Finalized my System - What do you think?

seadoons

I sincerely appreciate all of the help and guidance you have provided me with building my new home theater system. Based on my research, your opinions, and great pricing at Crutchfield.com, this is what I have put together:

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR607
Fronts: Polk RTi4
Center: Polk CSi3
Rears: Polk RC85i (to go in ceiling)
Sub: Polk PSW110

What are your thoughts on this? This entire system will cost $1,010.
I am planning on buying it today unless I get any strong opinions on how it will sound. The only slight concern I have is the sub – based on feedback that I have read online. Crutchfield is offering a free PSW-111 with a $499 Polk speaker purchase. That sub is worth $299; if you don’t want that one you can get a credit toward another Polk sub and I chose the PSW110. Which one should I go with?

PSOVLSK

Looks like a system you'll really enjoy. Did you check the "Scratch and Dent" section at Crutchfield? I've ordered several things from there and they have all been like new and you save about 10-20%.

Not sure about the sub, but I know others will help you out there.

seadoons

No, I haven't checked the S&D section but definitely will before buying. Not sure the free sub deal applies to those products, so I might net out coming ahead buying all new.

concealer404

If you'd ever think about upgrading your mains down the road, or adding more power, you're going to want to step up at least to the Onkyo 707.

messiah

Yep, no pre-outs on the 607.

seadoons

messiah wrote: »

Yep, no pre-outs on the 607.

Help me with that statement. It has pre-outs for a sub and also has "zone 2 line out". What am I missing?

PSOVLSK

Pre-outs allow you to add an external amp.

TECHNOKID

seadoons wrote: »

I sincerely appreciate all of the help and guidance you have provided me with building my new home theater system. Based on my research, your opinions, and great pricing at Crutchfield.com, this is what I have put together:

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR607
Fronts: Polk RTi4
Center: Polk CSi3
Rears: Polk RC85i (to go in ceiling)
Sub: Polk PSW110

What are your thoughts on this? This entire system will cost $1,010.
I am planning on buying it today unless I get any strong opinions on how it will sound. The only slight concern I have is the sub – based on feedback that I have read online. Crutchfield is offering a free PSW-111 with a $499 Polk speaker purchase. That sub is worth $299; if you don’t want that one you can get a credit toward another Polk sub and I chose the PSW110. Which one should I go with?

Nice little system as far as the sub, I own the PSW110 and am happy with it however, if you can get the free PSW111 you should take it since the 110 & 111 are pretty closed in performance. Save the $$ for something else...

seadoons wrote: »

Help me with that statement. It has pre-outs for a sub and also has "zone 2 line out". What am I missing?

Pre-outs means you are by passing the AVR amp and using an external amp. Yes, it has pre-out for your sub since powered sub such as the PSW110 and 111 do have their own amps (thus the name powered). Your zone 2 line out means you can accomodate 2 passive (unpowered) speakers as the speakers will be driven by the AVR internal amp.

Hope this helps!?!
TK

Hawkeye

One thing I've learned in this hobby is never, ever say "Final":D

Agree with the other posters here, ensure you have the preouts for a future upgrade. Take a small hit on the wallet today instead of a big one down the line.

Gordon

Serendipity

Hawkeye wrote: »

One thing I've learned in this hobby is never, ever say "Final":D

Agree with the other posters here, ensure you have the preouts for a future upgrade. Take a small hit on the wallet today instead of a big one down the line.

Gordon

+1

That way you don't have to upgrade your AVR if you want to use an external amp.

nguyendot

Serendipity wrote: »

+1

That way you don't have to upgrade your AVR if you want to use an external amp.

Just for new formats and connectors!

domflane

Im assuming that you want to spend the $500 on Polk products so you can get the free subwoofer. You will be very happy with those speakers as a starter HT. Unless you're totally dedicated to Onkyo, I would consider another AVR in the same price range. Crutchfield has the Yamaha RX-V863 for $550 and the Yamaha RX-V665 for $499. Both are very capable receivers and have 7.1 channels of preouts. Plus, it looks like the Onk isn't in stock. Look into Harman Kardon too, you can find them very cheap on their Ebay store. They're very underrated in terms of power and even the entry level units have preouts. Good luck with your HT and welcome to CP.

domflane

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-AVR-354-7-1-Home-Theater-Receiver-HDMI_W0QQitemZ180443309681QQcmdZViewItemQQptZReceivers_Tuners?hash=item2a03426671

this is for buy it now, you can get them about $100 cheaper on auction.

packetjones

I agree with pretty much everything that has been said previously. An AVR with pre-outs will save you money in the long run. If you decide that you want more power in the future then you can purchase a seperate amp and not have to buy an entirely new AVR. I have a HK 254 and it is a great AVR with pre-outs and can be had fairly cheap on HK's ebay site.

