Pros/Con f/x500i

ncstatesman

Howdy

sorry, maybe this should be 2 diff threads, but I'm thinking of adding a pair of F/X500i's and here's my current (or soon to be) system that will let me go to 7.1:

Onkyo 898 (7@110 wts)
RM7600 sats (4 sats)
RM7600 center
650 sub
SVS 16-46PC sub
800i's (soon to arrive)
CS400i (back order)

This will allow me to go to 7.1 channels, but also leave me with an extra pair (or two if I get the F/X500i's) of RM7600 sats

So . . . .

(1). I can either take the 7600 center channel and put it in the rear behind my listening position, or, use a pair of the 7600 sats for the rear - which would sound best?

(2). Same scenario as (1), but replace the left/right 7600 sats w/a pair of F/X500i's and either use the 7600 center, or two 7600 sats in the rear behind my listening position.
a. would the use of a 7600 center or pair of 7600 sats (w/their smaller divers) behind my listening positon create sonic imbalances/problems along with using the l/r F/X500i's, c400i, and 800i's - ie, is this a good setup

(3). how would the 500i's sound with the rest of my system (scenario 2) for movies and music:
a. when in all channel music mode,
b. when playing SACD or DVD audio

4. Is the proper placement of F/X500i's directly to the sides of the listening position pointing towards your ears?

I'm not familair with di-pole/bipole, and I'm not sure how they would sound in amy system

Thanks!




(each 500i pointed at my listening positon

Eddie624

Here check this out and myabe this will help u out some


http://www.polkaudio.com/home/technology/bidipole.php?category=6&speaker=187

juice21

1. since you have the 7 channel capability, i think the 2 sat. rears would sound better. fuller sound stage. what's the width of your room?

2. f/x 500i's with 2 sats for rear centers.
a. the different drivers shouldn't be too noticible in the rears, they dont' receive nere the signal any of the front channel do. you could always spring for rt25i's or rt35i's for real cheap right now, not that much additional to what you're already spending...

3. going to sound good in movie's. for music, i prefer a direct radiating speaker. preference is yours, how much do you listen to each, movies/music?

4. yes

try to demo them if you have the chance... crutchfield/CC both have a 30 day money back gaurantee...

rskarvan

Pro: The FX500 matches the CS400.
Con: The damn thing only has one mid-bass driver. WTF?

Question: Why did Polk design a bi-pole/di-pole speaker with only one f#$%'ing bass driver? This just doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense. I see the LSi got two drivers. And, the FX1000 got four drivers. You would think that the FX500 would have had two drivers. Anyway... it bugs me.

juice21

the f/x1000's only have 2 drivers...

hamzahsh

I have F/X 1000's and they sound incredible. My all speakers have dual drivers and all rated at 250 watts. A timbre matched HT setup. F/X 1000's are total package. F/X 500i has one mid/bass driver and that's what I didn't like about it.

Fronts: Polk RT800i's
Centre: Polk CS 400i
Surround: Polk F/X 1000's
Waiting for my Velodyne CHT-15"......

Dual drivers do make a difference. The difference is same as between RT 600i's to RT 800i's. All dual driver speakers handle mid-range properly even RT 1000i which has a single driver doesn't do a good job and become harsh.

My F/X 1000's sound same as RT 800i's. I feel perfect separation and no change in sound.

Recently I watched The Thin Red Line and found myself in the battlefield Wow, they are amazing and definitely worth every single penny. Its an old saying, "You get what you pay for";)

goingganzo

all i know is i wish the new ls line was out when i was starting my ht buld up but i have the fx 500i for my suround and they sound great. i think the x-overs in the 500 and 1000 are different.

ncstatesman

hamzahsh,

I just got my pair of 800i's and a cs400i this weekend, I haven't had a chance to sort all this stuff out and test/tweak my system.
my next possible upgrade is a pair of f/x500i, but after seeing your post on the 1000i . . I now wonder if I should get the f/x1000i instead.

How do the 1000's sound for music? Do they sound better than the 500i's for music?

Would the 1000i be overkill for my system:
-onkyo 898 (7.1 w/7x110 wtts)
-csi400 center
-800i fronts
-rm7600 sat spkr pair for l/r surround (i'm looking to replace this pair with a 500i or 1000i F/x spkr pair)
- rm7600 sat spkr pair for l/r rear surround

Any input would be appreciated,thanks!

hamzahsh

We all know music is always been a tougher test for any speaker.
The reason is because music has a higher frequency than movie soundtrack and you need more room (mid/ bass driver) to handle sound properly. That's why most of the time you'll notice that front channels in Home Theater have 1 mid/bass driver because it is enough for front channel effects.

RT 1000i's are especially designed for Home Theater applications but when music comes to them they sound bright and harsh. If your goal is music and movies then go for RT 800i's. The dual driver speakers always handle mid-range better produce tighter bass.

The same rule applied for surround speakers.

For music, I recommend F/X 1000's and also for movies. You can't go wrong with these speakers.

Not many people own them as far as I know, to own them is such a honor 'cause you have the best surround speakers from Polk Audio.:cool: