$2000 Home Theater Build!

DeusExa

Hey Guys, my first post here.

It's the Christmas season here, and the time for a new home theater setup. I currently have a Onkyo setup i got 10 years ago for roughly $1500, and these days, it doesn't seem to perform as well. Time for an upgrade, I think.

I have a 15 X 20" entertainment room, which I want to custom revamp my entire audio system, for roughly $2000 including receiver. I already have a 52” Toshiba DLP HDTV, and want something nice to go with it.
The setup will be primarily used to watch TV/Movies (using an HD-DVD player outputting at 1080P), and some music (mostly classical/soundtrack/trailer music).

I looked around for a few days, I chanced upon some RTi12 Polk towers, and can get them for around $600. (my friend got some better towers, and didn’t even bother opening these, so they are brand new). Heard these, and they really do sound nice. If there isn’t a better choice, I’m deciding to go with these as my fronts. What entire home theater price range do these speakers typically fit into?

That leaves ~$1400 for the rest.

I heard some good things about Onkyo’s TX receiver lineup…605/705/805. Which one is suited for my setup with RTi12s as the main speakers?

Assuming ~600$ for the receiver, that leaves $800, but I can go up to $1000.

How can I divvy up the rest for a subwoofer, center channel and two rear surrounds?

Oh yeah, I’m not really a basshead, so I don’t really need a crazy sub - tight bass would be nice.
How's velodyne compared to Polk for Subs? - I'm going to get sub/center/rears from Fry's, and they have a few Velodynes.

EDIT: -bought the RTi12s ($600) and PSW125 sub ($200) - need commenting on sub (30 day return)
-considering Csi5 for center (~$300)
-for rears, what's the difference between surround and bookshelves on Polk's website?

Thanks!

BigAlbert333

Interested? I'm selling this...

I'm considering selling my stuff if your interested? This is what I have...

1) Polk Audio CS400 Center channel
2) Polk Audio RT55 Bookshelf Speakers
1) Polk Audio PSW250 Sub w/ monster cable
1) Onkyo TX-DS747 5.1 Dolby Digital Receiver w/ manual and remote.

I am asking $700.00 obo

Wish I could post this in the FS section but you need to have 25 posts... this is my first one. I'm located in Torrance just few minutes south of Los Angeles... email me for pics... alberto333@sbcglobal.net

Early B.

Your budget is too small to purchase everything you want. Take your time and do it right.

I suggest purchasing the Rti12's. With $1,400 remaining, get a nice receiver ($600), a center channel -- either a Csi40 or Csi5 ($400), and some surrounds ($400). Eventually, you'll want a separate amplifier to power your Rti12's because a receiver won't give them the juice they need. You'll also need to budget several hundred dollars for new cables.

Sherardp

^+1 with Early B, I'd also take that TV set back and go front projection since youre in a dedicated room.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'd look elsewhere for a receiver. Onkyo isn't bad, but I think you can do better - I'd spend a little more and look for a high current model, something along the lines of a NAD or Outlaw.

mrbigbluelight

The Csi5 is on sale on Amazon for $305.39 with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Performance-Channel-Speaker/dp/B0000SY4TA/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198680620&sr=8-20

That price was in effect as of 9:00 am Wed (CST); with Amazon, the "You snooze, you lose" rule is quite often in effect.


So center channel for $305.39, plus $600 for the Rti12's (good price, btw), leaves you with $1094.61.

So far so good.


Fry's has the Rti8's on sale for $149.90 each, with shipping going cheap ($16.09 EACH to the Midwest).
NOTE: Buy each separately, shipping is cheaper that way ($53.30 if you were to buy both inone purchase).

http://shop1.outpost.com/{FUEemwRbqahGVfe2EKKjeg**.node3}/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&query_string=rti&cat=

So, figure $340 for a pair of Rti8's.

That leaves you with $754.61 for an AVR/amps, etc.


