Long term HT Plan, opinions and advice needed

treitz3

EndersShadow wrote: »

So if I went with dipole/bipole is it going to be better to go with something like the RTi ones or the LSi ones? Or to rephrase "What will I gain by going with a 4 ohm amp required LSi dipole over a 8 ohm RTi dipole capable of being driven by an AVR"

First question is a matter of choice and what fits your budget. Second question would be a timbre match, depending on what mains you are running.

I just saw what mains you are running. If I were you, I would stick with the LSi lineup for correct timbre matching.

EndersShadow

Also for reference here is my current layout (size and placement approximate of course )

JimAckley

What's your ceiling height?

EndersShadow

JimAckley wrote: »

What's your ceiling height?

I would guesstimate ~8-9 feet but say prob closer to 8. But thats just a guess as @ 6'1" I have lots of headroom. There is a bulkhead that drops down ~6-12 inches where you see that juts out on the wall between the two spaces, but that doesnt really affect anything.

I have pics in the system showcase (not showing the right speakers, but obviously my ceiling height hasnt changed recently lol..): http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=94801

mdaudioguy

EndersShadow wrote: »

So after a bunch of posting it seems there is kinda a 50/50 split on using towers v. bookshelves or dipoles for surrounds.

Maybe 50/50 in this thread, but I really doubt if it's 50/50 overall. I'd be willing to bet that many more folks are using either surround specific speakers (like Polk's F/X) or bookshelves, than tower speakers for surround-channel duty.

While some plan to use towers as surrounds, more often I'm seeing folks buying one set of towers, and then upgrading, so the cost-effective move is to shift the original towers to surround-duty. Then there are those who always think it's best to max-out in everything they do...

I don't think there's anything wrong about it, per se, but I do think that it doesn't necessarily allow for optimal placement.

What Polk recommends:

Where do I place the surround speakers in my room for the best performance?

Unlike the front three speakers, that must produce sharply focused images, the job of surround channels is to envelop the audience in diffused sound known as "ambience." To excel at this job, rear speakers should not call attention to themselves as sources of sound. For these reasons, surround speakers work best when elevated at least two feet above the seated listeners' heads (a height of six to seven feet above the ground is considered normal), and mounted on the side walls in line with or slightly behind the audience. If you are using front-firing speakers, they should face each other so that the sound is projected over the listeners' heads.

If your seating area adjoins the rear wall, or if you cannot place speakers on the side wall, you'll have to position the speakers on the rear wall. In this case, we recommend bi-directional (bi or di-pole) speakers, since they will produce the most diffuse effect. If you use front-firing speakers, do not aim them at the audience as one would a front speaker, but point them straight forward so the sound projects past the audience. Another option is to mount in-wall speakers in the ceiling, slightly behind the listening area.

It's tough to get a tower speaker, like LSi15s, 6 or 7 feet off the ground...

EndersShadow

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Maybe 50/50 in this thread, but I really doubt if it's 50/50 overall. I'd be willing to bet that many more folks are using either surround specific speakers (like Polk's F/X) or bookshelves, than tower speakers for surround-channel duty.

While some plan to use towers as surrounds, more often I'm seeing folks buying one set of towers, and then upgrading, so the cost-effective move is to shift the original towers to surround-duty. Then there are those who always think it's best to max-out in everything they do...

I don't think there's anything wrong about it, per se, but I do think that it doesn't necessarily allow for optimal placement.

True, I might get a set of 7's then since I am also possibly wanting to try them as a center channel together rather than the LSiC. If I dont like em, I got my surrounds and if I do, I can get just another set of 7's for surrounds...

Still got lots of time to think about this one so not worried....

Thanks for the comments, keep em coming...

Joe08867

Hey Ender, If you are planning to go 5.1 only than I would suggest Dipoles. I wouldn't do towers for surround for the same reason cstmar stated above.

But if you are looking to get 7's than I would go that way. Either way I think you will be happy. On a side note, you have your surrounds extremely off axis from each other? Maybe that is part of the issue you are having. Did you set distances for them?

EndersShadow

Joe08867 wrote: »

Hey Ender, If you are planning to go 5.1 only than I would suggest Dipoles. I wouldn't do towers for surround for the same reason cstmar stated above.

But if you are looking to get 7's than I would go that way. Either way I think you will be happy.

Yeah, its a tough call because of my layout. I might get the 7's to try as a center and if I dont like them move them upstairs on my HK for now, unless the wife would be ok with mounting them properly.

I dont know though, I might just wait till a deal on some 7's or 15's comes up I cant pass up on and go from there. For my setup as it is there is no way I can use just about any of polks dipoles as they weigh too much (for reasons stated below)

Joe08867 wrote: »

On a side note, you have your surrounds extremely off axis from each other?

Yeah, the problem is the bathroom. In order to get the surrounds mounted right you would more than likely hit your head on it when your coming out the door.

In addition on that wall I couldnt find ONE FRIGGIN STUD from corner to corner. And I didnt just use a stud finder. I am talking like putting small nail holes every inch along the whole friggin wall.....

So my concern is the weight of the Pinpoint Mount plus the speaker would more than likely pull it out of the drywall if I used anchors so I mounted it where I was sure it wouldnt fall.

The 7's would be easier to mount since they weigh less and are keyhole mounts which I would feel more comfortable about.

Joe08867 wrote: »

Maybe that is part of the issue you are having. Did you set distances for them?

I did indeed set the distances for them. And its not that I am unhappy with my setup, its just I know its less than ideal and in thinking long term once I mod my current LSi's and aquire proper amplification (steps 1 & 2) I have the option of running better 4 ohm speakers than I have now. Obviously my layout at that point will still factor in, but as my first post said I am just trying to get an idea of what I should be looking for speaker wise.

