help on upgrading to 7.1

flyingrhino

Inadvertantly put this in the wrong forum!

I have an RM7300 system for HT. Just upgraded to Onkyo 801 amp and want to add speakers to get 7.1. At this point I don't want to replace the whole speaker system. What I want to do is add a front pair and move the existing fronts to the middle. At the same time I would like to move forward some so that eventually I can upgrade the whole system.

Existing system:

RM2000II front and rear, 150 - 22k freq. response.
RM2500C center, 125 - 22k
PSW300 sub, 19 - 150.

I am thinking of adding R50's for the fronts. They have a range of 40 - 24k. Would I also have to replace the center? If so, I am torn between the Csi30 and the Csi3.

My biggest unknown is how my little RM2000II's would do as the surrounds in this system. Eventually I would add the proper surrounds.

Any ideas or suggestions? My room is 13x16 so I can't go too big on the speakers. The system I have now rattles the windows pretty well!

Thanks

David

dorokusai

Well, it seems from your post that you have thought about the R and RTi series. I think your idea of starting with the front stage is a good one, but since you are a movie watcher....you should think about entire front stage. Don't let that scare you, as I would just add the center channel into the equation. Your center channel is the most important speaker in HT, as it carries 60+% of all movies.

The R series is a fine choice, but why not step up to the RTi line since the older line is going for great prices these days. The new RTi line(e.g. Csi3..RTi4) is posting premium prices, typically.

Space at a minimum? You were using miniature speakers previously so.....

I would suggest getting into an RTi28 and CSi30 for starters and IMO, the most cost effective upgrade. Both speakers are great performers and offer alot of "bang for the buck". If you want to bump a bit more, get RTi38's, as the 2CH(stereo) listening portion gets even better with a larger driver and cabinet.

Price range always helps us here, but look for deals on RTi's in your local brick-n-mortar stores. Let us know how you fare.

flyingrhino

Thanks for the response.

Checked CC and they don't show the CSi30, RTi28, or RTi38 as in stock. I don't know if they can special order them or not, will check today.

Search on google shows Crutchfield has CSi30 for 149.99. They want too much for the others.

I would go the 38's for the front and CSi30 for the center. These are in my desired price range. Any ideas on a good source for these at a good price?

The room design lends to mounting speakers on the wall. I can put the fronts on stands but the sides and back need to be up high. I love my 7300 but it will eventually end up in another room when I totally replace it.

Am I going to run into problems a year from now in trying to match these speakers to finish replacing my little surrounds?

Thanks for the help.

David

dorokusai

I would pick up the CSi30 from Crutchfield. Stay tuned to Ebay for the others, and post a WTB(Wanted to Buy) ad in the Flea Market.

The matching surrounds for that RTi series, would be the FXi30 and FXi50. They are also posting good prices, you may end up replacing them all. You could drop down into the RTi28, and add the FXi30 for surrounds...the cost offset should be nominal.

I would imagine that at some point in time it will be hard to find anything, but the RTi series is extremely popular...with people moving into the new stuff, the old always gets sold. I would not worry about it, they will be around.