New home theater 7.1 setup help

Rogalewski

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of buying Polk speakers for a 7.1 setup in my living room. I'm looking at spending somewhere around $1500 dollars. I've put together two possible setups and would appreciate some advice on which one is better, should I mix anything around, consider other options, etc.

I have a Denon AVR-2112CI receiver. I am using a $250 Onkyo 7.1 speaker set that just sounds plain awful with it.

I'm basing most of this off Polk's recommendations.

I found setup #1 at:
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/monitor70/
The only change I made was to the subwoofer. Should I consider the PSW125 instead of the 505 if I go with that
setup?

I found setup #2 at:
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/index.php?s=rtia5
and
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/rti8/
I read on here that the RTI8 is identical to the RTIA A5 so I mixed and match the recommended setups with what I could find at good prices. Should I go with a DSW sub as is recommended for this setup? They seem hard to find.

So here's what I'm considering...

SETUP #1
Subwoofer: PSW505 = $250 (NewEgg)
Front: Monitor70 Series II = $220 each / $440 (NewEgg)
Center: CS2 Series II = $150 (NewEgg)
Surround Side & Back: Monitor40 Series II = $170 each * 4 = $680 (NewEgg)
Total = $1520 (NewEgg generally has all of those items much cheaper on sale though)

SETUP #2
Subwoofer: PSW505 = $250 (NewEgg)
Front: RTI8 = $400 (PolkAudio eBay)
Center: Csi5 = $225 (PolkAudio eBay)
Surround Side & Back: FXI A4 = $299 each pair * 2 = $600
Total = $1475

Thanks for the help!!

TNHNDYMAN

If you are going the AVR route only and not using an external amp, then I would recommend setup 1 with some changes....

The Monitor 30's will be more than enough for the side and back surround duties. Use the saving to get a better internet direct sub in the $500 range. And with using avr only I would also recommend going with the Monitor 60's for you front left and right. Trying to use an AVR with 7 ch is asking alot with anything under the $2000 hi end of receivers. If you are using a quality sub then most of your low freq will be handled by it anyways so there is no need for the extra capability of the 70's vs the 60's. Keep the CS2 it's a nice center and much better than the CS1 ( I've had both).

If your AVR has pre outs for an external amp and you were willing to use a decent amp then setup 2 could be a better system. I think you'd be wasting the extra cash though if using the AVR only.

Nothing wrong with the PSW505 sub. It's better than what I have currently. I'd save some money on the front and surrounds and go with the best sub I could- especially if this is for a home theater blu ray type system mainly.

TNHNDYMAN

PS- Welcome to Club Polk where we love to empty your wallet.

codyc1ark

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

PS- Welcome to Club Polk where we love to empty your wallet.

Yeah, because you already emptied yours with your last purchse.

Geoff4rfc

codyc1ark wrote: »

Yeah, because you already emptied yours with your last purchse.

Rogalewski, welcome aboard! Nice little AVR, but since it doesn't have pre-outs to add external power, I agree with the TN handyman's suggestion, that is of course, unless you'd want to upgrade your receiver with pre-outs and then go with option #2 and change the fronts to RTi10's

TNHNDYMAN

codyc1ark wrote: »

Yeah, because you already emptied yours with your last purchse.

That's true but I'm loving the 2.3's and will be doing upgrades soon. Talk to you soon.

B Run

I'd go setup #2 hands down. Better sounding speakers and an amp or AVR would help with either setup. I wouldn't run either one at very high volumes with that AVR and personally would just run 5.1 instead of draining your AVR trying to power 7 channels. But as far as just speakers are concerned the Rti line is a step up and you'll be much happier with the Fxi's for surround duty.

Rogalewski

Thanks everyone for the great replies.

So is it safe to say that since my Denon AVR2112CI does not have amp pre-outs and I'm not really interested in getting a new one since I just bought it, I should stick with setup #1?

After looking around for a good sub, I came across this one: VTF-2 MK4. Seems from reviews it would be much better than the PSW505.

cr136124

Welcome to the Polk Audio world!

Based on the two options that you are considering right now, I will go with Setup #2.

Now, if you are willing to consider / evaluate other options, then I would probably consider spend a little bit more money on the front speakers (RTi A5s or perhaps RTi A7s).

Of course in order to balance your budget, I will probably buy a different set of speakers for the surround sound. To help you on the budget issue, please look at Amazon the PSW505 is currently at $199.99

Is it possible to install in-wall or in-ceiling speakers at your living room?

Rogalewski

As luck would have it, I just purchased the Denon 2112CI on May 29th and could still return it for a full refund and get something better with pre-outs.

Any suggestions on a receiver with pre-outs? I see the 3312CI (has pre-outs) has gone as low as $550 which considering I spent $400 on 2312CI isn't bad.

Also, how much would a decent amp cost me for setup #2? Any suggestions on amps?

Thanks so much everyone!

Rogalewski

In-wall - probably not. In ceiling I think would be possible but I'd have to check.

leroyjr1

Return it and get the Denon 3312

B Run

I'd definitely go with #2 and the Denon 3312, you will not be disappointed. Good luck!

