seven Monitor 40's - Ok or bad idea?

[pfp]

My HT is roughly 14 X 17 X 9 and is used 100% for movies. I'm completely updating the room and for audio moving from 5.1 to 7.1. The new receiver is likely to be the Onkyo HT-RC270.

I definitely need one new set of speakers for surrounds since I only have 5 speakers now. The current speakers are all a bit old - Polk RT8 for the font and CS400i in the center, Energy EFX for the surrounds and Klipsch KSW 100 for the sub. I'd kind of like to get away from the floor standing front and go with bookshelf speakers instead.

I've had the opportunity to listed to the TSi200, which I'm told sounds very similar to the Monitor 40, and the RTia3. Personally, I couldn't hear enough difference between these two speakers to justify the price difference.

So on to my question. With the excellent value on the monitor 40's I'm considering doing these all around (7 of em). Considering the room size, receiver, old speakers do you think this is a good or bad plan?

[polkfan38]

What is good about it is that they are all identical all the way around. This will ensure there will be no timber mismatch or other issues. I would say go for it! Let me know how you get a odd number of M40s though. As they are sold in pairs.

[cnh]

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!

That's certainly a workable solution, though it won't be easy to mount all those M-40s as they don't come with the hardware the way the M-30s do?

As for differences between the Rti-A3s and the M-40s. I can't speak DIRECTLY to that. But I can contrast the A3s to the M-50s or rather TSI-300s--both of which I own. The A3s are the better speaker. More DETAIL up top, more controlled, faster bass on the bottom and a bit cleaner mids? So you could go Rti-A3s all around as well. But that will cost you?

So, you'll probably be OK with the M-40s but remember they are a BIG bookshelf to mount??

Good Luck.

cnh

[B Run]

+1 on the Rti's over the monitor, i've owned both and they're both great speakers but the Rti is superior especially for HT. If you're on a budget i'd pick up some Rti4's for $149 a pair. That Cs400i you have is still a great center channel too.

[JimAckley]

If it's in the budget, I would go for RTi A3's all around. I was debating between Monitor 40s or RTi A3s for a while, then I finally bought a set of A3s in May and I listen to them every single day and LOVE their sound. I was genuinely shocked by the amount of bass and clarity they have. You can also wall mount them using the keyhole slot in the PowerPort if so desired. The 40s aren't a bad speaker, but the A3s are a good bit better, IMO

[teamjhertz]

Another vote for the RTi's over the Monitor series if you are going to primarily listen to movies. The monitors are definately a good start but the RTi's are better. I started with Monitors, went to RTi's and moved all the way up to the LSi series recently.

[Geoff4rfc]

My HT is roughly 14 X 17 X 9 and is used 100% for movies. I'm completely updating the room and for audio moving from 5.1 to 7.1. The new receiver is likely to be the Onkyo HT-RC270.

I definitely need one new set of speakers for surrounds since I only have 5 speakers now. The current speakers are all a bit old - Polk RT8 for the font and CS400i in the center, Energy EFX for the surrounds and Klipsch KSW 100 for the sub. I'd kind of like to get away from the floor standing front and go with bookshelf speakers instead.

I've had the opportunity to listed to the TSi200, which I'm told sounds very similar to the Monitor 40, and the RTia3. Personally, I couldn't hear enough difference between these two speakers to justify the price difference.

So on to my question. With the excellent value on the monitor 40's I'm considering doing these all around (7 of em). Considering the room size, receiver, old speakers do you think this is a good or bad plan?

Personally, I wouldn't run all bookshelves for movies when you've got True H.D. and H.D. Master Audio running through blu-ray veins. I like taking advantage of my receivers power by running M-70s, M-40s, M-30s and a CS2. Having multiple drivers and driver sizes, IMO, allows more sound from your movies audio track. I have an Onkyo NR807, your RC260 should have plenty of power to run a similar set up.

I would think your question falls into a "to each his own" category.

My opinion, for music, good plan, for movies, bad plan

Another vote for the RTi's over the Monitor series if you are going to primarily listen to movies. The monitors are definately a good start but the RTi's are better. I started with Monitors, went to RTi's and moved all the way up to the LSi series recently.

I'm just upgraded to Monitors from a different brand all together (Onkyo SKS-HT870), and already peek-a-booing the RTi's. You've gotten into the LSi series, would you use the exact same speaker in a 7 speaker set up for movies?

[teamjhertz]

The LSi's are definately different than the RTi's. They are more refined and accurate. I really enjoy the difference for two channel music. One thing is for sure you have to make sure you have sufficient power for the speakers. I am very pleasde with the HT experience with the LSi's so far. I still have to do some tweaking, but I highly recommend them. Don't get me wrong the RTi's are great speakers, but the LSi's do offer an upgrade in sound.

[Geoff4rfc]

The LSi's are definately different than the RTi's. They are more refined and accurate. I really enjoy the difference for two channel music. One thing is for sure you have to make sure you have sufficient power for the speakers. I am very pleasde with the HT experience with the LSi's so far. I still have to do some tweaking, but I highly recommend them. Don't get me wrong the RTi's are great speakers, but the LSi's do offer an upgrade in sound.

I can definitely appreciate needing to have the power to drive the LSi's since they are 4ohm speakers, but I'm asking your advice concerning the OP's question here, he wants to run a 7.1 speaker set up using all of one model of speakers, M-40's, using them mainly for movies, I figure it's to each his own, but he's asking if this is a good or bad plan. My question to you remains, would you use 7 identical speakers for a movie set up?

[teamjhertz]

I think he would be able to get away with it except for the center channel. I would recommend using a CS2 for the center channel at least. I prefer floorstanders up front and FX style speakers for the rears in 5.1 set ups. I have not vetured into the 7.1 arena so I cannot comment for that set up. I know a lot of people recommend the FX for the sides and direct radiating speakers for the rear in a 7.1 set up. But in this case there is no real FX option in the monitor line.

With that said, everyone has their own budget and preference. I am sure it would work and sound pretty good with all seven speakers being the same. It is worth a shot.

[Geoff4rfc]

I think he would be able to get away with it except for the center channel. I would recommend using a CS2 for the center channel at least. I prefer floorstanders up front and FX style speakers for the rears in 5.1 set ups. I have not vetured into the 7.1 arena so I cannot comment for that set up. I know a lot of people recommend the FX for the sides and direct radiating speakers for the rear in a 7.1 set up. But in this case there is no real FX option in the monitor line.

With that said, everyone has their own budget and preference. I am sure it would work and sound pretty good with all seven speakers being the same. It is worth a shot.

Nicely said, there you go pfp, I know you expressed your interest on the AVS forum as well, I hope you were able to gather enough opinions help solidify the idea your trying to make a reality.

[pfp]

Thank you so much for all the advice. I'm now leaning away from the Monitor 40's. I'm still very much up in the air for a decision but I'm currently leaning towards RTi6's for fronts and either keeping my current CS400i or replacing it with a CSi3. For surrounds and rears I'm thinking about RTi4's but am also debating the OWM3.