EDIT Reading through some other threads on here, there's several good choices.

If you don't mind refurbished gear, Onkyo has their TX-SR805 - 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver on sale for $699.
There's also an additional 10% off for refurb purchases, but that 10% ends TODAY.
That winds up being about $630 with FREE shipping.

http://shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=TX-SR805&modelid=91&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

That leaves you with about $120 in your pocket for a carton of smokes and a case of beer.

Just throwing this out here for inspection, you could definitely do worse, you might/could possibly do better.

DeusExa

I just got a PSW125 from Fry's for $200. (subwoofer)

The PSW505 was the same price and also the DSW Pro 400.

IS the PSW125 better than the 505/ DSW Pro 400?...which one would you guys get out of the three?



FYI, I live in LA, and the room isn't really a home theater, just another living room (we have two), but an enclosed one with drapes over the bay windows (two adjacent walls are covered with drapes,).

I was going to go with some Monster cabling.......
I got my TV last year, so too late for return!

This will be my first custom build, so I think I'll stick with a mainstream company receiver...how are Yamahas and Pioneers compared to Onkyos?

Also, RTi8 towers for rear instead of bookshelves...is that really a good idea?

Bill Ayotte

I would go with a NAD for the reciever, they are a main stream company and are holy **** powerful. Don't let the small numbers on paper fool you, they are the real deal. I would look at a Pioneer elite as well...

WilliamM2

Polkmaniac wrote: »

I'd look elsewhere for a receiver. Onkyo isn't bad, but I think you can do better - I'd spend a little more and look for a high current model, something along the lines of a NAD or Outlaw.

The Onkyo IS high current, and THX Ultra2 certified. Secrets tetsted it. and got a full 40 watts over rated power at clipping (173 @ 8ohm and 270 @ 4ohm).

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_3/onkyo-tx-sr805-receiver-9-2006-part-5.html

He won't be able to touch a NAD in his price range, and the Outlaw is very outdated.

WilliamM2

just got a PSW125 from Fry's for $200. (subwoofer)

The PSW505 was the same price and also the DSW Pro 400.

IS the PSW125 better than the 505/ DSW Pro 400?...which one would you guys get out of the three?

Out of those three? The 505. But personally, I would look elsewhere for a sub, as none of those even play as low as the Rti12's you are considering.

BIZILL

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Out of those three? The 505. But personally, I would look elsewhere for a sub, as none of those even play as low as the Rti12's you are considering.

too true. too true.

DeusExa

What's around the price of a home theater setup that complements the Rti12 as mains?...just wondering....$3000?....$4000?...


Anyway, What's this against Polk subs XD? I'd like to have an all Polk setup...and I'm not really a basshead but lets say, what if I had to choose between these three...(Polk's offering $200 off subs promotion)..what could possibly beat these at $200..they usually go at least $400..

Early B.

DeusExa wrote: »

What's around the price of a home theater setup that complements the Rti12 as mains?...just wondering....$3000?....$4000?...


Anyway, What's this against Polk subs XD? I'd like to have an all Polk setup...and I'm not really a basshead but lets say, what if I had to choose between these three...(Polk's offering $200 off subs promotion)..what could possibly beat these at $200..they usually go at least $400..

A sub is a speaker, so like any speaker, sound quality is most important. A cheap sub is likely to have less than stellar SQ. Return that sub and look elsewhere.

And don't limit your choices to mainstream receivers. There's better stuff to be had. We're trying to help you get the best quality gear from your budget, so take your time and do more research to avoid buyer's remorse.

Oh, and another thing, forget about Monster cables. There's much better stuff out there for the same chunk of change.

P.S. -- RTi8's would make great rear speakers. Fronts, too.

