Possible change

brussell
brussell Posts: 40
edited March 2006 in Speakers
Right now I'm running RT55s as mains, RT7s as dual centers and FX500is as rears. I have been debating getting a CS400 for a center and moving the RT7s to the rears. I sure would appreciate some opinions on my thoguhts. Would this be an improvement or a less robust setup? If you could change set of speaker in the system what would it be? My room is approx 13Wx30Lx7H, I'm using a Yamaha A-1 to power everything and I plan on adding a 80 -100" front projector eventually.

Thanks in advance for everyone's advice!

Brad
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited March 2006
    For 7.1 using the 7s as rears and 500s as sides, it makes sense, but other than that scenario, I don't see any improvement in sound as a 5.1 rig.

    The 400 center may look better, but be weaker.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • peteran
    peteran Posts: 141
    edited March 2006
    [QUOTE=
    The 400 center may look better, but be weaker.[/QUOTE]

    Weaker!!!!!.... as to what?

    The CS400 would make the perfect match with the RT55's.
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  • brussell
    brussell Posts: 40
    edited March 2006
    peteran wrote:
    Weaker!!!!!.... as to what?

    The CS400 would make the perfect match with the RT55's.

    I guess that's my question. I'm sure the CS400 presents a better front stage than a RT7 but how does a CS400 do compared to 2 RT7s. From just a driver perspective its 2 Trilams and 2 7-1/2 drivers vs. 1 Trilam and 2 6-1/2 drivers. I guess my first thought is that the dual setup produces a more robust setup, but what I'm wondering is if there are other "forces" at work that would make the CS400 a better choice?

    Also, I don't see myself moving to a 7.1 setup anytme soon. I need a bigger subwoofer first!

    Thanks again for all the input!

    Brad
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  • peteran
    peteran Posts: 141
    edited March 2006
    If you don't plan to do 7.1, leave it. 50% of your sound comes from the center, If you get the cs400 you might notice a difference but the blending in your front stage would surpass that. A good Amp will even make it better.
    Tey are not many Cs400's out there for sale, so if you are thinking about it, be on the lookout.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2006
    If you can find a nice CS400...I would go for it.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited March 2006
    dont underestimate the power of timbre matching, it makes a difference
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

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  • brussell
    brussell Posts: 40
    edited March 2006
    ohskigod wrote:
    dont underestimate the power of timbre matching, it makes a difference

    It's always been my understanding that the RT7s and the RT55s are timbre matched?

    Brad
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited March 2006
    peteran wrote:
    Weaker!!!!!.... as to what?

    The CS400 would make the perfect match with the RT55's.

    The 400 could be weaker than 2 RT7s. Depends on how comb filtering etc. plays into the equation, but RT7s with the larger woofers are killer little speakers.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2006
    get the center and go for the 7.1 if you like HT, its great.

    RT1
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  • brussell
    brussell Posts: 40
    edited March 2006
    Dennis Gardner wrote:
    The 400 could be weaker than 2 RT7s. Depends on how comb filtering etc. plays into the equation, but RT7s with the larger woofers are killer little speakers.

    I have one on the floor and the othe opn top of the tv which puts them about 4ft. apart. So i hope I'm not running into that. I can't remember what the minimum distance is -- anyone?

    Thanks again!

    Brad
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited March 2006
    The fact that they receive the exact same signal (mono) and tend to cancel each other when the sound reaches the ears together is the comb filter effect. I wish the multi channel formats would consider a stereo center option for the projector users or some type of wide program setting for our centers.

    I'm sure the distance helps some in this regard and trying different setups is what this hobby is all about when trying to achieve the best possible sound for your $$$.

    Enjoy, Brad!

    Dennis
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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