Speaker Suggestions

Atrocity

Hello Polk Audio Community!

I need some help with some speakers. I found this forum through AVS forum. After others there recommending I go with Polk Audio for my HT, I thought I join up and see what Polk Audio owners thought of what I selected. How do these speakers perform? I tried to go to the nearby Fry's to hear them but theres always someone in the booth when I get there.

Fronts: RTi8's
Center: CSi3
Surrounds: FXi3's
Sub: Maybe Elemental Designs A2-250 or A2-300 (good reviews)
Receiever: Maybe Onkyo TX-SR605 (popping noises & heat problems?)

I've read through alot of posts on different forums and lots of people had this set up and were very happy with the performance. I'm not sure about the sub or receiver though. I read good reviews on the Elemental Designs sub. I read that it performs very well for the price. The Onkyo is another story. I read some owners threads that the Onkyo can produce popping noises and then theres the heat problem they say they have.

Keep in my mind I haven't bought any of this at all. Simply because I haven't decided on a sub and receiver.

daboyz

First off,Welcome!! Next, I would go with a Csi5 for center. I've had the 3 and the 5 is a must have. Also, I don't believe that Onkyo has preouts to add an amp. You should really consider that in your purchase.

cfrizz

Welcome. Get the Csi 5 instead of the 3. Whatever receiver you get should have all the bells & whistles you want it to have as well as preamp outputs for future upgrades with power.

It would be best if you were able to hear the receivers with the speakers, that way you would get a pretty good idea of how it will all sound. Take music that you are very familiar with along with you.

Atrocity

Thanks for suggesting the CSi5.

I'm new to HT so forgive for me asking this. But what would I need a receiver with preouts on it for adding an amp? Are there advantages? Should I look into a different receiver brand that has this feature?

tcrossma

Pre-outs will let you add a separate power amplifier to power the speakers. Receivers do an OK job at powering speakers, but they do not deliver the quality power that a dedicated amp can.

Lots of people (including myself) make the mistake on their first purchase of thinking they'll not need any more than a receiver. But after a while you realize that your system could sound so much better if you upgrade to a separate amp. As long as your receiver has the pre-outs you'll not have to replace it when that time comes.

Atrocity

Thanks tcrossma for the clarification.

Onkyo TX-SR605: 7 channel receiever with 90 watts minimum continuous power per channel.

CSi5: 20 - 200 watts/channel
FXi3's: 20 - 150 watts/channel
RTi8's: 20 - 250 watts/channel

I'll definitely need to get an amp to power the speakers better.

Now I need to look at different receivers and now an amp. Does it need to be a 5 channel amp if I plan to just to a 5.1 surround sound system and not a 7.1? Any amp and receiver recommendations?

Face

Good choice on using eD for the sub.

cfrizz

Sounds good however, the first Onkyo that has the preouts is the 705.

If you click on the pictures & view the rear picture, on the bottom on the right hand side, you will see some inputs labeled Pre out. Those are what you need to have to attach a separate amplifier.

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR705&class=Receiver&p=i

Other receivers to look at are Denon, Harmon Kardon, Outlaw, Rotel, etc.

I always recommend a 5 or 7 channel amp depending on the number of speakers you have. Get a minimum of 200wpc. This will drive any speakers you have now or in the future with ease.

You can get more bang for your buck buying one used from Audiogon. Brands to look at are: Outlaw, Parasound, Rotel, Sunfire, Adcom, etc.

But don't worry about that right now, just get what is on your list right now & get it set up & calibrated.

Atrocity wrote: »

Thanks tcrossma for the clarification.

Onkyo TX-SR605: 7 channel receiever with 90 watts minimum continuous power per channel.

CSi5: 20 - 200 watts/channel
FXi3's: 20 - 150 watts/channel
RTi8's: 20 - 250 watts/channel

I'll definitely need to get an amp to power the speakers better.

Now I need to look at different receivers and now an amp. Does it need to be a 5 channel amp if I plan to just to a 5.1 surround sound system and not a 7.1? Any amp and receiver recommendations?

Sherardp

Cfrizz hit the nail on the head, also you since youre going with an amp, you may want to consider going with the Rti10s instead of 8s. You should be able to find them pretty cheap at Frys or online since they are close out items.

Atrocity

Thanks cfrizz for the suggestions. I was just looking at that Onkyo. I'll upgrade to that since it has the preouts. Now I'm looking at the mfg's you suggesed for an amp.

Sherardp, I'll see if I can find the RTi10's. Theres 3 Fry's around here so they are bound to have them.

daboyz

With a good sub the 8's are an excellent speak for the price. If it comes down to choosing between the 8's and 10's or a different upgrade, choose the other especially if you are mainly HT.

Atrocity

How about Emotiva for an amp? They have the LPA-1 at a good price. Not quiet 250 watts per channel. But not bad for entry level.

cfrizz

For me, the jury is still out on Emotiva, There have been some quality control, customer service, & build quality issues reported that I'm not happy with.

Outlaw Audio however, is an outstanding company with top notch gear & customer service.

aaharvel

don't limit yourself to just Polk, be it either hometheater of 2ch. The new (and used) market is full of gems, as I've just recently discovered. Cathy gave you some great advice on shopping for AVR's and amps as well.

Sherardp

You'd definitely be happy with the outlaw stuff.

Atrocity

This particular one looks good enough to push what I want to get.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/7125.html

kwikrnu

cfrizz wrote: »

For me, the jury is still out on Emotiva, There have been some quality control, customer service, & build quality issues reported that I'm not happy with.

Outlaw Audio however, is an outstanding company with top notch gear & customer service.

Everyone will have some issues especially a fairly new small company. I haven't read on the internet where anyone had a problem with the lpa-1(I didn't spend a lot of time searching). It is a lot cheaper than anything else out there that is similar. I just bought one the other day and tried to research the best I could before buying.

Here is a comparison I found on the emotiva forum.

kwikrnu

I got your pm and will be able to respond with this my 10th post.

Atrocity

Sherardp wrote: »

Cfrizz hit the nail on the head, also you since youre going with an amp, you may want to consider going with the Rti10s instead of 8s. You should be able to find them pretty cheap at Frys or online since they are close out items.

I've checked some store locally that carried the speakers I wanted heavily. Now I can't find the RTi10's or the CSi5. I may need to check some online retailers. Which online retailers should I check out?

daboyz wrote: »

With a good sub the 8's are an excellent speak for the price. If it comes down to choosing between the 8's and 10's or a different upgrade, choose the other especially if you are mainly HT.

I'm having a hard time locating the RTi10's locally. If I need to buy online it will then come down to where I can find a good deal for the RTi10's. If I can't find them for a good price I can definitely get the RTi8's locally for a good price.

kwikrnu wrote: »

Everyone will have some issues especially a fairly new small company. I haven't read on the internet where anyone had a problem with the lpa-1(I didn't spend a lot of time searching). It is a lot cheaper than anything else out there that is similar. I just bought one the other day and tried to research the best I could before buying.

Here is a comparison I found on the emotiva forum.

One reason that I looked into Emotiva is because compared to some companies listed that have something close to what I need for a good price. I'm sure the other amps are great though.