What should I upgrade?

sk1939

Hey gents,

Alright, I have a question, and wasn't quite sure where I should stick this.
I know that this is extremely low budget, and no where near the class of gear that you guys are used to, and possess, but I'd still like input if you can.

I like the sound I get from my current setup (pair of Tsi 100's and a Song STR-DE1090, with my computers Audigy 2 ZS and a Toshiba SD-2700 as sources) but I feel it's...lacking somehow. I like the sound that I get from my AKG K-240's, and I think it mainly has to do with the bass, but I'm not sure. Power and cable wise, generic gold plated rg 59 RCA cables and a power conditioniner from Furman. I feel like I have a couple of options

a) Upgrade current gear (budget of $~150)

New CD player Updated sound card Better conditioner? Save up for Infinity P362's? ($300 total) (would rather buy another set of speakers, much less large speakers, I am at college after all)

b) Add a sub (budget $~150)(Noise isn't a problem)

Polk PSW 10 Sony SA-W2500

Mind you, I am at college so the budget is pretty much fixed assuming I want to eat something other than cup ramen. Primary use is for music, all genres really (Bizet, Andre Bocelli, 4 Non Blondes, Shinedown, Jay-Z, Liszt, Handel, Beatles, etc.) Suggestions? Thoughts? Ideas?

dudeinaroom

If your lean on bass and like the sound of the Tsi's I'd go one of two routes.

a. move up the Tsi food chain and go with some thing like the the 300 or better, your not gonna get a lot of bass from a single small driver.


b. add a sub, the sony is a waste of money unless you just want some boomy muddyness. The polk sub is not too bad from what I've heard. Personally I'd save up and look into a higher quality sub.

phuz

I'd say move up to the RTi or RTiA line of speakers, then you'll be ready to start upgrading electronics, cables, etc.

If it's bass you're really missing then get a quality sub. Then start thinking about the RTi/RTiA line, then electronics/cables.

Don't waste your money with the Sony sub. The Furman will be just fine until you are ready to make a BIG leap, after you've upgraded just about everything else.

sk1939

dudeinaroom wrote: »

If your lean on bass and like the sound of the Tsi's I'd go one of two routes.

a. move up the Tsi food chain and go with some thing like the the 300 or better, your not gonna get a lot of bass from a single small driver.


b. add a sub, the sony is a waste of money unless you just want some boomy muddyness. The polk sub is not too bad from what I've heard. Personally I'd save up and look into a higher quality sub.

What would you suggest as far a sub goes? I'm stuck on that decision, because I want to keep space down (Tsi 300's don't take up a whole lot of extra room, although I could fit the sub under my bed), but more importantly I want to keep cost down.

sk1939

phuz wrote: »

I'd say move up to the RTi or RTiA line of speakers, then you'll be ready to start upgrading electronics, cables, etc.

If it's bass you're really missing then get a quality sub. Then start thinking about the RTi/RTiA line, then electronics/cables.

Don't waste your money with the Sony sub. The Furman will be just fine until you are ready to make a BIG leap, after you've upgraded just about everything else.

Will something like the RTi4 really boost the sound over the TSi 100 (if so I'm going to flip because they're the same price)? The only problem with moving up to the RTis is it's money I don't have, and the fact that "accidental damage" can happen at college.....but I'll consider it.

phuz

sk1939 wrote: »

Will something like the RTi4 really boost the sound over the TSi 100 (if so I'm going to flip because they're the same price)? The only problem with moving up to the RTis is it's money I don't have, and the fact that "accidental damage" can happen at college.....but I'll consider it.

Good points. A sub it is then.

Check out the Polk store on ebay, or maybe look for an older generation Polk PSW10 or Velodyne sub.

dudeinaroom

Quality is exspensive, unless you want you go used then it's just spendy. you could look into Mirage, or Velodyne, but they are not cheap. You also have to remember you get what you pay for, and this is especially true for a subs. I am no where near an authority on subs. Others will most likely chime in. Check the flea market here, I'm not sure what's up for grabs here right now. Paradigm also has a couple smaller subs. You could always start a thread for sub woofer recommendations.

Welcome to Club Polk.

Happy hunting,
dude

dudeinaroom

lol, we both recommended Velodyne at the same time.

packetjones

personally i would add a sub. I would stay away from the sony sub as others have said. If you are interested there is a psw10 on polk direct with a bid of only $50 right now. Shipping is $25 so it is a good bargain. Most of these budget subs are not all that great but adding it to a pair of book shelfs for music will add quite a bit in my opinion. You can also check out the budget subs at partsexpress.com as well.

