Help selecting the right TSi setup

darkstar710

Hi everyone! I hope you can help me pick the right products for my Polk surround sound setup. My living room is about 20 x 16 x 12. I have an Onkyo 709 AV receiver. I primarily use our current sound system for 90% HT and 10% music. So, I am looking at getting either the TSi 400 or 500 with the CS20 Center. (I have read all the commentary on TSi vs. Monitor and prefer to go with the TSi series). So for a HT setup, will the 400 with the CS20 do the job or should I go with the 500? Then depending on the 400 or 500 configuration, do I go with the PSW110 or the PSW125 subwoofer? For the rear speakers, I plan on the OWN3 speakers. Please let me know what you think!

luckyland

I just completed building a very similar configuration: Onktyo HT-6300 + Onkyo Sub + CS20 + TSi400 fronts + TSi100 rears.

Like you I don't use this system for music as much as HT, so I didn't feel there was much need to go above the TSi price point.

The 400s are nice so far, lacking a little bass, but nothing a good sub can't fill in. I haven't heard the 500s, but some extra bass couldn't hurt. They're around $330ea right now on Amazon.

The sub that came with the Onkyo is actually really impressive so I ended up keeping it.

CS20 + the 400s are excellent for HT.

Lietuvis91

To anyone putting together a setup that was 90% HT use I would strongly suggest the Rtia series speakers as they were designed specifically for HT use. In your case rtia5 with fxi4 surrounds and the csia4 or 6 center would be a very good fit. The price is going to be close and bigger doesn't always mean better.

As for tsi400 vs 500, you have enough power from your avr and space in your living room to really take advantage of the bigger speaker tsi500, so it should be a good way to go.

darkstar710

Now thinking about it, I got an Apple TV 2 as a gift so I could play my iTunes library. So realistically, my pattern will probably change to HT 60% and music 20%. Would the RTi series be preferable or the TSi?

Drenis

I always find that there are the odd user that no matter what the OP asks about opinions with speakers, everyone always tries to make them move up a notch.

If people want TSi's or RTi's or Monitor series speakers, let them have it! Don't tell them to do something else! Do what you want to your own system.

Lietuvis91

Drenis wrote: »

I always find that there are the odd user that no matter what the OP asks about opinions with speakers, everyone always tries to make them move up a notch.

If people want TSi's or RTi's or Monitor series speakers, let them have it! Don't tell them to do something else! Do what you want to your own system.

He's clearly here for the reason of NOT exactly knowing what he wants, which is the right move, because it is a bad idea to fall in love with a speaker you have never heard, because then you are potentially setting yourself up for real disappointment. Are you disagreeing that Rtia is the ticket for a HT focused setup? Especially if you are going to spend about the same on the TSi setup? What kind of sense does it make NOT to get the speakers that match your intended use?

Just not sure why you are attacking my suggestion...

luckyland

Well, I think the thing is that he's already got the CS20 center so he'd like to work from that baseline.

Nothing wrong with exposing other options, but it'd be a shame to throw out what is a perfectly good center and start over with an entirely new series.

Lietuvis91

luckyland wrote: »

Well, I think the thing is that he's already got the CS20 center so he'd like to work from that baseline.

Nothing wrong with exposing other options, but it'd be a shame to throw out what is a perfectly good center and start over with an entirely new series.

Sure, that is a consideration, especially if we're talking about a very constrained budget. I personaly would not base my entire system around a center channel I already had, but it definitely is the OPs choice. Both are great speakers, I just though that rtia was definitely a better choice in OPs case given his primary focus on HT. That really is all I was saying.

Drenis

Lietuvis91 wrote: »

He's clearly here for the reason of NOT exactly knowing what he wants, which is the right move, because it is a bad idea to fall in love with a speaker you have never heard, because then you are potentially setting yourself up for real disappointment. Are you disagreeing that Rtia is the ticket for a HT focused setup? Especially if you are going to spend about the same on the TSi setup? What kind of sense does it make NOT to get the speakers that match your intended use?

Just not sure why you are attacking my suggestion...

