Just Starting Out

uptoduck

First time here/and setting up a HT in the basement. Outfitted the Bar area and also Sitting/Game Room with four RTi4's. Tomorrow, planning on buying the surround system for the Theater Room. Looked around quite a bit and, within my budget, leaning toward RTi12's for front, CSi5 center, Rti4's for the rear and PSW125 for the sub. This will be a projector setup and a 106" screen. Receiver will most likely be a Yamaha RXV2700 and a Sony VPLAW15 LCD projector. Haven't decided on a DVD player yet. The room is 18' x 18'. I prewired for 7.1, but will wait awhile to buy the last two speakers. I am VERY new to all this stuff, so any help/comments (on anything) would be appreciated. Haven't made the purchases yet, but will happen soon. Sorry about the short time-frame.
Should I go ahead with what I listed, or pull the reins and look around a little more? I am pretty much going on what the guys at Tweeter, Best Buy and Circuit City are telling me.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

jakelm

What is your budget? It depends alot on that.

Also, I would shop for subs, it doesnt have to be Polk sub. The speakers you choose are great HT speakers, you will enjoy them.

Rememeber, Yamaha is alittle on the treble side, I recommend HK, as I found it is the best match for those speakers.

But like I said, it all depends on how much your willing to spend.

$400 for a sub, for not much more and you can step up to SVS or HSU.

Just something to think about.

Jake

jakelm

Oh...and Welcome to the forum......

Kex

Welcome to the forum! I would second jakelm's comment about harman/kardon. We have a Yamaha and a Denon and the h/k just adds that little something extra to our Polk speakers. It's subtle, but seems to make a difference. All three are good amplifiers though, so if you prefer Yamaha for some reason, I wouldn't fret over it.

That being said, to be fair, the Yamaha was only 2.0 (A&B) and the Denon, although 5.1, is an older product (but almost twice as expensive than the h/k originally since we have just a 147). I did do the comparisons with the Yamaha in stereo mode though.

One other thing: some people who buy the larger floorstanders (three way, including woofers) can be disappointed until they add external amplifiers to get these large speakers working properly. This decision will probably make a much bigger difference than the brand of AVR you choose. Check out this article:
http://www.hometheatersound.com/features/cinemacynergy/cc_20010901.htm

There are some affordable options such as AudioSource products, starting at just $100 or thereabouts (online mostly, for the best pricing). You'll find lots of threads on the topic already.

66chevyIISS

Why not use your other pair of RTi4's as the surrounds and do 7.1 now? What are your plans for those 2nd set?

Dennis Gardner

Welcome!

The screen size chosen will demand the best sound you can afford. I agree with the others on separate amplification on the front towers, and a better sub than you listed.

The choice of receiver won't matter alot if external amps are used, just buy the features you want most regardless of brand.

Serendipity

I think what you have there is a great starter system. Sure, I'd agree with the others on getting a better sub and separate amplification, but I like your plans so go for it!

engtaz

Welcome, stay a while.

engtaz

ben62670

Welcome to CP. I also would recomend HK, or Denon. Make sure you get something with PreOuts so you can add amplifacation.

phipiper10

I'd get the receiver with most features for the dollar (of all the brands mentioned above) and you could get more power later. Separate amplification would be good especially looking at that big screen, but no rush. I've been very happy with my refurbished Onkyo and additional power.

If you like the Yamaha get it, and you are well on your way.

106" AWESOME!!:)

uptoduck

Just finished typing in an extremely comprehensive description, along with a healthy list of questions to all those that have replied, attempted to send and lost the entire message. I really hate that!!
Anyway, Thanks for all the info and suggestions. I had no idea about the majority of it: subs, amps., external amps., preouts, etc.. I feel a little more prepared to confidently purchase a system that I'll be happy with. I saw in the list of systems a GraywolfII 106" screen, Dalite, Panasonic A900 projector, everyone happy with those? I was considering the GraywolfII also, and have looked at several of the Dalites. Have to go with manual for now due to the budget (spent alot on the bar area, priorities). Furniture will be bean bags for a while.
The two sets of RTi4's are being set up in the bar area (2) and sitting/game room (2). I'm not opposed to setting up a 7.1 system immediately, but was told the technology hasn't caught up yet/hasn't been perfected??? and that my room, 18 X 18 w/ 8' ceilings wasn't large enough to get the full benefit from it. Have I been misinformed?? I also was considering a larger screen size, but didn't want to make it too large for the room, if there is such a thing.
Anyway, wish the first message would have made it out, lot of info in there, but got to run. Hopefully this one will make it through.
No doubt I'll be checking back in later.
Once again, Thanks.

