And... I'm lost again...

Ohioste

First off...I want to thank everyone who has helped in the past but the questions keep coming.

I know my number one goal is to update my center. I know I need I csi5 more than anything. However, since I'm moving into a house soon I have some questions. I did recent purchase some fxi a4s. My onkyo 805 says to put the as surrounds and not surround rears. So should these be placed at couch level? Also, I'm going to need new wire so I can hide it. Monoprice still good? How hard is it to put banana plugs on? And do I net any benefit into biwiring my rti8s?

Again, sorry for he questions, but you guys know what you're doing and I get lost easily.

Thanks!

packetjones

If the FXiA4's are going in a 5.1 system then they would be surround, not surround rears. They should be placed more to the side than behind you, ideally at ear level. The speaker wire is an individual decision but monoprice wire will work fine. The banana plugs are really easy to put on in my opionion, they deffinitely are not hard. And last but not least, there is not real benefit to biwiring the speakers.

lectronicjunkie

Ohioste wrote: »

First off...I want to thank everyone who has helped in the past but the questions keep coming.

I know my number one goal is to update my center. I know I need I csi5 more than anything. However, since I'm moving into a house soon I have some questions. I did recent purchase some fxi a4s. My onkyo 805 says to put the as surrounds and not surround rears. So should these be placed at couch level? Also, I'm going to need new wire so I can hide it. Monoprice still good? How hard is it to put banana plugs on? And do I net any benefit into biwiring my rti8s?

Again, sorry for he questions, but you guys know what you're doing and I get lost easily.

Thanks!

I think positioning is personal preference. I have mine setup behind me in between ear level standing and ear level sitting. I like them being behind, that's just my opinion. I tried biwiring my 10's but I don't think I'm pushing enough wattage to hear a difference. So, there again it's whatever sounds good to you.

seeclear

I know your 805 can do 7.1, but what are you doing, 5.1 or 7.1? I would try the A4s as side surround, but you could always try them as rear surround as well and hear what you like the best. What are you using for the other surrounds (assuming you are doing 7.1)?

If you are doing just 5.1, the positioning depends on room shape, among other factors.

Go Bucks!!

Ohioste

I am only doing 5.1 at the moment. Kind of...I'm missing the .1 part of the system...but that will come with time.

I was just surprised the the audessy(sp?) that came with the 805 would not let me use it unless it was set up with surrounds and not surround rears.

I guess I'm just accustomed to the cheap stuff like the HTIB that only come with rear speakers and the consensus was they go behind you. Guess I was just surprised.

I'm sure it's just preference, but what would be the difference?

Thanks again.

mdaudioguy

What is the layout of your room? What are your room dimensions? Is the seating (couch) up against the back wall? Is there space behind your couch?

Also, check this advice on the Polk FAQ:

http://www.polkaudio.com/education/showanswer.php?question_num=78

mdaudioguy

Also in the Education section:

http://www.polkaudio.com/education/article.php?id=15

Ohioste

Thanks mdaudioguy. I appreciate the info.

I had a nice paragraph written out...but when it came down to the end, what I would like to do is take some pictures and give some dims.

We do our home inspection next Saturday so I should be able to do some of that stuff then.

Of course, nothing is in the house yet, but it'll give you guys a good idea. I hope you guys don't mind helping me with it.

I'm sure the room is not perfect for all of my equipment, but buying something new or upgrading is out of the question at the moment. Plus...I love the sound of my speakers.

The room is bigger then what we are listening to now, so hopefully it won't effect too much.

Anyways...I may have to hold onto this thread until next Saturday when I can get some pics to you guys and see what you can do with a blank canvas, lol.

Thanks,
Ryan

mdaudioguy

Ohioste wrote: »

I hope you guys don't mind helping me with it.

Well, the guys who would mind helping you... aren't here!
Good luck with your inspection, and we'll all catch up with you next week.

Ohioste

Alright...so the home inspection is done and I've got some dims and pics of the living area where my set up will be.

From fireplace to the wall between the kitchen is 16.5 feet.

From the sliding glass door and right hand wall is 17 feet.

I was leaning towards putting the TV against the wall opposite the sliding glass door. Centered.

My wife believe we should put it in the corner. I'm not sold on this. I think I will like it better centered on that wall.

So...if you don't know my set up...I have two RTi8s as my fronts, as cs250s(next that to upgrade) and two FXiA4s. It's all powered by a 805.

Will a CSi3 be a good choice or should I just wait until I can find a CSi5.

What would be your suggestion on the setup and speaker placement?

I'm not sure I can fit a CSi5 in my current set up.

I also loaded up some pics of my current set up. You can see that I don't have much room for another center unless I build a shelf.

Sigh...I know I need a new center...but just not sure what I should get.

Where would you put the surrounds in the living room? I'm dying to hook them up..but this whole house buying thing is not going very quick.

Oh well.

Your help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Ryan

Ohioste

As a side note...any know anything about this sub? Supposed to be really good?

http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=enter&thispage=01100400U0213_BT46359P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!

Todd Lee

The BIC F12 is good for the money. You can read more about it here. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1116093

I wrote a mini review on page 33, I think.

lectronicjunkie

Ohioste wrote: »

Alright...so the home inspection is done and I've got some dims and pics of the living area where my set up will be.

From fireplace to the wall between the kitchen is 16.5 feet.

From the sliding glass door and right hand wall is 17 feet.

I was leaning towards putting the TV against the wall opposite the sliding glass door. Centered.

My wife believe we should put it in the corner. I'm not sold on this. I think I will like it better centered on that wall.

So...if you don't know my set up...I have two RTi8s as my fronts, as cs250s(next that to upgrade) and two FXiA4s. It's all powered by a 805.

Will a CSi3 be a good choice or should I just wait until I can find a CSi5.

What would be your suggestion on the setup and speaker placement?

I'm not sure I can fit a CSi5 in my current set up.

I also loaded up some pics of my current set up. You can see that I don't have much room for another center unless I build a shelf.

Sigh...I know I need a new center...but just not sure what I should get.

Where would you put the surrounds in the living room? I'm dying to hook them up..but this whole house buying thing is not going very quick.

Oh well.

Your help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Ryan

How long is the wall to the left of the sliding glass doors leading to the kitchen? I would definitely stay away from the corner setup. Putting it on the wall opposite the sliding doors would be my preference. That would give you the option to expand to 7.1 in the future as far as having somewhere to place the other two speakers. You may be okay with placing the A4's on the sides, you just want to keep them as far from the corners as possible.
As far as the choice on the center, personally I like the sound of the CSi5 better as most people here would agree. It is all in what sounds good to you. If you can swing it, pick up both of them and then you can make the right choice. You can always sell off the other one. You would have to build one hell of a shelf for the CSi5 @ 13 1/2" deep not including the grille and 29 lbs. vs the CSi3 @ 8" deep not including the grille and 20 lbs.
I hope this helps.

Chris

Ohioste

I'd say that wall is probably 5-6 feet long. I'm thinking that if I use the A4s as surrounds....that's where they will be placed.

Ohioste

Just bought my CSi5...now all I need to complete the 5.1 is a decent sub. Maybe after a few months or when I get that 8000 tax credit, lol....

lectronicjunkie

Congrats man!! You will not regret it.

Ohioste

So...I love my CSi5. Great center and really solves the problem of not being able to hear the voices...so now the question is...do I go with the BIC F12 or try to find a PSW505?

Would you recommend something else in that price range? I've been looking for a sub on here and on Audiogon but haven't seen a bunch. Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Ryan