New Subwoofer Questions W/ RTi6

Myvet
Myvet Posts: 3
edited November 2003 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
I just purchased RTi6 bookshelves with the CSi3 center for my home theater for my very large, open, tiled living room. I got the PSW202 sub for free with the purchase - a good deal. The salesman said I can exchange the sub for a 303, or 404 and pay the diff. When I hooked up the system last pm, and it sounds really good to me, even the base. I am not ever going to try to "shake the house", but I do enjoy listening to music and movies moderately loud, and the base seamed fine. However, this is the 1st "real" speaker system I have purchased, so I am not sure just how much better - if at all - the upgrade will sound. Am I missing out by not upgrading??????
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited November 2003
    how big is your room?
    are there openings to other rooms? if yes, how big are they?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • Myvet
    Myvet Posts: 3
    edited November 2003
    My room is very open. The actual "living room" is approx 18 wde X 15 deep with vaulted ceiling 9 ft on left 12 ft on right, but it is open to the dinnig area and kitchen directly behind the couch, and a formal living on the right (total of over 1000 sq ft open). It is ALL tiled (we have no carpeting in the house).

    The couch sits approx 12 feet from the TV (60"), with the RTi6's on shelves approx 3 ft to either side of the TV, and the Sub sits on a corner shelf (Built in entertainment center) 3 ft to the right of the TV.

    Most (95% or so) of the listening will be done with me on the couch (12 ft from the speakers), but there is no wall behind the couch to reflect sound, just open space. The rear sourounds are built into the ceiling above and slightly behind the couch.

    Thanks for helping!!!!!!!!
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited November 2003
    Congrats and welcome

    I would say that you are missing quite a bit of the information presented. That being said, the information your missing is primarily based on "experiencing" rather than hearing the sound. The 505 would help this a great deal if you ever "turn up the volume".

    Also, look at the specs. The -3dB (Essentially where you stop hearing any real volume for a speaker) for the 202 is at 45Hz. Your RTi6 drop out at 50Hz. The 505 on the other hand goes to 28Hz. Not earth shattering, but still roughly half an octave below the 202 in addition to far more output at those levels. (FYI: Lowest piano note is 27Hz)

    Only you can make that call though. Can you take home the 404 or 505 and see how much of a difference it makes and then return them if it's not worth it to you? If so, try it.

    Also, would another X dollars break the bank? If you can do the finances, have the room, and get a good deal, go for the 505. I believe you'd enjoy your setup much more.

    That's just my opinion. Also, try them in the store with some DVD/CD's that you know if they won't allow an in home demo.

    I'll stop rambling now.. Good luck on your decision!

    EDIT: You may be better off using the 202 to take the load off of the RTi6's and save for a HSU or SVS at a later date if you start getting an itch for the "theater" experience
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited November 2003
    so >2800 cu ft in main area and around 8000 cu ft of adjacent area... tad on the huge side...

    I'm going to guess you were not looking for theater experiences (or better), and that's fine. you've got a nice little ht rig there, but tbh it's better suited to a 12 x 12 room.

    the 202 is a minimal sub, but the 303/ 404 aren't going to offer all that much more... imo. currently the top dog among polk subs appears to be the 505. would it be worth getting? not necessarily depending on your goals...

    at this point I'd say just continue to enjoy what you have. if and when you decide you want more, your will find uses for your current system.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited November 2003
    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    so >2800 cu ft in main area and around 8000 cu ft of adjacent area... tad on the huge side...

    This is very similar to my last house and I would say that a sub upgrade within the polk line will not give you the HT bang your looking for. Thats a huge room for such tiny subs.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • Myvet
    Myvet Posts: 3
    edited November 2003
    Thanks for all the opinions. I have decided - after reading all your replies and listening to the system again, that I will keep the 202's for now. If I find myself wanting more, I will purchase SVS. However, after listening again, I really am not sure I will need more. The response I am getting from this mini-sub is heart pounding. And since I will only listen at moderate levels, I think I will be fine.

    Thank you again for all your input.
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