Dove into POLK...Head first

[Ised8u]

Very, Very new to the Home Theater system business but I finally have a few extra bucks to spend on a system. Here is what I have purchased so far:

POLK LSI-9 L/R front
POLK LC80I L/R In Ceiling Rear
POLK CSI 5 Center Channel
POLK PSW 1000 Sub
YAMAHA HTR 5990 Receiver

My Question: I ran wiring (14G) in new construction before I purchased the PSW with the help of an "audioguy". He stated that all I needed to run was a "cable wire" to an outlet where I was going to setup my sub. ?Problem? is that the PSW has all kinds of "hookups" for other speakers ect (not sure of their function yet)..Do I need to run speaker wire (which would suck now) or am I okay with the "cablewire" from the receiver??? As you can tell by my jargon I am very new to this. Just want a nice sounding home theater system. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

[Frank Z]

A couple of things for ya...
#1 Get rid of the CSI 5 and replace it with the LsiC. The Lsi C is a perfect match to the 9's. Do a search here for "Timbre Match."

#2 Although bass frequencies are non-directional, placement is very important for proper bass response in any room. You can place the sub anywhere you want but a little work on your part can yield much better results than just picking a spot that looks good so to speak.

#3 At the top of this page there's a link labeled "Education". Click on it and download the Polk Audio Home Theater Handbook, it's full of really great info regarding theater set up, speaker placement, and subwoofer placement.

#4 Don't forget proper calibration with an SPL Meter too, it makes a huge difference...
http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/spl.htm

BTW, Welcome to the forum.

[lanion]

You only need to plug one cable into your subwoofer. It comes out of your recievers 'Sub out' or 'LFE out'. This type of cable is a composite cable. Don't worry about the speaker cable inputs into your sub. There are certain circumstances where they are useful (for example if your reciever does not have any subwoofer management), but generally they are not used.

[wingnut4772]

I agree with Frank Z. Complete LSI frontstage will be tons better.

[LiquidSound]

Good on ya!! Nice system..although you do need to get an Lsic as a center. The Csi5 is a fine speaker, but won't match the sound of your other speaks.

Where is your stack of equipment..how is your room setup? Pictures would be of great help to us.

Did you buy the receiver new? If so, where from?

[Ised8u]

Thanks for the advise. I purchased the CSI-5 only after reading the reviews on Polk and felt like it may be a better center. Is the CSI not Timbre matched? I guess I should have done a bit more research.

[Ised8u]

FrankZ excellent advise..thanks again...you guys/gals rock with the prompt replies. Should have come here first before spending a dime.
Currently everything is in boxes. Will be finishing construction on new house in Feb. Will take pics ASAP.
I guess I wil be trying to send back the Csi5 and upgrade to the LSIc. Something told me to just buy the LSIc first but I just didnt listen. Started to try and save a few bucks...dumb thing to do after spending the bones on all that other equipment.
LIQUID: found the receiver new in box on EBAY. I think I paid around $700. Pretty good price for a 7.1ch amp. Retail is around $1200

[Frank Z]

You might want to ditch the receiver as well. According to the manual (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/customer/m...5990_e(U).pdf), page 13, this receiver is not rated for 4 ohm speakers, which of course the LSi series are. The HTR 5990 is only rated for 6-8 ohm loads.

[LiquidSound]

Nice catch! Yamaha makes good receivers, but they're not my taste. You should look into getting a 5 channel amplifier, or five monoblocks amps to power your speakers, when you get the cash. Don't get me wrong, you have a nice receiver, but the Lsi's will absolutely sing when you feed them more power.

When you set up your system *which I'm sure we'll help you with* you want to set your yammie to power 4ohm speakers, which the Lsi's are. *edit: yeah, if you can send it back, go for it. You need something to power the 4 ohm Lsi's*

By the way, welcome to the board. You have tapped a vast wealth of knowledge that just keeps on giving. Some of the cats on this board have forgotten more than you and I will ever know about audio.

Good luck, and post pictures!!

[Frank Z]

LS,
The HTR 5990 is not rated for 4 ohms.

