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Calling all Polkies:Official Polk thread - Page 103

post #3061 of 18622
4/26/08 at 8:43am
I guess my post was a dumb question seeing as nobody responded ( #3043 ) sorry, just hoping someone knows the difference in quality or sound for the dollar value
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post #3062 of 18622
4/26/08 at 9:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioMike View Post

Had kind of an Iron Curtain or German grammar to your posts. I was actually reading your posts with a Russian accent in my head and it fit really well.

I have not actually used any of the Polk subs personally, I just read a few reviews a week about them on here that are not completely favorable. Most are not tuned very low 32-38hz as opposed to the 18-28hz from the more renowned sub makers. I know a big complaint about the PSW10 has been port noise. It was stated above that the PSW10 was very tight and accurate with music, but lacked the umph for big movie explosions. I guess all subs have their pros and cons. I wish my Velodyne was a little bit more accurate in music, but my needs are 95% movies in which it is a tremendous performer. So I can deal with the less than perfect music accuracy. I guess at $150 the PSW111 may be a great value...but I have seen it in person and it is barely bigger than my Monitor 30's and I just can't see it being able to produce the low end the way a 10" or bigger sub in a much larger cabinet can. I could however see it being an amazing sub for rock and pop music which demands a fast response and tight hit in the bass. I guess, it really just depends on where your needs lie as their is no perfect sub out there. Are you able to give the 111 a test run in store or in home?

Mostly my needs are movies, too.
I can take it home and try and if I don't like it I can send it back.
I was thinking that with Monitor 50's or 60's as a front, which produce some bass maybe I dont't need such a big woofer but we will see.
I just paid for it 156$.
Price is not bad - if I don't like it I will try to find a different one.
Another question for you and others, of course.
Does surrounds speakers Polk FXi3 will make a good job as a back surrounds placed on back wall ??
If not any suggestions please, THANKS
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post #3063 of 18622
4/26/08 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandworms View Post

saw an add for r50's at fry's for $60? looking at the polk site price leaves me confused. they price the r50's higher that the mon50 making me believe it is a superior speaker. i have the mon50's and paid 3x the fry price on the r50? anyone know the diff in series and whether i should have went r50 instead of mon50?

Polk has some overlap between pricing all lines. The R50s retail pricing was never changed on the site even after it became wishful thinking. As far as value, I think that they are excellent entry level floorstanders that do many things very well, but don't offer the definition of the monitor line. I think they were meant to be phased out and replaced by the Monitors, but became so popular as a way to get people into Polks, that they continued production. Frys pricing is below cost from what I've heard...loss leader that encourages larger purchases. It worked for me.
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post #3064 of 18622
4/27/08 at 10:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by peterlakomy View Post

Mostly my needs are movies, too.
I can take it home and try and if I don't like it I can send it back.
I was thinking that with Monitor 50's or 60's as a front, which produce some bass maybe I dont't need such a big woofer but we will see.
I just paid for it 156$.
Price is not bad - if I don't like it I will try to find a different one.
Another question for you and others, of course.
Does surrounds speakers Polk FXi3 will make a good job as a back surrounds placed on back wall ??
If not any suggestions please, THANKS

The FXi3's do a great job as back surrounds although I can't comment on them being wall mounted as mine are on a sofa table.
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post #3065 of 18622
4/27/08 at 11:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bilbo3660 View Post

The FXi3's do a great job as back surrounds although I can't comment on them being wall mounted as mine are on a sofa table.

Thanks a lot.
I want to add them as a back surround and upgrade my system from 5.1 to 7.1.
Maybe I won't install them on the wall but I want to put them on the back.
I just want to know if is it a good idea, because some people prefer them on side walls as a surround speakers ????
Another question is :
what is a difference between FXi3 and FXia4 or 5 - i don' remember , now ??
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post #3066 of 18622
4/27/08 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by peterlakomy View Post

Thanks a lot.
I want to add them as a back surround and upgrade my system from 5.1 to 7.1.
Maybe I won't install them on the wall but I want to put them on the back.
I just want to know if is it a good idea, because some people prefer them on side walls as a surround speakers ????
Another question is :
what is a difference between FXi3 and FXia4 or 5 - i don' remember , now ??