Ricardo

If I were you, I would:

-return the RTi12's, buy the RTi8's for fronts.
-for surrounds the RTi4's or the FXi3's.
-CSi5 for center channel
-Return that polk sub and spend a little more on the sub; you might not be a basshead, but for movies you will be missing a lot of the action if you don't have a good sub; look for SVS, or if you want to use those $200 for a Polk sub, get the biggest you can find.
The RTi line can be driven with a decent receiver with no problem. Any Onkyo or Denon at 100 WPC or more will make you happy.

cfrizz

What Onkyo do you have right now?

Whatever receiver you do get make sure it has preamp outputs for future upgrades.

From what I've heard Polk's new line of subs are pretty good if you want to stick with all Polk gear.

Welcome to Club Polk.

kwikrnu

What about a DMR-1 from emotiva They are on sale for $979 until they run out That was a $2000 receiver last year(5 year warranty, 125 watts per channel) or what I have a lma-1 and a lmc-1 they have for $750(125 watts per channel (6) with all channels running. Then got to ebay and check out polkdirect as a seller. They have been having some good deal on surround speakers polk rm6900 or the rm6800 which seem to be selling for around $400. I think it is a good deal for your price range. If you want more speakers try their rm8000t they are selling for like $400-500 the pair or the rm7400t which sells for less.
I could easily see you coming in at less than $2000. Of course you could get better stuff for more money.

DeusExa

Hey guys...found out that the 10-year old receiver I have is a
Onkyo A-SV610PRO

googled around..

From the 1993 Audio Equipment Directory :

125 watt per channel continuous average into 8 ohms from 20Hz-20kHz.
50dB headroom.
List price $630.
Multi-room remote capability.

good for its time...?...anyway, definitely getting a new receiver...How's the Onkyo SR805 for $700 flat?

-

return the RTi12's, buy the RTi8's for fronts

....why would I want to do that?


-for the RTi4's or the FXi3's, what's the difference between the two? (one's in the surround category and the others in bookshelves at Polk's website)

-

preamp outputs for future upgrades

....what's these?

P.s. - What's around the price of a home theater setup that complements the Rti12 as mains?...just wondering....$3000?....$4000?...

cfrizz

Preamp outputs are so that you can add separate amplification later on down the line. The Onkyo SR805 does have them. This will allow your speaker to operate to their full potential. A receiver can't do that.

Ricardo

DeusExa wrote: »

-....why would I want to do that?

Because they are cheaper, sound as good (or better) excluding the punch, you don't need an amp to drive them right, and with a good sub you won't notice the difference.

DeusExa

The Polks I mentioned (subs) are all street priced at $3-400...not $200.

Also, I 'm not getting a Polk sub based on "Polk", but that I get $200 off any Polk sub at Fry's....and that seems to be a pretty good deal there....so the question is, is a $200 Polk sub priced at $4-500 a better deal than a SVS, eD, HSU sub priced at $300ish?

Pepi28

DeusExa wrote: »

The Polks I mentioned (subs) are all street priced at $3-400...not $200.

Also, I 'm not getting a Polk sub based on "Polk", but that I get $200 off any Polk sub at Fry's....and that seems to be a pretty good deal there....so the question is, is a $200 Polk sub priced at $4-500 a better deal than a SVS, eD, HSU sub priced at $300ish?

No. Does that help you out?

Pepi28

Stick with the Rti12's. Get a pair of Rti4's, a Csi5 and an HSU sub. As for a receiver, I personally would go with a Denon or Pioneer (new or refurbished).

MSALLA

Those 12's are grat speakers but are power hungry. The only way you are going to stay even close to your budget is to hit the used market. Check audiogon.com for good deals on gear or e-bay but you need to be careful on e-bay. As everyone has already stated, that sub is not going to pull the low db to match those 12's. Take some time and don't rush it. You may want to buy a piece here and a piece there as you find deals but in the end you will be happier. Listen to the members on here as no one will steer you wrong. Think of it this way. This is a Polk site and they are telling you NOT to buy a Polk sub, whats that tell you. A good sub won't give you that "boomy" sound but a nice tight and low sound you should have and need for HT.

