I have FXi A4s... and nothing else.

iigor
iigor Posts: 8
edited September 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hey guys,

As the title says, I only have FXi A4s. How did that happen? Well, the other week I was in a rush to buy a pair of (computer) speakers, and I quickly picked up these on sale at a store, not realizing they are a part of a complete surround system. I have never had a proper sound system, but now I have an excuse to maybe set one up! I need some help though to get started.

I realize that there is a lot to go to complete the full system, but I want to start at the minimum (without sacrificing future extensibility too much). I looked a bit at the Polk University, and I'm beginning to learn the basics.

As far as I understand, the first thing to get is a receiver. Which one should I get? Will a receiver and FXi A4s work together from the start? Do I need to buy cables? Are front speakers the next step? Any information is appreciated.

Btw, I live in Canada, so if you post links to FutureShop or any other local store, that would be helpful.

Thanks a lot!
Post edited by iigor on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited August 2011
    What are you hooking them up to? A tv, computer ?
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited August 2011
    jbooker82 wrote: »
    What are you hooking them up to? A tv, computer ?

    Uh, he wants to know what receiver to buy... :confused:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iigor
    iigor Posts: 8
    edited August 2011
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Uh, he wants to know what receiver to buy... :confused:

    Yes, I think that's where I should start.

    I guess I'd like to hook it up to both my TV and (occasionally) computer.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited August 2011
    Keep poking around the site. Check the e-Bay site under the Where To Buy link above. Get a pair of fronts - could be bookshelves or towers - from the RTi or RTiA series. Complete a 5.1 system with a CSi (or CSiA) center and a sub. Go slow. You'll have something nice when you're finished :smile:

    Welcome to Club Polk!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited August 2011
    iigor wrote: »
    Yes, I think that's where I should start.

    I guess I'd like to hook it up to both my TV and (occasionally) computer.

    Recevier - Try searching Yamaha, Denon, Harman Kardon, Pioneer, Onkyo, etc... Find one that appeals to you in your price range and ask about it on here. For certain larger speakers, most think an external amp is a must - for that you'd need a receiver with "pre-out" connections. Depending on your needs and interests, that may not be crucial to you. What's your budget for a receiver?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited August 2011
    welcome to CP!

    i have a nice AVR (Pioneer elite SC-07) that has Pre-outs, center that will go with your FXi speakers (CSi4) and a wireless Sub (PSWi225)
    mole'
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iigor
    iigor Posts: 8
    edited August 2011
    Thanks guys.

    What do you think about ONKYO TX-NR609 or Pioneer VSX-1021?

    Also, I'm not really interested in Video input/outputs for the receiver. Does that change what I should be looking for?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iigor
    iigor Posts: 8
    edited September 2011
    I'm thinking of going for a setup similar to RTi A3 (or A5) Home Theater System -- at least to start. It'd be nice to have AirPlay. Other than that, I don't know what else I need in a receiver. Again, any info appreciated.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iigor
    iigor Posts: 8
    edited September 2011
    Ok, now I'm leaning more toward Pioneer VSX-1121. There aren't many reviews on it yet, but it seems to have all the features of 1021 and also pre-outs. Any thoughts?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fatty McButter
    Fatty McButter Posts: 19
    edited September 2011
    Pioneer makes good stuff from what I hear, in fact I just bought one earlier today (SC-35). So far I like what I hear.

    The 1121 looks very nice to me, and I have always wondered about the 1021 as it seems to have high power rating for low cost. However, once you go up to the 1121 you bring in some other interesting receivers for that price, such as the Onkyo 709 and Denon 2312.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fatty McButter
    Fatty McButter Posts: 19
    edited September 2011
    iigor wrote: »
    I'm thinking of going for a setup similar to RTi A3 (or A5) Home Theater System -- at least to start. It'd be nice to have AirPlay. Other than that, I don't know what else I need in a receiver. Again, any info appreciated.

    The a5's are very nice, I just bought some around christmas time last year from the polk ebay store, and have loved every minute with them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,059
    edited September 2011
    Fatty McButter wrote: »
    The a5's are very nice, I just bought some around christmas time last year from the polk ebay store, and have loved every minute with them.

    Dude, you win the award for the best screen name on this site! :tongue:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2011
    iigor wrote: »
    Ok, now I'm leaning more toward Pioneer VSX-1121. There aren't many reviews on it yet, but it seems to have all the features of 1021 and also pre-outs. Any thoughts?

    Get it, those preouts will come in handy later on with future upgrades.

    Welcome to Club Polk Iigor! And also to you Fatty McButter!:biggrin:
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iigor
    iigor Posts: 8
    edited September 2011
    Thanks for the comments. Nice to see the thread pick up a bit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fatty McButter
    Fatty McButter Posts: 19
    edited September 2011
    I was just looking around to see what I could find on the 1121. Over in the AVS forums I see people saying that they were pulled from the shelves because of some Manufacturing defect.

    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=20796951

    Might be worth a look since this is what you want to get.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited September 2011
    iigor wrote: »
    Thanks for the comments. Nice to see the thread pick up a bit.

    So, where are you now? Got fronts?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fatty McButter
    Fatty McButter Posts: 19
    edited September 2011
    kevhed72 wrote: »
    Dude, you win the award for the best screen name on this site! :tongue:

    Why thank you. :biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iigor
    iigor Posts: 8
    edited September 2011
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    So, where are you now? Got fronts?

    Taking it slow. I'm in Canada, and everything is x2 the price here. So I'm taking my time waiting for sales.

    Thinking of getting A3 bookshelves, since they are pretty cheap and reviews are still great; not sure if I have that much space for towers at this point.

    I'm also still not sure where I'm going to place the speakers and how I'm going to wire everything up. Maybe I'll grab stands for the speakers.

    This is all new to me, but I'll post updates as I get things moving.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter