Surround Speakers for use with RTiA3 fronts...

Morkna

Hello...decided to try this out since I cannot find an answer anywhere. Any help would be appreciated!

I just bougth a pair of RTiA3's to use as the fronts for my system. I will be purchasing the CSiA4 when I can find a good deal on it. I have ordered the Onkyo SR606 to power everything. Also just purchased 4 HDMI cables from Monoprice for a good deal so it is slowly coming together.

Now the big question. I was wondering if there was a smaller satellite or other type of speaker that I could use for the surround speakers on the side. I have been reading all of these forums and most people use the FXi or the RTi's for the surrounds but I want something smaller. I would like to use the FXi or RTi's but don't really want huge speakers just sticking off the wall in my living room. Living room is 13 x 23 and the TV is in the corner which I know sucks also but thats the only place it can go.

Everyone talks about the speakers matching...so what sounds the same as the RTiA3's? The OWM3 looks like a decent size but will it sound good with what I will have? Or should I get one the RM size speakers. Really want to get a 5.1 setup and am going crazy reading all of these forums. Girlfriend thinks I am going nuts constantly reading about speakers, speakers, and more speakers. Help!!!

RutgersFTW

Morkna wrote: »

Hello...decided to try this out since I cannot find an answer anywhere. Any help would be appreciated!

I just bougth a pair of RTiA3's to use as the fronts for my system. I will be purchasing the CSiA4 when I can find a good deal on it. I have ordered the Onkyo SR606 to power everything. Also just purchased 4 HDMI cables from Monoprice for a good deal so it is slowly coming together.

Now the big question. I was wondering if there was a smaller satellite or other type of speaker that I could use for the surround speakers on the side. I have been reading all of these forums and most people use the FXi or the RTi's for the surrounds but I want something smaller. I would like to use the FXi or RTi's but don't really want huge speakers just sticking off the wall in my living room. Living room is 13 x 23 and the TV is in the corner which I know sucks also but thats the only place it can go.

Everyone talks about the speakers matching...so what sounds the same as the RTiA3's? The OWM3 looks like a decent size but will it sound good with what I will have? Or should I get one the RM size speakers. Really want to get a 5.1 setup and am going crazy reading all of these forums. Girlfriend thinks I am going nuts constantly reading about speakers, speakers, and more speakers. Help!!!

I've thought a lot about this too. I'm going to hang some FXis in the future, but for now I just want something unobtrusive and better than nothing for my HT. I probably won't run a center and will use two RM10s as surrounds for now, as they're selling them for $199 for a set of five. Then someday I can use the whole RM10 set as a dedicated multichannel setup in a playroom type setting.

If you get the RMs let me know what you think, OK?

comfortablycurt

The RM series speakers would probably work well. If you had a little bit more coin to throw down though you could look into the VM series as well. The VM10 is a fairly small speaker...It's about the same height as the RTi bookshelfs, but it's only like 4.5 inches wide and 4.5 inches deep, so it's nowhere near as intrusive as larger speakers would be.

You could get a whole setup of the RM's for about 200 bucks on Polk Directs ebay store. That includes four satellites and a center channel.

A pair of the VM10's will run for about 300 through Polk Direct.

If you wanted to go the 7.1 route the RM's would be the cheapest way to go, but if you're just looking for a pair of speakers to round out a 5.1 system you may be better off with the VM10's.

Morkna

Yeah the VM's are a little more than I would like to spend. I've already went over what I thought I would want to spend but oh well **** happens. I just found the RM7 and the RM8 and they look like a good size. I only want a 5.1 setup, thats all I can do right now with my living room arrangement. So do you think the RM8's are worth the extra dough or just go with the RM7. Probably be able to find a good deal on one of these somewhere.

Thanks everyone for answering my questions. More input is welcome. And oh yeah...Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas...whichever you prefer.

Dare I ask what type of sub...? Read lots of good stuff about the Velodyne VX-10 on here...

So far...

Onkyo SR606
Fronts...RTiA3
Center...CSiA4
Sub.......????
Surrounds...RM7 or RM8 Help me decide...

comfortablycurt

As far as the RM7 and RM8 go...it really depends on how much you want to spend. The RM8 is a better speaker because of the dipole configuration, and would probably be a better all around surround speaker. The RM7 would do just fine as well though. You could probably find a pair of either ones for fairly cheap.

What's your price range for a sub?

You should have a pretty good setup with those speakers. I run an Onk' 606 myself, and it's a great receiver. It lacks some of the options that higher end receivers have, the main one being the lack of pre-outs. For the price point though a lot of people will agree that it's the best buy. I just got mine about 4 months ago, and I love it.

javygonx

Crutchfield has RTi4 Bookshelfs for $179/pair Thats what I have with my RTiA7 Fronts.
They sounds great for surrounds.

comfortablycurt

javygonx wrote: »

Crutchfield has RTi4 Bookshelfs for $179/pair Thats what I have with my RTiA7 Fronts.
They sounds great for surrounds.

He's trying to avoid having big speakers that stick out like 12 inches from the wall though...so that's probably not really an option.

Morkna

For the sub price range lets say $200 - $400 but lets try to lean more towards the $200. Like I've said this is already turning in to more than I wanted to spend but hey it will last a long time right..??..So might as well get good equipment and enjoy it! If I waited a little while i could probably spend more since the good ole tax return is just around the corner. So yeah lets say up to $400. Look, I just talked myself into spending more without any help.

