polk questions

[Grevlin]

I'm thinking about upgrading my system. One option is to change brand of speakers and re-do most of my system. Another option is to stay with Polk and try to boost the performance.

I'm wandering on how to max out this possible set-up:

Front L and R- Polk tsi500's or Polk tsi400's
Center - Polk cs10
Rears - Polk Monitor 50's
Receiver- Onkyo 606


Is there an amp that I can use to boost the power to the speakers/which speakers? (Just fronts, fronts and center, all 5)

Is it even worth trying to amp up these speakers/ which one's?

Can you bi-amp(Like I do now with the 606 and 50's) those speakers even with a separate amp? How?

Which would you recommend between the Polk tsi500's or 400's?


What do you think?

[aramis109]

Onkyo 606 = no pre-outs. So you can't do a separate amp without purchasing a new receiver. Personally, I don't think I'd go that route with those speakers, as your 606 should be able to drive them fine.

[Fors*]

I think that if you want better sound, you'll need to purchase better speakers, a receiver and an amp (if you would still want more power). Better speakers could easily require a more powerful AVR, including a pre-out for an external amp as well, depending on your speaker upgrade. This means we are talking a lot of $$$, needless to say. As aramis stated above, the 606 you have now should power your current set-up fine, but to upgrade your current system and get more power, would require you to just about revamp your entire audio set-up.

Just my 2 cents....

[Grevlin]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Onkyo 606 = no pre-outs. So you can't do a separate amp without purchasing a new receiver. Personally, I don't think I'd go that route with those speakers, as your 606 should be able to drive them fine.

Maybe a new Onkyo Receiver along with the tsi500's or 400's. Something with more power and the THX certification? How do you like yours?

I'm getting a projector and screen very soon. (Probably the Sanyo z3000) And I'm getting the bug to jack up the sound while I'm at it...

[Grevlin]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I think that if you want better sound, you'll need to purchase better speakers, a receiver and an amp (if you would still want more power). Better speakers could easily require a more powerful AVR, including a pre-out for an external amp as well, depending on your speaker upgrade. This means we are talking a lot of $$$, needless to say. As aramis stated above, the 606 you have now should power your current set-up fine, but to upgrade your current system and get more power, would require you to just about revamp your entire audio set-up.

Just my 2 cents....

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. If I so, I will wait until March and sink around 4K-5K into receiver and front stage speakers.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

Yeah, I thought that might me the case. If I so, I will wait until March and sink around 4K-5K into receiver and front stage speakers.

Take pics of the before, during and after....it's always nice to see it come together. Did I mention how jealous I am?

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

Yeah, I thought that might me the case. If I so, I will wait until March and sink around 4K-5K into receiver and front stage speakers.

Just saw your HT/Condo and it looks fantastic. Good luck with your upgrade.

[Grevlin]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Take pics of the before, during and after....it's always nice to see it come together. Did I mention how jealous I am?

O yeah, I'm going to keep progress pics when I turn my living room into a dedicated HT with projector, screen, and acoustics. (June)

I'm single, and own my own house so I'm going to do it right - My cat has no say in the matter...

[Grevlin]

So it seems like there is little I can do to my current system without a major re-do?? (The sound portion of my system)

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

So it seems like there is little I can do to my current system without a major re-do?? (The sound portion of my system)

In my opinion, what you have for a living room set up is great. However, if you are going the dedicated HT room route, I would look into upgrading my audio anyway, just to get it done right the first time so as to minimize any upgraditis kicking in later. Get exactly what you want now, and then you don't have to second guess yourself later. The more I hang out in your thread OP, the more I want to move and find me a HT ready room......and I will, whenever the darn market turns around....

[langn08]

I own the 400's and love them. I initially demo'd the 300's, 400's, and 500's and found not much difference between the 400 & 500. so instead of paying the extra $200 I went with the 400's.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

So it seems like there is little I can do to my current system without a major re-do?? (The sound portion of my system)

its not always about what components you have, but also a matter of seeing how the room interacts with your equipment. see crazyblus dedication and found out what improvements can be had with a little bit of investment with acoustic treatments.

speakers first.
acoustics second.
everything else falls into place.