I have a 7.1 system with FXi3's as surrounds and rears. All four are on sofa tables and a stand and I couldn't be happier. Sorry, I can't help you with the other models.
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post #3067 of 18622
4/27/08 at 11:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bilbo3660 View Post

The FXi3's do a great job as back surrounds although I can't comment on them being wall mounted as mine are on a sofa table.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bilbo3660 View Post

I have a 7.1 system with FXi3's as surrounds and rears. All four are on sofa tables and a stand and I couldn't be happier. Sorry, I can't help you with the other models.

Thanks, now I now I need them, have a great sunday
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post #3068 of 18622
4/28/08 at 11:41am
i am looking for a pair of polk f/x300i for 7.1 surround.

front:rt800i
center:csi40
rear:f/x300i
sub:jbl?
powernkyotxsr702

is there any other speaker from the polk line that will fit this system if i can't find another pair of f/x300i?
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post #3069 of 18622
4/28/08 at 11:54am
I need some opinions. I have a CS-1 center. Should I save a little money and get the Monitor 50's or spend a little more and get the Monitor 60's? Is there that much difference?

Thanks.
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post #3070 of 18622
4/28/08 at 5:34pm
Hello I am new to the Polk thread as I just got my first pair of Polks today. Actually I am a complete Noob to the A/V world. I got the Polk R50's from Fry's. This is what I have so far:
AVR-Onkyo HT-R550
R/L channel's- Polk R50's
sub- Dayton SUB 120
I am using the speakers that came with the Onkyo AVR that I bought last year for the center, and surrounds right now.
I would like to know what Polk center match's up best with the R50's? I am holding off on rear speakers for now untill I have more money. I read here that the center is the most important one. I have $300 for the center. But if one of the lower priced ones like the csr, cs1,cs2 are good ones then maybe I can get some good surrounds as well, maybe the R150's. What do you think? I have also read posts in this thread that adding an AMP to the fronts/center can help alot but I am not sure how that works. Any recomendations.
Also I have read on other forums that some people have replaced the Tweeter's on rhe R50's. One guy used a Dayton silk dome tweeter and replaced the Xover's with a Dayton 2-way and had good results. What do you guys think? Maybe I should post that question on the DIY speaker thread.
Thank you in advance!
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post #3071 of 18622
4/28/08 at 8:27pm
Hey gents, quick question here. Im replacing my fronts in a 5.1 home system with Monitor 50s. I also ordered an RM8 center channel because of its very slim dimensions. Is this center channel going to "work" OK with the Monitor 50s? I know the RM8 towers are sort of made to go with the RM8 center channel....but tell me the Monitor 50s will be OK too....

I like the Monitors better then the RM8 towers. The CS series center channels just dont have the slim dimensions of the RM series I need, hence the Monitor 50/RM8 center combo I came up with.

Thanks
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post #3072 of 18622
4/28/08 at 10:01pm
I just bought a pair of Polk RTi A1's to use as my front left and right speakers. Unfortunately I am VERY limited on space for the center channel speaker. It has to sit between my TV and fireplace mantle. (TV is mounted above fireplace) It has to have a height of 4 inches or less so that leaves me with very few options. (That I'm aware of) Fortunately the Polk RM8 would fit, however this is in the lower end of Polks center channels. Will this at least
be ok? Or is there something else someone would recommend?
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post #3073 of 18622
4/29/08 at 6:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by longlakeman View Post

Hello I am new to the Polk thread as I just got my first pair of Polks today. Actually I am a complete Noob to the A/V world. I got the Polk R50's from Fry's. This is what I have so far:
AVR-Onkyo HT-R550
R/L channel's- Polk R50's
sub- Dayton SUB 120
I am using the speakers that came with the Onkyo AVR that I bought last year for the center, and surrounds right now.
I would like to know what Polk center match's up best with the R50's? I am holding off on rear speakers for now untill I have more money. I read here that the center is the most important one. I have $300 for the center. But if one of the lower priced ones like the csr, cs1,cs2 are good ones then maybe I can get some good surrounds as well, maybe the R150's. What do you think? I have also read posts in this thread that adding an AMP to the fronts/center can help alot but I am not sure how that works. Any recomendations.
Also I have read on other forums that some people have replaced the Tweeter's on rhe R50's. One guy used a Dayton silk dome tweeter and replaced the Xover's with a Dayton 2-way and had good results. What do you guys think? Maybe I should post that question on the DIY speaker thread.
Thank you in advance!

