Polk HT 6.1 setup - opinions please

Skippy54

I'm in the process of finishing off my basement where I'm going to put in a dedicated home theatre (13x21). I'm thinking about this setup:

Mains: Polk SDA-2b (had them for 10 years)
Center: CSi40
Side: FXi5
Rear: FXi5
Sub: SVS PB1-ISD

I'm not sure if I should use the FXi5 for the rear speakers. Wouldn't it be better to use more direct firing speakers like the RTi6 for the rear speakers? Also, are my older Polk SDA-2b speakers still good for a ht setup? Would it be better to replace my SDA-2b pair for RTi70s or RTi8s? I'm up for any suggestions.

Thanks!

PolkWannabie

Skippy,

I wouldn't rule out the older fx500i's and/or fx1000's for surrounds if you can find them used.

As far as rears go I think you could use point sources if there is a fair amount of distance between the listening area and where the rears are located, but I wouldn't use them if where you are planning to place them them is only a couple of feet behind. However you also won't go wrong with another pair of bi/dipoles for the rears.

If you are using bi/dipoles for sides and rears, I personally prefer dipoles on the sides and bipoles in the rear but you should try them both, both ways.

Skippy54

ATCVenom,
I have a Denon 2803, which I think should be good. And cool about the SDA-2Bs. I was wondering if they would be good.

PolkWannabie,
The rear speakers might sit back atleast 8-10 ft from the sitting area. That's why I was think more point source too. Hmm, I'm going to listen to both RTi6 and FXi5 tomorrow. I'm leaning towards the RTi6.

Thanks for the replies!

PolkWannabie

IMHO that amount of distance between the rears and the listening area ALLOWS point source speakers to be used. Whether that necessarily makes them a better choice remains to be heard. I have used FXi5's in the back as side surrounds in a 5.1 set up and RTi6's in the back in a 7.1 set up. I liked them both.

Unless you are in a super rush to get speakers for the sides and rear I would also keep my eyes open for the others I suggested. I don't think the fx1000's can be beat for a bi/dipole speaker and they are a closer match to the SDA's but they don't come along every day. Now if I could only find a pair.

Skippy54

ATCVenom,
Yea I'm going to stick with the 2803, because I already have cash tied into it and it seems like a solid a\v receiver. Are your concerns that the SDA-2Bs are 4 ohm speakers?

dkg999

I have the SDA 2's also and I thought they worked very well with my CSi40 front center and a PSW303 sub-woofer. I ran into a deal I couldn't pass up on a slightly used pair of Rti70 towers, and brought them home intending to use them as rear surrounds. In experimenting, I found that the RTi70's are a lot better HT front main speaker than the SDA's. I now use the SDA's for listening to music and the RTi70's for HT. I really think the SDA's were a little over-powering as a front main for HT. But that's just my humble opinion!

Skippy54

Hey PolkWannabie,
I was surfing ebay looking for Rti70s and I found some f/x1000s for sale. Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14996&item=3094976540&rd=1

I know you said you were looking for some. Good luck.

PolkWannabie

Thanks ... they've already had attention brought to them in the flea market section here ... I probably should've gotten them at the BIN price before the first bid knocked it out.