Thoughts on this budget 5.1 system please.

Brewman

Hi all, I've been having a blast trying to put together a decent system for a HT. I am replacing a 14 year old Panasonic unit with 32" towers (8", 3.5", and 1" in each). The room this new system will be going in is 19'x13'x8' with the seating and Entertainment Unit on the 13' walls. The system will be used for Movies/Gaming/Music (50/40/10) but I do watch concert DVDs so music may be increased. I'm trying to get away from the towers and go for a cleaner look, so I want to go with bookshelf speakers.

I've decided on Polks for the speakers. Here is the setup I am thinking about:

Receiver: Onkyo 603X (Some may think this is overkill, but I like it due to the ability to add to it if/when we build a bigger house)

Fronts: RTi4s (or Monitor 40s, wasn't sure if they would be too much for the room, size and sound wise)

Center: CSi3

Surround: R15s

Sub: Dayton sub-120

That setup comes in at roughly $1200, depending on who has what on sale.

Any thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated as I have been out of this type of audio stuff for a long time. Thanks!

danger boy

just figure in a few more $$ for cables and wires and you should have a pretty decent system there.

TroyD

Yup...rock on.

BDT

StopherJJ1980

FXi3's for surrounds would be a worthy upgrade im thinking but sounds good otherwise.

Willow

Seems like you are going in the right direction. I would opt for the Rti4's (great speakers) I would even go as far as saying if you swing it get another pair for the rears. Also as mentioned don't forget cables.

aaharvel

Willow wrote:

Seems like you are going in the right direction. I would opt for the Rti4's (great speakers) I would even go as far as saying if you swing it get another pair for the rears. Also as mentioned don't forget cables.

right on.

Brewman

Thanks for the opinions, I was worried that the speakers I selected might not fill the room, but I guess not. The FXi3s that Stopher mentioned are pretty nice, will have to keep those in mind for later down the road.

Also, I would like some opinions on the Dayton sub. Would a 10" Velodyne ( or another 10" sub) fill the room sufficiently? The Dayton has no input to hook up to from the sub pre out on the receiver, so how would you connect it, with a Y adapter?

Sorry for all the questions, there is almost too much info out there and too many choices, lol.

crazy

Why not get the Monitor series?

Monitor 50 -- $400
Monitor 30 -- $200
CS1

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$180
PSW10

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$240 (it used to free with $400 purchase not too long ago)

Total = $1020

Monstor cables for the setup ~ $100

Onkyo TX-SR603X ~ $360 on Amazon.com

Add the Onkyo 603 and you get a really really good system for less than $1500

ohskigod

the monitor is a good line, but some find it a bit bright. I heard them sound great, I've heard them sound bright too. I believe he might be a little better off with the RTi line, expecially with that reciever.

If I had to play devil's advocate, I would say search that budget to see if you can find the money for RTi6's instead of 4's. just a little more oomph for the mains. if you cant, you still put together an excellent budget rig, all new stuff too.

I hear good things about those dayton subs, get a lot for the money. that set up will do you just fine. welcome aboard!

ohskigod

crazy wrote:

Monstor cables for the setup ~ $100

Monster = waste of cash

that system, you can get the dayton line cables from partsexpress and be fine. if you need to get them in a store fast, than go with Acoustic research (the blue cables, not the pro line) budget wise and performance wise will fit that system you put together to a t. same performance as the monster, less cash.

Shizelbs

Very nice setup. You'll surely enjoy it.

Brewman

Thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate getting clear answers compared to a couple of other boards I've been on. Guess it helps to ask the right people.

crazy

Shizelbs wrote:

Very nice setup. You'll surely enjoy it.

Shizelbs, which setup is nice?

ohskigod

both are solid entry level, the RTi and the monitor set up you mentioned

if it sounds good to your ears, then its good enough.

youll both catch the bug and upgrade through the years anyway, so your both at good starting points