New HT setup opinions

frodaddy

Hi everyone! I just joined the forum, so I figured I'd see how much attention I can get.

My current system (Monitor 104b 5.1 package):
Denon AVR4800 (125w/ch, THX ultra certified)
Monitor 40's for l/r
CS1 center
Originally Monitor 30's for the surround, but currently Yamaha 3-ways (8" woofer for more bass in the back)
Subs? Hhmmm... really bad right now so I'm not gonna say

So what happened was I bought the Monitor 104B system from frys for an incredible price, so I ended up with what's listed above. After some testing, I found that I really didn't like the Monitor 30's because they didn't have much range. So I grabbed my old Yamaha speakers (used to be my l/r), and threw them in the back. They sound flat, but they had more of a full sound so I kept them temporarily. I sold the Monitor 30's to put it toward some good rears.

I'm happy with my Monitor 40's, so I looked for a set of those as surrounds. They are selling for a lot more than I wanted to pay for them. (I'm doing a cost/benefit comparison to my full 5.1 system I bought from frys.) In the meantime, I'm testing my system and I'm finding that I can make my CS1 bottom out very easily. So now I have some more weaknesses to fix!! So what did I order?!?

Soon to be system:
R50's for the front l/r: Specs
CSi40 center: Specs
Monitor 40's as surrounds: Specs

Lets not talk about the subwoofer part of my system since I will fix that problem later this year. (18", tuned to subsonic freqs.) I just looked up the specs on my new front stage, and I got REALLY excited!! The low end of ALL 3 SPEAKERS freq response is 40Hz, the -3dB is the exact same at 50Hz, the efficiency is within 1dB of each other, and the tweeters are all silk dome. Comparing this to my current front stage, I think it's going to crush it. Also doing a quick spec check of my Monitor 40 surrounds, I think those will do very well considering they are a bright speaker and have a good low end freq response as well.

I haven't heard the complete system yet, but what do you think of my budget system? After selling all the speakers/amps I don't use, my net cost is right at $1000 (which includes the price that I paid for my Denon)

frodaddy

My speakers are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. I'm excited! I'm surprised nobody else is curious about it though

okiepolkie

Sounds like a good system for the price. If you don't already have them, get the AVIA test disc and a Radio Shack analog SPL meter to fully calibrate your system.

frodaddy

I got everything in today and installed! However I had to cut some new speaker wire for the R50's, so I have to burn that and the speaker in before I pass final judgement.

Overall the system sounded really good. When I first started listening I just thought that everything sounded a little bit fuller. But the more I listened, the more I noticed.

The CSi40 made a HUGE difference over the CS1. The Ents on Lord of the Rings come in perfect and with awesome clarity. Also, Mufasa and Scar on the Lion King sound full as well. I think those voices are some of the hardest to reproduce. Explosions, sound effects, and basically everything sounds much better now!

When I first looked at the R50's, I thought the woofers were cheap compared to the CSi40's. However, once I tested them out I found that they were an awesome speaker. These replaced my Monitor 40's in the front, and they do everything the 40's do but much more efficiently. What I'm really impressed with is how well these were engineered for the price. These speakers would not sound as good if they had the down-firing power port!! I'm very impressed with the port since there isn't any port chuffing and it makes the tower sound almost like my PSW10! But you have the clarity of dual 6.5" woofers! These R50's have came in a VERY close second to my CSi40.

So with the R50's, I moved my Monitor 40's to the rear surrounds. I expected better imaging with more bass, and that is exactly what I got. The one thing that is hard to notice is how well they blend in with the rest of the system. If something is panning from front to rear or vice versa, the transition is so smooth that it's unimpressive. In other words, since there is so little difference in the sound (tonally and bass output) it doesn't grab your attention. So they are doing their job, but they are doing it so well that it doesn't sound special.

Overall I am happy with what I put together. Not only did I fix some weak points with my previous sytem, I went a step beyond that and made everything sound and blend better.

Thanks again, Polk!