Speaker Upgrade from RM6700

subwoofer · December 2004

I need some help everyone:

I currently have the RM6700 with Polks PSW303 subwoofer. Its a great system (despite people being mad about the frequency gap, I'm barely hearing it) and I love using this for digital cable and DVD movies.

I've been thinking about upgrading a few components to my system. I would like to do all of the following or start off in steps. I would like to:

1) Upgrade my subwoofer.
- Thinking about getting a new SVS sub, but I'm nervous about getting a sub that I can't hear first. Or I could get a nice Velodyne sub from Tweeter. But as to which size sub I need for my room (13 x 12x 13) (wxlxh), I have no idea what I need.

2) Upgrade my center speaker.
- Maybe I'll get a nice $200-400 center channel that will make dialogue in DVDs I watch sound even clearer and louder

3) Upgrade my LEFT and RIGHT speakers to bookshelfs.
- I have a nice 32" CRT tv but I'm thinking about going to a wide table with a DLP tv next year. With my speakers now, I could put them on the edge of the table. Even if I get bookshelfs, I could do the same or put them on the floor next to the stand. I am thinking about going with bookshelfs cause I hate the look of floorstandings. But should I stick with Polk or go with athena or axiom? Or is that a bad idea to have different fronts? and is this a bad idea to have bookshelf fronts and satellites are rears?

Please give me some feedback on what you think I outta do

Thanks everyone

VR3 · December 2004

What in the heck does that mean? Can't hear it first?

My SVS can be heard and felt or just felt...

But trust me, you calibrate it hot, it is going to run hot. Any SVS from the small one to the larger ones will move your room off the foundation.

Velodyne who?

subwoofer · December 2004

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
What in the heck does that mean? Can't hear it first?

My SVS can be heard and felt or just felt...

But trust me, you calibrate it hot, it is going to run hot. Any SVS from the small one to the larger ones will move your room off the foundation.

Velodyne who?

ooooooooook. What I meant by not hearing it first is that there is no dealers that sell this subwoofer.

And I'm sure you've heard of Velodyne cause your being sarcastic. They had some great ones at Tweeter. But I might have to seek out some hi-fi stores.

jdhdiggs · December 2004

Ok, finally did chase you over here from AVS... Try audioenvy.com for the SVS. There are some polkies around that have these subs but I don't want to volunteer them. I'd do it but my sub is still stuck in Dallas.

Looking at your assumed ~$400 cap and biggest bang/$...
1). Goto tweeter and see if they have those Euro-monitors for sale still at $378/pair. That would probably be your best, one shot upgrade keeping with Polk.

2). CSi5 as a center would add some heft to the center channel and can be had for <$300 at my last check

3). SVS PB10-ISD $429 A bit higher than your looking to go, but will give you a great change in the low end.

As for your comments on the other board, DEMO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. Both about what YOU like and what speakers produce the sounds that you like. Learn as much as possible and then make the best decision.

A tip about SVS and HSU (and the Rocket UFW-10), each companies subs should only be compared to the ones at tweeter or other B&M store ranging about 2-3X the price. There are a couple exceptions, but I feel this is a decent rule of thumb if you go testing at a B&M store and want to know how they stack up.

Oh yeah, have fun!

PS: As for Sid's comments... When you experience a true sub, you will understand

BTW, if you want to sell your sub, marly421 is looking for a 303

jdhdiggs · December 2004

Sorry for not editing my last post, but this needed to be seperate:

Double check those room dimensions! 13' ceilings...? That thing is a cube and should sound like &%# for low frequencies.

You might be best served trying to fix that room. Add a big sub now and you'll need a new house from the standing waves...

subwoofer · December 2004

Looking at your assumed ~$400 cap and biggest bang/$...
1). Goto tweeter and see if they have those Euro-monitors for sale still at $378/pair. That would probably be your best, one shot upgrade keeping with Polk.

2). CSi5 as a center would add some heft to the center channel and can be had for <$300 at my last check

3). SVS PB10-ISD $429 A bit higher than your looking to go, but will give you a great change in the low end.

Well I really don't have a money limit but I don't want to get a new sub, a new center and new left and rights all at once. That might be much.

1) So you think that Polks Monitors are a better buy than the R20 or RTi6 serires? Those would be a nice way to add to my front but would it sound bad with those in the front and sats in the rear? and is it a good idea to put speakers (sats and bookshelfs) on a surface and not on a stand?

2) the CSi5 is a nice center but a tad big and expensive. I might go for something around CSi3 but I have to hear it first.

