What would be the best addition to my HT?

[reachdru]

I've been slowly piecing together my home theater over the last year and I'm looking for suggestions on my next purchase.

Current setup:
Onkyo TX-SR876 from Amazon
CSi5 + 2 RTi12 + 2 FXi5 from craigslist

Potential candidates:
SVS PB12 Plus/2 from Club Polk Flea Market
Rotel RMB-1095 from Club Polk Flea Market
Emotiva XPA-5 direct from Emotiva

I can only afford to buy one of the above but I'm torn between providing more power for the RTi12s or getting a subwoofer to fill in the low end. I've read that with the right amplifier the 7" woofers on the RTi12s will negate the need for a separate sub but I'm a little skeptical.

[cnh]

Tough call there....but I'd go for the SVS sub first then get the power amps. The Onkyo has decent power (though the Rtis can soak up a lot more) for the towers and you'll be surprised how much MORE of a bass punch you'll get with that sub..

That's my vote...anyone else?

cnh

[thsmith]

To round out the HT experience you need a sub and SVS makes a dang fine one.

[Sherardp]

Yep I would go for the SVS, you can always buy 2 Outlaw M200 or M2200 monoblocks later. The 876 should power everything else fine.

[leroyjr1]

My vote would definately be a sub for HT. I'm currently running my rti a9's off my receiver and adding a good sub made the biggest difference in my rig. For 2 channel a external amp will make a huge difference because a sub will not be needed.

[wutadumsn23]

Another vote for a sub...... looks like you have your answer, lol.

-Jeff

[Pycroft]

+1 on the sub suggestions!

[reachdru]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I was already leaning toward the sub purchase and you guys just reinforced it for me.

The Onkyo 876 is definitely no slouch but I just wish that I knew what the real power rating is with all channels driven. The specs on the manual and the Onkyo website is a little misleading stating 7 ch @ 140 wpc rms but right beside it in parentheses it states "2 channels driven". I got mine plugged into a kill-a-watt meter and it rarely ever goes above 500w driving all 5 channels at reference volume so in my case real power is more like 100 wpc peak. All the posts I've read so far indicate that the RTi12s don't really come alive until they get at least 200wpc rms and that they only get better as you get closer to 500wpc. Sometime I'll find out for myself what those RTi12s can really do, just won't be this time around.

[cnh]

Leroy just gave his sub a bump below....I second his bump with another one for his SVS!

cnh

[wutadumsn23]

Well stated reach, the power per channel can be a bit misleading since as you said it is only with 2 channels driven. Don't worry the 876 is no slouch and will power your 12's just fine for now. Get the sub, and then add an amp later and see what those 12's can really do.

-Jeff

[reachdru]

Leroy you sly devil, I almost didn't notice you snuck in there and plugged your own sub. I wouldn't have noticed it if it weren't for cnh. All's well, end result will be the same: all your sub are belongs to us

[cnh]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I was already leaning toward the sub purchase and you guys just reinforced it for me.

The Onkyo 876 is definitely no slouch but I just wish that I knew what the real power rating is with all channels driven. The specs on the manual and the Onkyo website is a little misleading stating 7 ch @ 140 wpc rms but right beside it in parentheses it states "2 channels driven". I got mine plugged into a kill-a-watt meter and it rarely ever goes above 500w driving all 5 channels at reference volume so in my case real power is more like 100 wpc peak. All the posts I've read so far indicate that the RTi12s don't really come alive until they get at least 200wpc rms and that they only get better as you get closer to 500wpc. Sometime I'll find out for myself what those RTi12s can really do, just won't be this time around.

I take your word for that but professional reviewers have tested your unit and found that it can reach that 140 wattage/channel and more for 5 channels as I remember it...the 876 has about as much power as you can expect to get from a standard AVR.

That said...200 or more watts will certainly give you a fuller, richer, deeper sound. But the sub will do that anyway. Set your speakers to an 80hz cross over and let the SVS surprise you...it's feel like a new system..

cnh

[wutadumsn23]

I think cnh plugged Leroy's sub more than he did, lol. Either way it is an option I'm sure.

-Jeff

[sandworms]

My vote would definately be a sub for HT. I'm currently running my rti a9's off my receiver and adding a good sub made the biggest difference in my rig. For 2 channel a external amp will make a huge difference because a sub will not be needed.

i thought you sold those a9's

[PSOVLSK]

I own both the SVS and the Emotiva you are considering and the SVS was BY FAR the better addition to my HT. That sub takes HT to another level IMO.

[LandShark]

I haven't had the pleasure of hearing an SVS yet but I would no doubt go with the sub. After I dump these 2 Velodynes I'll be looking for an SVS sub myself. For the money I'm just wondering how much better a PB13 Ultra is than the PB12 Plus?

[leroyjr1]

i thought you sold those a9's


I did, but bought another pair

[PSOVLSK]

For the money I'm just wondering how much better a PB13 Ultra is than the PB12 Plus?

Sorry for the threadjack reachdru, but...

Give SVS a call LandShark. Give them your room dimensions, etc. and they'll tell you if you would benefit from the Ultra. From what I've heard and from my own personal experience, they won't try to sell you a more expensive sub if you won't benefit from it.

[comfortablycurt]

Another +1 for the sub. The 12's do have very respectable bass output for 2 channel use...but for the full HT experience, you really need a sub.

