Buying new speakers... Questions about sound

jayno20

I know this site may be a little biased since I am asking about Polk speakers, but I'll ask anyway.

Currently I have a Pioneer VSX-33 receiver with an XBOX one as my primary blu-ray player. I have a 5.1 set up with an older speaker package (JBL SCS160si) and the sound has always been pretty good. I have all the speakers mounted on the wall and it even looks pretty good.

I am moving into a new place that won't allow these to be mounted on the wall and I've been thinking about buying a new set recently anyway. So I am looking to buy some new speakers.

So far I have really liked the reviews/looks of Polk stuff. Here is what I am looking to get:

2 Polk RTi8 for the front
2 Polk RTi4 for the rear
1 Polk CSi3 for the center
1 Polk PSW505 for the sub

How do you guys think this will sound? I am hoping to hear a pretty large difference in sound quality from what I have now... What do you think?

nooshinjohn

I think that looks like a pretty solid package, and should outperform the JBL stuff, but keep in mind that looking to a better receiver to handle them should be on the table as well, or a separate power amp to drive the fronts.

jayno20

I can't find anything saying my receiver doesn't drive the full 110 watts to all channels in surround mode. Would you still recommend an amp for the fronts if it is delivering the full 110 to each speaker?

nooshinjohn

A receiver, and yours in particular, is capable of driving the load you are asking about, but no receiver drives that load @110wpc all channels driven. I suspect you are closer to 70wpc all driven, and that is why, if you want to really take things to another level, a separate power amp is the way to go.

jayno20

Would you recommend only driving the fronts with an amp, or additional speakers as well?

nooshinjohn

The surrounds will be fine driven off the receiver, but the mains will benefit for both music and movies by being powered off an amp.

jayno20

so even without an amp, would you say this setup would sound significantly better than what I currently have?

nooshinjohn

yes...

ken brydson

jayno20 wrote: »

so even without an amp, would you say this setup would sound significantly better than what I currently have?

I agree with John BUT if you are using this for mainly HT and have your speakers set to small you'll be taking quite a load off your AVR by letting the sub handle the heavy lifting. JMHO....

jayno20

Yeah, my current setup is set to small with a sub as well. The new speakers will be set the same way.

jayno20

Would you all recommend the crossover set to 80 with the RTi8's and this sub?

F1nut

If your Pioneer AVR has the ICE or D3 amp, unlike most other AVR's, it will deliver its rated power with 5 channels driven dropping only slightly with all 7 driven. So, IMO you don't need a new AVR or separate power amp for HT purposes. The speakers you are considering are not a difficult load.

jayno20

I know it isn't an ICE amp, not sure what the D3 is... I might look into a cheap amp though.. What brands are good amps? I've never even looked into these.

F1nut

Your vsx-33 does not have either the ice nor the D3 amp

Ah, in that case get a power amp or a new Pioneer Elite AVR with the D3 amp.

tonyb

Couldn't find the specs for the Pioneer VSX33 but here's the VSX 42 which should be close.

HT Labs Measures
Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 66.8 watts
1% distortion at 79.9 watts


Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 58.9 watts
1% distortion at 67.5 watts

So in 5 channel mode, you can expect to pump roughly 67 watts into those RTI8's. Not optimal, but not terrible either. If your going to set them to small and have a separate sub doing the heavy lifting, you should be fine as long as you don't go crazy on that volume dial.

trj

Its a nice setup you are considering. I plan to do the same setup, except for the center (I want CSi5) when I have more room to add gear.
For now, if you are gentle with the volume you should be fine with the setup you are planning. The sub woofer will take the low end load, so the efficient RTi line shouldn't struggle with the receiver at moderate volumes. But, I would definitely add a 2 or 3 channel amp to power the front stage if your receiver has the pre-outs.
Also, polk subs are not the best out there. PSW505 is a decent sub, but you may find something better for same if not slightly more money. If you are not concerned with brand matching, I would go with another brand sub.

jayno20

I like the idea of brand matching but matching in looks all around even more so. If I were to go with the Pioneer sc-85 which is a D3 amp, what kind of power per channel would be getting put out in a 5.1 setup then?

F1nut

what kind of power per channel would be getting put out in a 5.1 setup then?

It's rated power. The DSW Pro 660 is a darn good HT sub, much better than the PSW 505.

jayno20

I don't really have a space restriction and the idea of a wireless sub makes me cringe. Is there another sub for around the 250.00 mark that I would pay for the PSW505 that is better? Doesn't have to be Polk...

F1nut

The wireless is an option with the 660. It has all the usual hook ups.

jayno20

Would you say that sub is the best in that price range? I'd like to stay around 250.00-300.00. What is the best sub I could get for around that price? Like I said doesn't have to be Polk.

jayno20

Actually I do like what I'm reading about the dsw660 especially since it doesn't have to be wireless. Can it be found for less than msrp anywhere?

Thorton

Polk ebay direct store. They're manufacture refurbished but my sub looked brand new and works great. I believe a lot of guys have purchased there. Comes with a warranty too. Amazon and newegg have deals once in a while. The 660 is a good sub for the price.

[Deleted User]

the PSW111 has gotten good reports here and elsewhere.

jeremymarcinko

To answer your question the 505 is great for the price and only has a few rivals at that price point. Watch Newegg I paid $169 shipped for my 505 and it has met my expectations....placement is very important. Of course there is better but the 505 is far from bad and is very affordable.

msg

man, if you can go a little higher up on the budget, the HSU STF-2 is pretty good. not sure how it compares to what the others have recommended, but just another option to consider. I use one in my second system in a 14x16 room, and I like it. doesn't offer any "port tuning" like their other models, but still pretty good.

http://hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

[Deleted User]

I love my Hsu.
(especially in the winter)

tonyb

rednedtugent wrote: »

I love my Hsu.
(especially in the winter)

....but does your HSU love you ? It's been calling you names on facebook, especially in the winter. lol

jayno20

I didn't see any on ebay going for much less than msrp. Is the 660 a lot better than the 505?