Overall I think you will be very happy with the setup that you have selected. The advise you get here is from people who are always looking for the next best thing and constantly upgrade/try different equipment. The onkyo will be good but will limit the options that you have to upgrade in the future.

good luck and enjoy your purchase.

domflane

What did you end up deciding? I saw on the electronics thread you started that you were ready to pull the trigger on the 607?

Serendipity

If you did go with the 607, that's a great AVR.

seadoons

Thanks for all of your input. I just pulled the trigger on the system I listed above including the 607. Crutchfield was out of them but I got it on Amazon for the same price. I also added a set of Atrium 45's for my patio. I have some time off around Christmas and this is going to be one of my many projects. Next on the list: I-Pod dock, HD Tuner, and maybe Sirius. This is fun. And expensive. :-)

Serendipity

Congrats! I'm sure you will enjoy the 607.

comfortablycurt

In this hobby, one thing I've learned is that nothing is finalized until it's in your rack hooked up to your rig.

I changed my mind about every piece of gear in my rig, several times before I actually settled on anything. And even afterwords...I've had second thoughts on whether or not I got the right one.

Hawkeye

Your going to regret not getting preouts on your AVR if you hang around here any length of time.

Gordon

NewHTguy

Hawkeye wrote: »

Your going to regret not getting preouts on your AVR if you hang around here any length of time.

Gordon

+1. I owned my 605 for about 6 months. It was great for what it was, but no room for expansion. If you insist on buying the 607 STOP hanging out in forums, like CP, that consistently suggest the purchase of amps etc...

PSOVLSK

Hawkeye wrote: »

Your going to regret not getting preouts on your AVR if you hang around here any length of time.

Gordon

True that!! This place has cost me thousands:D

Just ignore us seadoons. You've put together a nice system that you'll enjoys for years to come. Unless you insist on listening to us, then you need to substitute "months" for "years" in the previous sentence.

comfortablycurt

I regret buying my 606 in hindsight. I wish I would have stepped up to something that has preouts.

I don't even really care about external amps for my HT system...I just need pre-outs so I can integrate my HT/2 channel rigs. It's more for ease of operation than an improved HT experience, in my case. I watch very few movies though, in comparison to how much music I listen to on my rig.

messiah

Congrats on your new system. You don't NEED preouts, but they are a good idea if you want to upgrade your speakers, especially if they operate at 4 ohms. The receiver you just bought cant drive a 4 ohm load. It is a nice receiver, but if you have upgrade-itis like most of us here, it wont last for long.

wutadumsn23

messiah wrote: »

Congrats on your new system. You don't NEED preouts, but they are a good idea if you want to upgrade your speakers, especially if they operate at 4 ohms. The receiver you just bought cant drive a 4 ohm load. It is a nice receiver, but if you have upgrade-itis like most of us here, it wont last for long.

+1,000 well said Christopher. I agree that you will like the 607, just stay the hell away from this forum in the meantime, upgraditis has no other known cure, lol.

-Jeff

mrbofus

comfortablycurt wrote: »

In this hobby, one thing I've learned is that nothing is finalized until it's in your rack hooked up to your rig.

I changed my mind about every piece of gear in my rig, several times before I actually settled on anything. And even afterwords...I've had second thoughts on whether or not I got the right one.

AMEN Brother!
A feller has to start somewhere, then see where the evil road of audio leads.

mystik610

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Pre-outs allow you to add an external amp.

I made the mistake of buying a 606 and ended up upgrading to a 706 when I decided I wanted more power.

You can probably find the 706 on the cheap these days, as its been replaced by the 707

mystik610

mrbofus wrote: »

AMEN Brother!
A feller has to start somewhere, then see where the evil road of audio leads.

One way to cure upgraditis is to stay away from forums lol

cincycat13

I probably made a mistake the other way. Got the 876 when it dropped to $799. Got my father the 707 on black Friday for $499. Now I have to feed a 9 amp receiver... Is there a reality TV show for forum addiction yet???

MSkeezer

Like everyone has said, this forum will be the end of you. I've spent so much money because of this place lol. I think you'll be VERY happy with the new system, even if the receiver doesn't have preouts. Remember, some people are still using Walmart speaker systems and even Bose, so feel good about the fact that your system is LEAGUES above theirs in EVERY respect. Enjoy it.

vc69

I would like to have pre-outs no question. But I think my 606 is quite adequate for my HT requirements. Enjoy your new rig, and if you just have to spend some money, c'mon back and we'll be happy to help!