As others have mentioned, the 876 is no slouch. The 12's would definitely benefit from an external amp, but the 876 should do a fine job driving them until you can afford to add one.

[mmadden28]

Hmm, well I think majority rules here for the sub. Personally I'd go for the amp upgrade (Emotiva or other capable amp). At least that's the route I took when in the same decision making process as you are in now. If I had lesser speakers I might have taken a different path. You could even go with a 3 channel amp and use the Onk for the surrounds if you wanted to save more.

I have the RTi12s and when properly amp'ed not only will they sound soooo much better, but they will also provide plenty of bass where you might not even think you need a sub. You can always get a lesser sub in the meantime to supplement if needed. (WARNING: Once you have a decent sub for your room-you will NOT want to go back)

In my case there were several things that improved how my system sounded: They are listed in the order of how I feel the upgrade impacted the SQ from most to least although I still think it was actually a combination of them that really did it for me to have me so satisfied today with my HT rig.


Added the XPA-5 amp (over my Onk 805)--MAJOR improvement in SQ--Everything I watch just sounds so good any more.
Added the Polk UPro4000--Major increase in my satisfaction of the sub bass. However I also had the same kind of upgrade feeling when I had the Klipsch RW-10d.
Added dedicated AC outlets for the HT equipment.
Adjusted speaker and sub positioning so everything just worked


(note: I have yet to replace the speaker wires, and I am NOT done upgrading ;))

[mmadden28]

....

Give SVS a call LandShark. Give them your room dimensions, etc. and they'll tell you if you would benefit from the Ultra. From what I've heard and from my own personal experience, they won't try to sell you a more expensive sub if you won't benefit from it.

That's cool :cool:.
I used Velodyne's room calculator and it told me I needed the Digital Drive 1812 Signature Edition (http://www.velodyne.com/products/product.aspx?ID=3&sid=184b913y) (Only a measly $10k each) :eek::rolleyes:

reachdru, Can we assume you live in a house and not an apartment or a place where too much Sub might get you in some trouble?
By the way, Welcome to Club Polk!!

[reachdru]

Yup, you got it madden, house on the corner so I only really have to worry about 1 neighbor complaining about "noise". The living room is 16x19 but the way the walls/windows/doorways/fireplace are situated I'm forced to have a diagonal setup which frustrates the hail out of me. Audyssey on the Onkyo does a decent job of correcting the imperfect speaker placement but if I had my druthers I'd turn Audyssey off and place the speakers in a proper golden cuboid and cover up the walls with retractable floor to ceiling velvet blackout curtains. It would probably be the cheapest/most effective method for improving SQ but unfortunately it isn't an option for obvious reasons. Thats why its gonna be the sub for now.

Sometime in near the future (hopefully), when I do decide to add a dedicated amp, I'll probably have to drop another 20a circuit in the living room to help out with the power delivery. I bet by then I'll be wanting the 5-channel D-Sonic MAGNUM 2000 although I doubt something that will every show up in the classifieds.

But I'm getting way ahead of myself. I still have to convince Leroy to ship me his sub.

[cnh]

Good luck with the sub....!

Leroy...you have an offer. Hope both of you can reach an acceptable compromise.


cnh

[cnh]

I haven't had the pleasure of hearing an SVS yet but I would no doubt go with the sub. After I dump these 2 Velodynes I'll be looking for an SVS sub myself. For the money I'm just wondering how much better a PB13 Ultra is than the PB12 Plus?

Landshark...

Hey man...welcome to the Club....I've been here for a while...I remember you from the CC site! Your pics reminded me of your system and the time you added the second Velo....my handle is the same (cnh)...

Good to see you active again! Sorry about side-tracking this thread!

cnh

[nooshinjohn]

For the price that Rotel is being offered at, I would take that first....

[LandShark]

Landshark...

Hey man...welcome to the Club....I've been here for a while...I remember you from the CC site! Your pics reminded me of your system and the time you added the second Velo....my handle is the same (cnh)...

Good to see you active again! Sorry about side-tracking this thread!

cnh

Yeah man, hey! When I seen CNH I was like, can it be? I was going to ask next time I got on but you beat me to it. I've been a member here for awhile but I come in more when I get these urges to do stuff with my system. For right now I'm happy with my set-up but we're looking for a new house and in it I want a dedicated home theater room. At this time I'll need the SVS and might add 7.1. Good to see you man, take care.

[reachdru]

Oh noes, an Emotiva XPA-5 just showed up for sale at the Flea Market

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90026

[mmadden28]

Oh noes, an Emotiva XPA-5 just showed up for sale at the Flea Market

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90026

:D
I was just about to say ;)

Now what? A sub and two amps to choose from all at the same time ;)

[gtu2004]

get the MFW-15 currently on sale at av123. No sub will come close at that price being offered. Not HSU, not SVS. They had issues with QC in the past but with the new amps being installed on the current MFW-15s, the performance was upped a notch further.

I just ordered myself one ;) with an apology coupon i got from a member over there and credits i bought from another member, came out to be $450 shipped for an A-stock Moho Diamond MFW-15. Unbelievable deal for sure.

[royalty]

Definitely get an amp for the Rti's sometime in the future. You will be surprised at how awesome they will sound. (And how loud you will be able to watch movies)