Install question

Crimson Ghost
Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
edited March 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hello,

I am looking to purchase in-wall speakers for my home sports bar I am looking at the following:

Polk RC851 (1 pair of these)
Boston Acoustic VRISUB82 (just one with has two 8" woofers)

I think these two will pair nicely together, The BA sub is a little pricey at $1,100 but I have heard it in the past and was impressed.

When I install the three in-wall what is the best wire to use? and do I need to insulate in the wall?

The Polks are going into an interior wall with no insulation. The BA is going into an exterior wall that has insulation. Any Advice? I have never installed these before and would just like to be prepared (I havn't placed the order from Crutchfield yet either, so if I should be considering a Polk sub let me know if oyu have experiance with the BA and the Polk)
Post edited by Crimson Ghost on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    Oh, I just found a website the shows me the install set up for the RC851 - apparently there are 6 (cheap looking) plastic tabs that hold the unit against the sheetrock. Are there any tip sto installing this - installing a gasket to remove rattles or anything along these lines?

    I was told that in wall speakers sound muffled and rattle -- I heard my friends and they were neither...but I suppose it should still be a concern.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    Welcome to Club Polk Crimson Ghost.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    CG,

    Ok if you look at the Polk in walls from the higher lines you will see that the speaker actually comes in a box which is placed into the wall.

    For some Polk speakers the box is an option you can purchase. Even if not available for your speaker I would contact Ken at Polk CS and get the optimum cubic inches of air space you will need for your particular speaker and build a box from MDF, of course doing it this way is more work, and you are going to have to do more drywall work after the install. It is easiest if you are doing new construction.

    RT1

    You should have some damping material in the wall.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    CG,

    Ok if you look at the Polk in walls from the higher lines you will see that the speaker actually comes in a box which is placed into the wall.

    For some Polk speakers the box is an option you can purchase. Even if not available for your speaker I would contact Ken at Polk CS and get the optimum cubic inches of air space you will need for your particular speaker and build a box from MDF, of course doing it this way is more work, and you are going to have to do more drywall work after the install. It is easiest if you are doing new construction.

    RT1

    You should have some damping material in the wall.


    Thank you for the feedback, "Polk CS" is this referring to a web site?

    Building an MDF box would be super easy with this application - and I like the sounds of it too. Thanks !
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    Crimson Ghost wrote: »
    Thank you for the feedback, "Polk CS" is this referring to a web site?

    No. Use this number 1-800-377-POLK (7655) to contact CS directly.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    No. Use this number 1-800-377-POLK (7655) to contact CS directly.

    Hello - I spoke to Ken and he suggested polly filling the wall from the speaker hole to the bottom of the stud cavity. I'll do this with insulation and since this is a cathedral wall I will shove the insulation up as well. Ken did not indicate that a specific amount of air mass was needed – the speaker is designed for this type of application and the polly fill is only to reduce wall vibration and hollowness.

    Any thoughts on the Boston Acoustic VRiSUB82 ? The polk sub is to large of a cabinet to be installed where I need it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    Do you mean the Polk in-wall/floor/ceiling subs??

    Well Ken is very knowledgeable, yes, I recall reading about the inwalls that can just be placed inside the wall, so it would follow that it could just be placed inside a box.....no???
    I just find it hard to imagine this would not be "better" than going into the wall with nothing else.

    Maybe you could upgrade your in-walls a bit.........I mean it is our primary concern that you overspend and double the budget...........you hear me.......

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    I am ready to place my order - I *think* this is it:

    Yamama Receiver 100Watt per channel RX-797
    Polk RC85i
    Boston Acoustic sub VRiSUB82

    I have spoken to a couple of professional installers and they agree that what I have here will be perfect. Ken didn't disagree but he did mention the Polk sub - but installing that in wall sub post construction is just not easy. The BA is much more compact and can be installed in a simple cut out.

    Looks like total package will be $1,850 over at Crutchfield.com.....any other comments or thought would be appreciated, I will be placing this order this weekend - so there is lobbying time still available ! thanks for all the help !!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    OK, then get the Polk Lci in-wall system, it is truly awesome.............

    you only live once and nobody on their death bed has been known to say they wished they had saved more money..............
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    for $2,900 they better do more than tantalize just my ears *wink*

    Those Lci owners on their death beds were put there by their wifes shortly after making the purchase !
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    OK wait.

