FXiA6 First impressions/mini review/comparison

Geoff4rfc

First of all, THANKS!! to those that posted their opinions and views when I inquired about surround speakers.

As my experience grows from none to some, what I've used for surround speakers so far is; satellites, bookshelves and towers.

From using Monitor 30's, 40's and 70's, I liked the performance of the 40's best. I had both the 40's and 70's amped with 200wpc when in the surround position.

The FXiA6's show up to my door, and down to the cave they go. The FXiA6's are Dipole/Bipole speakers and mine were already set in Bipole mode. As I have yet to try them on Dipole, I cannot comment on the performance at this time, but so far, I'm pretty happy with them in Bipole as this seems to create a larger sound field, I believe this was a statement made by tonyb and sure enough, good call tony.

The bookshelves were able to perform as a multi directional speaker in the surround, but the FX's are omni directional which really places you further into the action than the bookshelves could.

I have the FX's powered by the AVR only without external amplification, and, as the other three channels are powered with outside power, the FX's get exclusive rights to the AVR and the performance is more than I expected.

The bass from these surrounds has my brain working overtime, it's as if the FX has it's own little subwoofer, I just can't believe the sound coming from these little cabinets, it's everywhere it's everywhere, and it packs a punch.

For the record, having towers in my surround set up now seems more like a novelty. Maybe for "all channel" music the tower would be a good thing, but for H.T. these Bipole speakers surpass my expectations.

The smooth matte black finish is easy on the eyes, the grills are easily removed and easily installed. The speakers are marked L and R to avoid improper placement unless you're a hopeless dyslexic.

The trapezoidal shape lets it blend into the woodwork (so to speak) so the speakers are less invasive.

Compared to the M30, the FX has a massive bracket with keyholes for mounting directly to the wall, I have mine on top of stands I made for my M40's but will soon make some new stands for these FX's that will match my equipment stand.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Geoff4rfc

Correction; in my review I stated that Bipole created a larger sound field, since I haven't listened on Dipole yet, that statement is unsupported. It should read, while on Biplole, it creates a large sound field.

Oldfatdogs

I'm glad your diggin your new speakers.Enjoy, Dan

cfrizz

Congrats & enjoy, and if you amp them up like you did the monitors, they will surprise you once again with how much better they sound.

zane77

+1 on amping those babies up, that will make every bit as much of an improvement as it does in the rest of your speakers. Enjoy you new setup!

tonyb

Congrats man, hate to say I told ya so but....:cheesygrin:

Your right, towers would be better for all channel music, but those FX's will suprise you even with music. Your going to hear stuff on certain recordings that will have you turning your head wondering where it's comming from on some of your favorite flicks. I used to have the older FX1000's and they were fantastic. Looks like your well on your way down that rabbit hole my friend, rock on.

polkfarmboy

I really miss the fxi's I had when my rti system was in place. When there was a movie scene one time that was raining it sounded like it was raining in my room thanks to the fxi tweeters. I just loved the way they open up the room and give a very detailed ambiance to the stage. Hope you enjoy many movies for a long time to come .... congats and enjoy

tommyt21

Dam you Geff... I am currently using the M40's as surround speakers but now you have me thinking of these bad boys....UGGG. in relation to your listening position where are these speakers.

Geoff4rfc

DSkip wrote: »

Get your read on the dipole/bipole settings. Which one you use depends on where you put them: to the side or in the rear. I always used my FX300i's on the sides as I'm not a fan of anything in the rear. :eek:

Thanks, I think I have it right, Dipole if mounted in the rear, Bipole if mounted to the sides.

tommyt21 wrote: »

Dam you Geff... I am currently using the M40's as surround speakers but now you have me thinking of these bad boys....UGGG. in relation to your listening position where are these speakers.

Lol, what's up Tommy T? I've got them mounted to the sides of my sofa, the sound is all around me, you could say it......surrounds....me

Geoff4rfc

DSkip wrote: »

I'm not a fan of anything in the rear. :eek:

Took me a second time to catch that

LeftCoast

I remember hearing those speakers at Fry's in their theater room. Great HT speakers. Preferred them to the LSifx speakers

Sherardp

The OP mentioned Dipole/Bipole speaker selection in his review. My question to Polkies who own these; what is the desired selection or preferred selection between the two?

slider2828

How exactly do you amp them up? Like a separate amp to drive them?

Sherardp

DSkip wrote: »

They're specific to setup location, so it'd probably boil down more to location preference. If you choose the wrong setting for the location, you can have cancellation issues that negate everything you're trying to do.

So as side surrounds what would be the recommended selection? Thanks Dskip.

Geoff4rfc

Sherardp wrote: »

So as side surrounds what would be the recommended selection? Thanks Dskip.

Afer reading PolkAudio's Technology Article, it looks like it comes down to personal preference.

You can have them mounted in either rear or side position and have them in either Bi or Dipole.

Dipole has the opposing drivers firing out of phase, alternating the sound. Bipole fires in phase with opposing drivers producing sound at the same time.

