Help buying speakers

[ddstar]

Hi all, I am new here. Any help would be appreciated.
I don't know anything about speakers, receivers, or amps.
I have been looking at getting either TSI500's or RTI A7's.
After reading the forums for a while it seems maybe RTI A7's are too much for my size room, which is about 16x40.
All I want them for is listening to music. If I choose the TSI500's would I need an amp for them if I buy a good receiver?

[tonyb]

Thats a big room.....I'd go the 7's at least. Define what a "good" receiver means to you. The TSI's will work with just about any receiver, but to fill that room, you may need more. Would help if we knew what other gear your considering, or if the room is partitioned off at all.

[chumlie]

A7's with an amp. Better yet a9's or lsi series with an amp.

[ddstar]

Thanks for the reply, the room is not partitioned off at all.
I guess I don't know what a good receiver is yet. Hoping to find that on info on here also.
I just thought maybe the TSI's would work with just a receiver then I wouldn't have to purchase an amp. but if you think 7's would be better then, from what I've read so far means I need an amp and receiver.
As for other gear I don't know that either. This is all very confusing to me. I thought buying speakers would be fairly easy.

[tonyb]

You have a few things to address, the room will suck up alot of sound so putting too small of speakers in that size of room will leave you wanting more. The 7's will do better and you can easily drive them with a decent receiver, something like a Pioneer elite, Onkyo 7 or 8 series on up, HK, Tons of available receivers to do the job. What we also don't know if you plan on a 5 channel setup or 7 channel, which would also help in determining the receiver you need. The more channels you have, the bigger speakers you get, the better receiver you will need. Of coarse, budget plays it's role too.

[chumlie]

The one thing you don't want is buyer remorse. That gets expensive. I have a set of tsi 400's , rti a1's, and the rti a7's. Start with the speakers you really wan't first, get a decent reciever with preouts and add the amp if and when you decide you need one.

[ddstar]

Thank you both, this helps a lot.
I will look into those receivers.
not sure on what channel means. Does 5 channel mean you can hook up 5 speakers and 7 channel mean 7 speakers?

And if I decide to add an amp later, it won't hurt the speakers to just use a receiver for now?

[chumlie]

5 channel is 5 speakers. Front left & right, center, and surround left & right. For a 5.1 system. The .1 is the subwoffer. If you purchase a low end reciever, the power per channel drops considerably. Pioneer elite sc series is a good match for rti a series.

[ddstar]

Would the vsx-52 or 53 work ok with the A7's? I don't see whats different between the two.

[chumlie]

I'm running last years model vsx-33, and wish i would have spent the extra coin on the sc series. But it will run the a7's fine. I added a Parasound hca1500a to it. Sounded good with the vsx-33. Better with the amp. I would get the sc and be done with it if you can afford it. This hobby's a never ending money pit. Look at used gear to save a few bucks. Most people generaly take care of there equipment.

[ddstar]

ok thank you.
One more question...what kind of speaker wire would be best if I go with this setup?

[chumlie]

I use Canare 4s11 for speakers and mit exp1 for interconnects. Signal's good i hear too, or bluejean. Hope that helps. Let us know what ya get and welcome to club polk. Have a great day.

[tonyb]

I always recommend Signal cable as a good place to start. Good quality and if you tell Frank over there your a member here, he's likely to toss you a discount to boot. Other companies work too, bluejeans, audioquest, the list can go on forever.