EndersShadow

Rogalewski wrote: »

Any suggestions on a receiver with pre-outs? I see the 3312CI (has pre-outs) has gone as low as $550

Where did you find that price..... inquiring minds want to know....


nm... I thought it had XT 32, not just XT....

mystik610

I'd imagine that the RTi8's would be easier to drive than the Monitor 70's, and would probably be the better choice for home theater running off an amplifier. (the RTi's have that sparkle in the highs that make them ideal for home theater). I ran the RTi8's off an Onkyo 606 for a while, and it did great for HT. Only added an amp after I decided I wanted more for music (which led to upgrading speakers anyway). The RTi8's are fairly efficient and should work well enough for home theater use. Of course they'll sound better with an amp, but what speaker doesn't?

The only time a separate amplifier is absolutely necessary is when you're driving a really inefficient speaker with hefty impedance demands...and that RTi8's are not one of those speakers

Geoff4rfc

Rogalewski wrote: »

Any suggestions on a receiver with pre-outs? I see the 3312CI (has pre-outs) has gone as low as $550 which considering I spent $400 on 2312CI isn't bad.

If you don't mind Factory refurbished, here's a few that may spark interest;

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR809/Onkyo-TX-NR809-7.2-Channel-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR709/Onkyo-TX-NR709-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR807/Onkyo-TX-NR807-THX-Select2-Plus-135-watts-x-7.2-Network-Receiver/1.html

Of course the refurbs come with a 1year warranty, brand new comes with 2 yr. I have the 807 and bought it new and has served me quite well for over 2 years now.

I have two amps connected to it to complete a 7.2 set up. If I do say so myself, it's a bad a** little receiver, well, little weighing in at just over 40lbs.

EndersShadow

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

If you don't mind Factory refurbished, here's a few that may spark interest;

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR809/Onkyo-TX-NR809-7.2-Channel-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR709/Onkyo-TX-NR709-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR807/Onkyo-TX-NR807-THX-Select2-Plus-135-watts-x-7.2-Network-Receiver/1.html

Of course the refurbs come with a 1year warranty, brand new comes with 2 yr. I have the 807 and bought it new and has served me quite well for over 2 years now.

I have two amps connected to it to complete a 7.2 set up. If I do say so myself, it's a bad a** little receiver, well, little weighing in at just over 40lbs.

Of that list I suggest the 709 or 809 if you can budget it. Both have Audyssey MultiEQ XT which is worth the little bit extra. I am going with either the 709 or 809 myself, likely the 709 as my wife keep shrinking my budget for an AVR weekly lol...

ravaneli

preouts and amp are not necessary unless you are buying big towers. Even then, you will only need FL and FR preouts most likely.

Nonetheless if I were you I would return that receiver and get one of those that Geoff posted. It's just a better deal by far.

Then I would the RTi A5 + 2x A3 and a couple of pretty stands for A3s. They go 40% off on newegg every now and then and can be had for about 650 for all 3.

Then get only 2x monitor 40 from newegg too and live with 5.1 for some time and start monitoring craigs list and For Sale section here for some of Polks dipolar speakers.

But whatever you do don't jump the gun ones decided on a setup. Wait for a good deal on newegg and start scanning the locals..

Rogalewski

So many great suggestions, here's what I'm considering:

Receiver: Denon 3312CI
Subwoofer: VTF-2 MK4 Subwoofer ($519)
Front: RTI8 = $400 (PolkAudio eBay)
Center: Csi5 = $225 (PolkAudio eBay)
Surround Side & Back: FXI A4 = $299 each pair * 2 = $600

Only reason I'm thinking of going with the Denon over the Onkyos is the Denon seems to be the one with good sales right now and I don't want to buy a refurb.

Few more questions:

1. Are the RTI A5s worth double the price of the RTI8s ($200 vs $400 each)?

2. Should I go with an Amp to power the RTI8s (or A5s if we go that route) or will the more powerful Denon be good enough? Or would paying the increased price for an Onkyo 809 be worth it and cancel out the need for an amplifier? I even saw the 4311CI is as low as $1000 now.

Thanks again everyone. This has to be the most helpful forum I've ever posted on. You guys are awesome.

B Run

I personally wouldn't pay double for the A5's but some might. You can power the Rti8's with an Onkyo 809 or Denon 3312 just fine, an amp will always help but is not necessary for those speakers at all. The Denon 4311 is very nice but for that price i'd snag a Pioneer Elite SC-35 honestly. Not trying to make it any more confusing just trying to give my honest opinion.

Sherardp

Setup #2 with the Epik Legend for the subwoofer would be kick a$$.

Rogalewski

1) Is the Epik Legend better than the VTF-2 MK4?

2) One last question (I promise!), if I went with the below setup, how would it fair with playing music? Is their anything major I should change if I want to use this system for music and home theater? Should I consider maybe RTI A3s for the rear instead of the FXI A4s or anything like that?

Receiver: Denon 3312CI
Subwoofer: VTF-2 MK4
Front: 2 x RTI8
Center: Csi5
Surround Side & Back: 4 x FXI A4

Thanks everyone!

Geoff4rfc

Epik makes a great sub, I haven't heard the one you are comparing the Legend to, but the Legend sports dual 12" drivers and is sealed. I'm running a pair of Empires and they're great for both music and HT.

As far as the RTi's for music, I've only listened to the A9's which I think are great for music, but their top end is the better of the three (A5 and A7), plus, giving the A9 adequate power makes a difference in sound as well. I would think music from the i8 would be "okay". It's a tough call on a budget.

billmich

anyone have a recommendation for presence speakers...like yamaha uses for its soundfields

HTguru1982

Forget the FXiA4's. Too expensive right now. Get these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290252&Tpk=polk%20rti6 $40 off if you purchase by tomorrow.