New Setup to Replace Sound Bar
Hi All,
New to the world A/V. I have been using the an Onkyo HTIB 7.1 system for awhile, but the speakers are bulky and cables running all around the room so have recently removed that from the room at the wife's request.
Based on our room design, I want to simplify so was looking at speaker bars. I tried the Sony HT350, but returned it because it was just horrible. I recently tried the Surroundbar which has been reasonably good, but I realize that for the price, I may be better off getting two fronts and a center speaker. I would then possibly fill out the system sometime in the future when I have a better room to handle a 5.1 or 7.1 system.
My TV is in the corner of the room not directly in front of the couch due to the room layout. There is a large fireplace where I would prefer the TV and it is too high to watch comfortably if the TV is on the mantle.
I found a good price on a Denon AVR-2112CI and am now looking to either keep the Surroundbar or move to three speakers in the front.
Another limitation I have is that I will likely have to put the center on the floor tilted upwards or possibly could build a small shelf for the TV to move it slightly higher with the center directly under/in front of the TV.
The couch is about 8-10 feet from the TV depending on where you sit. The room is probably 15 x 12 feet..maybe a tad larger.
I am thinking for the speakers:
Fronts: RTI A5
Center: CSi A4 or A6 (The A6 may be too physically big though)
Receiver: Denon AVR-2112CI
Questions:
Would this be a better setup then the Surroundbar?
Is it acceptable to have a the center on the floor tilter up to the viewing area?
Any other recommendations for speakers?
Is a subwoofer necessary or can I add it later to this setup?
Thanks so much in advance for the responses! Any advice would be much appreciated; this stuff is all very new to me.
New to the world A/V. I have been using the an Onkyo HTIB 7.1 system for awhile, but the speakers are bulky and cables running all around the room so have recently removed that from the room at the wife's request.
Based on our room design, I want to simplify so was looking at speaker bars. I tried the Sony HT350, but returned it because it was just horrible. I recently tried the Surroundbar which has been reasonably good, but I realize that for the price, I may be better off getting two fronts and a center speaker. I would then possibly fill out the system sometime in the future when I have a better room to handle a 5.1 or 7.1 system.
My TV is in the corner of the room not directly in front of the couch due to the room layout. There is a large fireplace where I would prefer the TV and it is too high to watch comfortably if the TV is on the mantle.
I found a good price on a Denon AVR-2112CI and am now looking to either keep the Surroundbar or move to three speakers in the front.
Another limitation I have is that I will likely have to put the center on the floor tilted upwards or possibly could build a small shelf for the TV to move it slightly higher with the center directly under/in front of the TV.
The couch is about 8-10 feet from the TV depending on where you sit. The room is probably 15 x 12 feet..maybe a tad larger.
I am thinking for the speakers:
Fronts: RTI A5
Center: CSi A4 or A6 (The A6 may be too physically big though)
Receiver: Denon AVR-2112CI
Questions:
Would this be a better setup then the Surroundbar?
Is it acceptable to have a the center on the floor tilter up to the viewing area?
Any other recommendations for speakers?
Is a subwoofer necessary or can I add it later to this setup?
Thanks so much in advance for the responses! Any advice would be much appreciated; this stuff is all very new to me.
Post edited by rowan on
Comments
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For HT, you will need a sub. Polk now offers wireless subs and a wireless rear surround that would go well with proposed gear list.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 -
Sounds to me you and the wife need to get on the same page first. If a HTIB unit is too bulky, the Polks sure won't be smaller and you'll still have the wire issue unless you can come up with a layout that will hide them and keep the wife happy.
That said, the Polks will sound better yes, but only 3 speakers in the front won't give you a good surround sound. A decent subwoofer is also a good idea. You can go wireless or not, just don't go too cheap on the sub or you'll be disappointed.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 -
Sounds to me you and the wife need to get on the same page first. If a HTIB unit is too bulky, the Polks sure won't be smaller and you'll still have the wire issue unless you can come up with a layout that will hide them and keep the wife happy.
It was more the placement of wires and speakers throughout the room. Not necessarily the speakers/wires in front. I do realize that I have to give up surround for now, but thought if I made some smart purchases that these speakers could be on the path to a solid system in the future.
I will look into a subwoofer with this setup. Thanks! -
I do realize that I have to give up surround for now
No you don't, as I mentioned before.....
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/fx/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 -
Thanks for the link. I had initially looked out this option, but it does present other problems for me in that i have no power on the walls behind my viewing area. Still an intriguing option if I can come up with a solution.
Thanks again! -
As always, you need to talk to the wife, have all your options OKed in advance. See if she'll give some leway to room layout. Also they make flat speaker wire you could fish under the carpet, just another option there, or run it behind the baseboard.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 -
As always, you need to talk to the wife, have all your options OKed in advance.
Wise man with very good advice! I hadn't thought about changing the room layout, but that definitely could have some potential. I will start some sketches to understand our options a bit better.Also they make flat speaker wire you could fish under the carpet, just another option there, or run it behind the baseboard.
Unfortunately we have hardwood floors so no hiding the wire.
Thanks again for your advice. -
Unfortunately we have hardwood floors so no hiding the wire.
Thanks again for your advice.
What I did ..
I didnt want to fish wires under the carpet , so I ran the surround speaker wires under the house and up through the floor inside a closet than up through the ceiling , than I went in the attic and feed the wires in a hole where the surrounds are to be mounted .
Its great no wires .
Can you use inwall speakers for the rears ?
I would but I change stuff so much plus I rent . -
Based on the feedback I have received so far, I have sketched out potential changes to our room layout that would allow for using the F/X Surround system and a better view experience. Based on this proposed layout, the viewing couch is likely 11 feet from the TV/front speakers. The room is also slightly bigger than I have originally thought.
Based on this attached room design anymore feedback on the information below?
I am thinking for the speakers:
Fronts: RTI A5
Center: CSi A4 or A6 (The A6 may be too physically big though)
Receiver: Denon AVR-2112CI
Subwoofer: TBD (Needed)
Surround: F/X Surround???
Questions:
Would this be a better setup then the Surroundbar?
Is it acceptable to have a the center on the floor tilter up to the viewing area?
Any other recommendations for speakers? -
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. You will need a sub.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 -
Thanks for all the feedback so far. We have decided to rearrange out living room which will be more conducive to a new speaker setup!
I have one adjustment to my initial plan that I want to run by the forum. I have noticed through the Polk eBay store that I can get they RTI8 with the full 5 year warranty for about 100 dollars cheaper than the RTI A5 with the reduced 2 year warranty. Based on my understanding, these speakers are functionally identical, just ascetically different. Is this accurate based on people's experience?
I am leaning towards getting the CSi A4 (refurbished) due to space concerns. There also is a CSi5 on the ebay store with the full 5 year warranty for 50 dollars more than the CSi A4 which is tempting, but the shear size of the speaker may be an issue. It will be sitting on the floor so it is just a matter of how far it is sticking out.
No decisions on the subwoofer/surround setup yet. Sort of rethinking the AVR based on all of the reading I have been doing....lacks pre-outs....
