First home theater purchase, please help me decide

[Menasor]

Hey guys,

This is the first time I'm buying components for a home theater setup. I have a pretty small space for my living room (roughly 12x14). I'm currently looking for a 5.1 setup with some nice towers for the fronts and reasonably small surrounds in the back; the reason for the small surrounds is that my couch is completely against the wall, and there's no room on the sides to put speakers. I'll have to mount them behind the couch. I'll be using this for Movies, Games, and a bit of Music too.

Here's what I've considered so far:


Front L/R: Monitor 50, 60, RTi8, RTiA5.
Center: CS10/CS1, CSi3
Receiver: Onkyo SR606/605 or SR706/705
Subwoofer: PSW10
Rears: ??


It kind of depends on what deals I can get for the Front speakers. I've seen the Monitor 50's go for $90 at Fry's, and the RTi8's go for $150 at Fry's as well. Too bad they weren't in black. :( I also see the RTiA5's on Ebay for around $470 shipped (which is a bit out of my price range).

I'm not sure what I can get for the rears as well. Something around 7-8" high max and someone flat would be nice.

Would the receivers be good enough for these speakers?

If you Gurus could recommend a setup that would suit me based on my room and my intended usage, that'd be great. I'd like to stay under $1000 for everything if I can.

Thanks in advance!

[Sherardp]

How about buying a pair of Polk RTi10s directly from Polk, pair those up with a CSi5, FXi3s or whatever will match them from the new lineup and you have one hell of a system. As for sub you could go for new Polk model sub, or save for a better sub. Receiver Onkyo 805 would be bang for buck. I suggest you save more coin, I dont see you getting everything for under a grand. Definitely start with 10s.

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct_Home-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ153926419QQftidZ2QQtZ km

[Menasor]

How about buying a pair of Polk RTi10s directly from Polk, pair those up with a CSi5, FXi3s or whatever will match them from the new lineup and you have one hell of a system. As for sub you could go for new Polk model sub, or save for a better sub. Receiver Onkyo 805 would be bang for buck. I suggest you save more coin, I dont see you getting everything for under a grand. Definitely start with 10s.

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct_Home-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ153926419QQftidZ2QQtZ km

Sounds like that would be quite the setup, but would the RTi10's be overkill for me? They seem to be over my budget as well.

[Kex]

Sounds like that would be quite the setup, but would the RTi10's be overkill for me? They seem to be over my budget as well.
The difficulty owners sometimes complain about with RTi10 is that they seem to require a lot of power to really distinguish themselves compared to an RTi8 or similar speaker. You will not be budgeting for external amplifiers, so that would be of concern if I were in your situation.

I do think you should look at the FX series surround speakers (since they are specifically designed to be wall mounted). Your problem with these will be price since they are not all that common used (or on eBay) AFIK.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/surround/

Check placement ideas on the link below, including page 9 of the PDF manual for the FXi A4 (third link).

http://www.polkaudio.com/education/showanswer.php?question_num=78
http://www.polkaudio.com/education/article.php?id=15
http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/manuals/home/RTi_CSiA6_A4_FXiA6_A4_MN.pdf

Check ShopOnkyo for great deals on their refurbished products:

http://www.shoponkyo.com/products.cfm?group_id=1&subcat=Receiver

This thread on avsforum is a great place to start for quality Home Theater on a tight budget IMHO, $1,000 is still a lot of money to some people!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=809777

[MADGSF]

I second the Rti8 but as others will recommend you should listen to them if possible before deciding. I had similar layout issues in my last house and ended up with the in-ceiling speakers in my sig above and to both sides of the couch. The couch was against the rear wall and I was very happy with that set up.

[leroyjr1]

RTI a5's (fronts)
CSI a4 (center)
FXI a4 (surrounds)

Should sound great with a decent sub. I would get the Onkyo 705 (pre-outs) because you might get the upgrade bug and decide to go with bigger speakers and a amp later down the road.

[Menasor]

Thanks for the replies guys.

What's a good sub I can get for around $200? Doesn't need to be super big or strong, but just needs to compliment either a setup with RTi8's or RTi A5's well.

[Menasor]

Here is a setup I came up with based on suggestions:


Front L/R: Polk RTi8
Center: Polk CSi3
Rear: Polk FXi A4
Receiver: Onkyo SR705
Sub: Polk PSW505


That'll run me around $1300-1400 so I guess I'll have to save up a bit more. How's the PSW505 as a sub?