I would not really spend a lot of money upgrading anything else as this is a really just a budget system for college. once you get more cash flow and are looking to build a home theater or a nice 2 channel system u can look at getting floor standers of a higher quality or better sources. right now it sounds like you just want a better sound for the limited budget that you have.

Good luck.

phuz

dudeinaroom wrote: »

lol, we both recommended Velodyne at the same time.

They're hard to beat. They pretty much have/had the best entry level subs, period. Their higher end offerings used to be top notch, haven't heard any in a while though.

I think for sk1939, a lightly used or refurb PSW-10 would be perfect.

sk1939

phuz wrote: »

Good points. A sub it is then.

Check out the Polk store on ebay, or maybe look for an older generation Polk PSW10 or Velodyne sub.

Whats the difference between the older generation PSW-10's and the current ones? I'm leaning toward a sub myself, that and upgrading to a SA-CD player (and maybe actually some SA CD's)....

sk1939

packetjones wrote: »

personally i would add a sub. I would stay away from the sony sub as others have said. If you are interested there is a psw10 on polk direct with a bid of only $50 right now. Shipping is $25 so it is a good bargain. Most of these budget subs are not all that great but adding it to a pair of book shelfs for music will add quite a bit in my opinion. You can also check out the budget subs at partsexpress.com as well.

I would not really spend a lot of money upgrading anything else as this is a really just a budget system for college. once you get more cash flow and are looking to build a home theater or a nice 2 channel system u can look at getting floor standers of a higher quality or better sources. right now it sounds like you just want a better sound for the limited budget that you have.

Good luck.

I'll take a look. Yeah, your right about that, I plan to upgrade later on once I get a decent cash flow/location/job etc. but I'm aiming for a decent college system.

This: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-628
or a PSW 10 do you think?

phuz

sk1939 wrote: »

Whats the difference between the older generation PSW-10's and the current ones? I'm leaning toward a sub myself, that and upgrading to a SA-CD player (and maybe actually some SA CD's)....

The biggest difference is price. You'll get more for your dollar if you buy used/demo/refurb older models.

You'll pay full retail or if you're lucky 10-12% off retail buying a new, current model. We're saying look at older stuff, because you'll probably be able to get more of a sub at your price point. Vs getting the cheapest current model new. They're all good subs, but think of it as getting a slightly used Acura vs. a new Honda for the same price.

It's going to get beat to **** in college anyway!

CORRECTION: I just realized the PSW10 is still a current model. Sorry about the confusion.

I'd say go for the PSW10. All day. No question about it.

sk1939

phuz wrote: »

The biggest difference is price. You'll get more for your dollar if you buy used/demo/refurb older models.

You'll pay full retail or if you're lucky 10-12% off retail buying a new, current model. We're saying look at older stuff, because you'll probably be able to get more of a sub at your price point. Vs getting the cheapest current model new. They're all good subs, but think of it as getting a slightly used Acura vs. a new Honda for the same price.

It's going to get beat to **** in college anyway!

True enough, I found a Polk PSW 110 for $25 more than a PSW 10, should I get that instead? Whats the difference? Other than power rating...

phuz

You can compare the two here:

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/psw/specs.php

sk1939

phuz wrote: »

You can compare the two here:

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/psw/specs.php

Is it worth the extra $25 you think? Mind you I don't have an LFE out on my reciever so that aspect dosen't matter...

phuz

sk1939 wrote: »

Is it worth the extra $25 you think? Mind you I don't have an LFE out on my reciever so that aspect dosen't matter...

The PSW-10 will be fine for your dorm. Save the $25, forget the ramen, order a pizza and some beer, then invite your girlfriend over to check out your new sub. You'll have plenty of chances to fool around with audio later, enjoy college.

sk1939

phuz wrote: »

The PSW-10 will be fine for your dorm. Save the $25, forget the ramen, order a pizza and some beer, then invite your girlfriend over to check out your new sub. You'll have plenty of chances to fool around with audio later, enjoy college.

Roger wilco, PSW 10 it is....

dudeinaroom

phuz wrote: »

The PSW-10 will be fine for your dorm. Save the $25, forget the ramen, order a pizza and some beer, then invite your girlfriend over to check out your new sub. You'll have plenty of chances to fool around with audio later, enjoy college.

+1 Great advise.

cnh

I agree...for a dorm room the PSW10 would be fine. And the TSi-100s are actually very nice speakers by themselves.....if you had a Harman Kardon, or a Denon powering them instead of a non ES Sony you'd hear a lot cleaner sound and even MORE BASS!

But for now a cheap sub will go a long way... for you.

cnh