5.1 speaker system with emphasis on music?

Johnny S

I'm looking to put together a nice 5.1 surround system. The catch is that I enjoy listening to music more than watching movies, so while I'd like a capable surround system, I'd like it to excell in the music department.

Here's what I'm looking at now:

Polk Monitor 60 Main Speakers
Polk CSi5 Center Speaker
Polk Monitor 30 surround Speakers.

I'd then buy a good sub to go along with. My budget is no more than $1500. What do you think? Are there better options for what I want?

ward91

my system isnt too good but its ok with music and movies i dont have a purpose center speaker i use my old mains as a center, they got 5 of 5 stars as they had exelent voice reproduction. i have a 6.1 system so i got 3 pairs of speakers and a sub, i have another pair of speakers in the system for the sake of it as my dad was going to throw them . ( my center speaker is a mission m71i )

McLoki

I got my LSi7's for about $350/pair. (and LSiC for $350) You should be able to find LSi9's for $550/pair and an LSiC for the same $350. All would have to be purchased used (or at least not purchased through an authorized dealer) of course.

One thing though, it might increase the cost of your amplification. If you are going to run from an AVR, I think you would be happier with the 7's and a nice sub. For music (and movies) it will sound great.

Michael

aaharvel

LSI's for the L/C/R. Johnny S. For music stay away from Monitors. Welcome to the forums.

Johnny S

My receiver is a Pioneer VSX-D710 rated at 100 x 5. Would that be sufficient to power the LSi7's?

Thanks.

Willow

would it work yes, would it do a good job not really.
Almost, if not everyone who ownes LSi have them set up with an external amp.

Audiokarate089

I wouldnt even consider the LSi's unless you were using an external amplifier. Lsi speakers are a 4ohm speaker that your reciever could probably not even push. Sure it would make sound but without an external amp not worth the cost of the speakers. Being how you are using that reciever I would use the monitors, They sound fine and are quite efficient and that pionner should make them sound fine. You dont have to spend a fortune to get good sound. I think you would be happy with the outcome.

McLoki

Johnny S wrote:

My receiver is a Pioneer VSX-D710 rated at 100 x 5. Would that be sufficient to power the LSi7's?

The LSi7's are actually more of a 6 ohm speaker so can handle most recievers ok. (HK, Dennon, etc.) unfortuantely, it should be an upper model in those brands. (and a external amp is really best)

From the limited info I could find on your Pioneer, it is not rated for anything under 8 ohms and many users seem to complain about the lack of power that it has compared to what its ratings would suggest. While I think for a mainly music system the LSi7's with a sub would be the best low-cost option. It just will not be doable with that reciever.

If you are stuck with that AVR, I would try (listen to) one of the smaller monitor or RTi speakers. (maybe some of the smaller paradigms). If you are ok with selling that reciever and upgrading to upper end HK or something of that nature - LSi7's all the way.

I would expect used prices in the $500-$800 range for a really nice 5.1 AVR that would do the job pretty well and allow for adding an external amp later if you choose to.

Michael

mhw58

Johnny S wrote:

I'm looking to put together a nice 5.1 surround system. The catch is that I enjoy listening to music more than watching movies, so while I'd like a capable surround system, I'd like it to excell in the music department.

Here's what I'm looking at now:

Polk Monitor 60 Main Speakers
Polk CSi5 Center Speaker
Polk Monitor 30 surround Speakers.

I'd then buy a good sub to go along with. My budget is no more than $1500. What do you think? Are there better options for what I want?

Look for SDA's, they're fantastic for music and work great for movies too.
I use SDA 1C's for my front's and SDA 2's for rears, got the CS400i center channel and it sounds awesome. With a little luck you can find some SDA's
on ebay and stay in your budget.
Mike