RM3000 satellites damaged, forced to replace

JimMueller

I had to remove my RM3000 satellites from the wall to paint and in doing so I noticed that one foam surround was completely destroyed, and the other it's on it's last leg. Because of this I'm looking for new rear satellites to mate with my current SDA-1C's which have the updated RD0-194 tweeters. I'm also considering upgrading my CS100 center if I can find one which meets the criteria.

Satellites: I spoke with Fred in tech support and he recommended the RM8/TL1/TL2 satellites. I would probably connect them to the RM3000 subwoofer and use it's built-in crossover but I'm not sure if that's ideal. He said if I use the sub I could more easily get by with the TL1 but the TL2 will have a fuller sound. I don't recall what he said about the RM8. Not too concerned about size here, just what works best with the 1C's and probably the RM3000 sub. If using the sub with them reduces the cost, that is preferable. Which satellites should I purchase, and why?

Center: Fred recommended the CSiA4/CS10/CS20. The combination of my plasma TV shelf and the physical size increase of the replacement center is an issue. I either need to put the new center on the same shelf and have it stick significantly out the front of the stand (dependent upon the slope of the rear cabinet) and hope it's stable, set it on the bottom shelf which is basically on the floor, have it mounted to a L-bracket and attached to the front wall, or have it mounted to a brace mount against the plasma's rear cover. Sonically I prefer it closest to the vertical center of the TV. Physically I would prefer it below the TV so 1) it doesn't block the walkway behind the equipment and 2) I don't have to worry about the brace mount failing. What is the best compromise here?

I was hoping to pick up the models locally and try them out one at a time. The only local dealers are HHGregg & Best Buy, and of those models they only carry the CS10.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

TECHNOKID

I'd stay away from the RM8s and if you are to go TLs at lest go TL3s. I've seen the TL1s (1600) for the first time in Canadian store this week and I was disappointed at first glance. IMHO, they look like any other (or close) plastic type small sattellites packages. :frown: I have to admit I di not take the time to audition the TLs, if they TL3s I would surely take the time but I would not bother with TL1s.

JimMueller

Fred said to stay away from the TL3's because it uses a different driver and it wouldn't work well with the 1C's.

JimMueller

I received my CS400i today and installed it over my lunch hour. Adjusted it with YPAO and manually adjusted db level down 5db compared to the older CS100. Pretty good size - a little unnerving having it on top of the plasma.

Next up is to to replace my damaged RM3000 sub/sat combo. The sub is still OK but the surrounds on the satellite drivers have disintegrated. I already have a Velodyne F1200B sub in the front, so not sure what to do with the one in the rear when I buy replacement surround speakers. Originally the rear wiring went to the sub first, then to the satellites. Maybe with the replacements I could just have the right surround going to the sub first?

Below is a link to some updated photos of my apartment mixed home theater room. The only difference is that the CS400i is now on top of the plasma. I was leaning towards Lsi Fx's for surround speakers, but then found my Carver AV-634 wouldn't very much care for the 4-ohm load. Larry Chanin suggested placing the right surround on the side wall just behind the end of the curtains, and the left surround as far left as possible on the upper support over the kitchen 'window' to the living room. Also suggested bipole mode because of limited sofa location. I do have a new set of Polk RT1 A1's which I won but I've never installed; I'd like to find a use for them without sacrificing the HT sound. I think the room is too small (161"Wx184"Dx96"H) for a 7.x setup.

http://s808.photobucket.com/albums/zz9/evcass69/HT/
password is PolkXXXX where XXXX is the current calendar year.

The left kitchen opening is open at the top 10", then solid from 10-25.75" below the ceiling. Currently I'm planning to center the left fxi vertically as far left as I can get it. That would place the right edge of the speaker ~97" from the front wall.

The distance between the right wall curtain rod and the ceiling is only 10", which prohibits mounting both the A4 and A6 above it. The curtains stick out about 6" from the wall due to the vertical blinds behind them. I previously adjusted the curtain rod up, further L/R from the patio door, and as close to the blinds as I could get them while still allowing the blinds to function all in an effort to mitigate light seepage from the patio. So the right surround would need to go between the rod end and the rear wall, a distance of 58.5". The minimum distance from the left edge of the right surround to the front wall would be 125", assuming it was right up to the curtain rod.

I'd mount the right rear the same distance from the ceiling as the left. How far should I place it between the curtains and the rear wall? Will it cause problems if I have it too close to the curtain rod end or will leveling the db output resolve that?

Does that seem like the best arrangement? Based upon this overall information, do you think I would get the benefit of the A6's over the A4's, or should I just save some money and get the A4's? Or something else altogether?

Thanks!