New Home Theater Setup PLEASE ADVISE!

Lexapro

Hi all,

I recently moved to a new house and my family wants to set up a new home theater system. We already have a nice BDI TV Stand and a 58" Samsung plasma set; all we need now is the audio components. I have set a preliminary budget of $1000 for everything. I'm looking to get a 5.1 speaker system and an AVR. So far, I've found the following pieces:

Fronts: 2x Polk Audio Monitor 60 - $240
Center: Polk Audio CS1 - $63
Surround: Polk Audio F/X Wireless - $210
Subwoofer: Polk Audio PSW10 - $100
Total So Far: $613

I have a few questions:

• I have no idea what kind of AV Receiver to get. I only have a Playstation 3 (HDMI), Cable (HDMI) and Wii (Composite) as inputs. I don't need a lot of advanced features; just something that will be able to power all my speakers without damaging them.
• Is the F/X Wireless good? I hear mixed reviews with people mentioning popping, turning off on it's own, and interference. I'd like to get wireless surround speakers to avoid having to do front-to-back cabling. What are some good alternatives?
• Finally, I have hardwood floors. Is there any possibility the speakers will damage the floors? And if so, how can I avoid this?

Hope you guys can help. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated! :redface:

EndersShadow

Lexapro wrote: »

Fronts: 2x Polk Audio Monitor 60 - $240
Center: Polk Audio CS1 - $63
Surround: Polk Audio F/X Wireless - $210
Subwoofer: Polk Audio PSW10 - $100
Total So Far: $613

Couple comments on your speaker choices. Since your pretty tight budget wise for everything, here are some of my suggestions:

Fronts: Monitor 50's - do the 60's sound a bit better, yes, but you will be more than happy with the 50's. The Monitor 50's are basically Monitor 40's with built in stands and are still good.
Center - CS2 - dont skimp here most of your dialog comes from this speaker. The CS1 is ok but go with the CS2, its worth the difference
Surrounds - Polk Monitor 30's - skip the wirless FX unless you have NO CHOICE. The Wireless FX are not bad (they have a new reciever for the signal that fixes the popping), just expensive.
Sub - PSW505 MINIMUM - spend a fair portion of your budget on your sub. The PSW505 is the ONLY PSW sub I would suggest. There are many other subs that I could recommend but most of them will be in the upper 400-500 dollar range, which you dont have right now.

Total off newegg right now for that setup is: 649.

I suggest you get ALL of these speakers from Newegg. Sign up for their email ad's, they VERY frequently put the Polk Monitor's on sale. Buy them on sale if you can to save a couple more bucks, maybe even get the Monitor 60's for your fronts instead of the 50's. Also Polks ebay site sometimes has deals on the Monitor speakers, but its pretty rare. Newegg is where its at for them

Lexapro wrote: »

I have a few questions:I have no idea what kind of AV Receiver to get. I only have a Playstation 3 (HDMI), Cable (HDMI) and Wii (Composite) as inputs. I don't need a lot of advanced features; just something that will be able to power all my speakers without damaging them.

For what you need I would look at something along the lines of the Onkyo NR709. I recommend this model specifically because its got something called pre-outs. These are used to allow you to add an external amplifier at a later date if you want to that has more power than your reciever. MOST of us here prefer to have that option. You will find that many recievers listed wattage isnt really what you get with all channels driven.

Most AVR's dont really have LOTS of wattage. They have enough to drive the speakers you have listed pretty good, but being able to add a dedicated amp later on is ALWAYS a good option. It allows you to keep the reciever longer as long as its feature set meets your needs and augment its power with an amp if you ever get speakers like the RTI or LSi line that do MUCH better with a dedicated amp.

The Onkyo 709 can be found at accessories4less.com for 420 plus shipping to your door as a REFURB. Now its a manufacture authorized refurb, so its got a 1 year warranty with it instead of the normal 2 year. You might be able to find a new 709 for a bit more, but its gonna be hard.

If you can stretch your budget a bit more the Onkyo 809 is 600 plus shipping and that would be the BEST reciever IMHO for your setup. I dont think it would leave you wanting for a very long time. I would say stretch it now so your not left wondering what if.

So that puts you at probably about 1200 if you buy at the prices I listed above.

Lexapro wrote: »

Is the F/X Wireless good? I hear mixed reviews with people mentioning popping, turning off on it's own, and interference. I'd like to get wireless surround speakers to avoid having to do front-to-back cabling. What are some good alternatives?

