Help with speakers for new HT setup

sid369

Hi all,

I have currently a panasonic HTIB. Recently I got a Pioneer Sc1522 K receiver and now I am looking to buy
speakers for a 5.1 set up.

I will buy them in steps but still have a budget set aside. I am very new to this with limited knowledge.

It will be used in a carpeted 20X19 room which opens to the kitchen mostly for Movies/Tv and some music.

There is no frys around here, but I know someone who can ship the speakers if Frys have any deals going on.

I was recommended the pioneer floorstanding fs52 but when I went to the store to listen I did not like them. Next to it were the polk tsi300 which sounded much clear and crisp. But I have read that the monitor series is also almost
the same as the tsi.

So I have been searching for the Monitor 75t, and missed a deal on new egg a couple weeks ago.
Recently, I found out about KEF C series and the Q series, the C series is more in my budget, but I am wondering
how they would compare to the 75T.

I have also read that the LCR should be the same line of speakers,s o which centers will go with this and as for the
sub I am thinking of the Klipsch rw-12d.

What do you guys recommend? Is the RTI is step above the monitor, are they good for 5.1 HT or just music?

eclypse

RTiA is best for HT but i'm sure you would love to hear them play music.

A great set of 5.1 RtiA would be RtiA7 or A5 for fronts and CSIA6 or A5 center and RTiA3 or A1 for surrounds or FXi A6 or A4.

Polk audio direct would be a great place to hunt for them as they have way better deals on the speakers.

I'd say a PSW 505 Sub would be good enough and cheap.. Amazon has them for $175 atm. They were as low as $200 when on sale. Price surely wont last long. EDIT: Crap, already back to $202. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000092TT0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

eclypse

Let me also add that if theres something your looking for at Polk Audio Direct and you don't see it, just ask! Worked for me.. and even a better deal.

gudnoyez

Welcome to Club Polk. I think thats a pretty nice AVR you got there, what is your budget? I think you should get RTI A5s and a A6 center, a psw111 for a sub. Then save some funds, then add a pair of RTI A1s or RTI A3s for rears, if budget allows of course. that would be a sweet set up. I have A5's, A3's, A4 center and a psw111 sub and love it, my only regret is that I should of got a A6 center. You cant go wrong with the RTI seris for HT, and they sound pretty darned good for music. Good luck. If your budget does not permit all at once cover the front stage and run 2.1 and save for the rears later you wont regret it.

michael1947

Welcome to the club. HT is complicated, at least very good HT. Before you commit to speakerage ( that is a word, I made it) re-think everything and look around at how others have their HT set up. There is a world of information and photos on this web site and you owe it to yourself to take advantage of it, that's why we old geezers take the time to publish it and why Polk spends so much money maintaining it. Look both ways, listen and then cross the street into your new system. Regards, Michael

eclypse

Newegg has a better price right now on the 505 sub. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290130

jumpindick

Welcome aboard! I have been here for about a year now and let me say that I have learned a lot by reading valuable posts here. Members do help out a lot.

With regards to the 5.1 HT system, if you are going to keep the set up for quite some time, I would say go for RTiA9. However, with that many people recommend use of external amp. So if budget allows, go for RTiA9, CSi A6 and FXi A6. I have the same set up with Parasound Halo A21 and SC-65, and happier than ever. I use it mainly for Movies. If not, go for RTi A7s. I did not buy a sub. When I bought my speakers from crutchfield.com, they came with PSW 111. The sub was free with every 500 usd spent. I ended up dividing my total purchase in three transactions and got three subs for free... Hope this helps.

sid369

DSkip wrote: »

Frys in Dallas has the rti12 for $300 per, even more deals on others in the line. Might look there instead of the newer rtia.

Thanks for the quick response and recommendations.

That is a great price, but unless they ship I have no way of getting them from Dallas.

Are these speakers too big in size, wife has told me that they should not look overwhelmingly big.

What do you guys think of the KEF Q900 or the KEF Q300.

Yes, I am on a budget and would like to get the speakers L/R first and would like to be in the $300 range each if possible.

This is not a hobby for me as for most of you. I just want to set up a good system that don't need to upgrade for a
long time.

gudnoyez

http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/RTIA5?mv_pc=google_pla&tts=20130419223701&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&gclid=CL_frq2T2rYCFYU-Mgod6CkAkA

If your willing to spend a little more for each speaker $50 then these would be a pretty good deal, not sure if these are a authorized Polk Dealer though.

dkr919

Polk Audio New Monitor 75T...$179.99 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290272&cm_mmc=AFC-dealnews-_-NA-_-NA-_-N82E16882290272

Erik Tracy

What is your budget for your phased approach? I must have missed that.

We can all spend every penny you have as internet audio experts, but if you don't mention what you budget is, kinda hard to bracket the selections.

rpf65

I think you may want to look at the Monitor 60 on the Polk E-Bay site. Looks like it would fit your needs. Your AVR should run those fine, even in 5.1 configuration. I would lean more toward a 2-way rather than a 3-way speaker, if you're just going to power it off an AVR. Less demand, and a sub or 2 will make up for that.

sid369

dkr919 wrote: »

Polk Audio New Monitor 75T...$179.99 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290272&cm_mmc=AFC-dealnews-_-NA-_-NA-_-N82E16882290272

That's a good price. Are these speakers good compared to what you guys recommended. I would rather put a little
More more mo eh in and get a decent pair of speakers.

