Comments on RTi8s and RTi6s?

MRM11793

Hi. This is my first post in this forum. My wife and I will be moving into a new apartment within a few months and we're thinking of the following for a HT:

RTi8s as Front Left and Right
RTi6s as rear left and right,
and a CSI3 for the center

The living room is about 18 X 19. I'd be purchasing a separate subwoofer.

Any comments and/or suggestions will be appreciated on this set up.

okiepolkie

Welcome to the forum. You are one step away from addiction. There are two options.

1) Turn back and imagine that you don't know anything about audio(or home theater).

or

2) Indulge and become an audiophile(not as bad as a
pedophile, but someday you might enjoy your speakers naked)


Everything looks pretty good so far. I have a couple of questions, then I'm going to give a couple of suggestions.


What are you going use to drive the speakers with?

What kind of subwoofer are you considering?


Okay now suggestions(opinions):

If you don't mind bookshelf speakers all around, then get 4 RTi6's, a CSi5(although the CSi3 is a fine choice), and a good subwoofer.

Good subwoofers include some of the following companies: www.svsubwoofers.com and www.hsuresearch.com

Of course there are other subs, but these tend to be purchased most frequently on this forum.

Have fun with everything.

Zach

Early B.

Yeah, I agree. The center channel speaker is the most important one, so get the best -- Csi5. And yeah, Hsu or SVS sub. Again, get the biggest, baddest sub you can afford. The sub is what makes a good HT system into a great one.

MRM11793

Thanks very much for your comments. My wife, who is the boss, is insisting on getting one of the following for the subwoofer:

A Velodyne DLS04000R or
A Polk PSW505 or
A Boston Acoustic PV700

Again, any comments will be appreciated.

okiepolkie

Is your wife basing things on looks, price, or brand?

Although we love our Polk's, their subwoofers aren't up to snuff for HT.

For the price, the SVS PB10-ISD will go be louder at lower frequencies than the PSW505. It looks good as well.

Out of the three you mentioned, I'd look at the Velo first. I don't know much about the Boston Acoustics subs.


BTW, did you tell us what receiver/pre&amp you are going to use?

Mjr7531

I'll second Early on the CSi5, I auditioned both the CSi3 and 5, and the 5 is much better to my ears, I'm sure you'll think the same.
Plus, you'll have an ultimate timbre match, nothing but 6 1/2 all around your HT.

Early B.

Geez, man, don't let your wife choose the sub. Out of all the aspects of HT, the sub is the most masculine part of it. Gotta assert your manhood on that one.

If it's aesthetics she's looking for, here's how to use it to your advantage -- show her a picture of this Hsu VTF-3 sub that can also double as a nice end table --

VR3

Gosh that thing is freakin AWESOME looking...

If you do buy that thing though, and you indeed do use it for an end table, make sure whatever you put on it has something under it that makes it soft...because that high gloss black finish WILL scratch...

cfrizz

LOL Early!

OOOhhhh that be very purty!!!

MRM11793, I have the BA PV 600, It does a fairly decent job of rattling my back speakers when I push it. However I will admit that if I had to do it over I would probably get the SVS PB10.

BTW welcome to Club Polk!

Cathy

Early B.

Yeah, I got one of these babies. Onix Rocket sub. Looks similar, but it's a little cheaper than the Hsu...

gregure

I agree with most of what's been said. Definitely go w/ the CSi 5 for the center-a great speaker. But if size is an issue, I think you can live with the 3.
I've been saying this a lot lately, but you really can't go wrong with the SVS PB 10 ISD. I absolutely guarantee that it wil out perform any of the three subs you are considering, and it is only $470 total, shipped to your doorstep. Check out the site, and see it for yourself. It's large, but you won't believe how this thing can add to music/movie experiences. It even comes in a few different colors, at no extra charge.
Another consideration I would make, is to consider FXi 3's for your rears. With a room that size you really probably wouldn't need the FXi 5's, and the FXi 3's are less expensive than the RTi6's. Plus, the bi-firing surrounds will give you a lot better surround effects with movies, and fill your room up a little better than the 6's would as surrounds. Again, just a suggestion.
Here's the link to the PB 10 sub:
http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb10_isd.htm
Addendum: The HSU subs may look nicer, but they are more expensive, and have less extension than the SVS. Really the best deal available.