in-wall speakers timbre matched to bookshelf

GlennJames

I'm deciding on components for my home theater, and due to location restrictions, the side and back speakers (7.1 system) will have to be in-wall. Fronts can be bookshelf or in-wall.

I used the Polk system builder, and specifying bookshelf for fronts, it only came up with one option - Rti4 fronts, CSi3 center, PSW303 sub, and RC55i sides.

Are there no other timbre matched bookshelf speakers that can be used with in-wall? I've got $1500 or so to spend, and I would like to get the best I can for the money I have.

I'll probably be buying a Onkyo TX-SR705 to drive the system in my 13 x 18 room.

Glenn

Dennis Gardner

welcome!

RTi4 is the perfect match since both mids and tweeters match. RTi6s would also be a decent match though they will possess more bass extension than the center and sides given. Just staying within the RTi lineup will result in a great HT system.

GlennJames

Thank you for the quick response and the education on the mids and tweeters matching. I had not come across that before, but I am relatively new at this HT stuff ;-)

That system is well within my budget, but I am willing to spend more if I can get a better sounding system.

If I move up to the Rti6 and CSi5, would I then have to find an in-wall with identical or nearly identical mids and tweeters? I would also assume I would move up to the 404 sub, but I am guessing at this point. Of course I'm still perplexed why the Polk configurator didn't come up with any other options.

I guess this all leads to the question of what sizes of tweeters, mids, and subs are the best match and if moving up in size will make for a better system. I have no desire to spend more money than I have to. Forgive my ignorance on this, but I have spent days scouring forums and haven't gotten my head wrapped around this speaker stuff yet. Any usefull links that explain this sort of stuff would be helpful. I'm an engineer by trade, so I can take the technical stuff ;-)

Glenn

Dennis Gardner

You can never spend too much money on gear..........;)

Matching tweeters and mids assures perfect tonal matches, but as long as you stay within the series line, you can't go wrong. I would go with the 6s and CSi5 if you can swing it since the center and mains are much more important in an HT rig. The sides and surrounds for the most part don't get fullrange duty for long periods of time that require larger speakers. I run small surrounds with tower fronts and large center myself.

The size and quality of your sub is really dependent on room size and how much deep bass effects you require. Action movies really tax small subs and will have you wanting for more in short order.

GlennJames

Yea, you can never spend too much all right. My photography habit has cost me more than I would like to think... In this case, I just want to do it good enough that I won't regret any decisions. I'm no audiophile, but I would like to crank up the occasional movie and really get immersed in the action.

So, CSi5 center, Rti6 fronts, TC615i surrounds, and PSW404 sub? How does that sound (no pun intended)?

Glenn

Dennis Gardner

It sounds like a great HT. Let us know how you like it........

GlennJames

Will do. Thanks for the help and advice.

It will be several months before this system goes in. It started with the wife suggesting we get a new TV. Then she said we should install a row of cabinets to house the components and all her dvds, etc (her family business is cabinets and countertops). Of course if we're doing that, we need to get rid of that fireplace, removing it entirely from the house. And we'll need new carpet... This is going to take some time.

The kitchen remodel started because I wanted to paint the exterior of the house. Seriously.

Glenn

GlennJames

Well, the system is finally in! Thanks for all the advice. The wife and I watched Transformers last night, and the sound was incredible!

Onkyo TX-SR705
Front: CSi5
L/R: RTi6
Surr L/R: TC-615i
Surr back L/R: TC-615i
Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK3
Outdoors L/R: Atrium 60

Here are a couple of pics for you. We still need to put up some pictures on the wall, but all the major stuff is done. The sub is behind the couch next to the cabinets.

Face

Very nice!

skykeys

GlennJames wrote: »

. . . and the sound was incredible!

Onkyo TX-SR705
Front: CSi5
L/R: RTi6
Surr L/R: TC-615i
Surr back L/R: TC-615i
Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK3
Outdoors L/R: Atrium 60

Hello GlennJames,

I had not seen this thread until now, so I obviously didn't get a chance to comment while you were still looking. Your new system looks very nice.

I recently remodeled my family room and installed an in-wall / in-ceiling 5.1 speaker setup. The room has a very different layout than your room, so it's not a comparison. My couch is right up against the wall, so I had to go with in-ceiling rears, and they work well in that position. I am actually very pleasantly surprised that the front in-wall speakers look really good, even though the white grills are a different color from the wall.

Did you really remove a fireplace? I hope it wasn't a nice one. The stone fireplace in my family room is the highlight and focal point of the room. (besides my surround sound system of course.) It's a "real" fireplace and I use it in the winter regularly. It looks and feels great to have a fire burning in the fireplace in the winter.

Anyway, I have totally digressed on the point I wanted to make, which is: if you are really into music as well as movie sound, and if you haven't already - I highly recommend you try some SACD discs. True 5 (multi) channel mixes and much greater dynamic range. Good SACD discs sound fantastic. I have not tried any DVD-Audio discs yet - but I assume they also sound very good. From what I've read, SACD has greater dynamic range, so I've been only collecting the SACD variety. I have become an avid fan.

Good luck with your new system.

Regards.

GlennJames

skykeys wrote: »

I am actually very pleasantly surprised that the front in-wall speakers look really good, even though the white grills are a different color from the wall.

While our walls are almost pure white, I did end up painting our grills and speaker trims with the paint color of the wall. It certainly doesn't make them blend in perfectly, but it's a nice little touch. I looked online and found the Preval spray gun system which works quite well.

skykeys wrote: »

Did you really remove a fireplace? I hope it wasn't a nice one.

Yes, it was removed, but no, it was not a nice one. Living in the SF bay area means it doesn't really get all that cold, and the stone work around it was a hideous 70's design. I had never used it in the 10 years I've been here, and the new wife didn't like it, so out it went. I wasn't excited about the idea, but if we wanted the cabinets the way they are, it had to go.

skykeys wrote: »

I highly recommend you try some SACD discs. True 5 (multi) channel mixes and much greater dynamic range. Good SACD discs sound fantastic.

Will do. Right now we're just getting the bugs out of the system, and have finally got the DirecTV satellite box to see the wife's music collection on her computer so we can play all her music.

Glenn

powers20

You should actually get a PS3. You'll be amazed at the BLU-RAY movies, and combined with a free PC program called TVersity, you can wirelessly stream your videos and music, plus photos all from your PC to the PS3. Plus of course it plays games too, but it's worth it just for it's media and movie capabilities alone. Get one.

powers20

SACD never will take off. So far as I've seen, you got classic rock stuff and Classical. Too bad, I bought into the war. I got a dual player, and dvd-audio is just as good I think. Too much of SACD material is only stereo. I like the surround recorded stuff. Imo it's more impressive. Then again my fronts are just RTI4s.