Speaker Upgrade Help

ZenDawgg

Hello good people.

I was hoping someone could give me some advice on upgrading some speakers to my current Home Theater 7.1 surround sound system. Seven or so years ago I wanted to get as much equipment as my budget then would allow. At that time I didn’t have any equipment (not even the big Screen TV).

The following is a list of my current equipment.

52” Sharp Aquous LED TV
Pioneer Receiver 7.1 surround (ELITE VSX01TXH)
Sony SS-F6000 Tower speakers
BIC America DV-62CLRS 6-Inch 2-Way Center Channel Speaker
Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Sub-woofer
Polk Audio RM101 Satellite Speaker (Side Speakers)
Polk Audio RM7 Satellite Speaker (Rear Speakers)

Now I installed all of that and got it working properly but I am not and audio/visual guru. I don’t know that capabilities of my receiver or what I should be looking into for my for my next goal.

I’ve really been getting into listening to Jazz and Classical music lately…thus the reason for replacing my Sony SS-F6000 Tower speakers. I’ve been eyeing up the Polk RTI A9’s but I’m usually a low budget person so that price of those has me a little concerned, especially if I need other equipment.

I hear they really need an amplifier to make them shine so to speak. I also saw comments there should be a pre-amplifier as well???

Can someone give me some suggestions on where to go next? I guess I need to see if my receiver has pre-amp capabilities. If it doesn’t can the speakers be run on just a pre amp?

Sorry for the n00b questions, I guess I have a lot to learn!

Thanks.

zD

rpf65

Be good to know how big of a room you have. Big speakers need a big room, the A9's wouldn't work well in a 10x12 room for instance.

That said you should also look at replacing the center channel, if you're going to replace the front mains. Same manufacturers, and same series. If you want the best possible sound.

Don't know if you plan on adding an amp or avr, so assuming you're going to go with your current one the A7's or A5's would be a better choice. The A7's will be a lot easier to drive than the A9's, and so long as you don't listen real loud should be alright with that avr. You may want to consider an amp with those also.

The A5's are the easiest to drive, and would work even better. Shouldn't have any problem with those even at fairly loud volumes. They are a 2 way speaker, and need a good sub for HT use. You can do much better in the sub department. Again the sub is dependent on budget and room size.

Probably have a few more questions now, so I'll stop here.

honestaquarian

Yeah

What HE said!

A LOT of people don't realize that the speakers should be the first things you get and then you buy an amp or receiver that is capable of handling them. In this case since so much time has passed you cannot do that obviously,but remember that next time.

tonyb

Yes the RTIA9's are nice speakers, but....here's your problem as I see it.

You could use an additional amplifier to drive them. Lucky for you your AVR has pre outs to add one. That however adds a 400 buck cost minimum.

The rest of your speakers and subwoofer will get drowned out. This will be your biggest issue, Using that small center and surrounds won't cut the mustard. The 9's have more bass output than the PSW10 too. One upgrade begets another.

I think you'd be better suited, since your budget minded, to get the RTIA5 OR 7's and upgrade the sub to a Polk 505 or micro pro series....or other brands like HSU or SVS. That center has to go away too but can be done later, along the lines of the Polk a4.

Once you make the jump to bigger floorstanding speakers, those little satellites become useless as well as a small sub. Thus, more money to spend. Maybe think about it, see if you can raise more cash by selling some things you don't need. Then re visit the idea.

ZenDawgg

Thanks to all who responded.

Wow.... so much I don't know and wish I would have done more research 8 years ago when I first pieced this together. But that equipment has served me Ok over the years (...but I guess I really don't know what i was missing).

The room is a finished room in the basement approximately 17' by 26' and the TV and main speakers are in the center of one of the 17' walls.

Just watching normal TV I have the volume somewhat down. I enjoy movies now and then and I play with the volume up more when I watch them.

As I said, I'd like to use this equipment more and more for music enjoyment and plan to play that at a nice comfortable level (no more headbanging heavy metal days for me).

With that information maybe I need to approach my original question differently.

If you had the equipment I have listed and you had $1200 - $1600 this year, what would you upgrade this year with that money? Possibly having that much to spend next year as well.

I do have a lot of things I need to go through and sell for some extra money...but I doubt those things would add up to $1000 or more, but who knows.

Thanks for helping!

Also - if you know of any resources for learning this type of knowledge please let me know.

I'm also planning to start learning the Tenor Sax next month...at age 50!

ZenDawgg

Yes...Continental US

ZenDawgg

Well…after looking on PolkAudio on Ebay:

Polk Audio RTiA7 - $365
Polk Audio RTiA7 - $365
Polk Audio DSWpro550wi 10" - $365 (660 is $80 more).
Polk Audio CSi5 BLACK RTi Center - $275

Total - $1375

But the A7’s and sub are manufacture refurb and only come with a 2 year warranty, not sure how I feel about that.