Budget is $300 for each speakers.

rpf65

There you have it, RTI A5's for less than $300 each, CSI A4 will work, A6 is better for a little more, and your on your way. Add a couple of PSW 505's and a pair of FXI A4 surrounds, kick back and enjoy.

Erik Tracy

I like the Polk RTiA series - and the RTiA3 should be on your list - but - so should the Wharfedales Diamond 10.1s

gudnoyez

rpf65 wrote: »

There you have it, RTI A5's for less than $300 each, CSI A4 will work, A6 is better for a little more, and your on your way. Add a couple of PSW 505's and a pair of FXI A4 surrounds, kick back and enjoy.

Where did you find a pair of RTI A5's for less than $300 each?

rpf65

Polk e-bay

rpf65

Sorry on my phone. Op said 300 each was budget.

eclypse

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RTiA5-CHERRY-Tower-Loudspeaker-Polk-Audio-EACH-ORIGINALLY-399-95-/230965153865?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35c6989049

Only 2 left!! they did not carry the A5s the past month! grab then or the A7s.. if you go A9s u will have to gave an external amp with like 200 Watts per channel to open them up,

sid369

Well, I just told wife about the speakers and she does not want huge speakers. I need WAF speaker recommendations.
Front can be tower but not too big, and the surround can be bookshelves.

rpf65

The RTI A5 don't really look that big. They have a narrow front profile, and are not shaped like a box. The difference in these and just about any bookshelf setting on stands would be about 6 inches high, at most. The rest of the foot print, floor space area is about the same. I have the cherry RTI A5's, and the finish is really close to furniture grade.

Seriously, you could put something on top to protect the finish, set a lamp or vase on top, and it would be mistaken for a tall stand from the sides.

sid369

This the room that I will be setting up the 5.1 and wanted to know from you guys if the locations that I have marked are correct placement for the speakers.

Also, can I get away with bookshelf speakers in this room?

Another question - Is there anyway I can put my media equipment, AVR,s et top box etc in the study room and still be able to control it from the family room?

sid369

I have no fry around here, which store in and around Philadelphia, PA can I go to and listen to the RTIA3,5,7 etc.

rpf65

Personally I would put thr tv on the wall by the garage, and hang the fx's between the windows. You could place your fron mains in the corners indicated, but remember you want the tweeter aimed at a certain spot. Where ever it is that you designate the best room in the house. As faras the sub, corner placement is good, but you'll want it about a foot away from each wall.

You have a really big room for a sub, with the open floor plan the sub will use that rooms air volume also. I think one 12 inch sub will be alright, but a second would be better. Just have a feeling you may have a pretty big null in that room tah sub placement may not correct, unless it is huge. May want to consider doing the sub crawl before you decide placement, I think it is definately needed it in your application.

eclypse

If he places the tv where you mentioned on the garage back wall, he will then get light glare from the windows.

sid369

eclypse wrote: »

If he places the tv where you mentioned on the garage back wall, he will then get light glare from the windows.

The garage wall is not ideal as the light for window will hit the TV.

Would a rtia5 be good size speaker or should I go bigger.

eclypse

Rti A5 would be fine if you match it with a good sub. Would be easier to run with a receiver 100 WATTs+ Per Channel without seperate amps. People have said the A7 was also easier to power and with the A9 you would want a sep amp.

theta

RTi A5 vs A7 is a huge leap, though. Also sort of a different animal.

If you're going for HT front channels, and plan on using a good subwoofer, go with the A5. I have the A7s (and have had the A5s to demo for a week), and often find myself wanting that extra midrange woofer versus the larger bass woofers.

A7s come alive with external amplification, whereas the A5s are easily driven by a clean receiver.

That being said, a crossover upgrade did wonders... but that's for another thread.

sid369

theta wrote: »

RTi A5 vs A7 is a huge leap, though. Also sort of a different animal.

If you're going for HT front channels, and plan on using a good subwoofer, go with the A5. I have the A7s (and have had the A5s to demo for a week), and often find myself wanting that extra midrange woofer versus the larger bass woofers.

A7s come alive with external amplification, whereas the A5s are easily driven by a clean receiver.

That being said, a crossover upgrade did wonders... but that's for another thread.

I bought a Pioneer SC-1522 receiver. Would this be able to adequately power the speakers either the A5 or the A7.
The Sub I plan to buy is the Klipsch RW- 12D. Although, I am thinking if I should get the cheaper Dayton sub instead. I am happy with eth HTIB sub in my apartment now, so I am sure anything above will be great for me. Should I save some money in the sub and get a cheaper one.

I don't want to buy a separate amp If one is needed for the A7, then I guess I should stick with the A5.
Which center would you guys recommend.

Also, please keep in mind, I am coming from a HTIB, and I am not an audiophile. I just want to set up a a good 5.1 system and get speakers that are a good bang for the buck which can fill the room for movies and music.

Also, what would be a good price for the A5 or the A7.

The stores here only have the Polk rti300, would that be a good speaker to listen to compare the A5?

gudnoyez

You mean TSI 300, the A5 is the better speaker get a A6 center along with the A5's.

sid369

What about the Infinity primus P363 from frys at $117 each. I know this a polk forum, however how would these compare to the Polks 75T I know the RTIA5, A7 are probably a step above.