Help for a beginner... Polk purchase

[Art VanDelay 30]

I just graduated from college and moved back home and thought since Im bored Ill help out my parents and install a home theatre system, something theyve wanted for a while. Im a little clueless but after doing a little research I was going to purchase these things and get cracking on the project. They wanted a Bose system but after doing research it would be better to flush the money down the toilet then buy a Bose system.

Onyko 605 receiver
4- Polk RTi4 bookshelf speakers
Polk SSw110 subwoofer

I wasnt sure what to get for the center speaker we dont have much space in the center area and I was thinking of putting the Polk RM202 in the center. Am I making any stupid mistakes?

Should that receiver match well with the speakers? Any advice would be appreciated thank you.

[xandra]

I understand your dillema, the reccomended CS series ARE big. If there's anyway at all to do it, Go down to a decent store and listen.

[RuSsMaN]

You could do an RM202 for a center if space is an issue, it won't be a perfect timbre match, but close enough.

Cheers,
Russ

....and you want me to hire you as my latex salesman?

[Art VanDelay 30]

The Onkyo 605 is 90 watts per channel is that not powerful enough for the Polk speakers?

[treitz3]

It will run them, maybe to your satisfaction. That said, they will not sing.

Let your own ears decide and welcome to the forum by the way. ;)

[Art VanDelay 30]

Thanks for all the help.

I'll be ordering this set up most likely today from crutchfield and amazon.com.

My debate is whether to get the Onkyo 605 or 805 its a fairly large room and dont want the speakers to be underpowered. Which do people recommend for these speakers? Once again am I doing anything stupid?

605 - 90 watts per channel
805 - 130 watts per channel

Polk
Center RM202
4 RTi4 bookshelf speakers
PSW110 subwoofer

The room dimensions are 24 feet long x 18 feet wide

[tcrossma]

I used to have the Polk RM202 as my center, and I found it lacking for my tastes. I was constantly filddling with calibration trying to get it have the presence I wanted, but was unable to, even when setting the center channel 4-5db higher than the rest.

As others have stated it's all about what sounds good to you, and a lot of it will depend on your room and listening habits. The RM202 might work for you, but it didn't for me.

Good luck in your purchases.

[tcrossma]

I just saw your room dimensions. I could be wrong, but with a room that size i'm guessing that what you've picked out so far might sound kind of thin and lifeless.

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, but I was in your position not long ago and my first round of purchases kind of underwhelmed me. I don't know what your budget is, but my advice would be to spend as much as you possibly can afford on the fronts and proper amplification so you don't end up having to buy twice like I did.

[peffy03]

rti 6 are a nice upgrade from the 4s and not much more in price. i just got a pair for 200

[Art VanDelay 30]

rti 6 are a nice upgrade from the 4s and not much more in price. i just got a pair for 200

Where did you get them from? The Rti4 is $199 at Crutcfield and I would surely purchase the better speakers for the same price?

I ended up purchasing the Onkyo 805 from amazon because I didnt want to take the chance of having the speakers underpowered.

[MSALLA]

Amazon has the Rti-6's for $249.99 right now. My room is slightly smaller then yours at 25ft x 12ft. and I also think the 4's would be lacking for the size.

[McLoki]

I have not heard the 4's but own the 6's and they are fantastic.

For the watt difference between the two recievers, purchase based on features, not watts. If the 605 has the features you want (and pre-outs just to make us happy) get it and don't sweat the power difference between that or any other AVR. If you want more power (for better speaker control), get an amp (hence the pre-out suggestion) - if you want more volume, get more efficient speakers.

Michael

[Art VanDelay 30]

If I get the RTi6's does this mean I should get the FXi5's as surround speakers based on the home theatre guide on this website?

It states
RTi6's Front
Fxi5's as surround
PSW303 subwoofer
CSi5 center

Can i mix and match the center and subwoofer? Crutchfield no longer sells the PS303 can I purchase the PSW110 or will that not match?

[McLoki]

Fxi3's will be fine. (get the 5's if you really want, but they are not required and 3's may be a little less intrusive on the wall)

[Art VanDelay 30]

Thanks for the help

I was planning to put the fxi3's on top of a piece of furniture can they only be put on the wall? They would be intended as the rear speakers on a 5.1 set up.

Oh and would the PSW110 be an adequate subwoofer?

[McLoki]

The Fx series of speakers can be wall, stand or furniture mounted.... :p

For the subwoofer - no. It would not be adequate (or even close) for me.

[Art VanDelay 30]

What do you recommend?