Its ok, their is a new reciever that you can get that fixes the popping if your having that problem. You would call Polk customer service to learn more. Personally its worth doing the front to back cabling. You can get a spool of 300 feet of 14 gauge speaker wire from Monoprice.com for 76 dollars. That should be MORE than enough. They also have smaller spools if you needed. I would suggest getting 14 guague wire over 16 however.

Lexapro wrote: »

Finally, I have hardwood floors. Is there any possibility the speakers will damage the floors? And if so, how can I avoid this?

Doubtful they will scratch it up, but if your unsure you could always get 2 pieces of ceramic tile to put down on the floor and put the speakers on the tile. Just put some of those plastic feet from like walmart on the bottom of the tile. I think the bottoms of the Monitor 60's wouldnt scratch as long as you didnt drag them along the floor .

hochpt21

Center - CS2 - dont skimp here most of your dialog comes from this speaker. The CS1 is ok but go with the CS2, its worth the difference

+1...I learned this the hard way

B Run

+1, that's some great advice and I think you'll be happier in the long run with that setup.

Lexapro

Thanks for all the input. People have suggested the Energy S10.3 Subwoofer as a cheaper alternative to the PWS505. I really like the BIC F12 as well. Does anyone here have any experience with those?

The M60s are just as cheap as the M50s right now, so unless that changes, I don't see any reason to step down right? I'll definitely upgrade to the CS2 if you guys say the difference is worth it.

I'm looking at the Onkyo TX-NR414 for an AVR. It's a bit cheaper than the TX-NR609, which is what I'd otherwise get. Think this would be a good fit for my system?

EndersShadow

Lexapro wrote: »

Thanks for all the input. People have suggested the Energy S10.3 Subwoofer as a cheaper alternative to the PWS505. Does anyone here have any experience with those?

I dont, so I will let others chime in

Lexapro wrote: »

The M60s are just as cheap as the M50s right now, so unless that changes, I don't see any reason to step down right? I'll definitely upgrade to the CS2 if you guys say the difference is worth it.

That makes sense to me. And yes go with the CS2

Lexapro wrote: »

I'm looking at the Onkyo TX-NR414 for an AVR. It's a bit cheaper than the TX-NR609, which is what I'd otherwise get. Think this would be a good fit for my system?

I personally would spend as much as you can on your AVR now, especially since your using it to power your speakers. I would suggest the 709 as a minimum as IMHO anything under that wont have nearly as much power as you think it will.

One thing you need to remember is that you need to have enough power to fill the entire space, including any rooms that open into this one, with sound. To do that you really do need some significant power. The 414 will NOT have enough IMHO, and I would suggest the 709 again as the lowest AVR you should get. Its THX certified so you WILL have good sound, its got Audyssey XT to help make things sound better which you will want. The 414 has MultiEQ, or 2EQ and they are not nearly as good as Audyssey XT. I am looking at buying the 709 mostly due to Audyssey XT. I have 2EQ now and it simply does not cut it.

A graph of the differences between the versions of Audyssey can be found at the bottom of the page at this link

chumlie

If you don't get the 709 as Enders suggests. Spend the extra $40 on the 609.

Zeros

Lexapro wrote: »

Thanks for all the input. People have suggested the Energy S10.3 Subwoofer as a cheaper alternative to the PWS505. I really like the BIC F12 as well. Does anyone here have any experience with those?

I have a BIC F12 in my system and think it is an excellent subwoofer for the price. I think I paid about $180ish for it.

Nfluencial

I have 2 BIC F12's 2 Monitor 60's as front left and right, a CS10 as center which will be upgraded to a CS20 or the next series up within the next month, 2 RC80's as rears and 2 RC85i's as front heights. The BIC F12 is a great budget sub and I like it better than the PSW line. It can get a bit boomy but with a receiver that calibrates using Audyssey it handled a great deal of that. When I watch movies now, the couches shake like I am in the explosions and when listening to music it shakes the house. For a beginner sub on a budget I would not hesitate to recommend them. My room is 20x17 open to the kitchen and these subs handle nicely. I would reccomend 2 subs of any kind as the sound dramatically improves.. NOT VOLUME but true frequency. It helps cancel any nulls when placed properly.. I have both set with the volume/gain knob on the back of the subs to 2 out of 10(max). -5db on the receiver and 0db during great LFE movies. Nice beginner setup which I'll keep for a year or two... Till upgraditis sets back in.

Lexapro wrote: »

Thanks for all the input. People have suggested the Energy S10.3 Subwoofer as a cheaper alternative to the PWS505. I really like the BIC F12 as well. Does anyone here have any experience with those?


The M60s are just as cheap as the M50s right now, so unless that changes, I don't see any reason to step down right? I'll definitely upgrade to the CS2 if you guys say the difference is worth it.

