Volume levels

[golfweasel]

First time poster - just bought a Denon 2308ci AV rec'vr and hooked them up to my older RM5000 sats w/sub and ctr and M5 surrounds. Well, when I have the iPod mode selected it seems the volume has to be turned up much higher than if I play other modes (and frankly, I'd like the sound for the other modes to be bolder and not have to turn the volume up to -10 to -5db for enjoyment.) What is the norm for db levels if my room is 20x20 with a high ceiling and I have it on 5 channel stereo? Is it because the RM5000's are smaller and older or maybe my set up is not right on the rec'r? Would larger front speakers and matching ctr such as the RTi10 or RTi8 give me more volume and bolder sound? What about a powered sub?

[Kchill]

Bigger is better! So, Yes.

Sats can not compete with towers.

[golfweasel]

Thanks for the input. Would the RM5000 sats work well for the surround speakers? I have them on speaker stands. I just replaced the drivers in them.

[golfweasel]

Would the RM5000 center work with the RTi10's or do I need a whole new center as well?

[Early B.]

Would the RM5000 center work with the RTi10's or do I need a whole new center as well?

Pick up a used Csi40 or Csi5 on ebay or elsewhere.

[BeRad]

The CSi3 is also a good match. Everyone always says CSi5 is the only way to go for rti timbre matching, but I find the CSi3 just fine (especially for what I paid for it). Also, my next speaker upgrade probably won't be from the RTi line so down the road it will be replaced anyways; therefore I didn't see the need to spend more on the center at this time. If you can find a good deal on a CSi3, I'd reccomend considering it as well.

[nikolas812]

It just my opinion. But. I don't think you will ever achieve the sound levels you are looking for from the RM series speakers in a room that size.

If it were me I would go for the RTI8's for you fronts. They should be plenty. Anything larger and you would be looking for separate amplification.

I would also look for a CSi5 for the center and FXi5's for the rear.

This would be a killer 5 channel setup compared to what you have. I think it would produce the sound levels you want and then some.

As for a sub... I don't know.. I don't have much experience with them.

All of this is kind of pricey compared to the RM series and I don't know what you are looking to spend. But you might want to look into used or refurbished.

You could do a little at a time if you wanted also. Get the RTi8's and see how that sounds.

But if its five channel music you are into I think your current speakers would be inadequate paired with the 8's.

I hope this helps.

[steveinaz]

What you're hearing is a difference in input levels from the source. It's normal. Floor standers would likely give the music more scale, which is why I like them. Smaller speakers tend to compress at higher listening levels.

[jaysonbarnett]

hey i bought a zune player with my onkyo 805 and i have the same issue. I have to turn it up to +1 db when listening to the zune. I ran a test and played the CD version of the same song and it sounded normal and i did not have to turn it up so loud. Also i found that the MP3 players rip CD's at 128 kbps instead of CD quality of 192 kbps. You should be able to switch this in I tunes software. Also if you do this you will not be able to put as many songs on there because the higher bit rate takes up more room on the player. I have noticed a difference in quality though.Also i have the rti8'3 and the csi3 and you would be very happy with that combo.I know there must be the two mids in a speaker crowd still around A.K.A rti8's over rti10's As far as a sub i listened to quite a few and choose a velodyne vrp 1200. You should go a give them a listen and i got mine for 299.99 at circuit city. You will want a sub FOR SURE!!!!!!!

[golfweasel]

Thanks again for the input. Much appreciated.

hey nikolas812 - what do you mean by "... Anything larger and you would be looking for separate amplification." ? Do I not have enough power out of my a/v rec'r (100w per)? Is it because the RTi8's are rated up to 250w input and the RTi10s are at 300w input?

[nikolas812]

This is just My Opinion.

But....No. I don't think you have enough power to push the 10's or 12's. You have enough power to listen them...... But not to there full potential.

Like Stevinaz mentioned before. This is a input level issue. And he is absolutely right. Thats why I don't think you would need a 10 or a 12 series RTi to achieve what you are looking for.

You are looking to achieve more sound or a more fuller sound at a lower level volume from the receiver.

Correct?

I think a good set of towers and surrounds would achieve this. Like the 8's and the others I mentioned.

