Decesions on first major speaker purchase

KeithV · September 2003

Well, it's come time to get started.. I have a nice tv and dvd player, I just picked up an HK AVR125 (I know, but I'll upgrade later), and now it's down to speakers. I'm using a set of infinity entra ones right now, and they sound good.. but I'm considering getting the RM7600 setup...

It comes down to either that or get some speakers seperatly.

Some info: The room is about 10' wide and 16' long. I am sitting width wise (as in not using the length of the room, looking across the width). I listen to tons of stuff, everything but rap and country. I am also going to be watching a ton of movies.

I'd like to keep the whole thing under the $2k-2.5k retail.

Thanks

Early B. · September 2003

You should definitely get speakers separately. I started out with "home theater in a box" and there's absolutely no comparison. Within months, you'll be searching for separates.

For the size of your room, you should go with a good set of bookshelf speakers. I'd go for the Rti38s in the front, Rti28's in the rear, and a Csi30 center channel. You'll find that the Rti38's will sound better than the Entra One's. You can get great prices right now from Circuit City and spend less than $600.

Oh yeah, and use the rest of your budget to trade in your HK125 and get a decent 6.1 Yamaha or Denon receiver. Shop on-line for the best deals and spend less than $400. So for less than $1,000 you'll have a fantastic, brand new system.

One more thing, if you don't have a sub, you'll certainly need one. My advice is to get a good one, maybe Velodyne, between 100 - 150 watts. You can get one for $299.

gatemplin · September 2003

I agree with Early, but hurry if you want the RTIs and CSI, they are going fast. I have basically the same receiver as you (avr110), it matches well with the polks and had plenty of clean power. I suggest staying with the harman because, if I understand correctly, you only have about ten feet of depth, 5.1 will suffice IMO. Personally, I would put my money into a good sub. Check out Svsubwoofers.com

fgr41 · September 2003

I agree, go out today and stop by a local Circuit city. They are blowing out last years models to make room for the new line that is coming out. Last years models are great speakers and at these prices are unbeatable. I just got a pair of RTi38's which retail for $225 each for $61.74 for a pair. You won't be able to find any better prices than what you will find if you go out now. Only problem is their stock is getting low so dont wait.

I would agree you should look at RTi38 or RTi28, but if you can find a nice tower setup you can always go that way and you won't have to upgrade later down the road.

As far as the sub goes, I have not demo'ed it but the SVS seems to be the best bang for the buck. It is an online only sub company but their reputation for customer service is the best and their reputation for shake'n your intestines is just as good.

KeithV · September 2003

Heh, I work for Circuit City :P

Thats why I'm not concerned about the price.

However, I don't have all the models to choose from. In terms of bookshelf speakers, they jump from RTi28 to LSi7, and the price goes up 150%.

When it comes to floorstanding, my only choice is pretty much the R50s. (it jumps to RTi150 and the LSi series right after that).

I was going to pick up an HK AVR525 down the road, but I think for now the receiver I have will do the job.

Another thing I am considering is buying the speakers two at a time, instead of all at once.

Like perhaps get the RTi28s or LSi7s first, along with a PS404, then later get the center and surrounds.

This is a tough choice for me :P

gatemplin · September 2003

You should audition all the polks and get what you like best since price isnt a big concern. As far as a sub goes, try the velo CHT series. Polk makes decent subs, but when you compare them to SVS, Paradigm, Velo etc., the polks aren't a good value IMO.

Turbota · September 2003

What I am using is down in my sig below:

As far as the speakers are concerned, it's all there but the center speaker (if you were building a 5.1 A/V system).

The Polks are great speakers, however, I believe the Rava powered subwoofer ($399) blows the Polk subs out of the water.

http://www.adireaudio.com/home_audio/loudspeakers/exact_series/rava.htm

dorokusai · September 2003

Polk subwoofers don't have a great reputation for high quality bass. That is their only fault IMO, for the entire current lineup.

KeithV · September 2003

Originally posted by gatemplin
You should audition all the polks and get what you like best since price isnt a big concern. As far as a sub goes, try the velo CHT series. Polk makes decent subs, but when you compare them to SVS, Paradigm, Velo etc., the polks aren't a good value IMO.

I have to stick with Polk or Infinity.

Basically my personal budget for speakers would seem tiny to you, but I work for CC. Right now I'm thinking about either picking up the display Entra Threes at my store, or get some R50s or something.

I started thinking about it, and my reciever is only 45 watts per channel (AVR125) so buying some RTi150s would be pointless right now.

walk · September 2003

$2-2.5k for just the speakers? That's a lot. I don't think you need to compromise much.

Just get whatever you can for like $1000-front/$400-center/$400-surrounds/$400-sub... shouldn't have too many problems getting great speakers at around those price points...

Or if you want a new reciever then knock $100 off each of those or so and spend $6-700 on a decent Onkyo, Denon, etc...

fgr41 · September 2003

Depending on what kind of deal CC employee's get you may want to wait. I dont know if CC will go much lower than their blowout price on the older Polk stuff. If you will get the typical 40-60% off why not wait till the new line comes out and snatch up what you can then.

Again it depends on how CC handles their employee discounts. I would suggest getting what you can, if you see what you think is a good deal go for it. My personal pref is the Polk line with the CHT-12. Towers or bookshelves its up to you, the deal you can get, and the space you have to put it in.

KeithV · September 2003

Originally posted by fgr41
Depending on what kind of deal CC employee's get you may want to wait. I dont know if CC will go much lower than their blowout price on the older Polk stuff. If you will get the typical 40-60% off why not wait till the new line comes out and snatch up what you can then.

Again it depends on how CC handles their employee discounts. I would suggest getting what you can, if you see what you think is a good deal go for it. My personal pref is the Polk line with the CHT-12. Towers or bookshelves its up to you, the deal you can get, and the space you have to put it in.

We get cost.

Terrax · September 2003

Keith,

PM me tonight if you are still up.

Terrax · September 2003

NM, I just sent you a PM.... hehe

KeithV · September 2003

Originally posted by Terrax
NM, I just sent you a PM.... hehe

And I just sent you one back :P

Decesions on first major speaker purchase

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