Side surrounds can employ either setting, where rear surrounds are recommended on Bipole only.

Thanks for asking, now I have a bit more information to chew on :cool:

Heres the link if anyone else is interested;
http://www.polkaudio.com/education/tech_article.php?id=27

Geoff4rfc

slider2828 wrote: »

How exactly do you amp them up? Like a separate amp to drive them?

Exactly! Your AVR must have pre-outs. Then, an RCA or Balanced cable depending on the units, will connect from the pre-out to the seperate amp. Your speaker wires then connect from the amp to the speaker, and that's how you amp them up.

slider2828

Ahh... thanks wasn't familiar with the term, but that is what I thought.... Unfortunately only have a Denon AVR1712 with no pre outs....

tommyt21

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Thanks, I think I have it right, Dipole if mounted in the rear, Bipole if mounted to the sides.



Lol, what's up Tommy T? I've got them mounted to the sides of my sofa, the sound is all around me, you could say it......surrounds....me

Geoff I have the M40's 3 feet above ear height and approx 9 ft perpendicular from my listening position. They are also near a corner. How much of an improvement will be made going to these? How much improvement did you get over the 40's in detail, please?
Thanks Dude, Hope your doing well.

Geoff4rfc

So far, I can't tell in detail, but in sound it's a vast improvement, especially in Bipole mode having the tweeters firing at the same time.

The back end of my room is filled with sound. After a month or so, I'll try Dipole and see how that sounds.

Check out this link; http://www.polkaudio.com/education/tech_article.php?id=27

I have to tell you, at first I was very skeptical of this speaker, of course the skepticism came from ignorance. I am so glad I made the decision to grab this speaker.

My daughter and I were watching one of her movies, Toy Story 1, she was jumping with some of the surround action, it's just suddenly there around you. Pretty cool speaker.

tommyt21

I'm already trying to figure out placement. I have to put mine near the corners of the side wall and back wall since my listening position(couch) is directly against the back wall. Not sure how near corner placement will effect them. I have read thought that bipole is more forgiving for surround placement over monopole and dipole. I think I will try to get the Fxi a4's though.

Geoff4rfc

That sounds good. Are you still considering the CSiA6?

tommyt21

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

That sounds good. Are you still considering the CSiA6?

In the future but since I am looking at a xpa-3 and now the FXI a4's and rti a1's. The csi a6 will have to wait. I think i will get a improvement on the csi a4 by raising it up a foot instead of keeping it in the entertainment center on a shelf angled up. It will be moving on top of the entertainment center pulling it closer to the A7 tweeter height.

Damn I feel like a AudioSchizo

Geoff4rfc

tommyt21 wrote: »

Damn I feel like a AudioSchizo

Admission of a problem is the first step toward healing.

I am an AudioSchizo however, I don't need no stinking healing!!

tommyt21

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Admission of a problem is the first step toward healing.

I am an AudioSchizo however, I don't need no stinking healing!!

LOL treatment bad...!

tommyt21

DSkip wrote: »

Tommy, how close to the corner do you have to put them? If they're like right in the corner, I don't see where you'd gain too much over a regular bookie. Having them further from the side walls if in the rear helps disperse the sound and create a better envelope of sound. I could be wrong though.

D, looking at approx 18 inches from the corners on the side wall.

tommyt21

cool.. looks like those will be next up on the order...HEHEHEHE

EndersShadow

Its your fault as well that I am now looking at the LSi F/X's

Geoff4rfc

EndersShadow wrote: »

Its your fault as well that I am now looking at the LSi F/X's

Lol oh yeah, that LSiFX looks really cool, I was leaning toward that cept it's a 4ohm speaker. I saw a pair on the PolkEbay site, just one click away.

Wait til the end of next month, I have some serious upgrades waiting to be made. I won't let the cat out of the bag just yet, but let me say, as much as I'd love to get a decent 2ch rig going, my 5.1 is going to be a four tower laden 7.2 heavily powered set up with new flat screen and seating.

EndersShadow

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Lol oh yeah, that LSiFX looks really cool, I was leaning toward that cept it's a 4ohm speaker. I saw a pair on the PolkEbay site, just one click away.

LOL... yup.... and since I am running LSi's its what I need......

tommyt21

Hey Geoff, I know your busy dude but if you find the time do you mind trying out those FXI's near the rear corners. Before I order them I want to make sure it's corner placement is not going to negativley effect them to much.

Thanks Thomas

SirSoulBrother

I just ordered a pair of FXiA6's and do not know what to expect. I've never heard them and frankly I'm excited. Currently I have Monitor70 fronts, CS2 center, and Monitor30 sides. How much difference do you think I'm going to hear when I replace the 30's with these? I don't think I should have to amp these and wouldn't know where to begin with that. My Yamaha RX-Z7 will allow for additional front speakers they call Presence Speakers. Wondering if I should use the 30's for that or would there a better way to utilize them?

I'll admit I like sound but when it comes to the science of it all (amping, biamping, etc.) I'm a total noob. Advice and suggestions appreciated.

Explanation of Presence Speakers : http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=41243