*edit, just saw your gallery. is that center speaker the same one? if so, that would be one component id be willing to upgrade right now if ever. a great performing center speaker can definitely improve the experience. great room by the way. nice and clean.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

Maybe a new Onkyo Receiver along with the tsi500's or 400's. Something with more power and the THX certification? How do you like yours?

I'm getting a projector and screen very soon. (Probably the Sanyo z3000) And I'm getting the bug to jack up the sound while I'm at it...

I love my 805. It's a beast and a steal at that price, but it's obviously a little harder to find. I feel it has ample power, though I'm tempted to try a separate amp down the road and haven't tried that yet.

Were I you I'd start listening to different speakers in your area and get an idea of what you like and want, and start saving up for them. I'd then look into the receiver once you decide on your speakers- obviously a 4ohm speaker is going to have higher demands than an 8ohm from your receiver.

[Grevlin]

I'm actually back in my house now. Those pics are my old place. The center you see in the first set is from my old Onkyo HTiB. My sig has my current equipment, and my new room is the living room in my house. 14' wide, 15' long, 9' ceiling with carpet. Its pretty close to a perfect box with the exception of the rear wall (directly behind the sweet spot) that has a large arch opening into the dining area and continues into the kitchen. I actually believe this is good because sound from the front stage won't reflect off the rear wall, just keep going.

In June I will be putting in a screen and projector. (thinking about the Sanyo z3000)

My system now is pretty good, and I can turn it up about to 3/4 max when I want to really blast. (Can't handle it much higher )

Obviously, I need a better sub, and I will probably be getting the Acoustic Audio HDSUB12.

I'm just trying to figure out if my Polk's will get the job done until March, when I plan to sink another 4-5K into upgrades.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

Obviously, I need a better sub, and I will probably be getting the Acoustic Audio HDSUB12.

Hehehe... well, you know where to find us if you have any questions...

[sinister184]

i think what you have now will hold you over till your ready to sink your big money into your sound. Thats a good chunk of change your talking about spending. it can easly been done, but when spending that kind of moeny make sure you actually personally demo speakers and receivers.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

I'm thinking about upgrading my system. One option is to change brand of speakers and re-do most of my system. Another option is to stay with Polk and try to boost the performance.

I'm wandering on how to max out this possible set-up:

Front L and R- Polk tsi500's or Polk tsi400's
Center - Polk cs10
Rears - Polk Monitor 50's
Receiver- Onkyo 606


Is there an amp that I can use to boost the power to the speakers/which speakers? (Just fronts, fronts and center, all 5)

Is it even worth trying to amp up these speakers/ which one's?

Can you bi-amp(Like I do now with the 606 and 50's) those speakers even with a separate amp? How?

Which would you recommend between the Polk tsi500's or 400's?


What do you think?

If you go with the TSI 500's you really should get the CS20 center. I too looked at the 400's but ended up getting the T90e's which are basically the same thing (along with the monitor 60's) from newegg for less than half of what a pair of the 400's would cost.

[JJ]

I must agree with Jomari and Sinister. Hold off. What you have will serve you fine for now. Heck, get a new sub. Or two, to deal with standing waves. Do some room treatments. Upgrade your cables to BJC. Tweak with an SPL meter. Little things.

[Jbald87]

Originally Posted by langn08

I own the 400's and love them. I initially demo'd the 300's, 400's, and 500's and found not much difference between the 400 & 500. so instead of paying the extra $200 I went with the 400's.

I have to be honest My TSI 500's pump out alot more bass then my 400's it can save you from buying a sub for a little while but subs are always nice for the lower freq that the mains cant hit. I have the 606 and Tsi 500's and 400's and I gotta say watching the 4 speakers jump around on the one 500 is amazing considering it's being powered by 1 channel.

[Grevlin]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Since I will be dropping about 3K in June to put in the Sanyo z3000 proj, screen, and accessories; I believe I will do the following:

Order the Acoustic Audio HDSUB12- to fix the weakest point in my current system. Do you all think this is a good enough Sub to last when I eventually upgrade to speakers like Energy or B&W?

Do the acoustics in June- already planned for it with the projector install

Get a meter and tweak the levels- after reading through the meter threads (This might fix the weird surround-level issues I've been having)

Do you have a link on the "BJC" cables?

Thanks all, and I will be taking lots of pics to do Build and Result threads.