Questions about LSI's and receiver

[Pete1077]

Hello all, I'm rather new to the home theater scene and have a couple questions. I finally decided to upgrade from my Onkyo HTIB and just purchased the Onkyo 805 receiver. Now I want to upgrade my speakers. The room where they will be is not that big (16x14). I'll be mostly using the system for home theater and gaming. I was looking at the LSi 9's for front's, LSiC, and LSiFX, for side surrounds. I have 2 questions.
First, is the Onkyo 805 the right type of receiver to power these speakers? From what I've been reading, they seem to be very power hungry. The 805 is rated at 130 watts per channel. I'll purchase another sub at a later time since I'll have basically blown my budget after buying the receiver and speakers. I still have my Onkyo sub which works fine.
2nd, since the receiver is 7.1, what are recommendations for a rear surround speaker? Thanks

[disneyjoe7]

I would add an power amp off your Onk 805 to power LSi 9's correctly. These speakers are 4 ohms where your receiver properly only powers down to 6 ohms well.

[mantis]

If an amp isn't in the cards, maybe the Rti series is more in favor here. They are very nice speakers and would go nicely with your new receiver.

the Lsi's require alot more power and stablility.

Dan

[Zero]

The other two are spot on. The RTi series is a much better fit for your Oinker.

[margate21]

i also have the onkyo 805 and just bought the lsi 15's, lsc and lsi fx, for a 5.1 system. the 805 does go down to 4 ohms. that being said i am planning on getting an amp (5 channel) as well. but u can find a used adcom 3 channel amp for under $500. which i would think would be fine for a 5.1 not sure if i would go to 7.1 without the 5 channel amp though.

[Yashu]

I'll be mostly using the system for home theater and gaming.

This right here nails it... you need the RTi series. RTi was MADE for the demands of HT.

The LSi series works great with HT, but you need some serious power to pull it off. Honestly, the RTi series would probably sound BETTER on your system even though they are not polk's highest end as your reciever will be able to better work with them. I don't think you will be disappointed... the air and space of the RTi series is perfect for the theater and gaming atmosphere.

Many people do not use them with dedicated music systems because their sound is a bit forward, but that is the thing, you are looking to build a kick ass home theater, and THAT, my friend, is where they shine.

[Pete1077]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm glad I didn't buy the speakers yet. Since I already have the receiver and am not planning on getting an amp, I think I will go with the RTI's. It sounds like everyone unaminously agrees too.

[mark090852]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm glad I didn't buy the speakers yet. Since I already have the receiver and am not planning on getting an amp, I think I will go with the RTI's. It sounds like everyone unaminously agrees too.

Welcome to the forum, Pete. I agree with the advice you received above. I have the RTi10s with a CSi5 center and am very happy with them. Not sure where you are located but there have been some great sale prices on the RTi series the last few weeks. If you can't find a great price locally you might want to look at JR.com, Onecall.com, or Crutchfield.com.

[Pete1077]

Welcome to the forum, Pete. I agree with the advice you received above. I have the RTi10s with a CSi5 center and am very happy with them. Not sure where you are located but there have been some great sale prices on the RTi series the last few weeks. If you can't find a great price locally you might want to look at JR.com, Onecall.com, or Crutchfield.com.

I'm in NJ. I will probably buy the speakers online. I have BB and CC very close by but they don't carry the RTI's. More than likely I will go with Crutchfield or JR.

[margate21]

if u want to, i would call jr sometimes their in store prices are cheaper than the online ones. (that's if you are close enough to the city)

[Taurus574]

AND with the money saved from going to the RTi series (which is a lot of money saves considering the price of the LSi series) go out and get an SVS subwoofer. You'd still probably come out ahead in the game with some change leftover.

[Yashu]

SVS, good idea! RTi 6s are about the size of the LSi 7s, so you could have RTi 6s up front which would mate very well with a sub.

[Pete1077]

I was checking out the specs on the RTi6's and noticed they are rated up to 125watts. I know its only a 5 watt difference but is ok to use them with the receiver I have (Onkyo 805 130 watts per channel)?
Also If I go with the RTi 6's up front, CSi5, and the FXi5's for side surrounds, what are your recommendations for rear surrounds?

[mantis]

I'm in NJ. I will probably buy the speakers online. I have BB and CC very close by but they don't carry the RTI's. More than likely I will go with Crutchfield or JR.

Dude stop by Tweeter in Lawerenceville right on rt1 across from the Quakerbridge mall. We have the full line of Polk RTI speakers. Let me know if your going down, I'll call my boys and make sure you get a good deal.

Dan

[bondslex]

I understand everybody's responses and why they said what they said. My attitude is a little different. I think you should listen to both speakers. You may feel then that it is worth it to you to buy a used external amp for 500-1000
dollars. All this talk about LSI this and that is what I didn't think to be so until I
did a comparo between the LSI 15, RTI 10 & 12. That was my deciding factor.
Also, I wanted to be completely satisfied with my purchase and not wonder should I have got the LSIs. After the comparison it was LSI all the way!