Does the center have to have an ‘A’ in it like CSI A4, CSI A6?

rpf65

You want the CSI A series. The 6 would be better.

ZenDawgg

Ok – If I go the PolkAudio route on Ebay

Polk Audio RTiA7 - $365
Polk Audio RTiA7 - $365
Polk Audio DSWpro550wi 10" - $365 (660 is $80 more).
Polk Audio CSi A6 Scratch and Dent $339 (Crutchfield)

Total $1434 and A7’s and sub are reconditioned with 2 year warranty.


Right now if you spend $499 at Crutchfield they give you $300 towards a subwoofer.

Polk Audio RTiA7 - $499
Polk Audio RTiA7 - $499
Polk Audio DSWpro550wi 10" - $240 ($540 - $300).
Polk Audio CSi A6 Scratch and Dent $339

Total $1577 and I get full 5 year warranty on all equipment.

ZenDawgg

Thanks xcapri79...

I'll keep that in mind and call it a night. I've done too much thinking and figuring...I'll resume tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone!

F1nut

Get the A7's, CSiA6 and DSW Pro 660wi. Don't concern yourself with the warranty stuff, Polk is very good at taking care of its customers as long as you didn't cause the damage, which no warranty would cover anyway.

Next year get the FXiA6's and high quality cables.

ZenDawgg

Last night I was pretty much set on the A7’s, CSiA6 and DSW Pro 660wi… I just to sleep on it and needed to figure out from where.

I will probably order the A7’s and 660wi from PolkAudio direct (Ebay) today, you put my warranty worry at ease. They don’t have the CSiA6 yet so I’ll wait a month or two to see if they get any in.

Would the FXiA6’s be for both the Surround and Rear speakers or just the Surround?

As far as cabling, I did get a spool of Monoprice 12AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable - 250ft when I ran the surround and rear speakers. I just used what remained to make my own patches to the tower and center speaker with High-Quality Gold Plated Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type.

Maybe I should have bought pre made patch cables? Is there a way to test my home brew cables?

Recommendations for patch cables?

Thanks

zD

pretzelfisch

For now the monoprice cable will work, use most of your budget on speakers that is where you'll get the most gain, later you can try other quality cable for your L/R/C.

D_M

ZenDawgg,

My advice would be to hold off and do a little more research. In one of your previous post, "I enjoy movies now and then and I play with the volume up more when I watch them", which says to me that home theater is not a priority. You appear to be leaning towards cultivating a love for music. You should probably use a separate system for music play back. People are always upgrading, so you can get a pair of great used speakers.

ZenDawgg

D_M,

That could probably be a future game plan. But I think at this point I'd like to get the best of both worlds. If I continue cultivating the love of music I will research a music only system. I'm also limited on space until my son graduates College and moves some of his stuff out. The college thing is also a financial/cost factor at this point.

Thanks.

pretzelfisch

I think the rti line does a pretty good job with classical and jazz music, still you could look at a nice pair of lsim 703 that would fall in line with your upper budget.

D_M

ZenDawgg,

The best of both worlds is rarely compatible with budgets under $2,600. If you want a dual purpose system, it's best to add a component when funds permit. That's why I'm suggesting taking your time and thinking about the type of system you truly want. You have to take in to account the entire entertainment space. Look for speaker dealers that are near you and go listen to as many speakers as you can. Folks here might be able to suggest older models that have a similar presentation to what you found new in stores. Newer isn't always better, audio is a business like anything else.

F1nut

Would the FXiA6’s be for both the Surround and Rear speakers or just the Surround?

Either or.

As far as cabling, I did get a spool of Monoprice 12AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable - 250ft when I ran the surround and rear speakers. I just used what remained to make my own patches to the tower and center speaker with High-Quality Gold Plated Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type.

Maybe I should have bought pre made patch cables? Is there a way to test my home brew cables?

Recommendations for patch cables?

Not a fan of anything from them, but since surround and rears are basically ambient sound it doesn't really matter. For your front 3 I'd recommend better speaker cable.

BTW, patch cables refer to generic RCA cables. The kind you get with a cheap DVD player.

ZenDawgg

I will looking into the LSiM703's.

Stupid (uninformed newbie) question , I assume the 703's would still do well in home theater environment?

Also - I assume I would need to have a different center speaker, surround speaker than what were recommended for the rti-a7's?

Same sub woofer (DSW Pro 660wi)?

I think I will take my time and research more...hopefully I don't have too many glasses of wine on New Years Eve! I've been known to make some (not so wise) purchases in that state... haha.

ZenDawgg

BTW, patch cables refer to generic RCA cables. The kind you get with a cheap DVD player.

