Side/Rear Surround ?

dkg999

I am currently running Fxi3's as my side surrounds and Rti28's as my rear surrounds in a 7.1 HT. Would there be any downside to going to Fxi5's as my side surrounds and moving the Fxi3's to the rear surrounds? My fronts are Rti70's and my center is a dual Csi40. I realize that I am mixing tweeter types, however I have not had a problem with mixing the Fxi3's with the older RTi series and like the added brightness on the surround channels.

aaharvel

Not only is there not a problem with that- but imo it would be an improvement. I'm of the minority (maybe i'm not, who knows?)that believe monopoles are NOT the way to go for either side or rear surrounds- be it with a 5.1 or 7.1 setup: movies OR music- especially in a smaller room.

IMO- Di-poles for movies, Bi-poles for Music. If you don't want to take the speakers off the wall to adjust the switch- then just leave all 4 on Bi-Pole.

Here's an article that you should read from Home Theater magazine comparing Monopoles to Dipoles in a '7.1' setup:

http://www.hometheatermag.com/bootcamp/25/index1.html

Here is a link from Paradigm showing you what an all Di/BI-pole setup can offer for a '7.1' presentation:

http://www.paradigm.com/Website/AllAboutSound/Surrounds.html

dkg999

Thanks for the links! I had a chance to pick-up a like new pair of Fxi5's for $275 and my thought was that these would provide a little more depth in SQ versus the Fxi3's I had as side surrounds. My Rti28's seem to work pretty good as the rear surrounds, however being able to hang the Fxi3's on the rear wall would be nice! I would rather have the Rti28's as spare speakers than the Fxi3's! If this sounds good, my pair of Rti28's and a spare Csi30 will be looking for a new home.

aaharvel

don't forget to offer the members here first dibs on the 28's and 30 if you decide to sell them.

Sounds like you got a great deal for the fxi5's- hope you enjoy them.

dkg999

You can count on CP getting first chance on surplus equipment. Someday I have to start selling off all the remaining unused stuff that is in my storage room:rolleyes:

aaharvel

when i first started in this hobby i was in highschool and no where near a decent retailer- all we had was radioshack.
Combine that with the fact that i didn't know a damn thing about 'hi-fi' well you can imagine what i started out with.

Needless to say I ended up just donating my old stuff to charity b/c i was sure no one would buy it.

Not so with your 28's and 30.

dkg999

The stuff in the storage unit is mostly brands like Harmon Kardon, Phase Linear, SAE, Threshold, GAS, Altec Lansing, etc. Up until recent history used mid-fi equipment was tough to move while living in central IA! I need to finish sorting it and moving it!

Interesting! My new FXi5's arrived, and are in absolutely like new condition, with the original box and packing, and even smell new even though they were listed as used. The really interesting thing is that the original serial# stickers have been replaced with computer generated ones! Hmmmm! I guess for the $275 I paid for them shipped, I won't complain, however I am definetely in the gray area as far as the standards I like to adhere to.

aaharvel

cool thing about the 5's are that the bi/dipole switch is on the front facia. If I want to switch my 3's and 300's I have to take the speaker off the wall and do myself- a royal pain in the ****.

I figure if I just leave all 4 on bipole then it's a nice give & take for movies and music- especially in a "7.1" config.