3) Yea those SVS subs seem very nice but will it be the first thing to upgrade, probably not.

jdhdiggs · December 2004

Those were what I would do with ~$400 and your set-up. Each was a different option... Budgets help when defining options. If you want to go up to $10,000 I'm sure we could improve your current sound substantially...

The monitors would help fill in the holes you have from the sats. RTi6's would do this as well, just the "sale" on the monitors is an almost "stupid good" sale.

McLoki · December 2004

Are you looking at new only or would you consider used? What electronics are you currently running you 6700's with?

I did the same thing as you. (had 6600's thought they sounded great till I heard some music DVD's played at a friends house and started noticing the lack of highs and midrange) - started the upgrade......

Picked up last years model (it was also a floor model) of the LSiC at American on sale for about $270.

Picked up a pair of LSi7's on sale from brett22 here on the forum for $350

Picked up a used amp (6 channel with 4 channels working) from audiogon for $515. (I think this was my best deal of the system)

Picked up an SVS 25-31+ from Mazeroth here on the forum for a little over $360.

still using the 6600's for my rear speakers (but am thinking about replacing them soon)

All prices include any shipping or taxes. You really don't have to pay a ton for upgrades to have a sweet sounding system, but you do have to be a little patient and be willing to put up with purchasing used.

If I had it to do over right now. I don't know what I would change. The Amp and SVS were both great upgrades that I would repeat in a heartbeat.

The LSiC I really like and it works well with the 7's. For my system it works well but the amp did help with the LSi speakers quiet a bit.

I think there are a pair of Monitor 10b's in the flemarket for sale now. Comparing the asking price to the sound quality, they would make a VERY hard speaker to beat. (I have read that the SL2000 integrates fairly well with the LSiC. I have not compared them for an extended session but you could always run without a center for awhile and see if you like it).

Michael

subwoofer · December 2004

bump

subwoofer · January 2005

need some more feedback on my issue.

Anyone think that the LSi series is a good pick up for movies or are those speakers mainly for SACDs? I need to head over to Tweeter cause I think they have some R20s or Monitors on sale

Mjr7531 · January 2005

I've heard they can do very well with movies, as the series is very accurate. And the LSi series is meant for well recorded music, not necesarily being on SACD. If you like SACD, I'd suggest 4 LSi9s and an LSiC completing your setup and making it almost completely timber matched for music. Good luck with your searching,
Matt

McLoki · January 2005

Originally posted by subwoofer
need some more feedback on my issue.

Anyone think that the LSi series is a good pick up for movies or are those speakers mainly for SACDs? I need to head over to Tweeter cause I think they have some R20s or Monitors on sale

I upgraded from the rm-6600 to LSI-7's in front (with LSIc Center channel) I still have the 6600 as my rear speakers due to WAF issues. (I may upgrade them this year, but they are really not to bad for movies. - DVD audio really shows their weaknesses though)

I had LSI-15's but thought the 7's sounded very similar for movies so that is how I went. (purchased 7's and a nice amp for less than the 15's)

My HT sounds really good now and is light years ahead of where it was a year ago. (before the upgrades)

Michael

subwoofer · January 2005

bumping my thread back up to get some responses. Thanks guys

I was looking at getting the RTi6 for my fronts and maybe the CSi3 or 5 as a center. I can get them for a good price online but I think I have a problem with my living room setup. Right now (and I really cant change it due to my weird room and massive couch) I have my tv in a corner. So with small speakers I can get away with putting them on the side of the tv. But if I get big speakers that are deep, they will be sitting further out than the tv and I really have no choice. Unless I wanna move the tv our further but that might look even weirder.

Help HELP HELPPPPPPPPPP!!

McLoki · January 2005

What dimentions do you need to fit into? The LSi7 is a pretty small speaker. It sounds like our setups are very similar.

Michael

nebborjk · January 2005

Where did you buy the RM6700 package from? If you bought it from Circuit City you may be able to take advantage of their upgrade program. I did this about a year ago with my RM6700/PSW202 combo. Upgraded to RTi6/CSi3/Fxi3 for only $300. I noticed a substantial improvement with this upgrade. If you didn't buy the system at CC you could always try and sell it in the flea market, this could free up some cash if that is an issue.

subwoofer · January 2005

Originally posted by McLoki
What dimentions do you need to fit into? The LSi7 is a pretty small speaker. It sounds like our setups are very similar.

Michael

The problem is the size of the stand and moreso the depth of the speakers. They range from 10 to 14 inches deep. Plus their still going to be in front of my tv (weird).

I wanna upload a picture but its too big. Any tips?

McLoki · January 2005

Originally posted by subwoofer
I wanna upload a picture but its too big. Any tips?

Take a smaller picture (like 640x480 or 800x600) and compress it more in the camera (or after the fact).