Bonus question!...speaker wire...will have to run wire down through floor across basement and back up to the corner of the room. About 45ft total distance...what size wire should I get...that would be my longest run. 16 for everthing or 16 for surrounds and 14 for L/C/R?

comfortablycurt

http://cgi.ebay.com/PSW1000-Cherry-Home-Subwoofer-from-Polk-Audio_W0QQitemZ220324108664QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3276QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

The Polk PSW1000 might be a good option to consider, that's pretty much at the top of your price range though. A lot of people will give that one bad reviews, but it is still a decent sub depending on your uses. A lot of people have said that it bottoms out a lot when hitting really deep notes in home theater use. Musically though it get's a fair amount of both praise and complaints. It's only 400 dollars through Polk Directs ebay store though, which is a great price.

http://www.premieracoustic.com/productlist.asp?crid=195&pcrid=197&cat_name=Powered+Subwoofers

Both of these Premier Acoustics are pretty good as well. The PA-10 can be had for about 250 dollars, where as the PA-12 is a bit more expensive at around 300-350 dollars.

http://www.bicacoustechspeakers.com/closeup.asp?cid=188&pid=125&offset=0

The BIC Acoustech H-100 is another popular choice for those who are budget minded. Goes for about 250-300.

Morkna

Sub must be able to handle Radiohead...very important. Thanks Curt for all of your help. And everyone else.

comfortablycurt

Morkna wrote: »

Sub must be able to handle Radiohead...very important. Thanks Curt for all of your help. And everyone else.

Any of those should handle Radiohead just fine. And you're quite welcome.

Morkna

Well I got my CSi A4 center on Polk's eBay site and now I'm ready for the surrounds. As I mentioned above I want something small to fit in my living room. I am now thinking about getting the VM10's and want everyones opinion if they would sound good with the RTi A3's and CSi A4 that I have...

Tracy

I know you're looking for something smaller but the FXi A4's would be a really great addition to your set up. Not to mention they are awesome for surround sound. I have them and I thought they were too big at first, but once I got used to them in my home theater - I quite honestly don't even notice them anymore (physically, that is). FWIW my room dimensions are almost identical to yours. Just wanted to chime in and sing the praises of FXi A4's. Good luck with whatever you decide.

JohnLocke88

Morkna wrote: »

Well I got my CSi A4 center on Polk's eBay site and now I'm ready for the surrounds. As I mentioned above I want something small to fit in my living room. I am now thinking about getting the VM10's and want everyones opinion if they would sound good with the RTi A3's and CSi A4 that I have...

RM101s (the satellites in the RM10 package) are really great speakers. I think they're honestly going to be the best bang for the buck for you, and they're nice and discreet. You can even buy articulating brackets for them on monoprice for about $10 a pair IIRC.

Morkna

Just got my Bic H-100 all setup and I am very happy. Thanks everyone for helping me out. I think everything sounds fantastic!

Since Polk Audio's eBay site refuses to list the Vm10's auction style anymore, I guess I am going to have to go with the RM101's for the surrounds in my 5.1 system. I can't afford $379 for two VM10's. They have not sold one set of VM10s at this price so why don't they just list them auction style so I could have a chance to pick them up cheaper.

Should I wait till the VM10's come down or say screw it and just get the 101's so I can be done with this project?

Morkna

Well I will receive a pair of Polk RM 8's tomorrow. Have been waiting on them for 3 weeks. Got them for $125 bucks so decided to try them out. Problem is there not here yet and I already want to just go ahead and get the FXi A4's. Only reason I didn't get them in the first place was I thought they would be too big and the girlfriend would not be happy. Buy you know what, I don't care anymore. So I will test these out but I have a feeling I will be throwing them back on eBay and get me a nice set of Reburbished A4's from Polk! Sound good to me...

mu1166

Morkna wrote: »

Well I will receive a pair of Polk RM 8's tomorrow. Have been waiting on them for 3 weeks. Got them for $125 bucks so decided to try them out. Problem is there not here yet and I already want to just go ahead and get the FXi A4's. Only reason I didn't get them in the first place was I thought they would be too big and the girlfriend would not be happy. Buy you know what, I don't care anymore. So I will test these out but I have a feeling I will be throwing them back on eBay and get me a nice set of Reburbished A4's from Polk! Sound good to me...

Let me know what you think about the RM8's as surrounds. I'm in the exact same boat as you as my wife doesn't want the large speakers (FXi's) at the rear of the room.

Morkna

Sure thing mu1166. I try and post some pics also...

Question?????

With my current setup

Onkyo TX-SR606
Sony BDP-S350 (HDMI Connection to receiver)
HD DirecTV Box (HDMI Connection to receiver)

If I was to use Zone 2 of the Onkyo receiver and hook up a couple of the Polk Atrium Speakers outside, where would I have to have the source of the music be coming from to hear them outside if I was using Zone 2.

Would I be able to...

Place a CD in my Sony Blu-Ray player and hear it outside?

Hook my Zune up to the audio ports on the front and hear it outside? Or is there another option to hook my Zune up that would sound better?

Play XM through my DirecTV (Which is hooked up to the Onkyo through HDMI) and hear it outside?

Anyhelp would be appreciated because this is my next project so I can have some tunes out on the new patio.

Morkna

Well I'm all done and I think the RM8's sound fine for what I need right now. I'm sure the FXi A4's would sound better, but for now, I will keep these until I find a great deal on the A4's.

Check it out if you would like...

http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gallery.php?member=Morkna