Speaker Choice for HT

PolkWannabie

I need some help with speaker choice for a HT setup with an Onkyo TX-NR801 receiver.

Amplifier Section
Power Output* (8 ohm, 20 Hz-20 kHz, FTC)
Front L/R 100 W/Ch
Center 100 W
Surround L/R 100 W/Ch
Surround Back 100 W/Ch (L/R)

Power Output* (6 ohm, 1 kHz, FTC)
Front L/R 130 W/Ch
Center 130 W
Surround L/R 130 W/Ch
Surround Back 130 W/Ch (L/R)

Dynamic Power** (front)
3 ohm 250 W/Ch
4 ohm 210 W/Ch
8 ohm 130 W/Ch

I'm currently running some older not wonderful speakers but want to switch to Polks all around and get the best ones I can that a receiver with the above specs can drive.

I assume ?! that the LSi's are not really a viable option for this receiver w/o additional amplification at least to the mains, so my question(s) are ...

1. Is my assumption about the LSi's correct ?
2. How far up the RTi line can I go and still have this receiver effectively drive without and with additional amplification.

Thanks in advance.

Rick

Loud & Clear

With that type of receiver, similar to mine I assume, I'm fond of the RTi8 & CSi5 combo (or similar older models) for the front stage. Of course that also assumes you'll be augmenting your bass with a subwoofer. That's all I'll say for now.

amulford

How big is the room you are setting up? What kinds of levels are you trying to reach? What is your budget?

Your speaker choice will have alot to do with the answers to the above. 100 WPC will drive alot of models, albeit not the LSi's, which are rather power hungry and rated at 4 ohms. Unless you are dead set on brand new stuff, you could set up with some of the older models found pre owned and have a very nice system.

PolkWannabie

amulford,

In regards to your questions:

The room is about 16x24x9.

I'm not sure about how to answer the question regarding the levels I'm trying to reach.

Budget is not really an issue and I would consider adding mono-blocks to drive the main speakers although I'd rather not have to bring in a 7.1 amp to drive them all at a higher levels.

I'm not necessarilly dead set on new equipment although I haven't seen anything in the current Polk line that's totally out of control in terms of price.

Loud & Clear,

I will of course be bringing in a powered subwoofer.

amulford

Nice sized room to fill. This will also depend on the HT arrangement (screen placement), but if I were to buy a new 7.1 set up it for room that size without budget constraints utilizing 100 WPC, it would be something like this:

Fronts - RTi 70's
center - CSi 40
side surround - FXi 50's
rear surround - RTi 38's
subwoofer - SVS Dual CS Ultra (http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_csultra.htm)

If you want, there is a system builder on this site you could play around with:

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/

Let us know...:D

PolkWannabie

Thanks for the reply ...

I'm leaning more to the RTi12's, CSi5 & FXi5's w/an SVS sub and Outlaw mono's to sufficiently drive the mains ...

Tell me I'm crazy but tell me why ...

Also do you have a feel for the differences between the RTi150 and the RTi12 ? The reason I'm asking is there seem to be some "relatively" inexpensive but new RTi150's rolling around.

Mike Reeter

Very GOOD choices Amulford has listed,the RTi70's /CSi40 can be bought worth the money right now,also the FXi50's...

An alternate choice to your back surrounds could be a couple of center channel speakers...

Or you could go with the new RTi series,very SEXY looking speaks,either series would make for awesome H.T.

And,of course,an SVS sub to top it all off!!!

Mike Reeter

Many here will tell you not to run the 12's/150's if you plan on having a quality sub such as an SVS,but,I say go for it,if that's what you want...

The 12's /150's have a certain "look" about them that is very appealing...but your right,you will need MORE power to drive em...

Good luck and happy hunting!!!

PolkWannabie

Why ? ... Too much low end ?

Also as asked previously, does anyone have a feel for the differences between the RTi150 and the RTi12 ? The reason I'm asking is there seem to be some "relatively" inexpensive but new RTi150's rolling around.

amulford

Yes, for some that may be "too much". I am from a different line of thought, however, and think I can never have too much bass.

The difference b/t the 12's and the 150's are in the driver's and port designs. both would give considerable low end performance.

This would give the room a shaking during LFE tracks, adding to the experience.

You would need to add an amp to drive them properly. I'd say something at least 200 WPC would do.

But if you have no budget constraints, why not go all the way new. I am partial to these:

http://www.sunfire.com/receiver.htm

This vibrates my HOUSE.:D

Mike Reeter

From what I have gathered from a lot of posts is;maybe not TOO much low end,but not enough highs/mids...With only one mid-range on the 150's and three subs,it can be a little shy on the upper end...but if your not using a sub. the total balance should be very good...

I'm just speaking of the knowledge that I've gained here,I've not heard the 150's/12's running with an external sub...So that shows what I know...I'm sure someone will step in that owns that set-up and set ya right.

PolkWannabie

The insight would be highly appreciated ...

I had already played with the system builder prior, but in playing with it again I noticed that there does not appear to be an HT configuration that brings in the 12's/150's and only one suggested configuration where the 10's are present. Maybe this goes to your point.

Additionally there appear to be configs for RTi8's & CSi5 or RTi8's and FXi5's but no config for CSi5 & FXi5's unless one goes with the RTi10's. Curious.

PolkWannabie

Amulford,

With regards to the SVS configuration that you recommend i.e. the Dual CS Ultra's w/Samson amp, would one wire the sub out from the receiver to channel one (1) of the sub's amp and then set the amp to parallel ?

Thanks in advance ...

P.S. I can see why if you are using this set up that you wouldn't need a lot of bass coming from the mains.

amulford

Yes, you would run one interconnect from the preout on the receiver to the sub's amp and use the parallel mode.

But you could also split the IC and use the stereo mode, although you would only be getting the same signal to both channels.

If you found that was not enough, you could always get another and bridge them, running a split IC.;)

Just be sure to add a resistor to the circuit so you don't kill the amps.

Tour2ma

May have missed it, but I don't see any music references here, either 2 ch or multi-ch.

If it's pure HT you're after I completely agree with urgings towards smaller mains, e.g., RTi8's.

If on the other hand you want "pure" 2 ch jollies, i.e., no sub, then the 12's are worth considering. I did hear them with a sub and turned the sub off (a Velo CHT 12 I believe). On their own the 12's will dig as deep as you want for music.

For HT, a sub is needed, even with the 12's, but the 12's dig deep enough to be potentially troublesome (bass management of multiple bass sources). Running them on small is a solution, but a waste if all you want is HT...

amulford

You didn't miss it, Tour, he didn't say anything about music. I am going pure HT, but he could probably enjoy some tunes w/ a good HT set, unless....