Suggestions? Am I going Wrong Anywhere?

PolkNewb

Am currently putting together a system and want to know what you all think. It is for a decent sized 20 x 20 living area.

Polk TSi 500 floorstanding speakers
Polk TSi 100 bookshelf speakers
Polk CS 10 Center Channel
Polk PSW 110 10" powered sub-woofer
Yamaha RX-465 Receiver
Monster XP speaker wire

Any input welcome and appreciated

Jeff

Rodeo0530

I have a Monitor based setup, but I would go for the CS20 center because you will ultimately be happier with it probably. The center puts out a lot of sound for your HT. I would look at monoprice.com for speaker wire. It's cheaper and it's plenty good enough to get you started. That's all I can really contribute to ya, other than welcome to CP!

PolkNewb

Awesome thanks alot

lmacmil

PolkNewb wrote: »

Am currently putting together a system and want to know what you all think. It is for a decent sized 20 x 20 living area.

Polk TSi 500 floorstanding speakers
Polk TSi 100 bookshelf speakers
Polk CS 10 Center Channel
Polk PSW 110 10" powered sub-woofer
Yamaha RX-465 Receiver
Monster XP speaker wire

Any input welcome and appreciated

Jeff

Speakers are fine. Save your money on the Monster wire and just get the appropriate gage wire from Monoprice. Get the PSW505 sub from Newegg for the same price as the PSW 110.

Get a Yamaha RX-V765 for about $70 more than the 465 at Newegg on sale. It's been $400 three of the last four weekends. Check first thing Sat and Sun or put a price alert at $400 to get an email when it goes on sale.

Huck344

+1 on the monoprice speaker wire. If you can, upgrade your AVR. Then again, with the savings on the speaker wire, it might be a wash. No CDP/DVD/BDP?

PolkNewb

Sorry it will coupled with a PS3

comfortablycurt

I'd recommend moving up to the CS20 center channel. The 500's are some big speakers, and the CS10 would have trouble keeping up with them. The 20 would be a much better choice IMO.


You've obviously got to work within your budget, but I'd recommend looking into a bigger sub as well. As I said before, the 500's are some big speakers. A smaller sub will have some trouble keeping up.


Also, pass on the Monster wire. You can get something every bit as nice for much less money from either monoprice or Signal Cable.

McLoki

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Also, pass on the Monster wire. You can get something every bit as nice for much less money from either monoprice or Signal Cable.

I would say more like:

similar quality at a much cheaper price from MonoPrice or
similar price but much better quality from Signal Cable.

Either way, I would put both as a better choice.

Michael

Slinger182

+1 on the CS20 it was my first speaker when I started building my system.
Also if you haven't already gotten that AVR I would consider getting a different one that has pre-outs my only regret in building my current/1st system is that I don't have pre-outs...

PolkNewb

Slinger182 wrote: »

+1 on the CS20 it was my first speaker when I started building my system.
Also if you haven't already gotten that AVR I would consider getting a different one that has pre-outs my only regret in building my current/1st system is that I don't have pre-outs...

Does the Yamaha 465 not have pre outs? I thought it did and I thought it was a pretty awesome receiver?

On the issue of the CS20 would the TSi 400's work better with the CS10 and PSW110?

Slinger182

No it doesn't have pre outs. Only for the surround backs and the subwoofer. I checked out that receivers specs and it seems to me to be a very good beginner receiver. I've never heard it but it does decode the latest HD codecs. You only need pre outs if you plan to upgrade to an external amp down the road. The TSi line of speakers are pretty easy to drive so that receiver can definitely get the job done.

Will the CS20 not fit into your entertainment center or budget?

I'm sure others will chime in. I'm pretty much still a newb as well. My best advice is to stick around and try to learn as much as possible before you buy. There is a ton on info and experience from all of the other users to learn from.

wutadumsn23

The 465 does not have pre outs for adding an external amp, for $300 or so dollars I would say it is towards the bottom of the food chain in Yammy's lineup and they tend to not have the features the "better" models do. It does do the new HD codecs and has 4 HDMI in, but other than that, it is a pretty basic AVR. I am with the other posters on getting the CS20 instead of the CS10, those 500's are pretty big speakers (I was surprised how big when I got mine) and the CS10 will have a hard time keeping up with them, even if you boost it. Something like 50-75% of all audio is played by your center, esp. dialogue and you don't want to skimp on it. I usually recommend the biggest/badest center you can afford/fit in the space allowed. Even if you went with the 400's I would still recommend the CS20 over the CS10. Also, I would recommend you step up to the PSW505, you can get them brand new from Newegg for $250 with free shipping, it's not the best sub in the world, but for the price it is hard to beat. Good luck.

