2 RTi A7
    CSi A6
    2 FXi A6
    DSW PRO 550i (400 watt 10" sub) crutchfield will let me try it out to make sure it works good with my selections! cant beat good cust service

    also sending back the pioneer vsx 1020 and ordered the pioneer vsx 1120-k

    That is a really nice setup ,not to mention a beautiful one to stare at when pumping some beats... please tell me you got the cherry finish?
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  • djperez81
    djperez81 Posts: 388
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    thanks for all the input!!! made the order today.

    2 RTi A7
    CSi A6
    2 FXi A6
    DSW PRO 550i (400 watt 10" sub) crutchfield will let me try it out to make sure it works good with my selections! cant beat good cust service

    also sending back the pioneer vsx 1020 and ordered the pioneer vsx 1120-k

    First off welcome to club polk.

    Even though im jealous im jealous of your new setup:biggrin: I think your gonna be very happy with the gear you bought. I think you made a good decision by exchanging the receiver for one with preouts cuz you would be kicking your self in the **** later on down the road if you wanted to add an amp. Post some pics when you get it all set up.
    Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.
    -Jimi Hendrix
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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    That is a really nice setup ,not to mention a beautiful one to stare at when pumping some beats... please tell me you got the cherry finish?

    no went for the black since the fxi A6 are black. i know the cherry looks sweet but i had to go black.

    has anybody had any experience with the DSW Pro 550i??????
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    thanks for all the input!!! made the order today.

    2 RTi A7
    CSi A6
    2 FXi A6
    DSW PRO 550i (400 watt 10" sub) crutchfield will let me try it out to make sure it works good with my selections! cant beat good cust service

    also sending back the pioneer vsx 1020 and ordered the pioneer vsx 1120-k

    That is going to be one rocking system!

    When you get everything set up take some pics.

    We have a rule here: Pics or it never happened:wink::biggrin:

    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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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    will do!! hey whats a good amp to add to my system?????????
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    will do!! hey whats a good amp to add to my system?????????

    Isn't your wallet empty? :tongue:

    If not how much is left for an amp?

    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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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited December 2010
    Sunfire 200wpc seems have great results and is said to be the best for the price on the used market . Or get yourself a rotel 1095 also 200wpc
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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    YES ITS EMPTY!!!! but sometime in the future ill prally get an amp
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    YES ITS EMPTY!!!! but sometime in the future ill prally get an amp

    Aaanndd???

    When you wallet is replenished - what do you think your budget may be... $400...$800....more?

    If it were me - I'd look for a good used deal - say like on audiogon for a nice 2-channel amp in the $600 range, and let the AVR drive the less demanding center and surrounds.

    Then - you can start experimenting on upgrading interconnects, speaker, and power cables....congratulations....you are now quickly on your way down the rabbit hole!:biggrin:

    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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  • MCCOBRA
    MCCOBRA Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    dumb question... should i be looking for a preamplifier or an amplifier.... tube, solid state, or multi ch????
    My setup:
    58" Samsung C7000 plasma
    Pioneer VSX 1120-k
    Sony BDP 770 b-ray
    ROTEL RMB 1095
    ROTEL RB 1090
    Black Mamba II intc.
    RTi A9 (pair)
    CSi A6
    FXi A6 (pair)
    DSW PRO 550wi
    :biggrin::biggrin:
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    MCCOBRA wrote: »
    dumb question... should i be looking for a preamplifier or an amplifier.... tube, solid state, or multi ch????

    Not a dumb question - maybe premature at where you are now.

    Enjoy the sonic goodness that is coming your way, then based on what you hear and what you want to hear, you can decide then on what is the next step.

    Lots of good folks here with lots of good advice.

    I think that for your first major upgrade you are going to be grinning ear to ear for quite some time!:biggrin:

    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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