Need your expert Polk assistance!

Laura Palmer

Oh, I live in Ottawa now.

Yeah I may be wrong on the Accoustic Research Speaker Cable. I didn't listen to it, I just looked at it and passed my judgements. :P

Willow

Laura I'm in Ottawa as well, if you go to Princess auto on Hawthorn in the south end off Walkey you can get sorry 16awg 50ft for 14.99 at FS they want 44.99 I bought all my AR pro II ic's there for example componenet which sells at the brick for 79.99 paid 12.99. They don't have Ic's left but on Sunday they had lots of the soeaker cable left.

Laura Palmer

Oh, great. Thank you!

Do you use the Accoustic Research banana plugs too? If yes, are they hard to put on?

Laura Palmer

Okay to make sure I'm summing things up properly, here's what I've taken in.

I'll want to have a sub, for both music and movies. Will the PSW12 be an adequate sub? I know the PSW505 is much better, but for my purposes would the PSW12 be okay?

Since music takes precendence over HT, I should make sure to get really good front speakers. (Does that mean my RTi6's might suffice?) I thought any tower would be way better than the RTi6's but what I'm understanding now is that without the proper amplifier to back it up, they won't really sound as well as they should. In fact I *may* even just stick with my RTi6s in the front, and add FXi5's in the back....

Then again I do like the idea of towers... so it seems the best bet in that case would be to get either the RTi8s or the RTi12s considering the RTi10s are said to have bad mid ranges?

I need to go back to Future Shop and do some more sampling I think.

Willow

Originally posted by Laura Palmer
Oh, great. Thank you!

Do you use the Accoustic Research banana plugs too? If yes, are they hard to put on?

No I use the compression type sold at FS for 9.99 for 2. I think the better AR ones you do not need to solder they are screw types.

Laura Palmer

Oh another thing I learned here is that the FXi Surround Speakers are better for side-surrounds in a 7.1 setup as opposed to rear-surrounds especially when considering multi-channel music.

This I like, because I'd rather not go back and exchange my RTi6s (Not to mention I lost the box, hehe).

Would that also mean that *if* I decided not to buy floor speakers in used the RTi6's instead, would I be best to get another pair of RTi6's for the rears? And FXi5's down the road for my side-surrounds? So like, 4 RTi6's -- 1 CSi5 -- 1 PSW12 and later on 2 FXi5s?

reeltrouble1

Laura,

Wow, you have really gotten some great advice. I believe in reading through your posts that you are leaning toward floorstanders and trying to convince yourself to get the bookshelf for your fronts. If that is the case will you ever be happy having bookshelf speakers as your mains? Only you can answer that.

You seem to have the bug, we all started out somewhere similiar to your self and I think I can say once you find your love of audio you get "upgraditis". As Frizz said she thought she would have things for a very long time but changes do take place and are quite normal.

My take is that your rig is a system of interdependant parts so get the best parts you can. Its figuring out whats best that can be fun and both fustrating. Basically though if you have a really nice piece in one place, say some great speakers and a poor source then the overall system suffers, so on and so on, but I am rambling a bit.

Have fun (seems like you already are) and welcome to Club Polk.

RT1

Laura Palmer

hehe, yeah I may get upgraditus after all... I'm hoping it can be for my other components though (like a receiver and stuff), I really want to get the speakers right the first time if possible. That's why I'm trying to convince myself that bigger and more expensive means I'm giving myself more room to grow.

Here's the thing, I've been listening to my Polk RTi6s on my Yamaha Receiver right now, and it sounds pretty bright. I don't remember it being that bright in the store...so does the amplifier REALLY make that much difference in the sound of the speaker? When I'm auditioning speakers how do I know what's a result of the speakers? I mean at Future Shop you can't setup different amps, you just have to use their Harmon Kardon setup. Which is probably recommended anyway, but...

And I'm trying to test on neutral levels but usually I find I have to tinker with bass and treble in order to be satisfied.

Oh and since they are somewhat bright right now (not really a bad thing, just lacking punch) will that be solved 100% by picking up the PSW12? Cause if so I'm gonna run out and buy it today. (Don't worry I'm still taking into consideration that Velodyne and SVS Subs are much better and that the Polk subs aren't very good,) but could I get by on the PSW12 sub and will it affect my happiness towards my RTi6s?

Laura Palmer

Oh and one thing I learned from most of your signatures is that a lot of you seem to use your surround speakers on the SIDE primarily instead of the REARS... Has this changed? I thought a typical 5.1 setup was 2 in the front and 2 in the back.... I thought it was only with 7.1 that people started putting speakers on the side....

I think I was confused for a while when people said to use the FXis for my surround speakers. It seems they meant for the sides and not the rears, probably.

In which case, that makes more sense...

Which is probably really convenient for me because if that's the way it's supposed to be setup (2 in the front, 1 center and 2 on the sides) then for my 7.1 where my extras would be the RTi6s in my rears I could probably hook these up to speaker B instead, have them on longer speaker wires and run them into my bedroom or something. I mean there aren't really any 7.1 movies out so maybe it'd be nice to be able to move my speakers back and forth depending on where I want them.