[cmy330go]

I wouldn't be too concerned with the receiver. I have the big brother to yours. It is also "rated" for 6 or 8 ohm speakers. I run a full 7.1 LSi system and have had ZERO problems.

Somewhere on the forums recently someone went into detail on why most recievers are not rated down to 4 ohms. I did some searching and could not find it. If anyone remembers who or where this was please link to it.

Later

[tdeluce]

I agree. I would get the LSiC to match your LSi9s and as much
clean audio amplifiation as you can afford for your front soundsage.

You can use the receiver to power your surrounds...

[Tour2ma]

Somewhere on the forums recently someone went into detail on why most recievers are not rated down to 4 ohms. I did some serching and could not find it. If anyone remember who or where this was please link to it.

It's because they can't handle 4-ohm loads when driven to reference levels... current limitations are the source of the instability.

If you don't listen at reference levels, then you can use an AVR that is not 4-ohm rated with the LSi's.

[cfrizz]

Welcome! Nice setup, you should start looking for a 2-7 channel amplifier of at least 200 watts to run your speakers & use the Yamaha for a pre-amp only.

[Ised8u]

Thanks again for all the advise. Anyone in the market for a brand new in the box, never opened, POLK AUDIO Csi-5??? I would sell for $270 plus shipping.

Also.. any advise on the Yamaha HTR 5990 that apparently I should not have purchased but now own. I am trying to contact the online dealer to see if they have something different (handle the 4ohm speakers) but thought I would ask ya'll. I can spend (if I can get rid of the HTR) about $1200-1500 max for a receiver that can push those LSI-9's and the rest of my system.

[BjornB17]

Thanks again for all the advise. Anyone in the market for a brand new in the box, never opened, POLK AUDIO Csi-5??? I would sell for $270 plus shipping.

What color is it? I just got a CS2 but the CSI looks a bit beefier

[trees]

Folks here guided me to Rotel and NAD receivers and the Outlaw combo. The Rotel and Outlaw combo would likely be above your price range. I purchased a NAD T773, their flagship 7.1 AVR, over the net, for $1,440. Sound great, 4 ohm rated, and more power than I'd ever use.

These are expensive dudes to run with. Next comes the new sub and better cables!!!

Trees

[opus]

These are expensive dudes to run with.
Trees

+1 :)

[cmy330go]

Also.. any advise on the Yamaha HTR 5990 that apparently I should not have purchased but now own. I am trying to contact the online dealer to see if they have something different (handle the 4ohm speakers) but thought I would ask ya'll. I can spend (if I can get rid of the HTR) about $1200-1500 max for a receiver that can push those LSI-9's and the rest of my system.

Unless you already have plans to return the 5990 I would recommend trying the receiver. I KNOW that receiver will drive those speakers. I have heard many receivers that size and smaller on LSi9s. PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND.....I am not claiming that receiver will drive the LSis as well as a power amp. I have spent extended periods of time listeing to the 7s, 9s, and 15s on both my Yamaha 2500 and my Parasound Halo A23. Yes they do sound better on the Halo. BUT...the Yamaha is no weakling. I'm honestly comfortable in saying that most people would not hear the difference when driving the bookshelf models. The difference does become a little more apparent on the LSi15s, but it is still not night and day.

Also on a more technical note....I can't find it now but I remember reading that in order for an amp to receive a THX certificaton it has to be able to drive a 4 ohm load at reference levels. This makes a lot of sense since a large number of THX speakers are a 4ohm impedance.

Don't take this wrong I'm not trying to push Yamaha. I have had a number of recievers on my speakers: Yamaha, Denon, Harman Kardon, Marantz, etc... They all did a fine job of driving the speakers. I just ended up with the Yamaha because it had certain features that I wanted.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to try the setup as is, and then FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS. You can always add an amp later if you so desire.

Dave

[cewolcott]

cmy330go,

I think you just answered a question that I was looking for in a thread I posted on Sunday 12/11 titled "Impedance". In brief if I hook-up my Yamaha HTR-5280 receiver spec'd at 4+ Ohms main, 6+ center and 6+ rear I won't hurt anything? Is it that I will just not get the most out of the speakers? Please see the thread for further details.