First of all, welcome to AVS and the Polk thread.

Since you said you were a noob and look like you're ready to make this a hobby, I would recommend that you stay within the R-series for this first upgrade, especially if you are committed to the R50s as fronts. Go with the CSR center and R150 surrounds. That way, you can establish a baseline for comparison (for future upgrades/tweaking/DIY) with a matched set of speakers. Also, if you want to experiment and take the speakers apart, better to learn with less expensive components.

I also started out with an Onkyo HTIB, and saw a big step up in sound quality with Polk R-series (and a BIC H-100 sub). I now have moved to the Monitors and have seen an impressive jump as well. There are many others here who have experience with far better speakers than mine, but I'm enjoying the process of learning about sound and the impact of each step-up in quality.
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post #3074 of 18622
4/29/08 at 6:47am
Hey guys how would the monitor 60s and a CS2 perform strictly for movies and games?
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post #3075 of 18622
4/29/08 at 7:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjdupont76 View Post

I just bought a pair of Polk RTi A1's to use as my front left and right speakers. Unfortunately I am VERY limited on space for the center channel speaker. It has to sit between my TV and fireplace mantle. (TV is mounted above fireplace) It has to have a height of 4 inches or less so that leaves me with very few options. (That I'm aware of) Fortunately the Polk RM8 would fit, however this is in the lower end of Polks center channels. Will this at least
be ok? Or is there something else someone would recommend?

Quote:
Originally Posted by s2mikey View Post

Hey gents, quick question here. Im replacing my fronts in a 5.1 home system with Monitor 50s. I also ordered an RM8 center channel because of its very slim dimensions. Is this center channel going to "work" OK with the Monitor 50s? I know the RM8 towers are sort of made to go with the RM8 center channel....but tell me the Monitor 50s will be OK too....

I like the Monitors better then the RM8 towers. The CS series center channels just dont have the slim dimensions of the RM series I need, hence the Monitor 50/RM8 center combo I came up with.

Thanks

I have no experience with the RM8 center, but wouldn't think the 2-1/2" drivers would be able to keep up with the Monitor 50s - especially if they are to carry the bulk of the dialog for HT. Have either of you considered running without a center?
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post #3076 of 18622
4/29/08 at 8:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishLegend View Post

I need some opinions. I have a CS-1 center. Should I save a little money and get the Monitor 50's or spend a little more and get the Monitor 60's? Is there that much difference?

Thanks.

Guess that depends on your needs. The Monitor 50's (small) don't have quite the range that the 60's do (large. See attachment). If you can afford it I would say go with the 60's as they will do everyting the 50's will do and more. I messed around with different combinations of the Monitor series and ended up with this as my final setup. The last thing I changed was the Center, went from a CS-1 to CS-2 and the only reason I did this was because the CS-1 was dwarfed by the Monitor 70's (Size/look, not sound) Polk actually recommends the either the CS-1 or 2 with the 60 series. Click. I am not an expert but I can say for the price I paid I love my Polk's.
LL
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post #3077 of 18622
4/29/08 at 8:31am
With the RTi A1's as my left and right speakers would I be better off going with the Polk RM8 Center ($149.99), the Yamaha NS-C225 (I can get for $165 from Amazon), or no center channel at all? ...(There just isnt much out there for centers under 4 inch's tall.)

If I just would have had the contractor mount the TV even 2 inches higher !
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post #3078 of 18622
4/29/08 at 8:56am
Which of these subwoofers would be best. The room is about 15 x 13 with a 2 story high ceiling....

PSW303 ($360 MSRP....can get for about $170 on ebay)

PSW12 ($400 MSRP...theres a used one ebay right now around $100 total with 8 hours left...so Im guessing around $140 or so)

OR

PSW10 ($240 MSRP...can buy for around $140/$150)
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post #3079 of 18622
4/29/08 at 9:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjdupont76 View Post

With the RTi A1's as my left and right speakers would I be better off going with the Polk RM8 Center ($149.99), the Yamaha NS-C225 (I can get for $165 from Amazon), or no center channel at all? ...

