New To Polk

lectronicjunkie

The weather is not a dilema. All he needs is some Atrium's to put outside, then he can enjoy it inside and out. LOL!!!!

williamgauci

As someone who just upgraded from the A4 to the A6, I'd recommend the A6. You've got a nice set of fronts, I'd use the A6 with them, I felt the A4 is a great speaker, but it was missing that last little something, after two days of running the A6, I'm really glad I spent the money. I'll bet after some serious listening, you'll wonder if the A6 wasn't the better choice.

Ohioste

I thinke the A6 is just going to be way out of my price range. I spent a lot more money than I had expected on my receiver(which is good). Besides the A6...is my best bet the A4? Or is there more value in the CSI5 if I can find a good deal on it. It seems that the A4 is the easiest to find and cheapest.

Retro152

Ohioste wrote: »

I thinke the A6 is just going to be way out of my price range. I spent a lot more money than I had expected on my receiver(which is good). Besides the A6...is my best bet the A4? Or is there more value in the CSI5 if I can find a good deal on it. It seems that the A4 is the easiest to find and cheapest.

Look into the Csi5. The csi-a6 is basically a revamped version of the 5. This center would actually match up nice cosmetically to your Rti8s'. Sure you could find one at a decent price.

Ohioste

I think the CSi5 is the direction I'm heading. Assuming I can get a good deal on one. We will see.

Next questions. HDMI Cables...I've heard monoprice is the way to go. Without getting into a big debate about which brand is best...are these what I need?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=4966&seq=1&format=2

disneyjoe7

I like Blue Jean cables for HDMI

hearingimpared

Ohioste wrote: »

I think the CSi5 is the direction I'm heading. Assuming I can get a good deal on one. We will see.

Next questions. HDMI Cables...I've heard monoprice is the way to go. Without getting into a big debate about which brand is best...are these what I need?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=4966&seq=1&format=2

Yes. How long a cable do you need?

Ohioste

I wouldn't think more than 5 feet. I think that would give me a little extra actually...

hearingimpared

Ohioste wrote: »

I wouldn't think more than 5 feet. I think that would give me a little extra actually...

Okay, nevermind, I have a 25' HDMI cable that is just collecting dust.

Ohioste

Appreciate the offer...just a little more cable than what I need. But would you go with the Monoprice cables or any other recommendations?

hearingimpared

I don't know the answer to that question concerning HDMI cables. . . sorry.

lectronicjunkie

I use these and they work great. Well built also. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189166

Ohioste

RTi8s in and they sound great with my old receiver.

Here's my one dilemma. I experimented and plugged one set of wires into the top outlets(whatever you call them) and then one set into the bottom on the other speaker.

Sounds like the ones I plugged into the bottom sound better. Is that just because there is a little more bass?

Also, in this set up...it has completely taken out my center speaker. I can't seem to get it back working.

Are the RTi8s drawing all the power?

cnh

I'm not quite following you.

On the 8s there are two sets of termninals, and a metal jumper that connects them. Make sure you screw down all 4 sets of terminals even on the set that are not being used (have no wires) because if everything isn't flush you can bypass the upper end...I've accidentally done that myself.

The important thing is to check all wiring connections, make sure no bare wires are touching or crossing each other and that ALL connections are secure and tight.

Don't know why you lost that center..that shouldn't happen...

cnh

Ohioste

I'm lost on the center as well. It might be just be just me that thinks the one sounds better than the other.

There is huge improvement in sound over the Onkyo speakers that came with the HTIB. I love my RTi8s and I don't even have my 805 yet. I'm really lost on this whole center channel though. I can't get any surround to play...in any format. Blu-ray...tv...nothing...

I can live...cause it still sounds good...just could be a little bit better

disneyjoe7

The bottom terminals of the speaker are the woofers, where the upper terminals are the mids / tweeters. So yes the bottoms has base. The center not working you need to balance speakers in setup.

cnh

You have an old Onkyo HTIB receiver right? If so, can you go through your menus and make sure it shows that it has a center channel active.

Then cycle through your surround modes with the remote listening for the center (again if that center is not tightly connected and wired it will not play).