F1nut

I'm going to say it again, the RTi line were made for HT, not music. As such, they are a bright speaker, period.

Laura Palmer

...and a sub wouldn't help add an extra punch at all?

If that's really the case am I better to go with something else like JBL or Infinity? Cause currently there's no Polk LSi dealers in Canada, nor can I afford much right now beyond Future Shop's prices. Denon amplifiers and Pioneer Elite stuff is gonna have to come later in life when I'm making millions as a movie star.

I was really hoping to be able to go with Polk RTi's

Is anyone here satisfied with music for RTi series speakers? I read a lot about people who like rock music who chose RTi speakers, so is this just a disagreance in the community?

As for my music tastes, I'm all over the map. I'd like to cover all grounds. I'm hoping the RTi 6/8/10 or 12s will make the grain there. To be honest I wouldn't consider myself a real AUDIOPHILE actually...but again, I'm trying to leave myself room to "grow".

Willow

Well you could always go with the 4's as rears( they did get a good write up in stereophile(i think)) and keep the 6's as mains...for now untill you have extra cash and want to upgrade. I run a yammie with Rti. They are not that bad JBL E20's are far worse. As mentioned just be sure your receiver has per-outs.


And it's 3 up front and 2 in back =5 the .1 is the SUB.

jmierzur

Originally posted by Laura Palmer
...and a sub wouldn't help add an extra punch at all?

If that's really the case am I better to go with something else like JBL or Infinity? Cause currently there's no Polk LSi dealers in Canada, nor can I afford much right now beyond Future Shop's prices. Denon amplifiers and Pioneer Elite stuff is gonna have to come later in life when I'm making millions as a movie star.

I was really hoping to be able to go with Polk RTi's

FYI

Future Shop or any other Polk dealer can get the LSi series for you. Future Shop just does not stock the speakers. Have then look in their system for the speakers.

If you are interested the LSi line and need help, Walter Moser is the Canadian Sale rep. You should be able to get his email address from Polk Audio.

cfrizz

Laura, I will try to clarify some of this stuff for you. Most of it comes down to personal preference & space limitations.

I have a 5.1 system because that is all I have room for. my fxi's are on the back wall. The flexibility of the fxi's is that they are made to go either on the side or back walls.

Since you don't know where you will be living, you should set up a 5.1 system for now. I think in the long run you will be much happier with a pair of floorstanders for your mains. It will save you a case of the: I wonder if I shoulda... down the line. So pick a pair that you think you can be happy with for quite sometime.

The next important step is your receiver. (you use receiver & amp interchangebly, they are 2 different pieces of equipment.) You keep mentioning how bright the RTI speakers are, well it seems to be the general consensus of this board that the RTI speakers & Yamaha's end up being too bright of a combination.

I think it would be in your best interest to save your money some more & purchase a receiver that is a better match for the RTI's. Listen to the lowest priced Denon's & Pioneers & whatever other brands that have pre-amp outputs so that you can add a 2-3-5 or 7 channel amplifier to connect to your receiver later on down the line to give your speakers the power that will really make them come to life.

They will sound great with the receiver by themselves, but once you get an amplifier you will notice an even bigger jump in the quality of your speakers. (This will be a future improvement)

The mark of a good receiver & speakers is that you should not have to fool around with the treble and bass to get it to sound right.

I know you are probably chomping at the bit to get all of this stuff right now, but exercise a bit of patience and save a bit more money to get better equipment now, so that it will cost less to improve your system later on down the line. (not redo the entire system later on down the line.) The speakers & store aren't going anywhere

I am trying to share with you all the knowledge that I have picked up since joining this board. I had most of my equipment before I joined. However, I lucked out in the fact that I somehow bought very good equipment in the beginning (I just didn't really know it) which I have enjoyed for years & have saved a lot of money because I didn't have to start from scratch when I was ready to upgrade. I had all the good basics all ready in place.

It might cost a bit more right now, but in the long run it will save you money in the end because you will have a system that will only need a component to be changed out here & there somewhere in the distant future.

Cathy

reeltrouble1

When you listened to the Rti line did you like them? If so then I would get them since you are apparently getting a killer deal. I used my RTi for quite a while before upgrading, but yes at some point it is likely you are going to want to upgrade. The advice to get a receiver with preouts is very important. First off its going to be higher up the manufacture's line, just the fact they thought about preouts tells this. Second if you ever want to sell it and upgrade its much easier to move.

I would get a 7.1 receiver even if you only go 5.1 to begin with, their are quite a few discs that have a discreet 6th channel and you will miss this in 5.1. Its not the end of the world if you do but I like being able to get all the information off of a piece of software.

If you use your Fx speakers in the rear you generally set them to bi-polar, they basically fire in phase this way, if you use them on the sides then set to di-polar, where they fire out of phase to help disperse the sound across the wall.



RT1

RuSsMaN

How about all you DOGS shut up for a bit, and lets let Cathy and Laura talk for a while. You know, a little girl on girl action?

Cheers,
Russell the Love Muscle

HBombToo

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
How about all you DOGS shut up for a bit, and lets let Cathy and Laura talk for a while. You know, a little girl on girl action?

Cheers,
Russell the Love Muscle

Over the top here bro...

Willow

I think it's been said a well set up 5.1 will sound better than a crappy set 6.1 or even 7.1.

As for your receiver can your friend get you a discount on HK receiver? if not yamaha offers preouts starting at the rxv650 not sure what the equivalant HTR is. If you use buy an external amp I beleive the speakers will pick up the warmth or brightness of the amp and not the receiver. As mentioned the JBl's might be even brighter. Now I know there is a sale on Dahlquist at the audioshop.1/2 price in most cases. You may want to give em a listen.

cfrizz

I was going to say the same thing, only I wouldn't have been as polite about it.

Cathy

Originally posted by HBombToo
Over the top here bro...

Willow

Originally posted by cfrizz
I was going to say the same thing, only I wouldn't have been as polite about it.

Cathy

it's that kind of BS which will turn the women off from asking questions. Please don't let a bad apple spoil the bunch

RuSsMaN

Yeah yeah yeah. Everyone pick on the fat kid now. The fat kid doesn't have any feelings.

Cheers,
Russ

PolkThug

Originally posted by F1nut
I'm going to say it again, the RTi line were made for HT, not music. As such, they are a bright speaker, period.

:rolleyes:

The RTi's are great for music, period.

Shizelbs

I'll second Cathy's recommendation to get a receiver with pre-amp outs. My receiver does not have them, and its one of the biggest regrets I have about my system so far. You may not think you want them now, but if you get bit by the upgrade bug, which all of us have, you'll want them then.

Laura Palmer

Thank you all for the replies, seriously. This has been an amazing learning experience.

I took your word and decided to trust my own ears instead of being persuaded by the 3-way/2-way sort of specs.

Even though it *still* seems to feel strange that I'm leaning towards the RTi8s (2-way) even though all the other speakers in the set will be 3-way.

But I listened to the RTi8 vs the 10s and (to my ears anyway) the 8s sounded much more "full".

Anyway, problem is that they never have the RTi12's hooked up, can I just assume they're better than the 10s and 8s and just get them? It would make it easier :P

Oh and the Pioneer amp I'm considering says "Audio Preamp Output - 7 Channel "

I suppose I'm safe with this? Then down the road I just buy a so-called "Pre-Amp"?

I'm happy with this suggestion instead of paying 3x as much for a receiver now. Any Canadians here know if FutureShop sells pre-amps or do I have to go to a high quality Audio Shop for that?... like Audio Shop, Audio Center, or Audiotronic?

reeltrouble1

Good Job, your just a little bit away. The receiver, say the Pioneer with the pre-outs you are talking about is the pre/processor we are referring to. We are saying you will want to buy a 2-channel amp to run your fronts for music down the line.
You hook that amp to the pre-outs on the pioneer, they will marked front right and left.


RT1

Edit: I am a very long way from Canada so I cant say about the gear up there or where to get it. Also, wont the store hook the 12's up so you can hear them?

PolkThug

The receiver will act as the "pre-amp", meaning, it splits up the signal before it is sent to the amp. So, when you're talking about pre-amping, you're talking about adding amplifier(s). Instead of using the amplifiers inside of the receiver, you are sending the signal externaly through the preamp outputs to external amplifiers.

steveinaz

I took your word and decided to trust my own ears instead of being persuaded by the 3-way/2-way sort of specs.


But I listened to the RTi8 vs the 10s and (to my ears anyway) the 8s sounded much more "full".

In reference to 2way/3way--it's not the design that is important--it's the execution. There are many very fine 2-way speakers out there. More is not always better.

Be careful of the "fullness" you noted on the Rti8; this is some times an indicator of cabinet resonance. Bass should have a controlled, deep reaching sound, but not be overly "lumpy." (for lack of a better word). Don't confuse "full" with "accurate."

Laura Palmer

I did some quick searching on Audiotronic.ca and FutureShop.ca and I can't find any pre-amps. Only phono-pre-amps (which I need one of those too actually).

Is there a pre-amp that you guys recommend that goes well with Polk that's relatively affordable? Does it also do phono-amping so I can kill two birds with one stone?

I just checked Audio Shop's website and their pre-amps start at $900-$1600!! I had no idea they were going to be that expensive. Does it make sense that the cost of the pre-amp would be 2-3 times more expensive than what I'm going to pay for my receiver?

Thanks!
Laura,

cfrizz

Ask your friend to hook up the 12's so you can hear them and compare them to the 8's & 10's. Make sure they are attached to the Pioneer you are interested in. That's the only way you will be able to make an informed decision.

Which Pioneer receiver are you looking at? You never know there might be someone on this board that has the same one and could give you a 1st hand review of it.

Since it has 7 channel preouts, you would be all set to add a separate amplifier/s later on down the line.

Bring some cd's with you that you know very well, that will make it easier to distinguish differences between the speakers

Keep researching & asking questions Laura, We are having a ball helping you get the best system that you can!:)

Frank Z

http://www.outlawaudio.com/holiday-sale.html#

This is the Phono Stage that I use...

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.9/category.-109/it.A/id.924/.f