Need some advice on a polk entry level set top

[rdman]

Hi fellow polkies. I am officially into the polk state of mind now. The problem is I am a complete noob with my first set up. I bought the speakers based on pieces of research. I haven't done any auditions and not all the pieces have arrived, so there are still chances for changes. Here is my setup:

2 R50's for fronts
CSi25 for center
2 R300 for surrounds
Velodyne VX-10 sub
Onkyo TX-SR504
80%/20% HT/Music

My room is about 13x30x9 (the 30 accounts for the open hallway and the kitchen in the back). My sitting position is more like at the 13x13x9 position.

1. Is this setup ok in the sense that music should match and no particular speaker will overpower the others?
2. R300 as back and R50 for fronts match?
3. Are the sub and the fronts enough to fill the room?

Any other recommendation for subs? Any other critiques are welcome. Price range is about $500 total including AVR.

[engtaz]

1. setup is ok.
2. yes R50 front.
3. That is up to your taste.

I started with Center CS2, FRT R50, Side R30 and a Velodyne sub.

[Refefer]

Sounds like an excellent entry level setup. I can't see any real shortcomings from the setup you have, though you'll have to decide whether or not the sub will do it for you. I can attest that the R50's and R300's should be more than enough for the sitting dimensions.

How do you plan to mount the R300's, and more importantly, where?

[rdman]

Refefer, being standing speakers, I do not plan to mount the R300. I will simply set it facing me at the left+right positions in line with or slightly behind me at the ear level. Do you think that will overpower the R50s in the front?

I also wonder if the subs will do any good. I can tell from listening to the R50 that bass is lacking, even though the R50 gave out very clear/distinct bass. If it doesn't work, I still got a relatively good sub to play with in the future :)

[djc9]

I have a similar setup although I have R15's as my surrounds currently with the R300's without a home until I get enough time to set up my new receiver.

After research and since price was an issue, I went with the BIC H-100 sub off ebay for I think $230 shipped. I have been very happy with its performance and my room is significantly larger than yours and opens up into a hallway and a kitchen.

To answer one of your questions, you will most definitely notice the sub, whether it's the Velodyne or something else. You'll be glad you have a dedicated sub for HT.

[engtaz]

Sub will do alot of good.

[Refefer]

Do you think that will overpower the R50s in the front?

You'll be able to adjust the output of each speaker through your receiver, if it was made in the last 5 years or so.

As for subs, you'll definitely need one to reproduce the LFE track on your dvds.

[rdman]

New question, with the same setup, do you guys recommend setting the R50 to small or large after I get the Sub?

[dudeinaroom]

Hard to say. You could always set it to large and see what happens. it might work, It might no. give it a listen for a while set as one or the other, then change it and see which you like better.

[engtaz]

small, this makes better use of your speakers ability.

[rpearlberg]

rdman-
where did you get your csi25 center? The cheapest I can find is amazon marketplace for about $85 shipped....

[rdman]

Ebay. There is a seller selling it new for 79. I just got it cause I was tired of looking for it. With shipping, it came out $110. Oh well.

[rpearlberg]

Ebay. There is a seller selling it new for 79. I just got it cause I was tired of looking for it. With shipping, it came out $110. Oh well.

I saw that one as well....i think $85 shipped is probably the cheapest that I'll find it...I'm getting to go with the R50's I just got from frys and then i'll have to find some rears to go with it...

[rdman]

Damn, now I feel stupid. Should have checked Amazon before I bought from Ebay. Must have been because I was pissed I lost a bid on a used CSI25 from Ebay. haha.

[rpearlberg]

Damn, now I feel stupid. Should have checked Amazon before I bought from Ebay. Must have been because I was pissed I lost a bid on a used CSI25 from Ebay. haha.


Yeah, I hear ya, I hate when that happens...what would you recommend for rears? I've heard another set of R50's, or R30's or 15's....also, how about R150's...I have no clue...

[engtaz]

R30 for sides and R15 for rears

[rpearlberg]

R30 for sides and R15 for rears


what kind of price should I be paying for these and any recommendations on where to buy?
thanks.

[engtaz]

R30 I believe are R300 now. Check *bay's past sells on these speakers to know what a good price should be. Where are you located?

[rpearlberg]

I'm in CT.

[rpearlberg]

frys.com has R150's for $49.99/pr plus shipping....is that the new R15's?

[rdman]

rpearlberg, you are just great at finding deals :) My R300 orders are backordered at Fry's. I was waiting for the R150 to show up. Now they are FINALLY here. I am going to get them and cancel my R300. Thanks!

[rpearlberg]

No problem...I don't know what to do about my rears...I just ordered the csi25 from amazon, should get the R50's by Friday....i just don't know what the difference is of the R15, R30, R150, R300 and what I should spend for any of them....which are newer? which would go better with my setup...i ordered the onkyo tx-sr605 also...

[rdman]

From what I heard and researched. The R150 will be more than enough for rears/surrounds paired with R50. R300 is almost overkill if you will use it for rears/surround. imho. I had been waiting and waiting for the R150, couldn't wait any longer and pulled the trigger on those R300, but since R150 are in stock now, I say you should get that to complete your system. Buy 4 if you want. Dirty cheap.

[rpearlberg]

So then I'll have the 2 R50's up front and then I can use 2 R150's in the rear and the Csi25 as the center....is that the cheapest you've seen on the 150's?

[rdman]

Yes. Cheapest you can get it at. I am almost tempted to get 4 to complete a 7.1. But then the speaker stands will cost money...decisions.

[rpearlberg]

now that i think about it, it's tempting to get 4...


good point...my new receiver is 7.1, but i may start out with just two of them...thanks for the advice, i'm going to order two...

[rpearlberg]

Of course, now that you cancelled your R300's, they are back in stock...

[rpearlberg]

How do the R300's compare to the R50's?

[engtaz]

1 mid verses 2 mids and fuller sound.

[rpearlberg]

1 mid verses 2 mids and fuller sound.

So that makes the 50 the better speaker, right?

[Drumingman]

The R 50 is a good speaker but I find that EQ'ing them makes them sound a lot better. The weak link in this systerm is the Onkyo, I've tried it with the R 50 and it Blows. A better quality amp section like HK offers or better electronics will make the R's sound Much better. High quality amps for the R 50's makes for better synergy.

[rdman]

The R50 sounds great. Really clear and full. I haven't heard the R300, but I doubt they would be as good since they are missing a mid. Are onkyo 504 bad for power? They seems fine to me. Seem to bring out everything from the R50s I have?

[engtaz]

yes I think so.