HT Setup

egk

Hi,

I really enjoy looking at all of these posts and their replies. They are very informative, but te problem is that I think they sometimes give me too much information regarding the setup I'm building. My current plan is to use RT800I's with the CS400i center, FX500i's for the surround and the PSW650 for the sub. The power will come from a Denon avr3802. Now, after reading these posts and replies, I'm wondering if I should use the RT800i's for the rears instead of the FX500i's and buy a pair of RT2000i's. I'm really somewhat unsure of what I'm doing so any comments or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Ed

sgtgto

Hi:

What you have sounds fine. Use of the rear speakers will depend on what you are looking for in the way of theater sound or music. The FX500s are very good for surround in the way of non directional rear staging. They project forward and rearward giving a more non directional soundstage, whereas the RT800s would be used more for directional sound toward your listening area in the music format.

Depends on what you want to do and your budget. I know you would like the RT2000s in the front, but as far as using the RT800s for the rear. Let your ears be the judge.


Gary

joelll

Hello...

I'm very much a fan of building slowly and inexpensively.

The RT800i's are good speakers. The f/x500 surround speakers are purpose-built for creating surround effects. The PSW650 will give you subwoofer effects you can really feel (ooo i want one!). The CS400i is a very good center channel speaker (a CS400 is the only Polk speaker in my HT setup, and it has so much presence that I have to turn it down some because it overwhelms my other HT speakers).

Together, I'd say these would form a Mighty Fine home theater system.

If you can, audition a pair of RT800i's and RT2000i's at the same time and see what you like better.

If the system doesn't make you happy, see if you can indentify the problem -- is it too weak in the mains, in the subwoofer, the surround speakers (unlikely, but there are those f/x1000's...).

A good reason for the small size of surround speakers: they should be positioned high up above and to the side of or behind the listening area (similar to the position of surround effect speakers in a real movie theater). RT800i's are tall floorstanders, so it'd be kind of tough to loft them up high where they'll sound good.

My own HT setup consists of the above-mentioned Polk CS400, a pair of 22-year-old EPI 120C speakers for mains (1" inverted-dome tweeter, 10" woofer), a similarly aged pair of EPI A70 speakers for surround (1" inverted-dome tweeter, 6" woofer), and no subwoofer. Total speaker cost for this system: $400.

I have no subwoofer because I live on the top floor of an old three-decker apartment house, and my elderly landlords live on the first floor. My HT receiver is a Sony STR-DE915, on loan from a friend, and it's a piece of junk. I'm hoping to someday have enough pocket change to replace it with one of the better Marantz HT receivers.


joelll

TrappedUnder Ice

Well..I'm running rt2000i's for my mains and the 800i's for the surrounds...and I realy like it. I was running the 1000is for fronts and fx300s for surrounds and that also sounded good..but not as good as what I have now.
For a while..I ran my 1000/800 both as mains..and that was nice also.... but I still like just the 2000i's as mains the best. For sub...I'm using a beast- Velodyne ct150. CS400i for center. Experimentation is the name of the game.

Have you ever thought of using rt55i's for surrounds on stands? what ever you decide..besure you get a 30day plan..so if your not happy ..you can return and try again. I have upgraded my speakers at cc a bit..next I will be trading my 300's in for 55is or a sub...just have not decided yet..

anyway..good luck

JohanK

Why not use RT800s for fronts and rears?

BobMcG

One problem with asking about which speakers to use when building a system, stems from the fact that not all speakers will sound the same in your environment as they do in someone elses, or in the listening area of the store that is selling them. If you could buy the speakers with the intent to take them home and audition them, and are able to exchange them for another pair to do the same until you get the combination you prefer, it would be best. Some stores will work with you on this.

CHRIS

Rememberthe 3802s set-up for bi-pole and direct radiating speakers with the A/B back speaker choice. Depending on the movie and what sounds best with each movie, to you. I have the 3802 and use Monitor 5jr+s and FX500s and like it very much. My sides are M7s,fronts M12s and center is a package built from parts exspress with Polk divers and crossover. To me it sounds great, especially for a bedroom setup. My main system is a amazing experience to put it mildly.
YOUR ears have to be the deciding factor. Remember you have to live with it not us. Go to CC and buy some speakers with the intent of a trial, they give you a 30 day money back garentee so returning is nota problem. I hope you were able to get somethng out of my post to help your setup.
Chris