First "Real" Home Theatre

sigma

Hi, I'm in the process of accessing various components for a HT, and I was dumbfounded in choosing the right set of 5.1 set from Polk Audio. I have narrowed it down to these two sets (Main, Center, Surround, Subwoofer):

RTi 10
CSi 5
FXi 5/RTi 6/RTi 4
PSW 505

Or the:

RTi A7
CSi A6
FXi A6/RTi A3/RTi A1
PSW125

Firstly, I am a bit confused about my surround options. The bipole/dipole surrounds versus the standard bookshelf speakers; what are the main advantages/disadvantages that each possess? I have a medium sized room and it is an open concept connecting to the kitchen. Would that environment change any objective views on the sets or the selection of surround/bookshelf speakers? Which surround option compliments the front and center speakers the best?

Which of these sets provide the better overall sound? Are the newer models significantly (or even slightly) better than the older ones. If price wasn't an issue which set would be the better buy? Which would you buy?

I believe in getting things right the first time, so I want to make a very informed decision that will last me with good quality for a while.

Thanks for your time and all your help and input!

BTW: I plan on using the Harman Kardon AVR-354 (with the latest firmware). Is this receiver adequate to power this system? Is there any alternatives in the same range that I should consider (especially from Pioneer, Denon, Yamaha, reason being I have a couple of gift cards from a dealer that carries mostly these brands...haha)?

cfrizz

Welcome Sigma. I would go with option 2 with the FXi A6 and switch out the PSW sub for a DSW sub which is far superior the the PSW series.

Make sure that HK has preouts so that if you choose you can add a separate amp later on down the line when your wallet recovers.

sigma

Thanks cfrizz!

In what way would the FXi A6 best the bookshelves? Also, what advantages would the DSW bring to the table?

The HK has preamps.

curved

Option #2. I like the looks of the A series - no silver fronts, feet, etc

He is saying the sub is hands down the weakest link out of everything mentioned. I would get a better sub or wait until you have the money to buy a better sub.

dorokusai

Curved - cfrizz is a female.

Sigma - I like both suggestions mentioned by those two people....whoever they are. The DSW series is overall a much better performer than the entry level PSW series. It hits harder, lower and with more confidence. It's worth the money and to boot, the PSW505 has been discontinued for some time.

Surrounds?...the FXi offers a better, open and diffuse surround experience and is best suited for movies. You could buy either and properly set them up...and wake up in your own excrement. I suggest the FX series since it's purpose was specifically surround sound. Good luck.

comfortablycurt

I'd have to agree with everyone else.

Go with the RTi A7 fronts, CSi A6 center, FXi surrounds and you should be very satisfied with your sound. Like everyone else said though, I'd go with a better sub. The DSW series subs are great...the PSW subs aren't really the most highly regarded though.

The AVR you mentioned should do a fine job powering them, though you may eventually want to look into an external amp for at least the A7's. Those are power hungry speakers, and open up a lot more when you put the juice to them a bit harder.

Let us know how it works out for ya though, and welcome to Club Polk

Curt

Kchill

Welcome to club polk. I would agree with the rest of the folks here. The rtia line is very nice but if you come across a great deal on th rti 10 grab them!! Also check out polks own ebay site as they have about 15 sets of fxi3's forabout 150.00. They are white. I did a project back in the spring when I got mine and painted them black. Please note that the fxia's only come in black and white not cherry if you were interested in the cherry rtia's. I have come to learn that my Rti10's do need power. In fact I am disapointed in my receiver not being able to push them. Don't think for a second that the receiver will habdle those 7's or 10's. I like emotive for an external amp and will look into it when I complete my basement. Get a reciever with preouts. What you may be concerned with next is will the reciever be update proof. So I would get a reciever that does all the latest audio such as true dolby and hd dts. This should put you under 500 for the reciever the amp may cost you about the same if you look in the right places. As faw as the sub many people have looked outside of polk for that. But I would suggest that you get the mains first with the amp and see how the bass sounds. It might surprise you. Have fun with it because people here seems to never stop upgrading :-)

sigma

Thanks guys for all the input!