-Jeff

PolkNewb

Thanks for all of the input, I think I will hold out for the CS20 and the PSW505, for the receiver, I can get the Yamaha for $250 now, for that price range it is hard to beat? Could I get anything markedly better in the under $500 category. As far as pre outs go I am not terribly concerned with adding amps for now, I just want a nice set up that I can be happy with for a few years while I watch TV, game, and watch movies, so this will more than get the job done agreed? Then down the road if I want to step up I can look at updating the receiver? Any other input? Thanks

wutadumsn23

Sounds like a good plan, just don't say we didn't warn you when you want an amp in a few months, lol. Stay away from this forum if you don't want the upgrade bug to bite, lol. I think you will be happy with the CS20/505, just keep in mind that the CS20 is a beast, and can be hard to fit in most racks/entertainment centers. That 465 will be more than enough to satisfy your needs for now, and like you said you can always upgrade later. In the $500 category you will be hard pressed to find anything that has pre outs, but you can sometimes get lucky in the used market. There is a reconditioned Onkyo TX-SR606 on Accessories4less.com for $300, which is a good price for that AVR. It has gotten some very good press, and has just as much, if not more in the way of options as the 465. Comfortablycurt has one, and besides the lack of pre outs, he has been very happy with it. Just an idea.

-Jeff

http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=item&id=ONKTXSR606 link for 606

PolkNewb

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

Sounds like a good plan, just don't say we didn't warn you when you want an amp in a few months, lol. Stay away from this forum if you don't want the upgrade bug to bite, lol. I think you will be happy with the CS20/505, just keep in mind that the CS20 is a beast, and can be hard to fit in most racks/entertainment centers. That 465 will be more than enough to satisfy your needs for now, and like you said you can always upgrade later. In the $500 category you will be hard pressed to find anything that has pre outs, but you can sometimes get lucky in the used market. There is a reconditioned Onkyo TX-SR606 on Accessories4less.com for $300, which is a good price for that AVR. It has gotten some very good press, and has just as much, if not more in the way of options as the 465. Comfortablycurt has one, and besides the lack of pre outs, he has been very happy with it. Just an idea.

-Jeff

http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=item&id=ONKTXSR606 link for 606

Very good, thanks man!

Jeff

PolkNewb

One last question, are the TSi 100's enough for my bookshelfs? I know that you ideally like to hear most of your sound up front and use the bookshelf speakers as support, for the money the 200's seemed like a bit of overkill for what I want

wutadumsn23

I had the Monitor 40's as my surrounds, until I recently got a pair of TSi 500's that I am planning on building a 2 ch. system with. In the meantime I hooked them up as surrounds, so as you can see there is no such thing as overkill for your surrounds, lol. In all seriousness though, the 200's will work fine as surrounds as would the TSi 100's, basically it is up to you. Both are solid options. The Monitor 40's are very similar to the TSi 200's and I was very happy with their performance as surrounds.

-Jeff

hagmanm2

I figured I'd throw my ¢02.0 in since my setup is so similar to what you're looking at. I briefly had the CS10, TSI200s, and PSW111 before selling it all to contribute to my current rig (though there was an overlap time where I had TONs of speakers! ).

That being said, I agree with what everyone is telling you. With the right receiver, the 500s grab a lot of base, and easily overpowered the psw111. I know the 111 is smaller than the 110, but I still suspect that it won't do as good a job filling in the lows as the 505.

The CS20 will definitely match up with the 500s much better than the 10. As everyone said, it was just too small: it was easily noticeable even for my unseasoned ears.

As far as receivers go, I went from an Onkyo sr504 to sr606 to Denon 3805. The Denon was a monster improvement! It has pre-outs, a phono input (big plus for me), and runs 120WPC. The 500s sounded... cleaner and fuller (not sure how else to describe it), especially as the dBs went up. Hands down a better receiver than the 606 IMHO.

However, it doesn't have HDMI. That being said, I don't see why you couldn't just pass the HDMI to the TV and run the sound through the AVR? What's the downside of that? I'm sure other people know. For me, whenever I upgrade to Hi Def, I'll be happy hooking up my system that way... unless this forum learns me otherwise

the 3805s are selling around 350 on ebay. Not a bad deal methinks.

Good luck hooking it up. And I definitely wouldn't step down to the 400s. TSI500s FTW!

Hillbilly61

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

The 465 does not have pre outs for adding an external amp, for $300 or so dollars I would say it is towards the bottom of the food chain in Yammy's lineup and they tend to not have the features the "better" models do. It does do the new HD codecs and has 4 HDMI in, but other than that, it is a pretty basic AVR. <snip>
-Jeff

Definitely go above the 465 level. I have the 663 (Yamaha increments their model years by last digit) and their current version of the same I got is the 665. This unit has all of the features you want for expansion, options, better decoding, etc for more of a serious starter system that has long term possibilities.

When buying, I was prepared to go one level higher in the Yamaha HT series, but the price increase for what you got (value) did not gel.