DeusExa

hit the used market........for what things?? receiver?..I thought Onkyo SR805 was enough..($700)


Anyway, Besides the Polk RTi12 fronts, I've decided to get a CSi5 center ($300),
undecided on rears, and undecided on sub.

What are better rears, the FXi or RTi, and does ANYONE know the difference between
"bookshelves" and "surround" for rears (on Polk's website)

After much consideration, I've finally decided to look at a non-Polk sub..w00t w00t?
From brands talked about, now which eD, SVS, HSU sub is the best for less than $300? (my sub budget)

Remember, I'm NOT a basshead (the RTi12s already dip into 18Hz), no booming bass for me -
I'd like to hear deep, clear bass in movies, and primarily HT, what i'm using my audio system
mostly for.

Early B.

DeusExa wrote: »

From brands talked about, now which eD, SVS, HSU sub is the best for less than $300? (my sub budget)

Remember, I'm NOT a basshead (the RTi12s already dip into 18Hz), no booming bass for me - I'd like to hear deep, clear bass in movies, and primarily HT, what i'm using my audio system mostly for.

You'll need to budget a bit more than $300 for a sub "to hear deep, clean bass...".

DeusExa

"Deep, clean bass" in the $2000 home theater system respect...XD

And what's the difference between sealed and ported?

MSALLA

DeusExa wrote: »

hit the used market........for what things?? receiver?..I thought Onkyo SR805 was enough..($700)


Anyway, Besides the Polk RTi12 fronts, I've decided to get a CSi5 center ($300),
undecided on rears, and undecided on sub.

What are better rears, the FXi or RTi, and does ANYONE know the difference between
"bookshelves" and "surround" for rears (on Polk's website)

After much consideration, I've finally decided to look at a non-Polk sub..w00t w00t?
From brands talked about, now which eD, SVS, HSU sub is the best for less than $300? (my sub budget)

Remember, I'm NOT a basshead (the RTi12s already dip into 18Hz), no booming bass for me -
I'd like to hear deep, clear bass in movies, and primarily HT, what i'm using my audio system
mostly for.

Those 12's are power hungry. Your going to want an amp to drive them. You won't find a good sub for 300.00.
Surround speakers are the rear speakers in a 5.1 or the side and rears in a 7.1.
You can use bookshelves or towers.
The onk is a good unit with pre-outs to hook up an amp for the 12's or all your speakers. As far as FXi or rti for the rears, others on here would know better then me.

DeusExa

MSALLA wrote: »

Those 12's are power hungry. Your going to want an amp to drive them. You won't find a good sub for 300.00.

what amp...receiver not enough?

No good, basic eD, SVS, HSU sub around $300?

Ricardo

DeusExa wrote: »

what amp...receiver not enough?

No, if you want to get something decent out of those woofers.

No good, basic eD, SVS, HSU sub around $300?

No.

As someone suggested earlier, if you swap the 12's for the 8's you will:

-Not need an external amp
-Save some money to put on a decent sub ($600-800)
-Have a great HT system.

cfrizz

You will get more bang for your buck buying a used amp from Audiogon. Your receiver will do just fine in the meantime.

There is no rule that says you have to buy all of it at once. Get what you can now & save more for the rest later.

jdhdiggs

If it was me and that budget ($1,400 ish) I would get the first Onkyo that is HDMI compliant and a sub. That's it for that budget. To me, that's the biggest bang for the buck. In fact, I would do my best to stretch that budget to get an SVS 12+2 or Ultra and the SR-805. If you setup the system right, you won't need the center channel.

Then what I would do, as budget permits is:
Buy right and left surrounds
OR
Buy the center
Then buy the other from above
Buy a two or three channel amp for the 12's/center
by the surround backs.

Frizz's advise isn't bad either and if you hold on to the old onk, then I'd personally dump the rest into the sub. Save the remaining speakers for later.