[suprafantx]

Here is a setup I came up with based on suggestions:


Front L/R: Polk RTi8
Center: Polk CSi3
Rear: Polk FXi A4
Receiver: Onkyo SR705
Sub: Polk PSW505


That'll run me around $1300-1400 so I guess I'll have to save up a bit more. How's the PSW505 as a sub?

PSW505 is an OK sub. It is a good sub for the money. You can get it for under 300 bucks.

[curved]

Here is a setup I came up with based on suggestions:


Front L/R: Polk RTi8
Center: Polk CSi3
Rear: Polk FXi A4
Receiver: Onkyo SR705
Sub: Polk PSW505


That'll run me around $1300-1400 so I guess I'll have to save up a bit more. How's the PSW505 as a sub?

Do you really need a sub right away? I would get everything that you listed and hold off on a sub until you can afford something a little better. You may even catch a good deal on a used sub for a good price in the future. I think you will be plenty happy with what you listed for a little bit....... ;)

[leroyjr1]

Thanks for the replies guys.

What's a good sub I can get for around $200? Doesn't need to be super big or strong, but just needs to compliment either a setup with RTi8's or RTi A5's well.

I have a POLK PSW 125 12 inch sub for sale. $200 shipped. It's in perfect condition.

http://www.polkaudio.com/images/home/large/black/psw125.jpg
Driver Complement
Subwoofer 1 - 12" Diameter (30.48cm)
Dynamic Balance Composite Cone

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loud & Low Specs(CEA2010)
Low 118 db
Ultra 90.5 db

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Electrical
Overall Frequency Response 32Hz-225Hz
Lower -3dB Limit 38 Hz
Crossover
(subwoofer) 60Hz-110Hz
Inputs Speaker level spring terminals, Line level L&R, LFE line level (unfiltered)
Outputs Speaker level spring terminals

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dimensions
Cabinet Size 16-1/2" H x 16-1/4" W x 19-1/8" D
(41.91cm H x 41.27cm W x 48.58cm D)
Enclosure Type
(subwoofer) Vented, Downward Firing Port

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Power Output 150 watts Continuous Average Output
Dynamic Power Output 300 watts
Available in 220V? Yes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shipping/Other
Product Weight 40.10 lbs. (18.19kgs)
Shipping unit: each
Speaker Warranty 5 years parts and labor (original purchaser)
Subwoofer Amplifier Warranty 3 year parts and labor (original purchaser)

[Kex]

The H100 is considered one of the best subs around for under $250. You can get it on Amazon.com, but there are also "official" vendors selling it on eBay. It is a fabulous entry level home theater sub, IMHO. Perhaps not as fabulous for music, especially if you listen to classic stuff.

http://www.bicamerica.com/showpage.php?brand=1&type=8&spkrID=26

[Menasor]

Wow looks like people are raving for that H100 in this price range. I think I'll go with that.

Quick question: How much better is the CSi5 compared to the CSi3? Worth double the price tag?


leroy: Thanks for the offer; I think I'm gonna go with the H100 though.

[leroyjr1]

leroy: Thanks for the offer; I think I'm gonna go with the H100 though.:eek:

[curved]

If you have the room, get the CSi5. This center is NOT SMALL but is one hell of a center!!!

[leroyjr1]

+1 csi 5

[Menasor]

Thanks for the replies guys. Anyone know where I can get a pair of FXi3's in black for a good price? I only see them available in white.

[Menasor]

Btw, what speaker wires are you guys using for your RTi 8's?

[ben62670]

Btw, what speaker wires are you guys using for your RTi 8's?

I recommend signalcable, or AudioQuest type 4's.
The AQ's first choice;)
Ben

[leroyjr1]

I am running regular 12awg wire and it sounds good. Not a big fan of $300 speaker wire for HT especially for RTI 8's. 2 channel I use signal cable ($125)with my Adcom and LSI speakers.

[Menasor]

Thanks for the recommendation leroy. I just picked up some 12awg speaker wire from BlueJeans.

I'm gonna start off with a 3.1 until I move into a house with a room better suited for 5.1. Just ordered the RTi8's, SR705, and will be picking up either the CSi3 or 5 soon (still undecided) as well as the BIC Acoustech H-100.