Brand New System

BRN
BRN Posts: 4
edited September 2004 in Speakers
I just recently purchased a new surround sound system to replace a cheap "all in one" system that I have had for years. I am still in the set up phase of it in fact.

The purchase:

Onkyo TX-NR801
Polk RTi12
Polk CSi5
Polk FXi5

Now I haven't purchased a subwoofer yet with the thought that I didn't need one with everything that I have thus far. But with talking with people at work about it they say that I will still need one.

I am eyeballing the Polk PSW505 right now to cover the sub.

Do I really need to spend the money on a sub with what I have so far and if so which one is recommended?? With what I have spent so far I have to keep price in mind as the wife is now eyeballing the checking account.

Any advice??
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Comments

  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited September 2004
    Hide the wires is my advice.
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  • BRN
    BRN Posts: 4
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by bikezappa
    Hide the wires is my advice.

    How does that answer or even pertain to my question?

    I am an electrician by trade so wiring and how to run the wiring is not a problem. Everything, including the subwoofer wire, is being run in the walls into boxes. I am providing a new circuit from my electrical panel specifically for the new receiver so there is clean power for it.

    Now that all that is out of the way is there anyone with answers to the actual question about the subwoofer?
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited September 2004
    I think you will probably still want a sub for home theater. The Polk offerings are okay, but you will probably get more bang for your buck from companies like www.adireaudio.com www.svsubwoofers.com www.hsuresearch.com
    Graham
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2004
    You definitely need a subwoofer. As indicated, Hsu or SVS are excellent choices.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • BRN
    BRN Posts: 4
    edited September 2004
    Good read!! Thanks for the links.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited September 2004
    Welcome to the Club...

    Ditto on the sub needs. Even at 100 wpc the 12's will present quite a challenge for your Onk, if mains are set to large. A sub will lighten the load considerably.

    Once you get the sub, you may find that you are underutilizing the 12's. If you retailer has a return policy you might find that the 10's are sufficient... Just a budget concious thought...

    How the hell can an electrician make a living in LV??? ;)
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • BRN
    BRN Posts: 4
    edited September 2004
    I am still waiting for the tower speakers to come in. I've yet to hear them but I can't wait to. I am sure that if I am not happy with them that they will take them back without question.

    After all the time I have spent researching all the equipment I have found that I am getting more intelligent info a lot quicker from these forums. Thanks for all the advice so far.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,774
    edited September 2004
    U will be best served...

    To get RTI8 and a PB2 ISD or PB2+ with the extra cash. The RTI12 + receiver = wasted
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited September 2004
    BRN,

    The 12's are a nice speaker ... but they want a lot power ... They'll sound okay with your Onk but they won't reach their full potential. Down the road you'll probably want to do one of several things ....

    1. Keep the 12's and the Onk, get an amp with balls and use the Onk as a preamp to the amp for the 12's.

    2. Replace the 12's with 10's ( which probably could use an amp as well ) or 8's.

    Regarding having a sub or not ... you will notice a large difference between 12's powered by a receiver and a good sub i.e. SVS, HSU, Adire etc. You will notice less difference if the 12's are run by a quality powerful amp but there will still be a difference in terms extension and impact in the very low end i.e. the sound you feel as opposed to hear.
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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