Need Help with Choosing Front Speakers for 5.1 HT System

pakuhn

Hi, I just recently purchased my first home theatre receiver (Harman Kardon AVR 354) and would like to get some opinions on which front speakers to get which would best match the rest of my planned system. I plan to purchase the two front speakers and the center channel first off and then gradually purchase the rest of the speakers within the next several months. I have decided on the CSi A4 for the center channel and am in-between on a set of RTi A5s or Monitor 70s for the front speakers. As far as the rest of the speakers I plan on adding to finish off the setup later are a set of FXi A4s for the surrounds and a DSW Pro 600 for the subwoofer. So which would be the best match for the proposed system?

apphd

Welcome to CP. I think you would be better off and happier in the long run with the RTi's. But that's just my thoughts.
Nice receiver BTW.

Motzart

I second that on the RTi's.
The RTi series speakers were nice....love mine!

Upstatemax

I am very happy with my Monitor 70's... I could not see or hear any difference that made the Rti A5's worth the extra money.

McLoki

If you are already set on getting the RTiA4 for a center channel, I would certainly get the front speakers that match it. (the RTiA5 if that is the model you are interested in)

Kex

McLoki wrote: »

If you are already set on getting the RTiA4 for a center channel, I would certainly get the front speakers that match it. (the RTiA5 if that is the model you are interested in)

+1! Stick with the RTi A range, ideally, if you want the RTi A4, even if the Monitor series will also blend very well.

Congratulations on the harman/kardon BTW, I'm a big h/k fan. That's a nice receiver, and I think you will be very pleased!

McLoki

Ohhh - did not notice the H/K purchase. That should blend very well with the RTiA line....

Chitown_Badger

I hope this isn't hijacking, but I had a similar question that I wanted to run by everyone...perhaps the answer will further inform the original poster.

I've got a system consisting of RTi10s and FXi3s, and need to upgrade my center channel. Ideally I would pick up a CSi5/A6, but my current space simply won't allow it (the depth is an issue). I will upgrade in a year or two to the A6, but need something until then. I've currently got a CSR, and that seems to me to be lacking.

The question is, would I notice a significant difference if I went with a CSi3/A4 over the CSR? The specs seem very similar, but the price makes me think there has to be some performance difference.

And second question, would it be a bad idea to mix lines for the center channel so I could get the dual 6.5" drivers in a center? I would entertain getting either a CS20 or CS2.

I'm no audiophile, but if the negatives of mixing lines would outweigh the benefits of having the more full midrange, I'll just go with the A4. Any thoughts would be welcome!

Kex

I find that Polk centers seem to blend very well accross different model lines, but I still prefer to match exactly if I can, so in your case, I would be trying to find a CSi5 (which will probably also be too big for now, in your case).

Regarding the CSR, the CSi3 or A4 might make a significant difference. Although I currently use a CS400 to match my RT55, I have also found the CS300 and CS245i to be great performers in the same setup. If I had to use either of those because of space concerns, instead of the big CS400, I would still be very pleased indeed. In your case though, the RTi10 are a really big speaker, so even a CSi3 or A4 might not be enough to satisfy you. There's probably only one way to find out if it's worth it, for a temporary solution, until you get the CSi A6.

Chitown_Badger

Kex wrote: »

I find that Polk centers seem to blend very well accross different model lines, but I still prefer to match exactly if I can, so in your case, I would be trying to find a CSi5 (which will probably also be too big for now, in your case).

Regarding the CSR, the CSi3 or A4 might make a significant difference. Although I currently use a CS400 to match my RT55, I have also found the CS300 and CS245i to be great performers in the same setup. If I had to use either of those because of space concerns, instead of the big CS400, I would still be very pleased indeed. In your case though, the RTi10 are a really big speaker, so even a CSi3 or A4 might not be enough to satisfy you. There's probably only one way to find out if it's worth it, for a temporary solution, until you get the CSi A6.

Thanks for the reply. You're the second one to tell me it's probably best not to mix lines...so I think I'll have to suffer through a year or two with "just" the RTi10s and a CSi3 :cool:

pakuhn

thanks too everyone that replied... I can't wait to hear how this thing will sound when it's complete. Just one more question.... Would you go with the RTi10s if they were $60 more than the RTi A5s? From what I understand they are pretty similar to the RTi A7's.