And I think I will wait on either some 15's or 7's, or hell even get both....

Joe08867

Ender, I see your issues now.

By the way, I think the schematic shows everything in your room mirrored from the pics in your showcase. The front door is on the left in the schematic but on the right in the showcase. Not that it matters just thought I would point it out if anyone was confused.

EndersShadow

Joe08867 wrote: »

Ender, I see your issues now.

By the way, I think the schematic shows everything in your room mirrored from the pics in your showcase. The front door is on the left in the schematic but on the right in the showcase. Not that it matters just thought I would point it out if anyone was confused.

Yeah the floorplan from the apartment website is a mirror image of what our apartment looks like. That and the fireplace is optional and we dont have it Thank God! I dont know how I would have set things up with a 56" DLP otherwise lol....

JimAckley

EndersShadow wrote: »

Yeah, its a tough call because of my layout. I might get the 7's to try as a center and if I dont like them move them upstairs on my HK for now, unless the wife would be ok with mounting them properly.

I dont know though, I might just wait till a deal on some 7's or 15's comes up I cant pass up on and go from there. For my setup as it is there is no way I can use just about any of polks dipoles as they weigh too much (for reasons stated below)



Yeah, the problem is the bathroom. In order to get the surrounds mounted right you would more than likely hit your head on it when your coming out the door.

In addition on that wall I couldnt find ONE FRIGGIN STUD from corner to corner. And I didnt just use a stud finder. I am talking like putting small nail holes every inch along the whole friggin wall.....

So my concern is the weight of the Pinpoint Mount plus the speaker would more than likely pull it out of the drywall if I used anchors so I mounted it where I was sure it wouldnt fall.

The 7's would be easier to mount since they weigh less and are keyhole mounts which I would feel more comfortable about.

Guess who has some sexy desided 7s for sale...

And you don't need studs. I can't find the packaging now, but I have these ballin' **** wall-anchors that I bought from Lowe's that will NEVER come out that I used on my FXs and 7s. I seriously think the PowerPort would have ripped off of my FXs before the anchors would've given way. I can't find the packaging but when I do I'll let you know. They're rated for something around 143lbs. of weight per anchor, which is WAY more than enough for FXs and 7s.

That being said, for the 7s I'd go for the Pinpoint AM40 wall mounts so you can angle them however you'd like. They say you have to drill into your speaker, but gratuitous use of double-sided tape should get the job done solidly without ruining cabinets. The fact that mine are desided makes them much easier to use with the Pinpoint mounting system.

That's kinda odd about no studs in your wall... I used to use a cheapo one but it wasn't very consistent, so now I use one of the nicer stud finders with adjustable material thickness and power-circuit warning alarm. It's also really fun to wave in front my pants in front of my gf. The stud alarm and power alarm go off every time lol :biggrin:

EndersShadow

JimAckley wrote: »

Guess who has some sexy desided 7s for sale...

LOL..I am more than aware......however......guess whose broke and whose wife will kill him if he buys anything more right now.....

>>>>>this guy<<<<<<

JimAckley wrote: »

That being said, for the 7s I'd go for the Pinpoint AM40 wall mounts so you can angle them however you'd like. They say you have to drill into your speaker, but gratuitous use of double-sided tape should get the job done solidly without ruining cabinets. The fact that mine are desided makes them much easier to use with the Pinpoint mounting system.

Yeah, I have the Pinpoints right now and am using them for my Primus 162's (see pics in system showcase). The problem with them once again is that they add another couple inches below the speaker and I cant do that due to the bathroom door and needing clearance.

If I did get 7's honestly I would just directly wallmount them. I have found some dipoles that are much much much smaller than the Polk ones that look like a good option. They dont stick out as much. Provided the are still around when I can actually use them, I will probably go that route if I am still in my current place.

If not the 7's might happen solely to test as centers.

The wife is debating buying a new TV that will be LCD so then wallmounting is an option and I could test teh 7's v. LSiC. Or maybe even run all 3 from my 5 channel amp :biggrin:...

JimAckley wrote: »

That's kinda odd about no studs in your wall... I used to use a cheapo one but it wasn't very consistent, so now I use one of the nicer stud finders with adjustable material thickness and power-circuit warning alarm.

Yeah, I borrowed my dads. I wouldnt ever really need one of my own so its pointless to buy one right now.

When I get into a house and start with the HT room, thats another story

JimAckley

They're a worthwhile investment for sure. I can't tell you how many times I've used mine since I bought it two years ago.

C'mon I'm selling them cheap! Tell her it's the opportunity of a lifetime...

EndersShadow

JimAckley wrote: »

They're a worthwhile investment for sure. I can't tell you how many times I've used mine since I bought it two years ago.

C'mon I'm selling them cheap! Tell her it's the opportunity of a lifetime...

Who knows maybe I will put it on my christmas list......

Birthday list consists of a Harmony One remote and getting my cars interior detailed lol....

JimAckley

Bah don't get a Harmony One. I can hook you up with anything from URC at a big discount, including their tablet remote.

EndersShadow

JimAckley wrote: »

Bah don't get a Harmony One. I can hook you up with anything from URC at a big discount, including their tablet remote.

So what would you suggest then?

JimAckley

EndersShadow wrote: »

So what would you suggest then?

Well, in my opinion, the Harmony was a little odd to navigate. I bought the MX850 years ago from URC and it was a piece of cake to program with my PC, and is RF upgradeable. When the right time comes I'm going to get the tablet from URC (I don't remember the model # offhand). It retails for around a thousand but I'll get a nice employee discount on it. Start up a thread in Electronics to get the thoughts and opinions of some of the other guys.