Suggestions? Am I going Wrong Anywhere?

PolkNewb

Ok, so I did a little research and I am just going to buy the 12 gauge, I have some longer cable runs and want to be safe.

Now in regards to banana plugs? Would you recommend using them over spade connectors? I have 0 experience with these, do you just insert the wire, put the plug back together and plug in? So essentially would I be plugging them into my TSi 100's, 500's and center and then plug them into the back of the receiver as well?

Open screw or close screw type?

Looks like I will need about 10 pair of them.

josephclemente

I went with Monoprice's open type banana plugs and am using their 12AWG speaker wire. I am using the in-wall type because I like the white color. This combo works very well together!

One thing I did not like about the banana plugs was the lack of insulation. While it is unlikely I'd drop a wrench behind my receiver, it still bothered me. The solution is heatshrink tubing! I went with clear heatshrink tubing so the plugs still look great.

I got the clear heatshrink from Fry's Electronics. It is Tech-Tron TT100 3/8" CLR (3/8" Expanded 3/16" Recovered).

Here is my process for putting a banana plug on the speaker wire:

1. Remove white outer insulation from in-wall type cable. I removed a length equal to the length of the entire banana plug.

2. Remove 7mm insulation from each wire.

3. Unscrew banana plug. Insert wire through unscrewed part. Bend exposed wire 90 degrees.

4. Insert wire through the hole of the other part of the banana plug, allowing exposed wire to exit through the side hole.

5. Screw the two parts together and tighten. Bend excess wire down or cut it off.

6. Optional: Print a label such as "L Front" with a Brother P-Touch and wrap it around one of the banana plugs. I used the 12mm tape that came with my P-Touch.

7. Optional: Add 30mm of heatshrink tubing to the thick exposed part of the banana plug.

I need to do pictures. I'll probably post this to the Monoprice customer reviews section one of these days.

cnh

Looks like some great advice above...there's really nothing I can find fault with or add to....except perhaps receivers under or around 500...

You have to absolutely 'shop around for these prices....but here they are--and some you can only get refurbed...with a one year warranty.

You should probably have HDMI at this point!

Pioneer VSX21, Onkyo TX-SR707, Marantz 5003/4, Yamaha 765 (no lower in the Yamaha line because the models have been cheaped out). Last year's Harman Kardon AVR254.

Most of these amps are High Current designs and should give you a bit more for the 500s in 2 channel (especially).

Don't be impulsive....look around....'listen'. All the above have plenty of HDMI ins, can decode HD-sound formats and come with other goodies.

You'll need pre-outs, which they all have, down the line for your TSI-500s.

Good luck

cnh

ben62670

Another vote for the HK. It whooped my Yammi that was 110wpc with "only" 50wpc of HK power.
Ben

PolkNewb

Ok so then tell me this on the receiver

This one has been recommended alot, here is a link tell me what you think

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR607-7-2-Channel-Surround-Receiver/dp/B001VEI2KO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267800586&sr=8-1

Is this receiver a better choice over the Yamaha 665 and 765?

Also with the banana plugs, since I won't be running my wire through the wall for now do I need to worry about anything other than just putting the wire into the plug and plugging it in? No heatshrink.

Thanks,

Jeff

PolkNewb

Does the Onkyo 607 have the pre outs that I would need for adding an amp in the future?

concealer404

PolkNewb wrote: »

Does the Onkyo 607 have the pre outs that I would need for adding an amp in the future?

Nope. Gotta step up to the 707 for that.

PolkNewb

concealer404 wrote: »

Nope. Gotta step up to the 707 for that.

That said, the 607 looks like an incredible value for under $425, it looks like it would be more than enough for now to power my 500's 100's and CS20. I just the cheapest I can find a new 707 for is about $280 more than the 607, and at this point the pre-outs aren't worth that much more. In the future I could just trade up if need be.

For those using the 607, are you pleased with it?

Rodeo0530

I would look for something used or a refurb even. Check out audiogon or videogon to see if you can't find something. For that $425 you should be able to get an Onkyo 706,705, or maybe an 805 or 806. You'll probably want the preouts, but if you wanted to get the 607 now you could do that and then move it to a bedroom setup later if you feel like you need more power. Look at your local CL as well and see if you can't find anything for sale close to you. Just my $.02.

wutadumsn23

The 607 is a solid AVR, and it has gotten rave reviews. Comfortablycurt owns one and has been very happy with it. Besides it's lack of pre outs, it is a great unit for the money. I second the recommendation for looking into the used/refurbished market. There is a lot more to the 707 than just pre outs. The 707 is THX certified (not a big deal I know but if you are into that) the 707 has the Burr Brown DAC's, a few extra connections, the 707 has 1080p upscaling, and the 707 has a better amp section. IMHO, all those features are well worth the extra $280. There is a factory refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707 at Accesoriesforless right now for $499, and comes with a 1 year warranty, so that may be an option for you. Good luck.

-Jeff

http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=item&id=ONKTXSR707 707 at Accessoriesforless

PolkNewb

Ok so for a new what are Burr Brown DAC's and what is the added value?

PolkNewb

Ok so here is what I am going to order this week, please give me any final feedback/suggestions. I have taken all suggestions into account thanks for all the help everyone

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR707
Towers: Polk Audio TSi 500's
Surrounds: Polk Audio TSi 100's
Center: Polk Audio CS20
Sub: Polk Audio PSW505

Slinger182

Pretty much the same system as mine and I love my system. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

PolkNewb

As a side question, I saw where another new poster earlier on another thread talk about using two towers as surrounds, my previous two surround options were the 100's and the 200's, I was pretty dead set on the 100's before I read that.

My question is would the TSi 300's offer a significant advantage over the 100's and 200's My set up will mainly be used for movies and I want full rich sound out of the entire system but was unsure if the 300's would overpower my 500's and CS20 in the front since my 300's would be much closer.

If there was room in the budget Yay or Nay on using the 300's as surrounds over the 100's and 200's.

Jeff

concealer404

PolkNewb wrote: »

As a side question, I saw where another new poster earlier on another thread talk about using two towers as surrounds, my previous two surround options were the 100's and the 200's, I was pretty dead set on the 100's before I read that.

My question is would the TSi 300's offer a significant advantage over the 100's and 200's My set up will mainly be used for movies and I want full rich sound out of the entire system but was unsure if the 300's would overpower my 500's and CS20 in the front since my 300's would be much closer.

If there was room in the budget Yay or Nay on using the 300's as surrounds over the 100's and 200's.

Jeff

I'd say yay, just 'cuz. But really... i don't think it's going to be a HUGE advantage, but towers are always cool.

Glad to see you stepped up to the 707 though.

PolkNewb

Along those same lines if eventually I wanted to go to a 7.1 could I add a couple of 100's directly to the back and still have a good sounding system, vs say staying with 4 100's?

concealer404

PolkNewb wrote: »

Along those same lines if eventually I wanted to go to a 7.1 could I add a couple of 100's directly to the back and still have a good sounding system, vs say staying with 4 100's?

Absolutely.

The main point is to stay within the same series for optimum performance. The earth shaking explosions won't be coming from the rears anyways. The bulk of the volume/beef is going to be coming from the fronts and your sub(s) anyways.

wutadumsn23

404 is right, while it is cool to have towers for your surrounds (I love my 500's I have back there now) most of the sound is going to come out of your front three, and a minimal amount of info is sent to the surrounds. Don't get me wrong, when something goes down, I know it in a big way, lol. You will be fine with bookshelves for surrounds, my recommendation would be for the 200's, but the 100's will do just fine. Good luck.

-Jeff