If you don't know how to do this, just yell and I will convert the picture for you and post it. If you need me to, I will PM you my e-mail address.....

Michael

okiepolkie · January 2005

How much would they actually stick out past the television?

If it is only a couple of inches, then it might even be to your advantage. You wouldn't get much diffraction from the television this way.

It probalby wouldn't look that bad scooting the television out either.

My vote is for the LSi7's if you have the funds. They sound very nice and are definetly my favorite between the RTi6 and LSi7.

subwoofer · January 2005

Here we go.........

subwoofer · January 2005

further out...

McLoki · January 2005

this may seem overly obvious, but any chance to rearrange your room?

can you move the tV a little further out?

just a couple of thoughts....

michael

subwoofer · January 2005

but then that shortens the distance from the tv to the coffee table. I'm not sure if I like that

stereo55 · January 2005

Originally posted by jdhdiggs

Looking at your assumed ~$400 cap and biggest bang/$...
1). Goto tweeter and see if they have those Euro-monitors for sale still at $378/pair. That would probably be your best, one shot upgrade keeping with Polk.

I agree with your suggestion on the T90e's for upgraded fronts .

The T90e's have a very small footprint and would be perfect for subwoofer's needs and budget . The T90e's foot print is even much smaller than my RTi6's on stands . I will try and post pics later today in a side by side comparision of the foot print size of each .
All in all the T90e is an xint speaker and would be very hard to beat in that price range.

Tweeter still has the T90e's (aka: Monitor 60's) for $350pr .

LINKY

danger boy · January 2005

here's a thought. rearrange the room.

maybe i'm just a freak of nature. but.. in my HT room. i always consider the lay out of what will work best for the sound and comfort for the room.

maybe your TV will work better along a solid wall instead of where is currently is. think OUTSIDE the box... as they used to say some 10 - 15 yrs ago.

my room is pretty small. it's like 12 X 14.. and within that room. there are three walls where i can rearrange the HT to suit my mood. it's all about being flexible and breaking out of the mold.

As for getting a SVS.. find someone close enough to you and go listen to their set up.. ask questions.. and get your freak on if that's what it takes.

I think lots of people hesitate when buying a subwoofer. My motto is.. buy a larger subwoofer than you need. you can always turn the darn thing down.. but if you buy a subwoofer that's to small for a room.. well. you're screwed and will never be happy with the output. Bigger is better in this case.

sorry to jump down your throat dude.... i'm usually pretty mellow.

lots of people have given some good advice here. now it's up to you to listen and demo some gear. that's the fun part.

seriously.. you will not be disappointed if you go with a SVS. ask anyone here how they like theirs.

subwoofer · January 2005

Originally posted by stereo55
I agree with your suggestion on the T90e's for upgraded fronts .

The T90e's have a very small footprint and would be perfect for subwoofer's needs and budget . The T90e's foot print is even much smaller than my RTi6's on stands . I will try and post pics later today in a side by side comparision of the foot print size of each .
All in all the T90e is an xint speaker and would be very hard to beat in that price range.

Tweeter still has the T90e's (aka: Monitor 60's) for $350pr .

LINKY

Not to disagree, but..........well I disagree with you

haha

The Monitor 60s are 13 inches deep and the Monitor 50s are about 9.5 inches deep. I've been looking around and the average stand is usually 11 x 11 or 12 x 12.

Also, I really don't have a price range cause space is more important. I don't wanna be falling over these speakers!

subwoofer · January 2005

Originally posted by danger boy
here's a thought. rearrange the room.

maybe i'm just a freak of nature. but.. in my HT room. i always consider the lay out of what will work best for the sound and comfort for the room.

maybe your TV will work better along a solid wall instead of where is currently is. think OUTSIDE the box... as they used to say some 10 - 15 yrs ago.

my room is pretty small. it's like 12 X 14.. and within that room. there are three walls where i can rearrange the HT to suit my mood. it's all about being flexible and breaking out of the mold.

As for getting a SVS.. find someone close enough to you and go listen to their set up.. ask questions.. and get your freak on if that's what it takes.

I think lots of people hesitate when buying a subwoofer. My motto is.. buy a larger subwoofer than you need. you can always turn the darn thing down.. but if you buy a subwoofer that's to small for a room.. well. you're screwed and will never be happy with the output. Bigger is better in this case.

sorry to jump down your throat dude.... i'm usually pretty mellow.

lots of people have given some good advice here. now it's up to you to listen and demo some gear. that's the fun part.

seriously.. you will not be disappointed if you go with a SVS. ask anyone here how they like theirs.

