HT speaker selection

cyberhazard

Hi,

I'm in the process of putting together a HT system. All of the components in my sig have been purchased within the last month. At any rate, its down to speaker selection now. And a 5.1 setup looks to be the best fit for my space.

The space I have.
My room dimensions are, 17' deep X 15' wide with a 18'+ high vaulted ceiling. I have approx. 5' of space behind the seating area. Flooring is real hardwood although it's covered in large part buy an area rug. This room is by no means a box and is broken up on one side with angled walls for a bay window pop out on the left, and stairs on the right.

What I want to do.
Speaker placement would be front L & R bookshelf speakers on 26" stands. Center channel speaker on a shelf under the flat screen in a yet to be selected A/V credenza. In the wall surrounds facing each other about 2' behind the seating area and 8' high. And a powered sub on the floor wherever it seems the most happy.

What I like.
I auditioned a pair of LSi9's a while back at Frys with my personal Chesky's Ultimate Demonstration Disc. Now granted this was only a stereo setup at first but that all it took the get me thinking, I want them, i want them bad. I went on to some surround sound movie stuff with the 9's paired with 9's, then 7's, then finely FX's. Working the various sub's all the while. I also went through the RTi, Monitor and RM lines as well. The one thing I learned about Polk that day, it's all good.

What I want.
LSi9's fronts, LSiC center, LC65i surrounds and a PSW1000. Question is, is this overkill? Will my amp drive these speakers well? To the best of my knowledge this Sony has no problem driving 4 ohm loads. My old Sony, a circa 1984 555ES drives my Klipsch KG4's to insane levels. I guess the main reason I went with Sony again is 20+ years of hard partying and still going strong. At any rate, this new setup will be 80% movie watching to 20% music.

Comments please.

tonyb

Search button....top of your screen.....will answer all you need to know about powering LSI speakers.Cheers

MillerLiteScott

Also look into SVS and HSU sub's before you buy.

TennesseeOutlaw

To answer your question about powering the Lsi9's.. The AVR you have will do a decent job at powering them, as well as, the rest of your speakers.. However, if I were you, I would definately get an amplifier to power your 9's at least.. As a matter of fact, I would even look into a 3 channel amp or a 2 channel with an extra mono block for the center.. That center is a gr8 speaker, but as with the 9's it really needs/wants a lot of power to shine.. Also, I wanted to get a PSW1000 when I started thinking about purchasing a new HT set-up... Only thing I can tell you is NO, do not buy this sub.. For that amount of money you can get a KICKA$$ SVS.. http://www.svsound.com/

I would check these out.. After you get an amplifier to power the 9's at least, in IMHO, the center as well, you can use the AVR's power to power the rears (surrounds).

Happy hunting,

Josh

danger boy

some receivers will go into protect mode when using a 4ohm speaker and the volume is turned up.... so consider adding a two channel amp to your set up for your LSi 9's.. you are on the right track for a great sounding system.

cyberhazard

Thanks for the comments everybody, It's much appreciated.

OK, looked into the SVS subs. Nice. I need to find some for a listen/feel. I'm still digging around HSU's website as well as a few other sites.

Option 1
Go with the LSi9's fronts, LSiC center, LC65i surrounds and a sub. Power them with the new Sony receiver. If the sound is found lacking add a amp. For example a Sunfire Cinema Seven.

Option 2
Go with RTi6 fronts, CSi3 center, TC65i surrounds and a sub. This 8 ohm setup may be a better match for my receiver.

Although option 1 is certainly within my budget, including the amp. But is it wise. Will the difference in price be = to the difference in sound?

Option 3 perhaps?

Refefer

cyberhazard wrote:

Although option 1 is certainly within my budget, including the amp. But is it wise. Will the difference in price be = to the difference in sound??

Absolutely. Driving the LSi's with a dedicated amp is truly a night or day difference, especially driving the 9's. I'd honestly go with option 1 if I were you, I really don't think you'll be disappointed.

cfrizz

Welcome CH!

Option 1 all the way!!!

Sherardp

that Sony will drive that 4ohm load no problem, when the 5200es came out it was demoed with a 4 ohm load. I have the 7100es, both are great AVRs. Go for the LSi lineup but as mentioned early you can get better sub for what you would spend on the PSW1000. SVS is good stuff and the setup will be killer when youre done.

Pepi28

Go with opt #1. I have LSi's all around and ran them off of my sony 3100es receiver and had okay sound but a lot of heat coming off of it. Once I bought my 2 sunfire amps and hooked them up it was unbelievable what a diff they made in the sound and spaciousness these speakers create. Not to mention hardly even warm to the touch.

wingnut4772

Welcome. Option 1 sounds good. The only thing I would revisit is putting the center channel in a credenza. Those puppies like to breathe. Any way to leave it unencompassed by the furniture?

cyberhazard

Cool, thanks.

OK I'm watching AudiogoN for a Cinema Seven or Cinema Seven sig. If I had to I could pick a New TGA7200. But I got some time so I'll see what shakes out first. At any rate, if I'm going to go, I want to go 7 channels. But first I want to see if my current recever can dig deep enough. At least now I have some good options.

SVS has quite a few subs. I started looking around the $1,000 price point and quickly found my foucs on the size of these monsters. Some are the size of small tables, which got me thinking. "Say, I could use it as a table" jk.
Anyone have any ideas on what sub would be a good fit for my room.

Refefer

cyberhazard wrote:

SVS has quite a few subs. I started looking around the $1,000 price point and quickly found my foucs on the size of these monsters. Some are the size of small tables, which got me thinking. "Say, I could use it as a table" jk.
Anyone have any ideas on what sub would be a good fit for my room.

I'd call or shoot an email over to the good guys at SVS. They know what they're talking about and would definately be able to help you out. The couple of emails I sent them myself when I was inquiring were responded to very quickly. Most were actually responded to in less than 4 hours.

cyberhazard

Looks like I will go with the SVS PB12-Ultra. My wife said only if its Rosewood. I want gloss black. Maybe I'll try the old "darn honey, they sent me the wrong color" bit.

wingnut4772 wrote:

The only thing I would revisit is putting the center channel in a credenza. Those puppies like to breathe. Any way to leave it unencompassed by the furniture?

I have given this a lot of thought. Mainly because I'm finding it difficult to locate a AV Credenza with a 23" wide center shelf, that I like. I've thought about building my own (I was having a Norm Abram moment) or going custom. The Sony flat panel I have has a floating glass bezel and very clean lines. I don't want to interrupt that by placing a speaker or anything else over the top.

When you say "Those puppies like to breathe"
Are we talking a heat issue or a sonic issue?

wingnut4772

Sonic. Depending on the speaker, placing it in a cabinet might 'cramp' the sound.