Soundbar 42" Original Model vs RTi Bookshelf

sellsje

I need some advice for some new fronts. I recently purchased a 46" Sony LCD and this has changed the configuration of my room. The TV is wall mounted above a nice console. Space is limited to the sides and cannot fit Towers. I currently have a CSi3 center sitting on the console and 4 in wall RC65i's. The 2 in walls used as fronts sound really bad as they are on the side walls now. (However, their current position is perfect as surrounds and the 2 in back as rears. I can go to 7.1 with ease.)

RTi4's would be perfect fronts but they are discontinued. I have posted another thread in the Want Ads. (Had an offer but I was too slow)

RTi A1's are an option but I have a few reservations. The main one being the polk Soundbar can be had for just $50 more dollars on amazon with free shipping. I really like the sleek look of the soundbar mounted under the TV... less cluter on the console would make the Wife very happy!!! The RTi A1's are a little wider than the RTi4's and they would hang over the edge of the console. (I will deal with this if the soundbar is a bad option).

So on to the big Questions:
Will the Polk Soundbar 42" Original Model be a viable solution in this case?
Is it a waste to use it as only 3 of the channels? (Rf, Lf & Center)
Will the sound match the RC65i's when they are used as surrounds?

Here is my current setup...
Center: CSi3
Fronts: RC65i
Surrounds: RC65i
Sub: PSW303
Receiver: Sony STRDE995
Room: 15 x 16

Ideally it would be nice if Polk made a 3 in 1 soundbar that matched the in-walls. I know other manufacturers make 3 in 1 bars. Are there any recomendations? staying in the $400 ball park of course

I've attached a pic so you can see the space requirements. Thanks in advance.

jimbo1421

How about the SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater? Two SDA front channels should produce a good center, shouldn't it? The IHT has a built in amp so I think you would need to feed it with line level outputs. Does your receiver have pre-outs? It comes with a wireless sub, so good WAF there.

Another option: it looks like three VM20s or VM10s would fit in your space. There are good deals to be had at Polk Direct eBay store; less than $400/pr, refurbished. I don't know if they would be a good or bad match to the RC65i surrounds, or even if it matters since the fronts and center do most of the work.

TECHNOKID

How about the SurroundBar SDA Instant Home Theater?

Personnally I would stay away from this one you'd be much better with the 42" combined with your present system.

Here is what I would personnaly go with the surroundbar combined with your existing system:

The Polk SurroundBar has High impedance cross overs and Polks encourage you to hook-up your subwoofer in parallell therefore;

1. Since the surroundbar uses only 1 small driver, I would hook up your present CSi3 center.

2. I would then use the surroundbar fronts as they are suppose to be used.

3. I would then use the front inwall surround connected in parallell with the surroundbar virtual surround.

4. Of couse you use your present subwoofer!

5. I would use the last pair of inwall for rear in order to provide you full 7.1 system.

You test and calibrate your system in this way and see if you like it. Before you power anything, I strongly suggest you use a multimeter to check impedance of anything in parallell and once proven a good match for your receiver (because of the surroundbar high Z crossover, the reading should be higher than 8 ohms). Then and only then you can test if the sound is of quality and/or to your liking!

Cheers

sellsje

thanks technokid, you've given me something to think about.