Sansui

Let us know what you ended up getting and how it sounds!

cfrizz

Welcome to CP. You are correct that there really isn't a lot of material to take advantage of 7.1 systems. A lot of people have gone to 7.1 & then switched back to 5.1.

As well as getting a receiver that has all the bells & whistles you want as well as preamp outputs to add separate amplification later down the road. You should also go to Radio Shack & get a SPL meter so that you can calibrate all of your speakers. This makes a world of difference.

Keep us informed.

uptoduck

Thanks for all the interest.
Yesterday started out ok, after much haggling, placed the order. When finalizing the order and checking what was in stock or had to be ordered, the salesperson discovered that the tower speakers (RTi12's/cherry) were out of stock and none to be found in the region (discontinued). Back to the speaker room we go...he showed me the new (replacement for the RTi12) RTiA9/cherry, and said I could get those for the same price if I wanted. Basically the same speaker but a different cabinet. I agreed and we loaded up the speakers and off I went. Once at home unpacked and discovered I was sent home with the wrong speakers (RTi7's). Called the salesman to advise him of the mistake. He apologized for the mixup and, of course, to get the speakers I thought I was bringing home originally, I would have to cough up an additional $500 or so. Not sure where this will all go. Ready to take everything back and be happy with the 12" Sanyo I have sitting in the space where all this was supposed to go.
Sorry about the long-sad story, guess I just had to vent.
Hopefully there will be a happy ending.

uptoduck

engtaz,
Saw in your HT set-up you have a GreywolfII 106" screen. That is one of the screens I was considering but, have only seen it online, not in person. Are you satisfied with the picture? With the projector I have ordered (Sony VPLAW15) in a semi-dark 18 X 18 room, any concerns or comments?

Thanks.
Brett

Kex

uptoduck wrote: »

... Not sure where this will all go. Ready to take everything back and be happy with the 12" Sanyo I have sitting in the space where all this was supposed to go.
Sorry about the long-sad story, guess I just had to vent.
Hopefully there will be a happy ending.

No need to apologize. I am sure everyone here can all well understand how frustrating that experience must have been. Search around elsewhere, including online, and see if you can still get a deal on the RTi12 or RTi10. I hope that salesperson was not trying to pull a fast one by sending you out the door with RTi A7 (the equivalent of the old RTi10) ... annoying thought ... forget I mentioned it!

xandra

Crutchfield has the RTi10's & 12's at great discount right now...

John K.

Duck, welcome to Club Polk. I'll comment on a couple of the issues you raise. As to the Yamaha 2700, it's a superb unit and should satisfy your needs for many years. As to 7.1, yes you were misinformed, and the size of your room isn't necessarily the controlling factor; the significant point is whether you have enough room behind your listening position(say at least 4')to allow back surround speakers to deliver their effect. If so, then applying DPLIIx to both 2-channel and 5-channel source material to expand the surround content naturally present and create a more complete surround effect is a significant benefit with all present sources.

reeltrouble1

I would go 7.1 for the more full theater effect, besides you will be losing that info on the discs that have the extra track and it will still fill the room surround sound out using the back speakers for the discs that do not even if matrixed, your room is good size. I would buy the Polk Audio sub, its a great value and supplies plenty of bass.

RT1

uptoduck

It's been a battle, but, after MUCH haggling, and HUGE discounts, ended up with what I think is a pretty good deal/system. Now to wait for everything to arrive and begin the set-up.
Went with the Yamaha RXV2700, couldn't pass up the deal with over half-price. Fronts: RTiA9's, Center: CSiA6, Surround: RTiA1's, Sub: PSW110 for
$50.00-(a bit ememic, but soon will find a new home in the bedroom when I upgrade later to a SVS or Velodyne) I downsized from the original PSW125, and went with the PSW110 to take advantage of the $200.00 discount toward the Polk Sub, plus, money was getting tight. SONY VPLAW15 Projector, GraywolfII 106" screen (upgrade to motorized in the future), SONY DVD, blueJean 40' HDMI (yeah, I really needed it that long)!!! Two sets of RTi4's hanging, one set in the bar area and the other in the sitting room /game area.
Have to run the HDMI and power cable (down separate joists) to the ceiling were the projector will be mounted, finish building/painting the components shelf and time to hook-up and set-up.
Soon after set-up, plan to complete the 7.1 (when I finish the rear shelves) with either RTi4's or RTiA1's. Just starting to look for turntables, have a lot of vinyl to go through. Been a long time, can't wait for all the pops and hisses. Hopefully no skips though.
Thanks everyone for all your comments/suggestions/support. Still a bit confused/overwhelmed, but definitely more educated that two weeks ago.
Now comes the scary part. Heard horror stories about the inticate Yamaha set-up. Just going to take my time and see how it goes. How hard can it be, right.....?

cfrizz

reading the manual is your friend.