I would forgo the center if you cannot fit one properly, but if you must have one, a center from the same manufacturer usually is a safer bet then going with a different brand completely.
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post #3080 of 18622
4/29/08 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjdupont76 View Post

Which of these subwoofers would be best. The room is about 15 x 13 with a 2 story high ceiling....

PSW303 ($360 MSRP....can get for about $170 on ebay)

PSW12 ($400 MSRP...theres a used one ebay right now around $100 total with 8 hours left...so Im guessing around $140 or so)

OR

PSW10 ($240 MSRP...can buy for around $140/$150)

Don't buy any of those subs. Polk has made some decent competitive subs, but not those.

A new sub is getting ready to launch that is going to revolutionize the budget category...it's called the Scamp. Should be here by July, designed by Mark Seaton and brought to you by Tweak City Audio, craigsub's new company...$159.00 plus shipping. The site is under construction, but there's a thread here in Speakers with some details on this sub. Their forum is active now as well...www.tweakcityaudio.com/forum should get you there.

If you don't want to wait, then for < $300 I'd recommend the Cadence CSX12 or Bic H100, both excellent performers in the budget category.

As far a center...I'd really recommend staying with Polk. The CSiA4 is the match. Mount a shelf bracket above or below the TV angled toward the seating area. A phantom center will work in the sweetspot, but not off axis. It will be fine for one or 2 people, so maybe that's fine for you, but to truly anchor dialog, you'll want the center. The smaller RM centers just won't keep up...waste of money.
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post #3081 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajstan99 View Post

I have no experience with the RM8 center, but wouldn't think the 2-1/2" drivers would be able to keep up with the Monitor 50s - especially if they are to carry the bulk of the dialog for HT. Have either of you considered running without a center?

No, I havent. Didnt even think it was an option to get proper 5.1 surround. Dialog is important so I dont wanna do this "wrong". Damnit... Im starting to wonder now if the RM8-center was a bad choice. I did call Polk and the friendly, helpful guy said I would be OK even though the CS1 was the exact "match". He suggested trying it since the RM8 is a good sounding "small" speaker. Again... space is an issue for me and apparently MANY others by seeing all the threads regarding space issues for the center channel. Damnit....!

So... I assume that I just tell my receiver that I have NO center speaker and it will "phantomize" it? I can try that I suppose.

Well, I can always return the RM8-center speaker if it doesnt work out. No harm in trying it.

Thanks for the tips....
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post #3082 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by s2mikey View Post

So... I assume that I just tell my receiver that I have NO center speaker and it will "phantomize" it? I can try that I suppose.

Yes, that's correct. Also, see Ron Temple's reply to mjdupont76 for more info.
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post #3083 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:22am
s2mikey - report back on how that RM8 works for you, since I might be getting one as well Id love your opinion. Its either that or no center at all. Pretty much my only two options...at least without spending big bucks to mount a center way above my ceiling which really isnt an option for me.
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post #3084 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:33am
Hallo guys,
I just received Monitor 50's and 60'.
My receiver is: Onkyo 705
Which connection do I supposed to use bi-amp or regular ???
If regular does it matter which one upper or lower +/- ???
And what is a diffrence between bi-amp and regular ???
Thanks...
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post #3085 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:35am
Hey guys i am looking to update to a whole new audio system from my Onkyo htib that i had in my bedroom. I am a college student that still lives at home and have been saving up for a while for a new setup. My sister graduated and moved out so my parents said i could make her room into my own little living room area. The room is about 14X12. It will be used with my DVR, Xbox360, PS3, and HD-A30. If anyone has any input its glady welcome as I am not a noob in this area but not as good as you guys.

I tried out alot of speakers and I really couldnt find any even close to the Polk setup for the price. Here is the setup i was thinking.

Fronts: Monitor 50's
Center: CS1
Surrounds: Monitor 30's
Sub: BIC H-100
Receiver: Either Onkyo 606 or HK 347 or something else undecided still

My question is do you think the room is to small for the M50 as fronts? Should I get a bookself like the M30's as fronts? I am thinkig the M50's because when i move out in a year or two I would still use these as my main speaker setup. And one last question I want to do 7.1 but I am not sure with the size if 5.1 would be better.

