Help with speaker and receiver choices for RTi10s, etc...

[str8boostn]

Ok, I'm a relative newbie to home theater setup! I have already bought a few things and I can't make a decision on where to go next!!! I have a few things in mind and I am looking for help finalizing my new media room!

Here's what I've bought so far:

- Sony VPL-AW15
- Polk RTi10s
- FXi3's
- CSi3

That's pretty much all that I have at the moment... I'm debating on receivers and what to do about another center channel speaker and surrounds!

I have a few questions that I'd really like some help with and every bit of info is greatly appreciated!

I'm going to be running 7.1
Questions:
- Pioneer Elite VSX94TXH or Sony STR-DA5300ES for a receiver... Not worried about the price between difference the two!.
- I want to go with a CSiA6 or CSi5 for center channel, does it matter which? Old vs. New series?
- Should I even use the FXi3's or the CSi3 at all? In any location with the RTi10's?
- Are the FXi3's going to be overpowered by the RTi10's?
- Could I use 2 CSi3's for rear surrounds or would it be better to get RTi4's or RTi6's (or the new versions)? Or even use RTi8's...

Pleas help me! I know I will need a sub, but that will be later on... I have 2 that I can use for now, so it's not that big of a concern at the moment!

The RTi10's are the only thing that I am 100% for certain going to be using... I know what Polk recommends as far as a CSi5 and FXi5's... just looking for user experience and other opinions... I had already bought the FXi3's and the CSi3 before I got my deal on the 10's.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[hockeyboy]

The CSi3 is designed to be a center channel so I wouldn't personally use it for a surround. I frankly would dump it all together and get a CSi5 that is recommended for good reason, although would always suggest to hook it up first and see if you like it before spending any money. If you are planning on using the FXi3's for surrounds use them for the side and get some FXi5's for the rear.

I definitely prefer the Pioneer receiver since it decodes the HD audio formats. It also has a higher watts per channel and since you are not planning on going separates for now will benefit from the additional output.

[str8boostn]

I didn't plan to use the CSi3 for a front surround with the RTi10's anyway... I was just curious if it would work and still sound good in conjunction with another one for a rear surround!
Are the FXi3s sufficient for use as sides if I were to use say RTi8s for rears or even RTi4's or RTi6's? I can get just about any set of those cheaper than a pair of FXi5's from what I've seen!

[Keiko]

I don't have any experience with them but, from past threads, polkies seem to prefer the CSi5 over the 3. I think the FXi3's would be sufficient for the sides and either the RTi6 or 4's should work just fine for rears. Personally, I'd grab the 6's. Just my .02 fwiw. Good luck.

[str8boostn]

Thanks for the quick replies... I plan to use a CSi5 or CSiA6 for the front center... guess I'll be posting a mint black CSi5 shortly... lol...

[Keiko]

str8...Check out and read up on past threads about the Onkyo TX SR805 Receiver. Seems less expensive than the Pioneer your considering and with the savings you might want to consider a separate amp. Maybe some 805 users can chime in and help ya out.

[str8boostn]

Not really familiar with that one personally... Looks like a great deal... I really would like to have at least 4 HDMI inputs though... Mainly because this receiver will be used with a projector that only has one HDMI input!

[str8boostn]

Main reason that I was considering the Sony was because of the 5 year warranty on parts and labor, the easy to setup on screen programing like the PS3 has, picture in picture video monitoring of other inputs... It seems to have a ton of other features that the others don't have... but it is fairly low powered at 120Wx7ch? Not sure if that is going to be sufficient... I was also told by a guy at Tweeter that the Pioneer would have much better sound that the Sony? Not sure if that was just his opinion or what...

[garnier]

I urge you to seriously consider Onkyo TX-NR905 for around $1,600.00 from Crutchfield.com. I am sure you won't regret your choice of a receiver! :)

[str8boostn]

I urge you to seriously consider Onkyo TX-NR905 for around $1,600.00 from Crutchfield.com. I am sure you won't regret your choice of a receiver! :)

How hard are they to setup? That's a big concern to me... lol... Without a fairly easy setup, I'm screwed!

[garnier]

Not any harder than Sony's or Pioneer's, I suppose. You just have to connect all the wires in the back as indicated by labels, run an Audyssey auto calibration setup as directed on the screen, and you are done!

[str8boostn]

Not any harder than Sony's or Pioneer's, I suppose. You just have to connect all the wires in the back as indicated by labels, run an Audyssey auto calibration setup as directed on the screen, and you are done!

Lol... I'm not concerned with actually hooking it up... :) I built a full media room in my upstairs that was unfinished... so I have already ran monster CL2 rated wire in all of the walls, a power outlet to the ceiling for the projector, etc, etc... I am concerned with the actual "tuning" part of the install! I had wondered if the Onkyo had "on screen" setup, similar to that of the Sony and also if it came with a mic to do auto calibration?

[amulford]

They all do now. You might need a SPL meter.

[str8boostn]

They all do now. You might need a SPL meter.

Yeah, I'm researching those right now too... thanks for the thoughts though!

[garnier]

I suggest that if a budget is an issue, then look for Onkyo TX-SR805 or TX-SR875 as well. The 875 can upconvert all the video signals to 1080p resolutions and 140 watts/channel instead of 130 wpc of the 805. But they both have a performance of a receiver that is twice as expensive, compared to Denon for example. The 905 is a flagship Onkyo receiver that has a toroidal transformer that you can find only in such audiophile receivers like Rotel's for the similar price around $2,000, but in addition, the 905 has up-to-date connectivities like HDMI and Dolby TrueHD functions that the Rotels don't. Both the 905 and the Rotel's weigh 54 lbs; so you know that they won't sweat powering whatever load you might throw at them! Currently, I am waiting to get my Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P pre-amplifier today, but I have been using the 805 without any problem! I just decided to go with the one with XLR outs for my external amplifier because I have the 4-ohm PolkAudio LSi series; that is the reason that I am changing the unit.

[str8boostn]

Thanks garnier for the info! I have also been looking at the Onkyo 905... any experience with buying one on "fleabay" that so many on here like to call it? I buy a ton of stuff online and that seems to be the best place to find these receivers... some are also authorized dealers/distributors for those brands!

[garnier]

LimitedGoods.com seems like a decent place to order from online, if you google a few places online.

These places are notorious for difficult return procedures and most of all, long time before they ship it to you usually a week or two, sometimes even longer, at least from my personal experience. So if you are not in a hurry and you know what you are looking for without an intent to change your mind after receiving it, and save a few hundred bucks, then you can order from one of these online stores.

Read the customer reviews also to decide which ones are better. :)

[Keiko]

A word to the wise. Whichever receiver you end up purchasing, make sure that the seller is an authorized dealer. If not and you do make the purchase it could come back and bite you in the ass if the unit fails. A lot of manufacturers won't warranty their product if it was purchased from an unauthorized seller.