    The Boston Acoustic VRi sub if $1,100 and the RC85i's are $250 so the total speaker cost before receiver is $1,350 for a few hundred more (not out of the budget) I could pick up a pair of LC265i's

    Does anyone have experiance with these producs? If I install this pair of Polk rather than the BA's and RC85i's am I gaining anything or losing?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    see my signature CG, I never recommend products I have not listened too and most preferably owned, look I love all Polk products, very high value to the dollar, but the Lci are light years ahead of what you are looking at. I have the LCi RTS series, which is Reference Theatre, Scompracer has the other LCi series, you can see some pics of each, Scomp has his in the showcase, he loves them, you can see some of mine in the Polkfest 07 Georgia showcase, I also have an old thread showing the construction and installation of mine if you do a search for it.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    Fair enough, but for a true opinion I would need someone familiar with these and the Boston Acoustic 8" subs. This is not a home theater set-up, for that I have a bose lifestyle 48 -- very pelased.

    I like to hear my bass thump at volume yet matched to the mids. At low volume listening I also want to hear that bass filling the room. To me, two 8" dedicated subs is going to produce this more so than the LCi series that is not segregating the mid's and the low's. Correct me if I am wrong, that's why I started this thread.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    I misunderstood, that changes everything and nothing, based upon your budget. I see you say at your bar, not sure why I thought HT.

    The Lci will need a sub do to what you want, if that is not in the budget then your original idea. The Lci have a much nicer sound overall but if not possible then it's not.

    I do have two POLK subs the PSW 450 I am no longer using that I could pass along to you on a killer deal if that would work.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    I am going to place this order this weekend, you have me on the proverbial fence….so I hope you and/or other are around to help further. Given my application of a home sports bar remember that these speakers are giving me a clean look in a room where I do not want bookshelf’s or wall mounts. Basically I am looking for in wall home stereo application here.

    Lets assume I go with the Boston Acoustic Sub :
    http://www.crutchfield.com/p_700SB82SA1/Boston-Acoustics-VRiSUB82-System.html
    with the SA1 subwoofer Amp (packaged on Crutchfield)

    I will probably go with the Yamaha RX-797 which will provide me with 100 watts per channel. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RX797/Yamaha-RX-797.html

    In an effort to put the best speakers in place I am cutting back on the receiver, I can rectify that down the road (speakers would be more difficult to swap out – agreed?

    Ok, so given the above application, sub’s and power….lets talk Polk’s for mid’s & high’s.

    You know I was looking at a pair of RC85i’s but with a step down in receiver, I could toss up a pair of LC65FX’s, LC56i’s or maybe a pair of LCi-C’s. is any of this worth it given my application ?

    Also, the music being played is beyond eclectic, we will range from big time metal to big band to Jimmy Buffett (ok fine, 50% Jimmy Buffet and 50% eclectic)

    I am concerned with the speakers drawing more than the receiver has to offer and tripping the heat sync – that sucks (been there in the past, I am assuming you know what I mean). I spent the past day researching for the Yamaha, I think it will be sufficient and permit me to look at other speakers, any advice on the receiver would be VERY appreciated.

    OK, have at it – what should I do….don’t want to waste money – so remember this is a bar not a home theater. Need mids & highs out of 2 speakers (can plan on two more in a year or so )
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    It's such a shame that this board moves as slowly as it does.

    I placed my order. I went with the pair of LC65fx and the Onkyo SR806 with the Boston Acoustic VRiSUB82. I had more questions but I got them answered elsewhere. Thanks for the input !
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2009
    sorry I am rarely around on the weekend or Friday's or even Mondays at itmes, heck, if I could I would retire for good and sip mai tai's with Keiko and his tribe of island girls.


    Well I have run my Lci with a lesser Onkyo than yours so I would think you are going to be very happy, but why use the fx???


    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited March 2009
    What do you mean "why use the fx"? Did I choose the wrong speakers ?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2009
    CG,

    FX means special effects. These speakers are typically used as surround sound speakers as they are able to fire out of phase. Although I suppose you could use them as they will play (I did do this once with some I once owned and it was OK sounding when set to Bi-Pole) typically for stereo a Polk front firing speaker is used.

    The placement of the drivers in the FX and the regular Polk in-wall is different.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Crimson Ghost
    Crimson Ghost Posts: 15
    edited March 2009
    Oh damn, I didn't know that and the good people over at Crutchfield didn't make me aware of this either. Should I return these and pick up the others?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2009
    I would recommend you do so.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter