Newbie needs advice on set up!! Help!!

jarod

:eek:Hello and thanks for checking out my post. i have recently purchased these components. A PIONEER VSX-821-K 5.1 RECIEVER, my speakers are POLK TSI 300'S front anchors and right now i have bose 301's for my rear surounds. For a sub i have an old KLH 10" powered sub that kicks **** really. it is model number GFX-550. I am at present considering my options on expansion of my set up. I am looking at the TSI 500's and am also considering the TSI 100's and 200's. Here is my problem , i can bi-amp my speakers but my reciever will not support that so my question is do i get a new reciever or buy an amplifier to push my front speakers. I do believe i have the pre-outs on the VSX-821-K to hook an amp up and the sound from the reciever is really clean sound quality wise. I guess i would like to know if i should cut losses now and spend hundreds more on a 7.1 reciever or can i use what i have and buy an amp to push my towers. Also any thoughts on my set up as far as input on the TSI 500's or 100's. Should i go ahead and grab some RTI A9's or are they that much better? How much power would i really need to power some towers like the TSI 500 or RTI A9's properly? Also this will all be going into my new living room that is about 22'x34' with 12' ceilings and hardwood floors and sheetrock walls and ceiling. I really want to try and produce some killer imaging and have a wide soundstage so i can use any advice on set up to help that. I am new to home audio but not all audio so any opinions would be great thanks.

falconcry72

Welcome to CP!

Do you have a center channel??? If not, adding one would be a big upgrade.

Is there a specific deficiency that you're trying to overcome? Have you even listened to this setup yet? If not, listen to it first, and then address areas where you perceive a need for improvement. If you have listened to it, then what exactly do you feel you're lacking? This is an important question because everyone likes different ****, so we need to know what you like (or dislike), in order to help you.

You can spend a million dollars in this hobby, so it's important to have specific goals.

gp4jesus

Your room is similar to mine. Consider area rugs and other sound treatment to your room early on. Thursday, replaced the (very) short pile area rug w/a larger, more saxoney-like one - definite difference.

enjoy. Tony

jarod

yes i do have a center. it is the csi 10 and it works great with my set up. All the TSI'S seam to sound great together. I do currently have everything set up in our apartment but its a small space for so much gear. I like the TSI 300s and they sound great which is why i am considering the 500's but i dont know what to do about powering them. Do i really need to bi-amp to get the most out of my set up or will a set of TSI 100's on stands for rear surround be effective and fill my living room with wide, detailed sound?

jarod

so you think that room will be to reflecctive? all the windows have big wooden blinds also. Do you think drapes will help?

falconcry72

jarod wrote: »

...I like the TSI 300s and they sound great which is why i am considering the 500's...

See, this is a contradictory statement to me. If they sound great, then why change? What are you expecting to gain from the 500's that you aren't getting now? This gets back to my original question: What, exactly, are you trying to accomplish?

...Do i really need to bi-amp to get the most out of my set up...

No. It would be a waste of time.

...or will a set of TSI 100's on stands for rear surround be effective and fill my living room with wide, detailed sound?

I'm not sure how bi-amping your fronts or changing out your surrounds are substitutes for each other.... but, yes, it would be good to have matching surrounds.

Again... what are you trying to achieve here???

jarod

I am trying to achieve great sound with HT and 2 channel stereo. I would like to have a wide realistic soundstage and imaging. In the auto world you gain control over your tweeters when you bi-amp and can fine tune your sound but i can see where it would'nt be as beneficial in the home audio environment. As far as getting the 500's goes i don't have have them but if the 300's sound this good i figured the 500's would sound better than keeping the 300's for the front and buying some 100 or 200's for my rear surrounds. The smaller speakers cost 250 to 350 so i thought i would save a little more and get the big boys but if i am not going to gain much i do like my 300's. I am trying to create audio euphoria for me and my family if that is possible. Am i on the right track?

gp4jesus

jarod wrote: »

so you think that room will be to[o] reflecctive?

Yes. Hardwood floors, while they look real nice, are not the best for HT or 2 channel enjoyment.

jarod wrote: »

... the windows have big wooden blinds also. Do you think drapes will help?

Most definitely, especially near your LCR channels.

OTOH your side/rears may like a reflective environment. I'll try to locate & post a link to the thread of a fellow Polkie who's had great success w/just a little work w/room treatments. YMMV.

Tony

falconcry72

jarod wrote: »

I am trying to achieve great sound with HT and 2 channel stereo. I would like to have a wide realistic soundstage and imaging....

So I'm assuming that you don't believe that you've already found those things. If that's the case, moving up within the same line of speakers will not help. Again, we really need to know what you're trying to accomplish here... and preferably it would be something very specific, not "great sound".

The 500's will obviously have more bass. The soundstage and imaging won't be any different.

falconcry72

I'd get the matching surrounds and go from there. If you have a good sub, you may not get a huge benefit from going to the 500's. You could also upgrade your center to the cs20. The center channel is the most important speaker for HT, IMO, and people who have heard both say that the cs20 is better.

Cheers, and good luck!

tonyb

If your goal is better sound in a room thats as big as you say, your talking a complete redo of your speakers, receiver. The TSI's won't cut it in a room that big. If you want the A9's, you'll need a beefy receiver or one with preouts to add an amp to and the receiver you have doesn't have preouts. Maybe a budget thrown out would better help us offer up some advice.

jarod

Well guys my goal is better sound but i would like to try and achieve that with what i have now by tweaking and placement and the addition of possibly either the TSI 500 to replace the 300's in the front and move them to the back for surrounds or buy the TSI 100 or 200's for the rear surrounds and keep the 300's up front. FALCONCRY72 has asked me to be more specific about my intended purpose and i think he is confused or i probably did'nt state my situation right. To start with i have to get another set of speakers. Either a bigger and better set for the front and move the 300's to the back or like i said earlier a smaller set for the back. I have looked in to other speakers and i noticed that the ones i have were bi-ampable so i initially was questioning that. Would i gain enough to justify going to a better 7.1 reciever so that i can run two channels to my front towers. As you stated i could use an amp also if i need more power and ultimately that is what i hope to do. I am not sure but i read my owners manual and i do believe i have pre-outs to go to an amp. Why is the room to big for the TSI's?

chumlie

No preouts for amp on that reciever. Just one for a sub.

jarod

Hello falconcry72 and thanks for your help. I dont think i was accurate in my wording about the bi-amping to replace surrounds or being unsatisfied with the 300's. I thought since i had the ability to bi-amp that i could really make the 300's or maybe the 500's really shine if i did so. But since you say it would not be worth the trouble why bother?I will try to be more accurate about my expectations and what i would like to have as an end result. You mention that if i am not happy with the 300's i wont be happy going up within the same line of speakers. i will post another reply and list questions regarding what i have and future plans and then we can address things singuarly and then go to the next matter of discussion. i cant write it on this quick reply so i will re -post so i can have room to write.

jarod

what are the pre=outs on the back for? i have one for subs but i also have pre-outs where it says surround/ front height. pioneer says i can use this so what gives man is thing crap or is it going to be a building block? i mean i understand its not a 1500.00 Denon but or Onkyo but i will get there i did;nt think i would have to immediately though. DAMN!!:)

tonyb

Thats just for the front heights, not front left and right. You need a 5.1 preout, which you don't have. The TSI's are pretty darn easy to drive, bi-amping with a receiver isn't going to gain you much. If you want to improve the sound with the TSI500's, then go for it, and move the 300's to the rear.

I take it your moving, as you mentioned being in an apt, then wanting to put them in a room 22 by 34 ft. with 12 ft high ceilings. That big of a room will swallow up sound from smaller speakers compared to an average size apartment. No harm in trying it out though. Good luck to you on your quest.

jarod

ok i got you the pre outs arent for front stereo or 5.1 , only for the same type sound as say the rear surrounds so thats not gonna work. Well you are right i am moving this weekend and will get everything set up and see how it sounds. I really would like to build an awesome sound system for my house and after hearing some of the fed back on what i have hope that i can achieve satisfactory results with my TSI's. Maybe not but i guess it wont hurt to try. Tell me if my thinking is correct on this. I think i will go ahead and buy either the TSI 100'S OR tsi 200's and that will complete my 5.1 set up with all matched speakers instead of getting the 500's. That way if i'm not happy with the what the TSI's soundlike i haven't invested 1000.00 dollars in a set of towers i dont llike. As of now i do like what i am hearing from them musically and for HT. I had the Klipsch quintet and i really gained alot of sound going to the Polk's. I have been back into audio for about three years now primarily in the audio realm and currently have Focal's polyglass line in my truck and they are super accurate and i am trying to achieve audio euphoria but i find it's only through trial and error and alot of expense that you "might" ever reach that or i haven't heard the right speakers or sound yet. So i am trying to use you alls advice on things to try and get it right in my home set up. Thanks for all your help. Jarod

tonyb

Jarod,
It's all good man, audio is a process, one of self discovery. Sometimes it's a slower process due to budget constraints, other times you hop, skip, and jump up a few notches rather quickly. Take your time, try out what you have first and you'll have a better idea of what needs to improve. We are always around to help you spend your money.:cheesygrin:

jarod

no doubt man. i really appreciate everyones input and find your comment on self discovery right on the money. Its seems like i have expanded my mind and my tastes for that matter on quite a few things. I never thought i would like the "blues" or that type of music and i now own a 3 disc set of BB King that i listen to all the time as well as acooustic recordings and my latest is Sully Ernas AVALON and man that album is a must for his fans or really anyone who likes music. I will try and get set up this weekend and let you guys know how it sounds and to probably ask more questions on how to make it the best it can be. Catch you guys on the flip side.:razz: