Questions setting up theater system?

denny250

Hi Polk Fans! (just joined),

I'm trying to set up my 5.1 home theater for the first time and I have decided to go with a panasonic plasma. As for the audios:

Front: RTi-8
Center: CSi-3
Rear: RTi-4 or FXi-3
Sub: PSW303 or SVS/HSU as some other members have mentioned

Receiver: Denon AVR-1705
DVD player: not sure yet?

What do you guys think about the combination above? Also any DVD player recommendations to go with the set?

Lastly, any previous buying experience at crutchfield?

Thanx a lot!

denny

Toxis

1. upgrade the center to a CSi5 if you go with the 8 fronts.
2. You'll want to go with at least a 2105 to have a set of nuts to run the towers worth talking about.
3. Save the money on the plasma and get a tube. It'll look 10 times better and save you $$ to upgrade the most important part of a HT system, THE AUDIO!
4. SVS > Polk for subs.
5. Go with the FX's in the back if you watch a lot of movies, RTi's if you listen to a lot of music.
6. Get a denon DVD player, anything above a 1710. Like an old 910, 1200, 1600 or a new 1910 or better.

I think that's all for now.

marker

I agree with everything Toxis just wrote, except #5. I'd get a set of RTi6 or RTi4 back there regardless of music or movies.

Early B.

Yeah, what Toxis said. I'll only add that you should get the most powerful SVS or Hsu you can afford. Think "overkill."

Ricardo

I bought my Denon 1910 DVD form Crutchfield; the player is great; the DVI output really made a difference.

No complaints on the dealer.

cfrizz

To the Denon 1905 so that you will have pre-amp outputs to add on separate amplifiers to give yourself more power when your ready.

Willow

speaking from experience:

I have the 8s a 3 and the 4's for rears, I am very happy. That being said when we do get a new TV, I would like to have the 5 as my centre. not that the 3 is bad, not at all great lil speaker, now that I have the 8's I find it a tadd thin compared the the 8's.

As far as the receiver, be sure it has pre-outs. For the sub. I don't own svs or hsu, but i have owned a polk sub and it's just ok. My new energy is night and day difference.

billbillw

Crutchfield is one of the oldest and most respected mail order/internet electronics retailer. Thier prices aren't the most competitive, but they ship fast, have a great return policy, and great customer service if you need it.

I also recommend going for a higher model Denon receiver. You won't be dissapointed if you spend a little more for one of the 280x series receivers.

As far as the DVD player, the recommendation depends heavily on whether or not you are going to use it for audio (CD/SACD/DVD-A) or just for movies (DTS/DD 5.1).

If mainly for movies, I would get the Panasonic S97 or the new Oppo OPDV971H. Both have better video quality than most of competing players and they are both quite affordable.

If you are going to use the DVD player for audio as well as movies, go for a Denon 2910 or higher model to get good quality audio output from the analog outputs and "universal player" capability.

If you do want to use for DVD player for audio, remember to get 5.1 analog cables and a receiver with 5.1 or more external inputs for SACD/DVD-A. If you only use the digital (optical or coax) connection for the DVD player, the audio section of the DVD player is bypassed and all of the processing is done in the HT receiver. You cannot play SACD or DVD-A over the digital connection (except on some VERY high end units)

Toxis

Originally posted by cfrizz
To the Denon 1905 so that you will have pre-amp outputs to add on separate amplifiers to give yourself more power when your ready.

I would agree with this if and only if he plans to add amps later. If that plan is not in his future, 2105 or better only. The 1905 just doesn't have any nuts to it at all. Absolutely zero headroom IMO.

denny250

Thanks a lot, guys. Will probably get the CSi-5 & FXi-3. And really impressed with the Denon 2805 receiver. As far as DVD player, I would need the DVI out so 1910 might not be a bad choice.

denny250

Consider my HT room size to be about 12x14', Would it be a correct assumption that SVS PB10-ISD would outperform PSW404? Or there is not that much difference for that room size?

Mjr7531

The PB10-ISD will outperform the 404 in just about any situation I can think of, There will be a huge difference, with the room gain and all included, the PB10 will start into the infrasonic range.

Nelson57

Denny you are headed in the right direction with the choices you are making. Adding the CSi5, FXi3, Denon 2805, 1910 DVD Player, and SVS PB10-ISD will make for a really solid HT setup.

denny250

Hey thanks a lot Nelson for your encouragement. Definitely gonna go with RTi8, CSi5, FXi3, Denons, & SVS now. You mind if I ask you
what kind of speaker wires you use? I got people telling me really low-cost 12 gage wires from Home-depot, also people talking about a place called Cobalt Cable online, expensive though. Also what do you use for subwoofer cable?

Nelson57

Funny you should ask about speaker wires Denny because I am about to change my speaker cables which will be my last move on my system for a while.

I do plan on purchasing the low-cost 12 gage wire from Home Depot. I currently have 16 gage wire from Radio Shack on my Side and Rear surrounds, and 14 gage monster wire on my front and center speakers. I'm going to change them all to the 12 gage wire from HD.

I think the Home Depot wire will be just fine, as is Cobalt, its just more convienant for me to go to HD. I have monster subwoofer cable on one sub, and some 25ft subwoofer cable I bought from Best Buy (I forgot what brand, but it was cheaper than Monster) on the other. They are both essentially RCA cable with a little extra shielding.

Welcome to the forum. There are some great guys here, and a whole lot of knowledge. Be sure to post some pictures once you get your rig setup.

Toxis

FYI, Denon just discontinued the 1910 dvd player for unknown reasons and will be shipping out 1920's soon. I haven't heard what the difference is but depending on when you buy, the new model might be out. This came directly from Denon.

denny250

Sure I will post some pictures when I get set up. I plan on trying some Home Depot speaker wires too, denifitely 12 gauge though. Also I need to get couple of optical cables between my comcast HD box & DVD player to receiver. Don't know if anyone knows any sites?

maggiefan

Good quality ones here, glass, not plastic, fair price.

http://search.ebay.com/Glass-Toslink-cables_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8

cruiser

Crutchfields is great for speakers. Bought all my Polk stuff there and had great service. J&R, Vanns, and Crutchfields are my best online go to guys. Been buying from all 3 for years with no problems.

I went with the rti-10's. It seemed that for the small diff in dollars, the rti's had better stats. Never had the chance to compare side by side.

I have the rti-4's in the rear of my HT and they are great. MY sub and center are the weak links so I just purchased a csi-5 for the rear and fxi-3's for the mid surrounds in the 7.1.. (let you know how it sounds after I set em up)

I to am still working on the Sub. Try clicking on the SVS links provided by some of the polksters. The speaker info is very informative and it's printed in English, not Chinglish.