I'm looking at the Onkyo TX-NR414 for an AVR. It's a bit cheaper than the TX-NR609, which is what I'd otherwise get. Think this would be a good fit for my system?

Lexapro

The Denon AVR-1712 looks great but I can't find one for sale for less than $399. Are there any cheaper options that also have Audyssey MultEQ XT? That seems like the big feature to have.

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk!

Firstly, how can one say a sub is very good if it can "get boomy"?

Secondly, if you're going Denon you don't want to go lower than the 1900 series, the 17XX like the 414 are entry level units. Go up, at least to the mid-level units for some more power and a little cleaner sound! I know people are on budgets and one often likes to get the newest and latest. But the 60X series and the 19XX are just hands down the better product!

I've never heard the BIC-12 so can't comment there. But the PSW 505 has been around longer and is time tested at this point. And recently, newegg.com had it on discount for 198 shipping included?

M-60s, CS2, get a couple of M-30s for surrounds (not much info back there and they're good to 60 hz and wall mountable).

PS3 to HDMI on any of the receivers above will be no problem. They have all the connections you need!

Hardwood floors, just get some floor protectors that you use under furniture--you can find those pads at any K-mart/Walmart! You'll need 8 (4 x 2 for the M-60s)

And have fun!

cnh

Sherardp

Welcome to the club!!! I would think with a budget like that you may even be able to get in the RTi line up which is way better. Less chance of upgrading when it's all fired up.

RTi8 399.00
CSI5 Center 225.00
FXiA6 339.00
Epik Legend 499.00
Receiver Pioneer Elite SC 35/35 600-800

I know you're thinking WTF because this exceeds your budget. Thing is if you buy piece by piece you'll have a much better rig that will make you grin ear to ear. I'm sure the others would agree with this, and it would save you coin/headache by wanting to upgrade. You know those, "what if's". Give it some thought, if you think you will be fine go for the initial setup. Some excellent ideas posted thus far though.

Lexapro

As much as I would love to be able to step up to a 3 thousand dollar system, I need to show some restraint here or we won't have any money left over for other things. As anyone who has moved to a larger place has surely experienced, your old possessions start seeming very small and inadequate. There's a lot of furniture and other less exciting purchases to be made, so as tough as it is, I'm gonna stick to my guns (and my budget).

I've basically got it down to the following:
Fronts: Polk M60s ($240)
Center: Polk CS2 ($120)
Surrounds: Polk M30s ($90)
Sub: BIC F12 for now, PSW505 if it drops to $200 again ($200)
AVR: Denon AVR-1912 (probably refurbished, $350)

I think that puts me right at $1000, plus a bit extra for wiring and misc.

OKay guys, I think I've done it!

devani

that's great choice....they will keep you have for a long time....monitor 60 is better choice...

I have Monitor 50 and to me they are short....I currently have RTi6 (newegg had them for $150+tax) and Fxi3 as HT wall mounted...i am looking for CSi5 as my center....

Joe08867

I would suggest an AVR with Preouts for possible future upgraditis, And also the Polk PSW505 over the BIC. I have heard both and the PSW is better overall to my ears. It isn't as boomy and is much more musical then the BIC. The extra money for it is worth it.

Nfluencial

As I mentioned it was boomy before calibrated with Audyssey and set properly. I have hardwood floors and had to isolate the sub from the flooring and after the audyssey cal problem solved.. I suspect it was an acoustics with the room issue not a sub issue. I also agree that the 19x series is a good base selection.. If youre planning running amps on the front speakers bump up to the 32x series. If you are not running amps then the 19 will be fine as it gives more eq options and cleaner and more power.

cnh wrote: »

Welcome to Club Polk!

Firstly, how can one say a sub is very good if it can "get boomy"?

Secondly, if you're going Denon you don't want to go lower than the 1900 series, the 17XX like the 414 are entry level units. Go up, at least to the mid-level units for some more power and a little cleaner sound! I know people are on budgets and one often likes to get the newest and latest. But the 60X series and the 19XX are just hands down the better product!

I've never heard the BIC-12 so can't comment there. But the PSW 505 has been around longer and is time tested at this point. And recently, newegg.com had it on discount for 198 shipping included?

M-60s, CS2, get a couple of M-30s for surrounds (not much info back there and they're good to 60 hz and wall mountable).

PS3 to HDMI on any of the receivers above will be no problem. They have all the connections you need!

Hardwood floors, just get some floor protectors that you use under furniture--you can find those pads at any K-mart/Walmart! You'll need 8 (4 x 2 for the M-60s)

And have fun!

cnh