PolkNewb

So it definitely looks like the only thing to re-evaluate is my choice in AVR. I do want to stay around $500 or under for now which is why I was questioning the ability to find something markedly better than the 465 in that ballpark that was new. Just a personal preference but I don't usually buy re-conditioned or used...not that I am too uppity too, just had a couple of really bad experiences with it that turned me off for good.

One more question....what do all of you think of service plans? I have my own opinion on them, for my TV's I always have bought them and actually needed them both, as the LCD bulbs burnt out, however, for something like this system by the time you would buy all of the service plans you would end up adding probably over $300-$400 to your total cost, I guess what I am really asking is how good Polk's warranty is that things that the service plan would also cover.

kevhed72

I would skip the service plans and put that $ into your system, probably into an AVR a step or 2 up the ladder. I also agree with the previous posts...go with the PSW505 and the larger center channel, and replace the Monster wire with something from Monoprice or Blue Jeans. Just my .02.

PolkNewb

Ok, so I have pretty much decided now to step up to the Yamaha RX665. Has anyone used this receiver? What are your thoughts, any problems? I have a Direct TV HD DVR box, does anyone know who makes that box? Has anyone had any problems with compatiblity with this box?

kevhed72

You should be able to hook the HD DVR right to the AVR via a single HDMI cable. Save yourself alot of $ and just get your HDMI cables from Monoprice or Blue Jeans cable.

Hillbilly61

PolkNewb wrote: »

Ok, so I have pretty much decided now to step up to the Yamaha RX665. Has anyone used this receiver? What are your thoughts, any problems? I have a Direct TV HD DVR box, does anyone know who makes that box? Has anyone had any problems with compatiblity with this box?

Advice: Shop the Yamaha RX-V 665. You can find it at a price better than you quoted.

That said, one of the first things I did was hook my RX-V663 unit into a DTV box. There are lots of boxes being used for/by DTV. Anyhow, I do not think you will have any problems interfacing your DTV box into a 665 unit.

PolkNewb

Im back guys lol, just had a question on the speaker wire, since I rent for now the wire will not be through the wall, any suggestions for keeping it ultra clean i had just planned on running it super tight along the walls and using some tape to keep it in place?

Also I know earlier I eluded to the fact I was thinking about using the Monster XP wire but everyone here is turning me on to monoprice.com. I know there are tons of concerns with speaker wire and sound quality, so I take it you have all had great luck with the wire that is sold at monoprice? Additionally I should be using 16 gauge wire right?

Thanks,

Jeff

PolkNewb

Are the cable raceways a good way to conceal the wire, or do they sell something similar at a hardware store

PolkNewb

Additionally what cable would I use from receiver to sub from monoprice?

Todd Lee

Subwoofer cable.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=subwoofer+cable&x=0&y=0

I personally use
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=3976&seq=1&format=2

As for speaker wire, just find the largest gauge you can fit into your terminals on the speaker and receiver. typically 16 to 12. The smaller number, the thicker the cable.

Huck344

PolkNewb wrote: »

Im back guys lol, just had a question on the speaker wire, since I rent for now the wire will not be through the wall, any suggestions for keeping it ultra clean i had just planned on running it super tight along the walls and using some tape to keep it in place?

Also I know earlier I eluded to the fact I was thinking about using the Monster XP wire but everyone here is turning me on to monoprice.com. I know there are tons of concerns with speaker wire and sound quality, so I take it you have all had great luck with the wire that is sold at monoprice? Additionally I should be using 16 gauge wire right?

Thanks,

Jeff

I have the monoprice 12 gauge speaker wire and like it. I actually had the Monster wire was well. When I moved, I had to buy new wire because of longer runs. I did an A/B comparison with the monoprice wire and really couldn't tell a difference at all.

If you want it clean, I would definitely use cable raceways. cableorganizer.com has lots of options, but I think they are a bit pricey. Depending on your run length, number of wires, etc, you can probably pick up raceways at Best Buy or Frys.

wutadumsn23

hagmanm2 wrote: »

However, it doesn't have HDMI. That being said, I don't see why you couldn't just pass the HDMI to the TV and run the sound through the AVR? What's the downside of that? I'm sure other people know. For me, whenever I upgrade to Hi Def, I'll be happy hooking up my system that way... unless this forum learns me otherwise

the 3805s are selling around 350 on ebay. Not a bad deal methinks.

Good luck hooking it up. And I definitely wouldn't step down to the 400s. TSI500s FTW!

The only downside of that is if you run it via Digital Coax or Optical (TOSLINK) you won't be able to take advantage of the new HD codecs, since neither one of them will pass the signal, you will get DD. You could always send the audio via 5.1 or 7.1 analog out to your AVR, assuming both of the units you will be using support that connection. Then you will be able to get the HD codecs.

-Jeff

PolkNewb

So what gauge speaker wire should I go with....I have been hearing 16 gauge from alot of people.