Kex

pakuhn wrote: »

thanks too everyone that replied... I can't wait to hear how this thing will sound when it's complete. Just one more question.... Would you go with the RTi10s if they were $60 more than the RTi A5s? From what I understand they are pretty similar to the RTi A7's.

No, IMO, for two reasons: Firstly, the new cabinets are much nicer IMO. Secondly, the RTi10 are by reputation much harder to power than the RTi8 or RTi A7. A lot of RTi10/12 owners end up buying external amplifiers and still wondering if they are getting enough juice to sound any better than the RTi8 or RTi A5. YMMV.

Chitown_Badger

pakuhn wrote: »

thanks too everyone that replied... I can't wait to hear how this thing will sound when it's complete. Just one more question.... Would you go with the RTi10s if they were $60 more than the RTi A5s? From what I understand they are pretty similar to the RTi A7's.

The RTi A5's are a nice speaker and I was planning on getting the refurbs off the polk direct store. But I came across a great deal on a pair of new 10s that I couldn't pass up ($400 for the pair total). I've got them hooked up to a HK AVR 147 that only pushed 40 WPC, and they sound great. I'm going to be upgrading the AVR soon, and am excited to hear how they sound with adequate juice. They are more speaker no doubt, but the other knock on them is that you ideally need the CSi5/A6 to fill in a small mid-range deficiency (though you gain the low end definition). You'd be happy with either, you'll just need to put more cash into the sub if you go with the A5s.

(and yes, the RTi10s are the older model of the A7..cabinet design is different and size is slightly different).

Kex

Chitown_Badger wrote: »

... I've got them hooked up to a HK AVR 147 that only pushed 40 WPC, and they sound great. ...

It's not the subject of the thread, but even if I don't use it any more, my h/k 147 really surprised me with its outstanding performance. A great entry level receiver for anyone starting into HT that does not need external amplifier pre-outs or audio via HDMI (video HDMI only).

Chitown_Badger

Kex wrote: »

It's not the subject of the thread, but even if I don't use it any more, my h/k 147 really surprised me with its outstanding performance. A great entry level receiver for anyone starting into HT that does not need external amplifier pre-outs or audio via HDMI (video HDMI only).

Agreed. I like it, but I would like my next receiver to have pre-outs and push more wattage. But I heard, and now agree, that HK receivers easily push as much, if not more, than their quote levels. Which is in direct contrast to most other receivers.

(the no audio over HDMI thing was only a minor issue when setting up for me...so no biggie there).

Kchill

Chitown_Badger wrote: »

I hope this isn't hijacking, but I had a similar question that I wanted to run by everyone...perhaps the answer will further inform the original poster.

I've got a system consisting of RTi10s and FXi3s, and need to upgrade my center channel. Ideally I would pick up a CSi5/A6, but my current space simply won't allow it (the depth is an issue). I will upgrade in a year or two to the A6, but need something until then. I've currently got a CSR, and that seems to me to be lacking.

The question is, would I notice a significant difference if I went with a CSi3/A4 over the CSR? The specs seem very similar, but the price makes me think there has to be some performance difference.

And second question, would it be a bad idea to mix lines for the center channel so I could get the dual 6.5" drivers in a center? I would entertain getting either a CS20 or CS2.

I'm no audiophile, but if the negatives of mixing lines would outweigh the benefits of having the more full midrange, I'll just go with the A4. Any thoughts would be welcome!

If you could swing it get the csi3 or a4...big difference from that csr...boy that csr was pretty bad when I tried it out...but my csi3 is fan-freakin-tastic!

Chitown_Badger

Kchill wrote: »

If you could swing it get the csi3 or a4...big difference from that csr...boy that csr was pretty bad when I tried it out...but my csi3 is fan-freakin-tastic!

That's the kind of feedback I was looking for Done deal. I guess I just wasn't sure that the A4 would differentiate itself...but I'll take your word for it (and will soon find out on my own).