Surround questions, LSI F/X vs FXi A6 with RTi A7 mains.

JustinHEMI
JustinHEMI Posts: 198
edited March 2012 in Speakers
Hello friends,

I have a question about surround configurations with the system in my signature. I've been wanting to swap the Axiom QS8s for Polk FXi A6s for a while now, to timbre match my system. However, I had a hard time finding anyone willing to buy the speakers AND the stands, but have someone on the hook willing to buy them.

However, I noticed that the A6s are rated for up to 150W/channel, but my XPA5 is 200W/channel. Then I noticed that I could get a set of the LSI F/X for 550 shipped. So it seems I should jump on the chance to get the LSI F/Xs instead of the FXi A6s.

Does this seem like the right decision? Will the LSIs blend well with my RTi A7s, or should I get the FXi A6s and just run them off my receiver for proper timbre matching?

Or just stick with the QS8s?

Thanks for your time!

Justin
Fronts: Polk RTi A9's
Center: Polk CSi A6
Surrounds: Polk FXi A6
Sub: Epik Empire
Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR809
Amp: Emotiva XPA-3
Blu Ray: Panasonic DMP-BD210
Power: Monster HDP 2500
Monitor: Panasonic TC-P60ST30
Post edited by JustinHEMI on
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Comments

  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,477
    edited March 2012
    For surrounds, you can pretty much mix and match as you please. What center are you using? Although I have a matching front stage, I'm phasing out the surrounds and replacing with matching series.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • JustinHEMI
    JustinHEMI Posts: 198
    edited March 2012
    I am running the CSIA6 as well. Looks like we have similar tastes in systems. :) I was thinking of going to the A9 at some point too, but the A7s seem to do just fine for me.

    Justin
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk FXi A6
    Sub: Epik Empire
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR809
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-3
    Blu Ray: Panasonic DMP-BD210
    Power: Monster HDP 2500
    Monitor: Panasonic TC-P60ST30
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,477
    edited March 2012
    Right, nice set up :smile: How do you like your Empire, a real earth shaker huh. I have mine at 1/3 volume and listen between 0 and +5
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited March 2012
    I dont think that the LSI surrounds would give you any more than the RTI series. I would get the timbre matched and call it a day honestly.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • JustinHEMI
    JustinHEMI Posts: 198
    edited March 2012
    packetjones wrote: »
    I dont think that the LSI surrounds would give you any more than the RTI series. I would get the timbre matched and call it a day honestly.

    I agree. After doing some deeper searching, I found a very old thread where someone had a similar question. A lot of good information was presented, and I've decided to get the FXi A6s!

    @Geoff, yeah that sub is awesome. I have a large, odd shaped room and was hoping the dual drivers would be more forgiving to placement, and they were. I couldn't be happier!

    Thanks for your help fellas!

    Justin
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk FXi A6
    Sub: Epik Empire
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR809
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-3
    Blu Ray: Panasonic DMP-BD210
    Power: Monster HDP 2500
    Monitor: Panasonic TC-P60ST30
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited March 2012
    JustinHEMI wrote: »
    Hello friends,

    I have a question about surround configurations with the system in my signature. I've been wanting to swap the Axiom QS8s for Polk FXi A6s for a while now, to timbre match my system. However, I had a hard time finding anyone willing to buy the speakers AND the stands, but have someone on the hook willing to buy them.

    However, I noticed that the A6s are rated for up to 150W/channel, but my XPA5 is 200W/channel. Then I noticed that I could get a set of the LSI F/X for 550 shipped. So it seems I should jump on the chance to get the LSI F/Xs instead of the FXi A6s.

    Does this seem like the right decision? Will the LSIs blend well with my RTi A7s, or should I get the FXi A6s and just run them off my receiver for proper timbre matching?

    Or just stick with the QS8s?

    Thanks for your time!

    Justin

    If possible timbre matching is the best way to go. It is more critical for the front stage as compared to the surrounds but the entire system if timbre matched is a tough act to follow. Just curious, don't you like the Axiom Q8's, they get rave reviews as surrounds. Didn't they blend in or you're just looking to make a change.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • JustinHEMI
    JustinHEMI Posts: 198
    edited March 2012
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    If possible timbre matching is the best way to go. It is more critical for the front stage as compared to the surrounds but the entire system if timbre matched is a tough act to follow. Just curious, don't you like the Axiom Q8's, they get rave reviews as surrounds. Didn't they blend in or you're just looking to make a change.

    A little of both. I can identify the speakers easily and I've tried many different orientations. I also would like an all Polk system. When I saw the Axioms, though, I thought I would give em a shot! They are nice speakers, but now I want to try the Polks. Hopefully I won't regret it. :)

    Justin
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk FXi A6
    Sub: Epik Empire
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR809
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-3
    Blu Ray: Panasonic DMP-BD210
    Power: Monster HDP 2500
    Monitor: Panasonic TC-P60ST30
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  • JustinHEMI
    JustinHEMI Posts: 198
    edited March 2012
    Whelp, I went ahead and ordered the FXi A6s.

    I'm afraid that I don't know much about how speakers and amplifiers interact, so I must ask, would it be OK to hook them up to my XPA-5, or not, since they are rated for 150w max?

    Thanks!

    Justin
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk FXi A6
    Sub: Epik Empire
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR809
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-3
    Blu Ray: Panasonic DMP-BD210
    Power: Monster HDP 2500
    Monitor: Panasonic TC-P60ST30
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,477
    edited March 2012
    No worries. I had my CS2 hooked up to my XPA-3, 200wpc feeding a 175max watt center. So long as you're not trying have your speakers heard 2mi away, you'll be fine.

    Rule; utilizing too much volume to under powered speakers = clipping, too much volume to over powered speakers = blown speakers. I would think you could turn those babies up quite a ways before endangering them.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • JustinHEMI
    JustinHEMI Posts: 198
    edited March 2012
    Ok, that is what I was thinking..., they'd draw the power I need and as long as I didn't over do it, they'd be fine. Thanks!

    Justin
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk FXi A6
    Sub: Epik Empire
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR809
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-3
    Blu Ray: Panasonic DMP-BD210
    Power: Monster HDP 2500
    Monitor: Panasonic TC-P60ST30
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