Help w/ Polk in-walls as surrounds SC or TC...

mcg1275

I'm looking to upgrade to 7.1 surround sound in our "theater" room. The room is too narrow for on-wall speakers and the rear seats are up against the back wall. That leads me to in-wall speakers I think. I currently have Polk RT600 L&R and CS300 C. I am very happy with these speakers and will remain a Polk customer! This lead me to the in-walls for surrounds. I'm looking at the SC65i, TC615i, TC625i & maybe TC65i in my price range (up to $400/pair). Can you please explain the model differences? Which would you suggest. The website is not exactly clear to me. Why are there 3 models within $50 of each other? What are the years they were each introduced?

Is the LC65f/x worth the additional cost ($400/pair) for use as surrounds?


I will eventually upgrade my fronts to the new 2008 RTi. I appreciate your time in helping me choose.

dorokusai

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/inwall/series/

I would suggest the TC series based on the aimable tweeter alone. The LCi series is outstanding but keep it simple and cost effective.

mcg1275

Thanks for the suggestion.

I guess I can aim the tweeter away from the listening area for a "diffuse" sound.

Any advice on installing in-wall speakers on exterior walls w/ insulation and a vapor barrier? Should I block off above & below the speaker?

dorokusai

If you have insulation in the cavity don't worry about it.

brettw22

dorokusai wrote: »

I would suggest the TC series based on the aimable tweeter alone. The LCi series is outstanding but keep it simple and cost effective.

The LCi speakers have aimable tweets as well........carry on.......

dorokusai

and $400/per speaker more expensive....as stated previously.

reeltrouble1

not even close in quality, if you were going to stay with in-walls the Lci lineup is the way to go, easy install and they come with the enclosure you need to control the amount of air. You would need to change your idea for the fronts though.

RT1

claude

Okay Reeltrouble1. You got me worried. I just purchased the following:
(3) TC265i (LCR)
(4) TC615i for surrounds

I plan to purschase the HSU VTF-1 for the sub and drive it all with Onkyo TX SR7052. My room size is 20Ft (depth) x 10Ft x 10FT. I am looking for a good solid Home Theater (90% for movies). Of course, I know the LCI series is a higher grade than the TCi series, however is it night and day? Would you consider my set-up acceptable by most standards.

Let me know.
Thanks,

dorokusai

Don't overthink it, you're fine. Reeltrouble owns the LCi series....kind of a no-brainer he would suggest them.

reeltrouble1

I think you will be fine with your purchase. Everything needs to be weighed out in terms of budget and use. Those are the speakers you chose so go with it, Polk does not make any bad products. You could call Ken Swauger at Polk CS and speak to him about building your own enclosure's. Its not vital but will help your speakers perform a bit better. Since you have insulation already in the wall cavity this will go quite a ways if doing an enclosure is just a bit too much work.

To directly answer your question, well, I would say yes, a Polk TCi setup is most acceptable and will bring alot of enjoyment to you and your family.

RT1

Oh and just for the record I have the Lci-RTS and yes they are truly an awesome sounding speaker, but you pay a premium, of course I spend way too much dough by most folks standard on my audio toys.

dorokusai

Just stay away from Georgia or you will be converted

lazypineapple

how do the lc65i do for just stereo music listening with a sub ?

tell me more about building a enclosure in a wall already painted and finished
thru the cut-out hole,
i guess the trick is to get a 2x4 in there and block off the top and bottom?
but how much space?
and should it be packed with insulation?
thanks

reeltrouble1

Punching holes in walls is always risky business, you have other wiring, plumbing, fire blocks etc to deal with, you also have to consider how you will get the speaker wire to the speaker. If I were doing a retro-fit and wanted to use enclosure's I would just remove entire sheets or large sections of drywall. Then do the install of the enclosure then drywall back over and then cut the hole for the speaker. If you want to ommit the enclosure you can just cut the hole out with a supplied template. But you still have to check for wire and blocks, some put a small through the wall then fish a bent coat hanger around to see fif they feel anything.

RT1