Home Theatre Set Up

Ohioste
Ohioste Posts: 204
in Speakers
It’s been a while since I’ve posted and you guys were more than helpful the last time I did. Our family is in the process of building a house and at some point, finishing part of our basement for a home theatre room. I love my Polk speakers but keep hearing Dolby Atmos and is everything compatible, etc. I have rti8s, no sub, polka surround and a center speaker to match. They are all currently in storage.

I bought a recommended receiver a while back after my onkyo died. Is there still love for the rti8s? Should I sell and upgrade? What would you do? Understanding that my budget isn’t huge but I try to look for good deals on things. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!
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Comments

  • Hermitism
    Hermitism Posts: 4,260
    edited September 2020
    I use RTi8s for fronts along with a CSi5 center and love them for HT. I have no desire to replace mine. You are going to need a good quality sub and they aren't cheap. My personal opinion is to keep the speakers and spend the money on a high quality powerful sub. Also, if you are handy, you can remove the drivers of those speakers and add Dynamat to the baskets. A cheap but time consuming upgrade. Another cheap upgrade is to replace the brass jumpers on the rear of the speakers with good quality speaker wire.
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    Really depends on the budget. “Not huge” is different to everyone.

    I agree with @Hermitism on the sub. Probably want to budget $600-$1000 for a sub/duals. If there is $ left than I think speaker upgrade could be an option, but also keep in mind room treatments, seating, display etc...
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    Yes, if it’s only for HT, keep the speakers and buy a big bad sub. This is always my budget recommendation: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3mk5HP.html

    I have the vtf-2 mk5 in a small-medium sized room and it pounds! The 3 would be all that most people would ever need.

    Atmos is overrated me thinks. 7.1 is all you need, and atmos really isn’t discernible until you get to 5.1.4, which many of us don’t have the space or the WAF to pull off...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,413
    Johnfavor reported
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  • Ohioste
    Ohioste Posts: 204
    Alright, so this dream is now becoming more of a reality and hoping to get some advice. I just bought an Epson 5050ub and I'm going to be building a 150" screen from materials from Carl's Place.

    I'm going to stick with my RTi8s, CSI5 and FXIA4 surrounds and I'm going to find a sub.

    I have a Pioneer Elite SC-81 receiver and debating on if I should get two more surrounds for 7.1. Recommendations? This is going in the basement so my rear setup is much easier for speakers than my side surround set up. I can still do it, it's just not as functional.

    Any help is appreciated.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,273
    Can you mount in-ceiling speakers?
    Room dimensions?
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • Ohioste
    Ohioste Posts: 204
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    Can you mount in-ceiling speakers?
    Room dimensions?

    From back wall to projector screen will be roughly 26'. The width is a little odd because of the staircase and the basement has some juts in it. The total width is 18'2". However, 2' of that is part of the stairs and 4'10" of that is another jut in the back of the room.

    I'm going to have a drop ceiling at some point, so yes, I can probably get by with in ceiling speakers.

    This is going to be a work in progress theatre room. We are building it as we go but I want to get everything set up so we can tinker with the layout if necessary.

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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,273
    The reason I mention it as later you can go into an ATMOS using ceiling speakers setup if you get around to a receiver upgrade

    You're doing it right slow and steady

    Welcome to club Polk
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    Ohioste wrote: »
    Alright, so this dream is now becoming more of a reality and hoping to get some advice. I just bought an Epson 5050ub and I'm going to be building a 150" screen from materials from Carl's Place.

    I'm going to stick with my RTi8s, CSI5 and FXIA4 surrounds and I'm going to find a sub.

    I have a Pioneer Elite SC-81 receiver and debating on if I should get two more surrounds for 7.1. Recommendations? This is going in the basement so my rear setup is much easier for speakers than my side surround set up. I can still do it, it's just not as functional.

    Any help is appreciated.

    Get that HSU sub and mount some in ceiling speakers for back surrounds that can be conveyed to rear atmos down the road and you’ll be rocking!

    Also, if it’s easier to do now and you can afford it, drop some front in ceiling presence speakers that can be used for atmos down the road...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • Ohioste
    Ohioste Posts: 204
    Recommendations for good in ceiling speakers that can be paired with my set up?
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  • Ohioste
    Ohioste Posts: 204
    Also, appears that sub is back ordered. How often does it come back into stock?
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    Ohioste wrote: »
    Also, appears that sub is back ordered. How often does it come back into stock?

    It appears everything is back ordered, which probably means it’s just the current shipping situation. SVS appears to have a similar problem. I would call or email them to find out...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    Ohioste wrote: »
    Recommendations for good in ceiling speakers that can be paired with my set up?

    These would be fine: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_107MC80/Polk-Audio-MC80.html?tp=193

    These would be better: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_10770RT/Polk-Audio-70-RT.html?tp=193

    These would be awesome! https://www.crutchfield.com/p_10790RT/Polk-Audio-90-RT.html?tp=193
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,190
    Get 2 SVS SB-1000 subs instead of 1 bigger one. Much better coverage way smoother response in your room. I never ever suggest 1 sub in any room. 2 Subs is always better than just 1.

    Nothing wrong with your RTi8's, they are actually nice speakers , run them in small as well as the rest of the system.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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