Option two seems to be the winner by consensus, and I will probably stick with the FXi A6 for surrounds and the DSW sub. Hopefully I can get a package deal and save some money for an amp, but that's another thread...haha.

BTW: Is there any authorized Polk dealer online (besides Polk's website and eBay) that ships to Canada (or has physical stores in Canada)? I know Future Shop has some of the RTi line but they lack the DSW Sub and FXi A6 in black.

Thanks again for your time and input!

Menasor

I say depends on price. If you can get both for the same price, go with the RTi A line. Otherwise, if you can get setup #1 for 2/3 the price of #2, I'd go with #1.

Kex

sigma wrote: »

... BTW: I plan on using the Harman Kardon AVR-354 (with the latest firmware). Is this receiver adequate to power this system? Is there any alternatives in the same range that I should consider (especially from Pioneer, Denon, Yamaha, reason being I have a couple of gift cards from a dealer that carries mostly these brands...haha)?

EVerything has already been said, but congratulations, and welcome!

Concerning the h/k, I have huge respect for their receivers, and the 354 should do a great job. I would not consider changing it for any of those you mentioned, but maybe a NAD would be worthy of your attention. Please note, though, that NAD will not currently process HD audio formats. The power, however, and other capabilities will be astounding IMO, and those ARE worth some sacrifices!

http://nadelectronics.com/products/av-receivers
http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/nadspec.htm

Sherardp

Does the budget allow for a SVS sub, PB13 Ultra would be killer in this setup.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb13ultra.cfm

sigma

Unfortunately the SVS Sub is way out of budget...hehe

The NAD units are really nice in specification and seems to have a nice build quality. I'll have to look into them just for fun.

Unfortunately I've hit a road block, the dealer I'm buying from says they are not going to carry the FXi A6 or the DSW series from Polk until further notice (the main reason is that they are a "big box" retailer that has a more lower end customer base). However, the dealer says that they can add the RTi A3/A1 or FXi A4 paired with a PSW 125. Would I compromise a lot downgrading to these speakers (paired with the RTi A7/CSi A6)? The only thing keeping me from walking away is that I have a whole lot of gift cards and a nice package deal waiting for me...

Levrah

Save oodles of green and go for option #1. The differences between the RTi/RTiA are essentially cosmetic. Drivers/crossovers appear to be identical. For HT I would also get the RTi8 instead of the 10, especially when using the CSi5. Invest in the FXi5's. Skip the Polk sub. Use extra funds and invest in a Velodyne or HSU.

The AVR-354 will be more than enough for that system.

NewHTguy

Levrah wrote: »

For HT I would also get the RTi8 instead of the 10, especially when using the CSi5.

Why would the Csi5 match the Rti8's better than the Rti10's? Just curious because I love my CSi5 and Rti10 combination. They blend perfectly.

Btw, Audio Advisor has some nice deals on Velo subs. Check out the clearance gear.

Levrah

just a matter of preference. Plus 8's and a higher quality sub make more sense (to me) given the amplification available.

comfortablycurt

Levrah wrote: »

Save oodles of green and go for option #1. The differences between the RTi/RTiA are essentially cosmetic. Drivers/crossovers appear to be identical. For HT I would also get the RTi8 instead of the 10, especially when using the CSi5. Invest in the FXi5's. Skip the Polk sub. Use extra funds and invest in a Velodyne or HSU.

The AVR-354 will be more than enough for that system.

How would the CSi5 work better with the RTi8's? That's the biggest center channel in the RTi series. It will work just fine with the RTi10's.

The differences are mainly cosmetic between the RTi/RTi A series, but the sound quality of the A's is better. It isn't a night and day difference by any means...but the curved shape of the RTi A's cabinets does help with acoustic resonance, and makes a definite difference in SQ IMO. If money allows, I say go with the RTi A's. If you're working on a tighter budget, the RTi's may be the way to go. You'd still be more than satisfied with either choice.

Levrah

once again... just a matter of preference.