I made a general statement that wasn't directed at anyone specific. There is nothing wrong with giving suggestions when asked for them.

Bad day at work today?

My opinion to the OP is to get what you feel sounds best to you if you can demo, looks the style you want and is a deal to what you can afford. Also given his power source, he might fair better with TSi's.

chumlie

Sounds like you already have a pretty good plan.

darkstar710

Hi Guys! I don't have the center speaker or any the the pieces yet. I have around $1000 to spend. Thinking again, I'll probably be 60% HT and 40% music. I'm just looking for the best value for the money. I appreciate all the comments.

ken brydson

darkstar710 wrote: »

Hi Guys! I don't have the center speaker or any the the pieces yet. I have around $1000 to spend. Thinking again, I'll probably be 60% HT and 40% music. I'm just looking for the best value for the money. I appreciate all the comments.

Look used for the best value....

luckyland

2x TSi 400 + CS20 + 2x TSi 100 rear surrounds = 976.44 @ Amazon

More than enough sound for a room that size and your amp. I think you'll be pretty happy with it.

bmcmahon01

darkstar710 wrote: »

Hi everyone! I hope you can help me pick the right products for my Polk surround sound setup. My living room is about 20 x 16 x 12. I have an Onkyo 709 AV receiver. I primarily use our current sound system for 90% HT and 10% music. So, I am looking at getting either the TSi 400 or 500 with the CS20 Center. (I have read all the commentary on TSi vs. Monitor and prefer to go with the TSi series). So for a HT setup, will the 400 with the CS20 do the job or should I go with the 500? Then depending on the 400 or 500 configuration, do I go with the PSW110 or the PSW125 subwoofer? For the rear speakers, I plan on the OWN3 speakers. Please let me know what you think!

Hi Darkstar,

I auditioned both the 400 and 500's several months back prior to my purchase of the 500's. The rep over at J&R was really cool and let me take my time to test out various types of music. The clear winner for me were the 500's as the added depth was very apparent.

My ratio is a little different than yours as I'm about 50/50 between music and HT.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to hear what you have to say about the OWM's once you have them set up. I'm also looking to replace my rear's (they suck) and unfortunately due to a lack of space cannot go with 100 and 200's.

darkstar710

bmcmahon01 wrote: »

Hi Darkstar,

I auditioned both the 400 and 500's several months back prior to my purchase of the 500's. The rep over at J&R was really cool and let me take my time to test out various types of music. The clear winner for me were the 500's as the added depth was very apparent.

My ratio is a little different than yours as I'm about 50/50 between music and HT.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to hear what you have to say about the OWM's once you have them set up. I'm also looking to replace my rear's (they suck) and unfortunately due to a lack of space cannot go with 100 and 200's.

I should have my setup sometime in the next couple of weeks. I'll definitely let you know about the OWM's.

darkstar710

By the way, here is a quick update. After looking at prices between the Monitor series and the Tsi series, and doing more research, I went with Monitor 70s for the front, CS2 for the center and PSW505 for the Sub. ON MLK weekend, New Egg had the 70s on sale for $179 each and the CS2 for $99. I couldn't resist with that price. I got the sub from Amazon for $285. The OWM3s were $92. After setting everything up and going through Audyssey on my Onkyo NR709, the system blew me away! Wow! I can't believe I didn't do this sooner. The speakers haven’t even been through the break in period. If anyone is teetering between the Monitor series and the Tsi series, I'd say save your money and get the Monitor series. As for the OWM3 rear speakers, they perform well. But the reason I got them was that they were versatile for mounting. Unfortunately, my living room did not lend itself to any of the mounting options. So I am returning those and bought Monitor 30s for the rear and just using monitor stands. Last weekend, New Egg had the 30s on sale for $89.99 for the pair. Between the Monitor 30s and the OWM3s, the Monitor 30s is the way to go, unless you do not have adequate space for the 30s, then the OWM3s will work great. Movies sound spectacular and music is great too. Thanks for everyone's advice!

rebuy

I'm glad you're happy with the speakers. Even entry level Polks outperform many other brands and set up correctly make your dollar go pretty far. They do sound good.