Next step in setting up my system

ccfc1986

Hey All,

This is my first post in the world of Polk, so please be patient with me!

I bought a HTIB system a few years ago, it was the following system:

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?class=Systems&m=HT-S6300

I liked it a lot compared to my tv speakers (of course!) but i noticed it 'could' be better. So did some research and talked with friends about speakers and setups, and came up with Polk as my speakers of choice. I recently purchased a CSiA4 center for my system, and the sound from that is a huge improvement over the original speaker that came in the setup. My question for everyone here is:

What should i get next? I believe i SHOULD go and get my LR (i am running just a 5.1 setup, not a full 7.1 due to space limitations in my viewing area). Can anyone give me any suggestions on what to look into? I was looking at the CSiA6 or CSiA8. Probably might go with the A6, then later on get the A8's for for the fronts (LR), then move the A6 to rears.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

B Run

The CsiA6 is a center, i'm assuming you're talking about the Rti6 and Rti8. I'd get the Rti8's as your front mains and put Fxi's for surrounds, or Rti6's as surrounds will work fine as well. Welcome to the forum!

Erik Tracy

First - Welcome to Club Polk!

Second - upgrade suggestions will always be dependent on what your budget is? Did you have a budget in mind?

The CSiA4 is a good center - so a nice start.

The HTIB you linked has smaller bookshelf type speakers - did you want to stay with bookshelf speakers?

You mentioned the CSiA6 - but that is a center speaker - really not suitable for left and right applications.
Did you mean the RTi6 bookshelf?
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rti6

And you also mentioned the CSiA8 - did you mean the RTi8 tower speaker?
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rti8

Just want to get on the same page as to what you were looking at.

Cheers,
Erik

ccfc1986

Erik Tracy wrote: »

The CSiA4 is a good center - so a nice start.

Thank you!

Erik Tracy wrote: »

The HTIB you linked has smaller bookshelf type speakers - did you want to stay with bookshelf speakers?

Nope, i am open for anything. I have the floor space for full standing speakers etc - i currently have the bookshelf speakers on stands for the LR and surrounds

Erik Tracy wrote: »

You mentioned the CSiA6 - but that is a center speaker - really not suitable for left and right applications.
Did you mean the RTi6 bookshelf?
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rti6

And you also mentioned the CSiA8 - did you mean the RTi8 tower speaker?
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rti8

Yes, my bad - i went CSIaX crazy in my post, I apologize. I was looking at the RTi series, and wanted thoughts on them. My budget at this point is more open - I would like to get opinions on what would fit my needs. Speaking of needs, I am looking for a nicer/cleaner sounding system with a little more range than I currently get with the plastic and relatively weak speakers i have now.

My CSiA4 was bought through E-Bay refurbished and I had no issues with that. I would probably so a similar route when getting the rest of the setup if what I want become available.

I guess a follow up question - what can my current reciever handle? Is this going to be a weak point in my wish for nicer speakers/gear in the future?

If so, where do i lean on a new receiver? Brands? Specs? etc. (lets leave this as an afterthought though - I personally want to drive the discussion towards the speakers first!)....

Thanks for all the replies so far!

jkg123

I would look into the RTiA5s for your left and right

jkg123

They will match your new center perfectly and do not need a tremendous amount of power to drive

Erik Tracy

Again - how much money have you found in the couch cushions for an upgrade? :cheesygrin:

Did you really say 'open'??? Cuz we can spend your money like no one else!!

ccfc1986

Let's go with the nice round number of $800-1000. (I have a large couch....and I only have 1, so that would be the absolute maximum I would like to spend)

Cheers

Erik Tracy

Are you primarily interested in improving the sound experience for movies? Or do you (would you) like to listen to music and want to get serious about that?

Your AVR will be holding you back if you upgrade the speakers, imo. So you'll have to consider that as a future upgrade or split your budget to include a better AVR, but it will reduce how much you can spend towards speaker upgrades - just be mindful that depending on the speaker you get - you may have to be careful on how loud you go with the volume!

ccfc1986

I mainly watch movies on my system. I feel I will et to listening to more music on the system with time, but its definitely not my greatest concern right now.

Let's assume I upgrade speakers now, to the best recommended based on the assumption a newer receiver is got 6 months down the road.

I believe a new receiver would go for about 500?

Thanks

Erik Tracy

Oh - a new receiver can go for much more!

I'm kinda with jkg123 for the RTiA5s if you want to go current - or keep an eye on the Polk ebay site...wait for a good deal to show up for some refurbished gear.

The AVR upgrade path is usually done as:
1) good quality AVR with sufficient power to drive your speakers and have audio pre-outs (very important)
2) quality external amp later when you have the budget to then use the pre-outs

But the number of possible paths is dependent on what is at the top of your list at the time.

ccfc1986

Probably a dumb question
....but the pre-outs are used/for use with an amp correct? Is there any recommended sites/documents in which I could get the low down on all things home theatre related?I don't like not knowing what I should and I'd liketo be educated in what I have and what I need etc....

Thanks!!!!!!!

tonyb

Yeah, this site.

If your still running the receiver that came with the HTIB, your going to limit yourself on what speakers you can use/power with it. Enter preouts. That option gives you the ability to upgrade to any speaker by adding additional power amps. Hence we always recommend a receiver with preouts because that upgrade bug bites people hard once they start hearing what a good system sounds like.

I realize the difference between whats needed and what one wants, but you have to look down the road a tad too and not box yourself in with what choices will be available to you.

ccfc1986

Pre-outs with the type of speakers I'm looking at aren't necessarily required right now right? The power for the speakers is 20-250w and my receiver is up to 130w. So that just means im not getting all the power/sound out of the speakers until I upgrade the receiver (with preouts) and get an amp.
.correct?