Future HT/ audio setup

[dixlon]

Wanted to get the Polkies opinion about my future HT/ audio setup.
My wife and I bought a new build home which should be ready by late September 2008. The house will have a bonus room which measures 20 by 13.6 by 20.
I finally have the chance to have a dedicated 5.1 HT / audio room which is 50% audio ( CD listening ) and 50 % Blu-ray / HD-DVD HT video. We will have another room that will be our everyday tv watching.
Speaker choice:
I currently have the Polk RTi8's which I want them to be my Rear surrounds
the CSi5 for the center channel and I'm looking for a Pair of RTi10's for the fronts.
For the processor and amp which I already have but not opened because of future move:
Emotiva XPA-5 Amp and the Onkyo PR-SC885 AV Controller.
I have ( I didn't know who was going to win the war ) the Toshiba HDDVD XA2 player.
I also have for a sub the SVS PB12-Plus which is a great sub.
Future gear for the future HT room:
Denon 2500BTCI Blu-Ray player that will also be my cd player;
Lovan Sovereign SOV-FM22 audio rack;
Plasma or LCD for movie watching..still undecided waiting for the 2008 models to come out...

I'm thinking the speaker set up along with the SVS sub should provide a great audio experience for both HT and cd listening. Does anyone have this kind of set up and if so are they happy with it?

Thanks for responses.

Kirk :)

[Sami]

Since you listen to music a lot, and are planning to move the 8's to surrounds, get some used LSi's in the front. Nothing wrong with the RTi's but the LSi's are in a different league for music.

[dixlon]

Since you listen to music a lot, and are planning to move the 8's to surrounds, get some used LSi's in the front. Nothing wrong with the RTi's but the LSi's are in a different league for music.

Will the LSi's be timber matched with the RTi's or do I have to change out the center channel as well?

[maximillian]

Will the LSi's be timber matched with the RTi's or do I have to change out the center channel as well?

They will not, so you would have to go with an LSiC center. So then you could sell me your CSi5 if it's Cherry :) .

Actually, you have a great system started. Some people complain that the RTi's are a little too bright for music. Although I don't have the experience, it's generally accepted that the LSi's are best for music and do a great job in HT. The 10's may have a slightly different sound (more bass and less mid) than the 8's. If you don't find the 8's bright and like their sound for music, then keep what you have and buy the 10's.

[dixlon]

They will not, so you would have to go with an LSiC center. So then you could sell me your CSi5 if it's Cherry :) .

Actually, you have a great system started. Some people complain that the RTi's are a little too bright for music. Although I don't have the experience, it's generally accepted that the LSi's are best for music and do a great job in HT. The 10's may have a slightly different sound (more bass and less mid) than the 8's. If you don't find the 8's bright and like their sound for music, then keep what you have and buy the 10's.

I was thinking of getting the 10's and see how they mesh with the 8's in the back ( surrounds ). I won't know until I set everything up in the new house which is 6 months away. I figure I have an amp ( XPA-5 ) that will drive the speakers efficiently so I'm willing to try them out... at the very least they will be good for the Home Theater.

[Sami]

With the sub you have, you should be good to go with the 8's. Add bookshelves for surrounds and put them on the wall instead of the floor, or get some FXi's. LSi's would be worth it for music but I understand if you are not very willing to go that way, although used LSiC and 9's shouldn't be that much more than 10's when you add in the money you get from the CSi.

[dixlon]

With the sub you have, you should be good to go with the 8's. Add bookshelves for surrounds and put them on the wall instead of the floor, or get some FXi's. LSi's would be worth it for music but I understand if you are not very willing to go that way, although used LSiC and 9's shouldn't be that much more than 10's when you add in the money you get from the CSi.

How would the LSi15's complement the SVS sub? Would it be over kill?

[Sami]

How would the LSi15's complement the SVS sub? Would it be over kill?

They would match quite well I think. I have 15's with SVS PC Ultra myself and I am very happy the way they mate. I've had RTi's in the past and they didn't do it for me, LSi's are better for HT as well and quite a lot better for music.

Overkill, not really, although 9's or 7's would do a wonderful job as well. Without a sub the 15's no doubt, and if you rather listen to music w/o a sub, then 15's would be the preferred choice.

[dixlon]

They would match quite well I think. I have 15's with SVS PC Ultra myself and I am very happy the way they mate. I've had RTi's in the past and they didn't do it for me, LSi's are better for HT as well and quite a lot better for music.

Overkill, not really, although 9's or 7's would do a wonderful job as well. Without a sub the 15's no doubt, and if you rather listen to music w/o a sub, then 15's would be the preferred choice.

Today I went to my local Showcase dealer in Chandler AZ and I auditioned the Polk Audio LSi15 and the new RTi series for both music and HT. I have to say the LSi's were outstanding for both music and HT. I thought the RTi's were a little bright but the LSi's were clear and crisp. The sales rep also said it I can have four LSi15's. Two in the front and two in the back. I told him I have the Emotiva XPA-5 amp and he said my amp will make the 15's sing. So I have decide for my 20 wide and 13.8 across HT room is going to be introduced with 4 LSi15 speakers. House will be ready in 6 months by then the new plasma should be ready to look at.:)

[cyberhazard]

I bet that salesman would love to sell you 2 pair of 15's. Thats bad advice.
First off, with your sub LSi9's up front would be more than enough. If you must have floor standers up front, the 15's are the best way to go. The best speakers for surrounds will fire over your head. Not at it, as the 15's will. Save some money and get speakers designed for HT surrounds and rears.

[dixlon]

I bet that salesman would love to sell you 2 pair of 15's. Thats bad advice.
First off, with your sub LSi9's up front would be more than enough. If you must have floor standers up front, the 15's are the best way to go. The best speakers for surrounds will fire over your head. Not at it, as the 15's will. Save some money and get speakers designed for HT surrounds and rears.

What do you recommend for the surrounds? The LSi9's? For DVD-Audio and cd music I can't go wrong with either model.

[Sami]

9's or 7's as surrounds would work very well. I have 15's for mains, and 7's for centre and surrounds.

[dixlon]

I bet that salesman would love to sell you 2 pair of 15's. Thats bad advice.
First off, with your sub LSi9's up front would be more than enough. If you must have floor standers up front, the 15's are the best way to go. The best speakers for surrounds will fire over your head. Not at it, as the 15's will. Save some money and get speakers designed for HT surrounds and rears.

What do you think of two LSi9's in the front and back and two SVS PB12-Plus subs in the front in a 20 long by 13.8 wide room?

[dixlon]

I bet that salesman would love to sell you 2 pair of 15's. Thats bad advice.
First off, with your sub LSi9's up front would be more than enough. If you must have floor standers up front, the 15's are the best way to go. The best speakers for surrounds will fire over your head. Not at it, as the 15's will. Save some money and get speakers designed for HT surrounds and rears.

I went by a model home that has the same floor plan as the one we are building right now. The room I plan to have the HT room in is an enclosed 20 long by 13.8 wide room. From what I saw I believe two LSi9's in the front and back with my SVS PB12-Plus sub would be enough for HT and music. What do you guys think?