HT bookshelf speaker choices

PrazVT

So my cousin is remodeling his HT center and it looks like the speaker setup will look like this:

Fronts - bookshelves
Center
Surrounds - bookshelves or fx type surrounds
Sub - 2 x something

Obviously my first recommendation was RTi A3s and a CSi A6 for the front stage. He heard my 7s last weekend and liked them alot.

But I'd like to give him similar alternatives so he can listen and make his own decision. What other brands / models should he consider? Assume price range between RTI A series and LSI series.

I've seen B&W 6xxb, Klipsch rbx1-ii, and PSB image xx on crutchfield and best buy's web sites but haven't heard any of them before.

Thoughts / suggestions on any of these or others? Also it'd be 50/50 music (rock mostly) / movies. Thx.

JimAckley

Let him listen to your LSi9s and see if he even bothers with the RTiAs ever again :biggrin:

PrazVT

LOL I know right. As soon as my crossovers get here and I have the speakers up and running, I'm going to make him listen to them.

Only reason I'm not pushing those on him yet is bc they are 4 ohms and his plan is to get the least expensive receiver with pre outs for now, and then add a 5 ch amp a little after. But who knows, maybe the LSis will accelerate his plans. Still, to be fair I want him to make his own choice - hence initial question.

JimAckley

What size room are we contending with? My various receivers could drive the LSi25s' upper sections to more than moderate volumes without going into protection, but they've always been used in medium-to-large bedrooms, not like a large living room, etc.

The RTi A3s were a great speaker, but I hands-down preferred the sound of my LSi7s, being my reason for pushing the LSi series over the RTiA. Plus, with the LSiM coming out very soon, there should be a lot of good used LSis hitting the market.

PrazVT

It's a fairly large family room ~15 x 15 if not more. He's going to have cubbyholes for the front stage - with decent lateral and depth reserves. These cubbies will surround the 65" plasma (center is above, but will angled down). All wood floors. To the left is the wall / doors to the back porch and the right opens to the kitchen.

JimAckley

I suppose RTi A then. I think he's gonna lose some quality by putting them in cubby's though. Kinda brings this thread to mind... I could be wrong though.

PrazVT

Perhaps he can put some sort of treatment / padding on the inside & back walls to reduce the side effects? Here is the schematic he's shown the contractor. I think there will be about 24 inches of depth.

JimAckley

Why doesn't he just go for in-wall speakers?

PrazVT

He did mention something about in-walls the other day, but I forget what he said. His own brother in law has RCi in ceilings (which I recommended) in his HT, so he's heard them before. I'll check with him.