Does this make sense?


Nick

[golfweasel]

Yep, makes sense. Thanks. Was also looking at the RTiA7's, but they are on the same level as the 10's, so I will look at the RTi8's.

[john22614]

Even if you get new speakers, don't expect it to fix the iPod volume issue.
Whenever I play from my iTunes collection, the volume is always lower compared to cd's or streaming music at 192 bps despite my beefy Anthem amp and lsi's. New speakers may be a good idea, but it won't fix the iPod volume.

[golfweasel]

Understood on the iPod issue. Hey, can someone chime in on this potential set up:
fronts: RTi8
center: CSiA4 (need a ctr that is <7" h)
Sub: PSW404
Surrounds: can I use my RM5000 sats? or should I upgrade those also?

Powered by a Denon 2308ci a/v rec'r
Room is 20x18 with high ceiling (pitched from 9ft to 16 ft)

[nikolas812]

That sounds like a great setup!

Except for the sub and the surrounds.

IMO I think you would be better off with a surround speaker in the same series as the others. You might want to look at the Fxi5 or 3 speakers for your surrounds.Or even a Rti4 or 6. This way all of your speakers will be timbre matched.

As for the sub you might want to look at SVS or Velodyne. I just personally don't think subs are Polk Audio's forte. While they are decent I think you could do much better and probably be a lot happier going with a sub from somebody that specializes in subs like SVS or Velodyne. While I don't have any experience with either a lot of forum members have and recommend them strongly. I have had experience with a couple polk subs and they both fell short of my expectations. The next sub I buy will be from SVS, Velodyne or JL audio.

Just my $0.02 ;)

Nick

[jaysonbarnett]

Like i said i have a velodyne vrp 1200 which is only 350.00 and i think it sounds great with the 805.

[jaysonbarnett]

If you want to know more about this sub feel free to let me know. Also i have rti4'3 and the fxi3's and if you mostly listen to music i would recommend the rti4's. The fxi3's sound great but i turn them of when i am in music mode because they make this deley sound which sounds weird for music

[golfweasel]

tell me more about the Velodyne sub. Is a 12" sub appropriate? I see on Velodynes website that there are many to choose from. I mostly listen to music, but like a good sounding dvd concert vid or movie as well.

[nikolas812]

You aren't kidding. They have a ton of subs too choose from.

I don't know if you were asking me or the other poster about Velodyne and weather a 12" sub is appropriate.

So I will try to give a link to a search I did on subs at this forum. It may or may not work. But you could get some good knowledge from it if it does work.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/sear...=1739365&pp=25

I don't know enough about them to give any useful knowledge about them.

It did just dawn on me though that you listen mainly to music and not movies. You might be better off with a more musical sub rather than the ones I mentioned. I think the ones I mentioned are better for home theater applications.

I believe Martin Logan makes some nice subs more geared toward music.

[BaggedLancer]

I love my Velodyne DLSR 3750

[jaysonbarnett]

if you are talking to me i got a 12 inch velodyne vrp 1200 and i love it. I know it is a starter sub but i will not be trading it any time soon. I went to frys and heard all they had and the others sounded to boomy and then i turned on the 1200 and it sounded great, but my recomondation is to go and hear one for yourself. I see some people say this on is great sub and then people go and order it without hearing it, and that would be your ultimate mistake. This is my thinking of course.

[golfweasel]

Thanks guys for the input. Today I checked out the Velodyne DLS3750R and wow - what thump and bass it produces. It was hooked up to a comparable Denon rec'r in a large room. The remote on it is a bit unusual for a sub, but it is a nice piece of equip. I think it will end up in my a/v room. Much appreciated.

[nikolas812]

Good to hear your getting everything figured out.

Be sure to post back when everything is done and tell us how it turned out.

[dplews2475]

you should go out and buy a kicker comp 12" or 15'' sub woofer and stick it in a ported box and call it good. the kicker is made out of high quality material and it's meant for a car so it can take a real beating and it puts out clean bass. it's 250 watts rms, the speaker will set you back from $30-$50 depending on where you get it and the box should cost you about the same. this way you get a dependable speaker for the price.