Thanks for the tips and trust me, I AM thinking outside the box. I own the box and have studied it. The line of work I'm in is all about thinking outside the box. (I hate that term). So I have thought about different room arrangements. Placing the tv on the wall that you can see will cause the people sitting on the left side of the couch to be looking sideways at the tv rather than every seat on it point directly to it. Its really in a perfect location and the speakers are in great positions so that everyone gets good surround sound from them. (Keep in mind that I can't move the couch back anymore and where the pictures are taken is the far right seat). Plus if I move the tv over to the left against the wall, it will stick out kinda far. Damn CRT and the stand make it about 25" deep. Maybe if I get a flat screen but I only read bad reviews about them. (DLP all the way for me). Now another option is to move the tv out but that will eliminate the most walk thru from the tv to the table, plus I don't think that will solve my problem with the speakers (well it will so that they won't be out in front of the screen).

This is really hard and I'm starting to think that I can't really upgrade without over-crowding my room (which is more important to me). I also want to get a new center and I'm not a fan of having it on the top of the tv (I have a small center now up there and I dont like it). So if I get a 20" wide center, such as the CSi3, I would have to put it under the tv. I can do that but there I have to find somewhere to put the PS2 and cable box. So I might need a new stand. Anyway, if I do upgrade, I rather do all three fronts than just the center. Not sure how it will match the RM6700.

As for the SVS, I don't know anyone that has one nor do I wanna go over some random person's house to hear one. From charts and such (which are reliable for subs rather than speakers) seem very very good. I might just go for the PB12.

jdhdiggs · January 2005

Before you go with ANY SVS, Get a cardboard box as close to the listed size for the sub you're considering (Or at least its footprint) and put it in that room and see if you can tolerate the size.

Is there an unused bedroom or den you could use instead? Just asking...

If you can wait 5-6months, I'll let you demo out my system with the 7's and SVS.

danger boy · January 2005

good ideas jdhdiggs.... i think sometimes people are amazed at how large some subwoofers are once they arrive at their house.

subwoofer, good luck.. it's a tough one.. no room is ideal unless you build one from the ground up.

Oh yeah... people on here demo each other's gear all the time. that's what makes it such a Polk Audio family in here. We take care of each other's needs. I've had people over to demo my little system before. Made a few new friends in the process too. Just take some beer.. and you have an instant friend for life. Beer is the universal drink I think.

stereo55 · January 2005

Originally posted by subwoofer
Not to disagree, but..........well I disagree with you haha

The Monitor 60s are 13 inches deep and the Monitor 50s are about 9.5 inches deep. I've been looking around and the average stand is usually 11 x 11 or 12 x 12.

Also, I really don't have a price range cause space is more important. I don't wanna be falling over these speakers!

Ok , I may have been abit incorrect on my earlier post as saying "much smaller foot print"; but the T90e's (M60's) really dont take up any more space then a typical speaker stand .

Here are a few pics as promised earlier :

*EDITED*
added pic ( and sorry for the messy wire syndrome , still rearranging equip in room

)

Your call , and hope this helps ...

subwoofer · January 2005

Sorry, I do have another room but thats a second bedroom/computer room.

I agree danger boy that no room is ideal. Its really hard to do what exactly you want. I went for a massive sectional couch but I had to sacrifice some space. I could get a wide stand and put a nice 46" or 50" DLP tv on top of it but I would be eliminating any type of large side speakers (if I were to put it in the same position as my tv now). I was thinking that maybe it would look good if I move my tv now out about 6" or so and put a large banana plant of some kind behind it to fill in that empty space (a fake one of course). My only concern is what it will look like a few inchs out of that nice corner.

You guys think a bigger stand will be good in that place? I might get a better and bigger stand even if I don't upgrade my tv.

subwoofer · January 2005

Originally posted by stereo55
Ok , I may have been abit incorrect on my earlier post as saying "much smaller foot print"; but the T90e's (M60's) really dont take up any more space then a typical speaker stand .

NICE pictures! How did you get such good quality on them and get them around 100 KB?

I agree that their size will be about the same but its the general look of them that gets me. The stands look more "open" than the floorstanding speakers. They look a tad less overkill when it comes to speakers especially if your dealing with an average size room and an average size tv.

It is a really tough call though cause you can't minimize the space of a bookshelf speaker (unless you mount them on the wall but I'm not doing that...........or can I? If I move my tv over to the left more, but then you'll see back in the corner, unless.....I get a wider stand so that it covers that up but you can still mount the right speaker on the small part of the wall.

Nice speakers, what model is the bookshelf one? and why do you have both? Unless the smaller one is for surround

Speaker Upgrade from RM6700

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