As far as blu-ray is concerned you have to run the digital cable to the Onkyo then tell the Blu-ray to send out bitstream via the Optical out and so forth. Or else the BDP may be sending sound to the TV via HDMI. Most Blu-rays WILL NOT send sound to the TV and through the Optical digital at the same time. If you can hear sound from your TV you need to get into the blu-ray menus for sound set up.

cnh

apphd

Ohioste wrote: »

RTi8s in and they sound great with my old receiver.

Here's my one dilemma. I experimented and plugged one set of wires into the top outlets(whatever you call them) and then one set into the bottom on the other speaker.

Sounds like the ones I plugged into the bottom sound better. Is that just because there is a little more bass?

Also, in this set up...it has completely taken out my center speaker. I can't seem to get it back working.

Are the RTi8s drawing all the power?

Can't explain why they sound different. With the jumper/shorting bar in place and everything tight, top or bottom is actually one in the same location.

Don't know why this would happen but check the AVR settings. Maybe the center got turned off, or got into a "phantom center" mode. I don't remember what you are using till your 805 arrives, but do you have a test tone setting to see if you get anything out of the center with that.

Ohioste

No...I've had the blu ray set up long before I had the new speakers. And everything seemed to have worked fine.

Flipping through my menus on the receiver...I can't even see options for changing the center speaker. I have had the opportunity to turn it up and down before...as I have done it.

I may just leave it for now until I get my 805. Might be the best.

But also, there is a huge difference when I hook it up to the bottom compared to the top. So much bass in the bottom...a lot more of the highs in the top. To make it tolerable...I still have them switched. So one is deep...and one plays the highs.

This was a used set. Should I unscrew the back and see if it's able to be connected? The other guy may have had it wired in both. When doing so, would you have to unscrew the back and mess with something?

Edit: Yes, I have a test tone...but there is no center even being recognized now. My receiver is the HT-R304.

Thanks again for all your guys help!

cnh

I didn't know better I'd say that your jumpers were missing or not in place properly because that's exactly what things would sound like if you had no jumpers and wired it in the way you describe.

There are metal connectors in place between the upper and lower terminals no?

cnh

disneyjoe7

They are brass metal plates which connect the lower to the upper terminals together. You should have them, but its possible you don't if used.

Ohioste

I know one of the plugs is missing...but I knew that when buying them...

Other side is the same...only it has all the plugs.

lectronicjunkie

You are missing the metal jumpers. You are either going to have to order some or bi-wire the speakers.

cnh

Yeah you're missing the metal jumpers. You need to get some so that those upper and lower terminals are connected to each other.

As they appear in the picture, when you wire the top all you get is high end and when you wire the bottom you get bass.

Maybe some other members can suggest how to get the jumpers. One way to solve the problem immediately is just take two small pieces of wire and connect the wires one from top black post to bottom black and top red to bottom red then rehook your speaker wires as you have them.

cnh

Ohioste

Will it hurt them to keep the connected as is for now? Don't want to damage the speaker.

Think if I call polk tomorrow they will have the jumpers?

If this is the only thing that is wrong with the speakers...I'm still very happy. They are in amazing condition for the price I got them at.

cnh

No harm done, you're just bypassing the crossover and only running some of the drivers with no power to the others. I'd be a little careful pushing the highs too much just in case the 304 clips?

I'm sure Polk can sell you some...there also available at some online sites...I know Mike21 is online--he would know! Mike?

cnh

Ohioste

Yes...lectronicjunkie mentioned something similar when looking at some of the specs of my receiver...I'm tempted to unhook them and just go back to my Onkyos. I really don't want to hurt them...

Thanks guys...I really do appreciate all the help!

lectronicjunkie

You are missing the metal jumpers. You are going to have to order new ones or bi-wire the speakers. Here what they look like.

Ohioste

Well...at least they look like they are easy to attach once I get them. Hopefully when I call Polk in the morning they will have some...

lectronicjunkie

Just do what cnh said. Take two small pieces of wire and jump the top and bottom terminals on each speaker for the time being and enjoy them.