RTi38's, CSi40, FXi30, PSW303....hows this for HT? What can I swap? Where to buy?

BoostedA4

I am struggling to decide what to get for my first home theater. If I opt to spend more cash for component than HTiB, the following setup is likely what I'll go for:

RTi38 for front L/R
CSi40 for center
FXi30 for surrounds
PSW303 for sub

My main uses will be gaming (XBOX), DVD's, TV (mainly sports), and CD's plus music from my comp (if possible), so the home theater effect will be in far greater demand than the ability to play stereo/music. Will that above setup give me what I'm looking for?

If spending that much wasn't an issue, I would get the setup in a heartbeat, but I don't feel like dropping over 1G on my first home audio setup. I feel the FXi30's are a lil expensive, considering they cost as much as the mains and are just for surrounds. From what I've read, surrounds don't play all that large of a roll, in which case I'm reluctant to pay what I am for the RTi38s. Given this, what else can I use for surrounds to help cut down costs?

I pieced the above setup, but with CSi30's at crutchfield for just under 750. But I felt the CSi30's would not be a strong enough center....is this a valid thought?

Any suggestions or experiences with this setup or speakers would be great. Also, feel free to recommend where to buy cheap speakers

Thanks!

GZ

If $ is the issue have you considered a pair of RTi28's to replace the FXi30's?
I might add that Crutch was offering the PSW450 for $299.99, the same price as the 303 you're looking at. I don't know if they have any left so you might want to give them a call. 12" woofer and 150 watts instead of an 8" woofer and 100 watts.

Early B.

My advice is to start out with the best setup you can for your budget. The system you outlined is awesome and similar to my own setup. Surrounds play an important role, so get either the Fxi30s or the Rti28s. To save money, you can also consider getting the 28s for the front instead of the 38s. The Csi30 is OK, too.

Do you have to buy all the speakers at one time? I have made the mistake of hastily buying speakers to fit my budget, only to trade them out three months later for what I really wanted.

You can also consider buying used speakers from the guys on this forum.

Ceruleance

i'd stick with the 38's in front, you can go with a csi30 instead a a 40 to save money. depending on how large your room is you may or may not need bipole/dipole speakers like the fxi30's and you could use direct radiating like the 28's. I don't think the 303 represents and incredible value in subwoofers and so I think you may want to look at other polk models or other manufacturer's models. You dont need to have your sub match your other speakers as you wont be able to tell the difference tonally

BTW: If you don't have a receiver yet, make sure you get one with dolby pro logic 2, it's worth it and im pretty sure almost all new model receivers have it.

BoostedA4

Well, I was going to stick with polk since through crutchfield I can get $200 a sub purchase if I buy 500 worth of polk speakers, so I felt that was a decent deal.

My room size is fairly large, (rough estimate of a MAX of 15' x 23'), so I was unsure how well the CSi 30 would do.

As for a receiver, I'm pretty much set on an onkyo TX-SR601..

Shanty

I just bought almost that exact same package from C-field. I did not get the free sub, instead took the $200 discount. It sounds great, I watch a lot of movies and the CSi40 is a great center channel ( which carries 70% of the dialog). Just do it!:)

Fireman99

I would definatly avoid the HTIB for your best option. Go down to the local store and have a listen to the speakers decide what sounds best to you. As for the surrounds I changed my direct radiating surrounds to the FXI 30's and WOW what a diffrence to me anyhow a great speaker. ( Granted I wanted the 50's) now I'm going to add the RTI 4's as my rear surrounds.
Dan

scottvamp

Originally posted by Shanty
I just bought almost that exact same package from C-field. I did not get the free sub, instead took the $200 discount. It sounds great, I watch a lot of movies and the CSi40 is a great center channel ( which carries 70% of the dialog). Just do it!:)

Actually the center channel carries at least 70% of ALL the frontstage sound. Especially sound effects and explostions.

dorokusai

I would suggest that you upgrade your sub into the PSW505. The CSi30 is a very capable center channel, you could offset the cost by dropping the CSi40. The CSi40 is a great center channel, but I wouldn't lose sleep over not having it. I own the CSi30, and it has never failed to handle every movie thrown at it.