New House...New Speakers

ISpaulding

My house is in the process of being built and I have been anxiously waiting on buying a home theater equipment. I have finally decided on TV and receiver (Samsung HL-R5668 1080P DLP and the Yamaha RX-V2600 7.1 receiver).

As for the speakers I am seriously looking at the Polk RTi series. For the front stage I am looking at the RTi10s and the CSi5 for the center channel. The subwoofer will either be the Polk PSW505 or a Velodyne DPS-12. Now here come the question...

My family room (18' X 16'), which is really a great room is where I want to install the system. It only has three walls. The other side is open to the kitchen. If I want the traditional 7.1 speaker placement, I would need 1 or two stands for the surround sound speakers. Two of the four speakers could be mounted to the back wall. I was looking at Polk 's FXi5 speakers. If I buy a pair, and use the Bi-pole feature, do I need a second pair for the 7.1 experience? Or should I use different surrounds all together?

Any input into this matter would be greatly appreiceted, as I am in need of as much information as possible with any of my system component selections. Thanks in advance.

BIZILL

an fxi5 is not designed to be used freestanding without being against a wall to reflect the soundwaves. you could try it anyway. if i had your room setup, i'd just use rti6's all the way around for surround. but that's just me.

Tour2ma

IS,
Welcome to the Club. I like your choice of the 10's as mains... nicely mannered RTi there.

At 18x16' open to the kitchen and likely a hallway, entry, etc., you're talking an large room. Add in vaulted ceiling and you're likely looking at over 3000 cu ft. If you are expecting gut rumble movie experiences, the subs you are considering are going to be hard pressed to deliver them.

As for your surrounds... Open walls always present a challenge. I don't share Bizill's dipole concern (it's not like they're a direct/ reflecting design). IMO direct radiator vs. dipole desgn choice is dictated by distance from your listening position(s). Given enough room for dispersion, direct work fine. Otherwise di's need to be considered.

One thing you might want to do is wire for side surrounds, but start with a 5 ch set up. You may find that's enough for you...

drew spelts

I second the 5.1 setup idea. BTW 7.1 is not the traditional set-up just to let you know, traditionaly it is the 5.1 set-up. Only now with the new Lord of the Rings and a few other DVD's is true 6.1 possible. So I really would not wory about having anything higher than 5.1. I used to have 7.1 set-up and thought it was great, then moved the HT to another room and down to 5.1 and never missed the other two speakers. Another good reason to go with the 5.1 is the extra ~250~ you save from buying more RTi6's (I highly recomend for surround) could be used twards an SVS sub. BTW I just got done reading a bunch of pissed of posts from peaople at velodine about their customer service. I originally was going to get a velodine DPS 12 but I have learned too much bad to just turn a blind eye. Also, I have heard the DPS 12 in the opening sequence to the first LOTR when they cut the ring off the bad dudes finger ane he implodes, well that sub I can definately tell will not keep up with those sub sonic frequencies. It was prety worthless in one of the coolest soundefect scenes ever produced in my opinion. Definately investigate the SVS's. You can easily start out with 5.1 any way and then move up to 6.1 its not like these RTi line of speakers will evaporate from all marketplaces any time soon.