Thanks for all the help
Andy
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post #3086 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:36am
I'm looking for a little advice on some in-walls for my surround channels. I have RTI A7 fronts and a CSI A6 center. I was hoping to go with the RTI A1's for my surrounds, but I would need to mount them and the wife isn't having it (they're about a foot deep).

I think at this point I'm pretty much limited to in-walls for my surrounds. I'm looking at the Polk TC65i's. Does anyone have any experience with these as surrounds? I'm guessing they'll get the job done well enough for movies, but I'm a little concerned about how they'll do for music. Any thoughts?

Does anyone have a better solution? Are there in-walls that would do a better job for surrounds (for the $500 that I can get the TC651's for)?
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post #3087 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:48am
[quote=peterlakomy;13754891]Hallo guys,
I just received Monitor 50's and 60'.
My receiver is: Onkyo 705
Quote:


Which connection do I supposed to use bi-amp or regular ???

Regular
Quote:


If regular does it matter which one upper or lower +/- ???

No, just make sure you keep the gold plates that connect the upper and lower terminals in place.
Quote:


And what is a diffrence between bi-amp and regular ???
Thanks...

As I understand it, bi-amping is sending separate power to the tweeter and midrange. I dont think that the Onkyo 705 supports it, nor would it provide significant benefits for the Monitor 50s/60s. Bi-wiring would be using two separate cables to connect a sincle receiver/amp output to the upper and lower terminals. Again, a negligible difference (if any) would be perceived with the Monitor 50s/60s.

Here's an entire thread on bi-amping:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=987279
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post #3088 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjdupont76 View Post

s2mikey - report back on how that RM8 works for you, since I might be getting one as well Id love your opinion. Its either that or no center at all. Pretty much my only two options...at least without spending big bucks to mount a center way above my ceiling which really isnt an option for me.

I will do that. The speakers all shipped and should be at my place by the end of the week so knowing me they'll be up and running within minutes after arriving at my house.

I hope this works out, like I said, center channel size & placement appears to be a HUGE pain in the ass for many 5.1 system users. I started with a HTIB that had small speakers so it never dawned on me to think about center speaker mounting space/options when I set everything up. I have a good sized AV stand but there is only so much room for a center channel on the stand. If its too tall it wil block the TV speakers and we use those sometimes. If its too deep then it wont fit properly and would force me to move the TV back on the stand....which is a No-Go.

I'l post back ASAP!
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post #3089 of 18622
4/29/08 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by s2mikey View Post

No, I havent. Didnt even think it was an option to get proper 5.1 surround. Dialog is important so I dont wanna do this "wrong". Damnit... Im starting to wonder now if the RM8-center was a bad choice. I did call Polk and the friendly, helpful guy said I would be OK even though the CS1 was the exact "match". He suggested trying it since the RM8 is a good sounding "small" speaker. Again... space is an issue for me and apparently MANY others by seeing all the threads regarding space issues for the center channel. Damnit....!

So... I assume that I just tell my receiver that I have NO center speaker and it will "phantomize" it? I can try that I suppose.

Well, I can always return the RM8-center speaker if it doesnt work out. No harm in trying it.

Thanks for the tips....

Re: no center,

My particluar setup works better w/o a center in my opinion. I'm running Rti12's and the tweeter/mid arrangement is perfectly aligned with the (vertical) middle of my 60A2000 screen so I find that the audio really blends with the video. I also have them very close to the display (by virtue of the room I have to work with).

I have a CSi40 which is mounted below the screen and when I run it in 5.1, the center channel info (sound) becomes "disengaged" from the video and draws my attention directly to it. I've found that by using the "phantom" mode, I can more easily get into what I'm watching, not the technical stuff that's reproducing it.

My CSi40 is for sale BTW, if anyone needs one.

Just my two cents,

Thanks
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post #3090 of 18622
4/29/08 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajstan99 View Post

No, just make sure you keep the gold plates that connect the upper and lower terminals in place.



Here's an entire thread on bi-amping:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=987279

Just make sure the strapping plates are screwed tightly in place. You can also strap the top and bottom binding posts with wire. I do, because I bought a used center without the plates. Many claim you get a cleaner connection/better sound.

Bi-amping using 2 amps isn't for the novice. Bi-amping with an AVRs zone 2 or back surrounds will probably be of no benefit, though just for grins you might try it. Monitors 60/50s are an easy load, however.
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