Right now I have this in my cart...
RTi6 pair
FXi3 pair
CSi3 center
?? subwoofer the website states PSW303 what is the updated version of this model?

[McLoki]

What is your budget for a sub?

[Art VanDelay 30]

Right now at Crutchfield if you spend $500 you get $200 towards a sub so Im hoping to get a sub they have in stock. If it makes a huge difference and goes well with the rest of the speakers $400 max. With the $200 off from crutchfield making it $200.

[McLoki]

Given the limit of $400 and has to be purchased from Crutchfield. This will be my current recommendation. Not as the best $400 sub available, but maybe the best one from crutchfiled....

Polk DSW Pro-400 (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?showAll=Y&g=12300&i=107DSWP400&c=4&tp=187)

I guess before I go to deep in the recomendation realm though - I really should ask - Mostly HT or also music listening? What is the size of the room you are putting the sub into? (cubic feet of air space, Width x Depth x Height) Also include any rooms that cannot be closed off from the listening room....

[Art VanDelay 30]

HT and Music use... 90% HT and 10% Music

The room dimensions are 24 feet long x 18 feet wide and the ceilings are between 9 and 10 feet high.

A large open kitchen is attached to the room.

Onkyo 805 receiver.

So far Ive heard I should get...
RTi6 Front
Fxi5 surround
Csi3 center
DSW pro-400?

I plan to put the speakers on bookshelves

[McLoki]

If it will fit, I would recommend the CSi5 and FXi3 speakers. (to keep the costs about the same.) It seems more people hear the difference more between the bigger center channel than the bigger surrounds.

For that size room, I would call Polk customer service. The DSW-400 is a nice sub and hits pretty deep, but I think an 8" woofer may just get lost in that size room...

[Art VanDelay 30]

What's wrong with the PSW125? Doesn't that have a larger woofer?

The CSi3 is cutting it very close, space-wise. I think the CSi5 would be too big for the space to put it. I was thinking about putting the RM302 in there but someone said it wouldn't sound as good.

[reberly]

You might fill up those HDMI connections quick on the 605 since it only has 2. The 705 and 805 I think have 3. That extra connection might help you from upgrading too soon.

[Art VanDelay 30]

Yea after getting some help I went with the Onkyo 805 yesterday, now I just need to figure out the proper speakers and speaker wires.

[McLoki]

What's wrong with the PSW125? Doesn't that have a larger woofer?

The CSi3 is cutting it very close, space-wise. I think the CSi5 would be too big for the space to put it. I was thinking about putting the RM302 in there but someone said it wouldn't sound as good.

In that case, CSi3 it is. Can you save any cash by getting the FXi3 vs the FXi5 and direct the saved money to the subwoofer?

[Art VanDelay 30]

Thank you once again for the help

Im going to bite the bullet and get the more expensive subwoofer you recommended. Im going to order the speakers and subwoofer later today. Can you help me on what kind of speaker wire is best suited for these speakers that would be hooked up to a Onkyo 805. Im familiar with Monoprice do they sell reasonably priced speaker wire that will take advantage of this set up?

Onkyo 805
Rti6 Front Speakers
FXi3 Back speakers
CSi3 center
DSW Pro 400 subwoofer

Just to make sure this should sound decent right? Its fairly obvious Im clueless when it comes to hoe theatre systems.

Also do you think everything will be simple to just plug in and listen to. For example with the Subwoofer do you jsut plug in a digital cable to the woofer and receiver or is this a more complicated process?

[64met]

Noticed your gear... very similar to mine. I just hooked up yesterday the Onkyo 805 with fxi3 rears; rti10's up front and csi5 CC. As for the sub... is it a powered sub? Mine is; Polk 404 and it gets connected I believe to the Sub-Out on the back of the 805( I think it is purple). Anyway, still adjusting e/thing on my end... I live near an airport and can only get Audessey to work at one listening area; the others are too close to the window.

[reberly]

The 805 instruction book is excellent. I highly recommend going from page 1 through the whole thing to learn about the system and hook up each component and settings when you come to it in the manual.

[Art VanDelay 30]

The 805 instruction book is excellent. I highly recommend going from page 1 through the whole thing to learn about the system and hook up each component and settings when you come to it in the manual.

I was asking because I just ordered the receiver and speakers online and wanted to order the right kind of speaker wire (banana plugs etc.?) with it.

I think I'm going to order 200 feet of 12 gauge speaker wire from monoprice.com. But a side from that Banana plugs or subwoofer cable I have no idea what to order.