[Frank Z]

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to try the setup as is, and then FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS. You can always add an amp later if you so desire.

Apples and oranges.
We're not talking about sound quality, we're talking about the receivers ability to handle a 4 ohm load based on the manufacturers stated specifications. Sure the Yamaha can power a 4 ohm speaker, it can even power a 2 ohm speaker, but at what level and for how long? The HTR-5990 may handle a 4ohm load at low listening levels but will certainly get nice and toasty at higher levels and may even shut down if too much demand is placed on it.

[cmy330go]

:) I understand what you are saying. Hence my comment on THX requirements. There is no doubt that the LSis will be a heavier than normal load for that receiver. However it's abilities are higher than some realize. As stated before I have been running my entire LSi system (15s, C, FXs, 7s) with basically the same reciever for quite some time now. It is capable of driving my system way louder than most anyone would ever listen, without strain. It NEVER gets excessively warm or shuts down. I honestly feel the Yamaha has an easier time running my LSIs than the much larger Denon AVR-4802 I had prior. At higher volumes the Yamaha sounds less strained. I really don't like to say that because as a general rule I prefer Denon, but it's true. Now eventually my receiver will be taking on stricly pre/pro duties. But until then, it is doing a fine job.

I agree that if you want to drive your system at reference levels all the time, that a power amp is certainly in order. However lets face it, most people do not listen to their system that loud on a day to day basis. Also as metioned before (possibly in another thread) Polk would not put out a speaker that required only large power amps or $1k plus receivers to drive them. Sure they will sound better with bigger amps, but for most people a reciever will sound good enough, or at least be a good starting point.

So again, feel free to try the reciever. If it doesn't give you the sound YOU desire, fine. Then you can either step farther up the line, or better yet add a good amp. Many here agree that a mid-line receiver and a power amp is a better option than a huge over-rated receiver.

Enjoy your new setup, and welcome to Club Polk!!!

[Tour2ma]

Oh God, let's not get into the THX thing now... ;)

Main point is spot on, if your AVR shuts down due to its thermal protection is kicking in, it ain't doing the job.

[cheddar]

Ised8u,

Since you're new to home theater and haven't even gotten anything out of the box yet, I'm sure your head is spinning with the above debate and what to do with your LSIs. I know it was tough for me to figure out what I'd do when I got my LSIs and people were trying to help me with recommendations for seperate amplification. But it's well worth the time to listen to people and try and sort it all out.

People seem to be giving you several choices and you're lucky to have them 'cause the LSI series are some mighty fine speakers.

You could use your setup as is (with the addition of the LSIC), however there is some risk if you like your music and HT at "reference" levels (wife and small children probably can't take reference levels too long if at all) 'cause the receiver may not be able to deliver all the power cleanly and can shut down or worse cause damage to your speakers.

You could switch to a new receiver but that's likely to cost a whole lot of money and still carries the risk of upgraditis if you go with sepearate amplification later if you aren't satisfied with the sound.

You could go with separate amplification for the fronts and center since they get the most use and use the receiver to drive the surrounds and act as a "pre-amp" for the channels passed off to the separate amps.

Which of the three options you choose will depend on your finances, what your listening habits are, and most importantly, how each setup sounds to you. If you go with the last option, you really don't have to spend too much to start with. I'm sure you can get a cheap used two channel amp to at least drive the LSI9s from a forum member or elsewhere. Or get a three channel amp so you can power your LSIC as well. That should make your receiver happy enough so you can experiment and upgrade at your leisure. At least that's what I did with my LSI15s and although it's still a work in progress, I bought some peace of mind until I can get another amp...

My apologies in advance if I misinterpreted anyone, please correct me if I missed something important.

[Frank Z]

My apologies in advance if I misinterpreted anyone, please correct me if I missed something important.

Nope, that about covers it.

[Tour2ma]

+1...

Well put, cheddar.... and not the least bit cheesy...










Sorry, I just had to...

[cheddar]

Great, now I'm "grilled cheese" ... ;)

[Tour2ma]

Better than being burnt toast...