Proposed HT

Mjr7531

Fronts: RTi12
Center: CSi5
Sides: RTi6
Rears: R20
Reciever/Pre-Pro: Onkyo TX-NR801
Amps (For RTi12s): Outlaw 200 (2)

I've yet to buy the RTi12, Onkyo TX-NR801, Outlaw 200, and I'm hopefully going to be getting the R20 from a fellow Polkie soon. I'm trying to have something to work for and save for. How do these sound? The fact that I'm using RTi is staying the same, I'm looking to spend at most $3000. Another question, do the tweeters for the rears stay at ear level, feel free to drop in other advice. Thanks guys,
Matt

gatemplin

Looks good, I prefer to put the rears and sides a couple of feet above my head when seated.

hellotheworld

sounds great!
one question, why not using dipole speakers as side surrounds? Then move RTi6's to the rear, instead getting R20's as rears.

Mjr7531

hellotheworld, I do want to use Dipoles, like the FXi5s, but I figure I have to pick my battles, therefore, unfortunatly, I must wait until later. I apreciate your advice anyways though,
Matt

dorokusai

Sounds like a good plan. It looks as though you are setting up the best system that you can at this time. You can tweak all day all night, just get it up and running first, get silly later. I don't see why that wouldn't sound great.

gregure

Despite what you've said, I really think your HT experience would be greatly enhanced were you to go with Fxi speakers for the sides rather than the 6's. If you're going to pick your battles, trade in the 6's for Fxi's and get the 6's again later.
Also, the Onkyo 801 is a great piece of equipment, but Onkyo products are not rated for all channels driven, like Harman Kardon or NAD. I'd check out a few wholesale sights for good prices on receivers that run 100wpc all channels driven. Or the HK AVR630 is a great unit, don't let the 75 wpc throw you off. The Onkyos produce good sound, but you'll get even better sound from receivers that throw out more juice all around.

www.newyorkwholesaleaudiovideo.com

www.hipposaudiovideo.com

Good luck in your search.

Early B.

Don't forget about the subwoofer. SVS or Hsu. Budget minimally $500 - $600. You could save money on the 12's and get 10's instead (or even 8's).

R20 for the rear? Nah. It's OK to do a floorstander in the rear, but at least stick with the same quality speakers all the way around. Consider the RTi70's or RTi8's.

If you're going to be using a receiver primarily as a pre/pro, no need to spend extra money on features you won't use, such as higher power. Get a used/B-stock receiver for less than $500 (make sure it has pre-outs).

For your budget, you can put together a killer system with money to spare.

dorokusai

My impression was that he is attemtping to build an HT with what he has en route or already decided upon. Specifically a pair of R20's, from a Polkie...maybe he can update the situation.

Perhaps he should just set fire to everything, and start over?

Sami

Originally posted by Mjr7531
Another question, do the tweeters for the rears stay at ear level, feel free to drop in other advice.

They should be above your ears, I don't think you would want the R20's there. Floorstanders for side surrounds would be ok but not rears for 7.1.

Save on the RTi12's and amps, get the 8's instead and add in a subwoofer. You will be much more satisfied this way as the 12's do not provide enough bass for HT. SVS sub took my HT experience to totally new level, maybe even more than the CRT front projector. Or maybe not, it's a tough call.

PolkWannabie

Originally posted by Sami
Floorstanders for side surrounds would be ok but not rears for 7.1.

I'd like to hear your thinking on this ... If I had a choice of whether to use floorstanders on the side or in the rear, I'd choose the rear.

Sami

Originally posted by PolkWannabie
I'd like to hear your thinking on this ... If I had a choice of whether to use floorstanders on the side or in the rear, I'd choose the rear.

Aren't the rears supposed to be about 1m above your ears?

PolkWannabie

Both sides and rears ideally should be 2-3 feet above ear level but I would think it more important for sides than rears. Beyond that bi/dipoles are clearly the choice for sides. Rears could effectively utilize either those or a point source type.

Sami

Originally posted by PolkWannabie
Both sides and rears ideally should be 2-3 feet above ear level but I would think it more important for sides than rears. Beyond that bi/dipoles are clearly the choice for sides. Rears could effectively utilize either those or a point source type.

That solves my problem then. I would have had hard time getting my sides to ear level. I'll have to settle for point source though, LSi series is too expensive for my wallet right now so I will go with 6 LSi7's and 5.1 setup.

I have noticed that I get the best sound feel with the sides about 2-3ft back also but now I will have to put them directly on the side.

PolkWannabie

If you are going to use point sources on the sides and you are going to put them on the side walls then I would keep them a little behind you and pointed at each other ... not angled to point at the listening area and not angled down when mounted 2-3 feet above.

A couple of feet back and a couple of feet up is the correct place to be so no surprise you get the best feel there.