Speaker (Mis)Match?

audioshrimp

Hi folks. I'm attempting to put together a surround sound system, and as my name implys I really don't know what I'm doing. While researching I came across this wonderful forum and hope to get some feedback from some of the knowledgeable members here.

I'm building a home theater, so the application is mainly DVD and (hopefully) HDTV. The room is a decent size (30' x 18' x 7.5') and since the walls are open I want to run wire to in-wall/ceiling speakers. My speaker budget is about $1,500 (msrp), and I've basically selected speakers according to budget, without knowing if they are well matched. What I'm looking at is:
Front RC85i x 2
Center LC265i x 1
Surrounds RC80i x 2
Sub PSW12

The TV will be a Panasonic plasma TH50PX60U and I'm looking at a Yamaha HTR-5890 receiver (120watt@8ohms).

I spoke with one guy who thought the center speaker may not be well matched with the fronts since it crosses product lines, and perhaps I'd be better off using another RC85i speaker for the center. I had selected the LC265i for the center because can get my hands on one for $340, not far off from the price I'd have to pay for another pair of RC85is.

Am I being foolish by trying to force a better speaker in the center because I can get value there?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
TIA,
Audioshrimp

amulford

Basically, yes. You want to match up the front soundstage. Personally, I'd opt for the three amigos...

Sherardp

go with the three amigos and a SVS Sub

wingnut4772

Welcome. I love your name and yes, match the fronts.

audioshrimp

Thanks for the responses, guys. You've saved me from making the mistake of trying to improve something by **** it up!

A couple of more questions...

1. Are the 'three amigos' three RC85is or three LC265is (assuming no one is suggesting I get Martin Short, Chevy Chase and Steve Martin to stand around the plasma and sing along ? Three LC265is would kinda blow the budget, but Mrs. Audioshrimp won't see the visa bill until they're already in the wall. If you guys want to get me hot water, just tell me the LC265is will really change this setup from ordinary into something extraordinary. But also let me know if that means I have to change those surrounds (currently RC80is).

2. I can't find an "SVS" sub. Polk's got PFWs and CSWs (I've afraid to go with a concealed sub without any reviews on them), and I've even looked at other manuafacturers for an "SVS" model with no luck. I'm thinking "SVS" maybe stands for another manufacturer's name and I have a mental block? Come on guys, I'm a pee-wee amoung db giants...help me out here! ;-)

3. Since this is new construction and I don't have sheetrock up yet, I have the opportunity to use the mounting brackets. Does anyone know if the mounting brackets are superior to the retrofit attachments that come with the speakers? At $50/pair the brackets are a bit pricey, but I'd add $100 to the job if it's going to result in better sound (ie perhaps the retrofit method results in a little rattle that the brackets would have prevented?).

Thanks again,
AS

wingnut4772

Mrs. Audioshrimp won't see the visa bill until they're already in the wall.

I am wondering if before you guys were married she daydreamed and practiced signing her married name " Mrs. Audioshrimp, Mrs. Audioshrimp....sigh"

You can only by SVS on the internet. SVS . They are great.

audioshrimp

wingnut4772 wrote:

I am wondering if before you guys were married she daydreamed and practiced signing her married name " Mrs. Audioshrimp, Mrs. Audioshrimp....sigh"

Daydreamed?!?! There was a timed test to see if she could write it the requisite number of times without hand cramps before I'd schedule a wedding date! ;-)
Actually, considering my family name she'd probably prefer "Audioshrimp"...

Thanks for the link to SVS. The subs look cool, but they sure are pricey. I was looking at the Polk psw12 for $300, and the lowest priced SVS 12" is the PB12nsd at $660. Is it really worth doubling the sub budget? Other alternatives would be Polk's psw404 at $360 or psw505 at $500 if the psw12 is simply not a good choice.

Sorry to pester you guys, but the expertise I have access to here is the summer help at Circuit City. With the little research I've done so far, I seem to know more than these guys and that scares the heck out of me!

Thanks again,
AS

wingnut4772

Is it really worth doubling the sub budget?

YES! Polk makes very nice speakers but I have to say that their subs are their weakest point. A good sub (and $600.00 is still entry-ish) will give you big impact for the $$$ in the HT.

amulford

As far as the three amigos, that choice is yours. If you get the LC265i's, then yes, your performance will be very much improved. But you will need to go with LC series in the rear, which will increase the budget even more.

If you choose to go with the RC series, still match the three up front.

It basically boils down to how much you want to spend and the amount of performance you want to attain.

With the budget you have set for yourself, I'd stick with the RC's and invest in a good sub. The sub is one of the most important speakers in HT. That will still go over your budget, but you will be happy with the result.

BTW, with the size of the room, you are a good candidate for 7.1 surround. I would suggest another pair of RC80's for rear surrounds.

If you are at all handy with tools, you could build your own subwoofer(s). Is there a crawlspace under the room or dead space above?? An IB(infinite baffle) subwoofer(s) is actually very easy to build and will dig deeper (have a lower frequency response) and most likely out perform many commercially available products in your price range.