Also in the computer networking world...which is why the term was on the tip of my tongue.

I learned something new today. Thanks!

ZenDawgg

So here is what I'm think as of right now:

LSi M 703’s
SVS SB-2000 sub

LSi M 706c (future purchase…2017?)

A few years down the road, amp and check out the Polk Audio Forums to see what speakers I should be upgrading to at that time. I would assume from what I've been reading that the 703's could be come the surround speakers.

Nightfall

ZenDawgg wrote: »

So here is what I'm think as of right now:

LSi M 703’s
SVS SB-2000 sub

LSi M 706c (future purchase…2017?)

A few years down the road, amp and check out the Polk Audio Forums to see what speakers I should be upgrading to at that time. I would assume from what I've been reading that the 703's could be come the surround speakers.

Now you're talking. That SVS is going to blow your mind after having listened to the PSW10 for however long you've had it.

ZenDawgg

Now you're talking. That SVS is going to blow your mind after having listened to the PSW10 for however long you've had it.

About 7 years...

Running some numbers...

LSiM703 (Polk Audio Ebay) - $520
LSiM703 (Polk Audio Ebay) - $520
LSiM706c (Polk Audio Ebay) - $835

Total $1875 but buy all 3 pieces at once and there is an extra 10% discount so that brings it down to $1687 which is at the upper end of my original budget.

I see that you can test drive the SVS SB-2000 for 45 days and they pay for shipping both ways. I could do that and then figure out (or sell some stuff) what to do....

If I get all of that, I probably should learn how to set everything up properly as well.

Nightfall

You could skip the center for now if money is tight.

ZenDawgg

Just ordered the LSiM703's and the SVS SB-2000!

I'll forgo the center speaker for now. I'm assuming that I should just leave the current center in place?

I believe I saw a comment earlier in this thread that some people prefer a phantom center???

Thanks for all of the help....I'm sure I'll need more in the future.

ZenDawgg

Thanks. I guess I need to road map my future upgrades in order of importance/'most bang for the buck'.

As well as reading up on this forum.

ZenDawgg

Realized I needed speaker stands as well.

Didn't find any recommended Sanus UF26's so I ended up getting Skylan 27-SP's...hate to see the shipping bill: Skylan to US - PA.

I'm done for awhile...

ZenDawgg

Posted this over in the Subwoofer section under Official SVS thread. Not sure if there is a way to link directly to a certain post in a different thread?

ZenDawgg wrote: »

Hooray!

My first real speaker is in place and setup!

Received the SVS SB-2000 on Saturday, calibrated the receiver but it really didn't sound any better than my Polk PSW10.

Knowing that I really don't know anything I called SVS support today (Sunday) when they first opened at 12 PM EST.

I believe it was Ed who walked me through settings on my receiver and the SW.

I did have the everything correct on the SW, I just needed to turn the volume between the 1 and 2 o'clock position.

He was on the phone with me for 25 minPosutes while I found my Matrix Blu-ray and played the whole rooftop helicopter rescue scene.

I don't know if my terminology is correct but it definitely is tighter and delivers a punch. But not just window rattling thundering bass for the sake of bass. But a bass that just blends well all around well.

Can't wait to put it through its paces!

Definitely glad I made the investment. Rather than thinking about a second one I need to upgrade my other speakers. LSiM703's and Skylan stands on the way and hopefully in place Jan 15!

OldSchoolPolk

The LSMi703s are going to knock your socks off the first day. Give them a few weeks and they'll have you leaving work early just to have a listen.

I came from a midline Polk SW to an SVS PB1000 and it was night and day. The SB2000 is on my radar for the office and I've heard nothing but great things about it.

As others have said don't worry about the Polk 2 year warranty limit. Both the speakers and Polk as a company are first rate and speakers tend to last a very long time when driven properly. The guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but it was common place in the 60s & 70s for speakers to have 10-20 year warranties. Today the Polks are still gems.

ZenDawgg

Can't wait to listen to my Xmas HDTracks purchase on them:

1. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
2. Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colussus
3. John Coltrane - Blue Train


Then I'm sure I'll worry about cables that I can't afford and an amp that I probably don't need...just yet.

ZenDawgg

I have the 703's in house and waiting for the Skylan stands. I have them temporarily sitting on top of my Sony speakers. I know they are too high but I had to listen to them.

All I have to say is WOW...even just through my inexpensive Pioneer.

I can't believe how heavy the little guys are!

Even though I was trying to get an all in one HT and music set up, I might need to concentrate on the music side for now after hearing these. I'll need to figure out what piece of equipment to get next for these puppies.

Thanks for all of the recommendations and help guys! (Polk Audio Ebay, LSiM703's, warranty concerns, cables and SVS SB-2000).

So far I'm a happy camper!