Need some advice on a polk entry level set top

rdman
rdman Posts: 36
edited June 2007 in Speakers
Hi fellow polkies. I am officially into the polk state of mind now. The problem is I am a complete noob with my first set up. I bought the speakers based on pieces of research. I haven't done any auditions and not all the pieces have arrived, so there are still chances for changes. Here is my setup:

2 R50's for fronts
CSi25 for center
2 R300 for surrounds
Velodyne VX-10 sub
Onkyo TX-SR504
80%/20% HT/Music

My room is about 13x30x9 (the 30 accounts for the open hallway and the kitchen in the back). My sitting position is more like at the 13x13x9 position.

1. Is this setup ok in the sense that music should match and no particular speaker will overpower the others?
2. R300 as back and R50 for fronts match?
3. Are the sub and the fronts enough to fill the room?

Any other recommendation for subs? Any other critiques are welcome. Price range is about $500 total including AVR.
Post edited by rdman on
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Comments

  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    1. setup is ok.
    2. yes R50 front.
    3. That is up to your taste.

    I started with Center CS2, FRT R50, Side R30 and a Velodyne sub.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited June 2007
    Sounds like an excellent entry level setup. I can't see any real shortcomings from the setup you have, though you'll have to decide whether or not the sub will do it for you. I can attest that the R50's and R300's should be more than enough for the sitting dimensions.

    How do you plan to mount the R300's, and more importantly, where?
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    Refefer, being standing speakers, I do not plan to mount the R300. I will simply set it facing me at the left+right positions in line with or slightly behind me at the ear level. Do you think that will overpower the R50s in the front?

    I also wonder if the subs will do any good. I can tell from listening to the R50 that bass is lacking, even though the R50 gave out very clear/distinct bass. If it doesn't work, I still got a relatively good sub to play with in the future :)
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  • djc9
    djc9 Posts: 37
    edited June 2007
    I have a similar setup although I have R15's as my surrounds currently with the R300's without a home until I get enough time to set up my new receiver.

    After research and since price was an issue, I went with the BIC H-100 sub off ebay for I think $230 shipped. I have been very happy with its performance and my room is significantly larger than yours and opens up into a hallway and a kitchen.

    To answer one of your questions, you will most definitely notice the sub, whether it's the Velodyne or something else. You'll be glad you have a dedicated sub for HT.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    Sub will do alot of good.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited June 2007
    rdman wrote: »
    Do you think that will overpower the R50s in the front?

    You'll be able to adjust the output of each speaker through your receiver, if it was made in the last 5 years or so.

    As for subs, you'll definitely need one to reproduce the LFE track on your dvds.
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    New question, with the same setup, do you guys recommend setting the R50 to small or large after I get the Sub?
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited June 2007
    Hard to say. You could always set it to large and see what happens. it might work, It might no. give it a listen for a while set as one or the other, then change it and see which you like better.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    small, this makes better use of your speakers ability.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    rdman-
    where did you get your csi25 center? The cheapest I can find is amazon marketplace for about $85 shipped....
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    Ebay. There is a seller selling it new for 79. I just got it cause I was tired of looking for it. With shipping, it came out $110. Oh well.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    rdman wrote: »
    Ebay. There is a seller selling it new for 79. I just got it cause I was tired of looking for it. With shipping, it came out $110. Oh well.

    I saw that one as well....i think $85 shipped is probably the cheapest that I'll find it...I'm getting to go with the R50's I just got from frys and then i'll have to find some rears to go with it...
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    Damn, now I feel stupid. Should have checked Amazon before I bought from Ebay. Must have been because I was pissed I lost a bid on a used CSI25 from Ebay. haha.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    rdman wrote: »
    Damn, now I feel stupid. Should have checked Amazon before I bought from Ebay. Must have been because I was pissed I lost a bid on a used CSI25 from Ebay. haha.


    Yeah, I hear ya, I hate when that happens...what would you recommend for rears? I've heard another set of R50's, or R30's or 15's....also, how about R150's...I have no clue...
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    R30 for sides and R15 for rears
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    R30 for sides and R15 for rears


    what kind of price should I be paying for these and any recommendations on where to buy?
    thanks.
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    R30 I believe are R300 now. Check *bay's past sells on these speakers to know what a good price should be. Where are you located?
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    I'm in CT.
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    frys.com has R150's for $49.99/pr plus shipping....is that the new R15's?
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    rpearlberg, you are just great at finding deals :) My R300 orders are backordered at Fry's. I was waiting for the R150 to show up. Now they are FINALLY here. I am going to get them and cancel my R300. Thanks!
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    No problem...I don't know what to do about my rears...I just ordered the csi25 from amazon, should get the R50's by Friday....i just don't know what the difference is of the R15, R30, R150, R300 and what I should spend for any of them....which are newer? which would go better with my setup...i ordered the onkyo tx-sr605 also...
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    From what I heard and researched. The R150 will be more than enough for rears/surrounds paired with R50. R300 is almost overkill if you will use it for rears/surround. imho. I had been waiting and waiting for the R150, couldn't wait any longer and pulled the trigger on those R300, but since R150 are in stock now, I say you should get that to complete your system. Buy 4 if you want. Dirty cheap.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    So then I'll have the 2 R50's up front and then I can use 2 R150's in the rear and the Csi25 as the center....is that the cheapest you've seen on the 150's?
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    Yes. Cheapest you can get it at. I am almost tempted to get 4 to complete a 7.1. But then the speaker stands will cost money...decisions.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    now that i think about it, it's tempting to get 4...


    good point...my new receiver is 7.1, but i may start out with just two of them...thanks for the advice, i'm going to order two...
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    Of course, now that you cancelled your R300's, they are back in stock...
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    How do the R300's compare to the R50's?
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    1 mid verses 2 mids and fuller sound.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • rpearlberg
    rpearlberg Posts: 25
    edited June 2007
    engtaz wrote: »
    1 mid verses 2 mids and fuller sound.

    So that makes the 50 the better speaker, right?
    Samsung LNS4041D 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX-SR605
    Polk R50's
    Polk R150's
    Polk Csi25
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  • Drumingman
    Drumingman Posts: 348
    edited June 2007
    The R 50 is a good speaker but I find that EQ'ing them makes them sound a lot better. The weak link in this systerm is the Onkyo, I've tried it with the R 50 and it Blows. A better quality amp section like HK offers or better electronics will make the R's sound Much better. High quality amps for the R 50's makes for better synergy.
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