Surrounds and Rear speaker question

[MaC03]

I know someone just posted a similar question but my situation seems to be a bit different. So I hope you all don't mind me asking again. I'll be running the RTi8's in front and the CSi5 Center. My HT is in the basement and and is 16x22x7.5. The main seating will be about 12-16 feet back.

What I'm trying to decide is between the FXi3 and FXi5 as surrounds and either the RTi4's or RTi6's as rears in the 7.1. How important is it for me to mach the 8's 6 1/2 woofer all around with the FXi5 and RTi6? In that size room would those be overkill? Or is it just more important for the rear speakers to match in that situation. So in a sense grouping the FXi5 and RTi6 together and the FXi3 and the RTi4 together and then just deciding on one or the other? Or does that not even matter, as long as it's a combo out of those four?

Anyone have any of these combos? Any insite would be much appreciated.

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

I'm coming to find that for most people and situations perfect matching of surrounds is not vital - at least for imaging purposes. As long as you don't have a huge difference in timbre you can get a good "bubble" surround imaging. The timbre match of RTi4 to RTi8 is pretty darn close.
Proper positioning, set up and level matching seem to be more important.
That being said, by going to the larger models you do pick up audible benefits in bass and SPL.

[fgr41]

I would tend to agree. The most impoartant thing would be to make sure the surrounds and rears are from the same line of speakers, which is what you are going to do. Getting the larger driver will create a somewhat fuller sound but would it be really noticable over the smaller drivers, I doubt it. If you get a chance I would go with the larger drivers. If want to same some $ I would immagine the smaller ones would be very pleasing.

[jam]

I posted a similar question ealier today... we kind of have the same setup:

Fronts: RTi8
Center: CSi5
Surround: FXi3
Sub: HSU STF-2

Right now I only have a 5.1 system but want to upgrade to 7.1. Since I already have the FXi3 what should I get for the 2nd pair? Should the surround be FXis and the rear RTis? As you cal tell I'm very new to this and can use all the help you can give! Would another pair of FXi3 for the rear be the wrong choice?

If I do end up getting a 2nd pair, the surrounds will have to be on stands next to the couch, see, my living room only has 3 walls, with one side sort of open to the kitchen, so I can only mount one surround to the side wall. Is this a bad idea?

MaC03, how do you like your RTis? I just got mine calibrated today, (I think I did it right) and I'm very happy with the way everthing sounds! The H/K 630 really brought these speakers to life!

Jamal

[EricH]

What I'm trying to decide is between the FXi3 and FXi5 as surrounds and either the RTi4's or RTi6's as rears in the 7.1.


Go with the bigger speakers. I think you'll much prefer the lower frequency output, especially if you can set your surround crossover at 60 hz.

[EricH]

The H/K 630 really brought these speakers to life!

Jamal [/B][/QUOTE]



Hey Jamal, I just got an AVR 630 last week. I love the ability to adjust my low frequency crossover settings. I'm running all of my speakers at 60hz and love the improvement over the previous 100hz setting. Where do you have your's crossed at?

HK AVR 630
RTi70 mains
CSi40 center
CSi30 surrounds
RTi38 Rear surrounds
Velo CHT-15 sub

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

Having speakers right next to the couch (and presumably your listening position) is the big issue here, particularly as the speakers are going to be on stands and thus not all that high up. What you want to avoid is localization - being too aware that there's a speaker nearby that is making sound. The ideal illusion is that there are no speakers in the room at all. The height thing is important because it is harder to localize or pinpoint the source of a sound as it moves up in the vertical plane. You can either use diffuse radiators (FX style) speakers there on the sides of the couch in dipole mode or use direct radiator style speakers pointed straight forward. The last thing you want to do is aim a direct radiator right at your head when it is positioned that close to you. Regradless of which speaker you choose, experiment, experiment, experiment with placements of side and rear speakers to find the positions that yield the most enveloping and sonically "invisible" sound.

[jam]

Where do you have your's crossed at?

Actually, I just hooked everything up this past weekend, so I haven't had the chance to make any adjustments. I set all the speakers to small. 60hz? Isn't that kinda low? I'll give it a try and see if it improves things even more!

So, if I can't place the surrounds anywhere else, should I forget about 7.1? I can place them about 2 feet away from the couch, besides end tables, would the FXi3 work there? If not I'll have to look at mounting something in the ceiling!

FXi3 for surrounds and RTi4 in the back, or FXi5 for surround nd RTi6 in the back? So, I should get the RTi4 since I already have the FXi3, or I should go bigger with RTi6?

Thanks for the help!

Jamal

[up2youjoe]

Mac03,

As long as you stick with the Polks I don't think you will be disappointed. Most of the sound comes out the front. You did not mention a subwoofer in your post. The Sub is THEE most important speaker in a home theater as far as I'm concerned. If you and your guests don't "feel" the movie, then you are missing something. Go with the less expensive rears and surrounds and spend the real money on the sub. ( just my opinion)

[MaC03]

Sorry for the late reply guys. Somehow I became "unsubscribed" to this post and didn't realize anyone had replied.

I decided to go with the Fxi3 and Rti4's. I already have the 3's and the 4's will be coming soon. I love them! I'm really amazed at the quality of sound combining these with the my new Denon 3805. My HT room isn't finished yet so I've had to set them up in my current tv room which is the living room. I couldn't stand to let them just sit in the box. So I haven't calibrated them yet or anything, considering I have the 3's sitting on stools up against the wall.:) Needless to say, the wife is not a fan of this setup:rolleyes: I've got all the speakers set to small with the crossover at 80 and it sounds great. I agree with you up2youjoe which is why I got a SVS 20-39 Pci, and LOVE it.

Jam, I love my 8's, I've been really impressed so far. The clear highs and mids are just a pleasure to listen to. I just can't wait to get it all set up correctly.