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Polk 40s or 50s or other?/CS1 vs. CS2/Sub necessary?

8536 Views 30 Replies 13 Participants Last post by m_vanmeter, Nov 30, 2012

cb32

Discussion Starter · Feb 16, 2010

After reading many threads here and getting a couple pieces of good directional advice, I went into B&H and J&R today to listen to some speakers. I really liked the Polk RTiA1s but they are definitely out of my price range (looking for four). A previous reply mentioned the newegg deal on Polk 40s and suggested a CS2. So just some questions for a newbie to the home theater setup if you would please.

1. Should I be considering a different set of speakers for fronts and backs or are four 40s a good way to go?

2. I am not necessarily wedded to bookshelf speakers if Polk 50s for example are a better option. They (Polk 50s) would actually fit within my entertainment wall nicely but are they a better option? Perhaps paired with a couple 40s for back speakers?

3. Is the CS2 that much better? Not a big price difference ($40) but I am not sure if it is an upgrade.

4. Would I need a sub with it? I am not averse to getting the PSW10 with it but I have read that initially you could get away without a sub.

5. This investment comes along with a new receiver. Do I need to worry about which one would power these the best? I was looking at the Pioneer 919 (if I can find one) but keep reading that comparable ones like the Denon 1610/1910 or Onkyo 507/607 are also ones I should be considering. Any thoughts here?

My setup initially will be:

42" Panasonic Plasma - TH-42PHD8 (no speakers)

DVD - Pioneer DV-444 (not blu-ray) but HDMI

Wii

HD DVR - Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD

Basically this forum got me to Polk Audio for which I am appreciative and now I just need to get myself the best package. Overall budget, including the receiver is about $1k and I am figuring $300-400 for the receiver. The package of four 40s/CS2/PSW10 would run $556.

Thanks for your help!

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1 - 20 of 31 Posts

m_vanmeter

· #2 · Feb 16, 2010

Polk Monitor 50 towers are the same speakers as Monitor 40 bookshelf units, only the enclosure is different. If you want to try a setup without a sub initially, consider the Monitor 70 towers for their better "low end".

Matching "all four" vs. "fronts and surrounds" is a matter of what type of listening you want to do. If you like multi-channel music, like DVD-A and SACD, then matching all 5 speakers is a definate plus. If you are primarily into movies, then the surrounds can be different from the fronts because surround soundtracks carry very little critical audio information to the sides and rears, mostly ambient and positional audio effects. For a movie HT setup, Polk Monitor 30 bookshelf speakers would work fine for the surrounds.

If you want to consider towers for 4 HT speakers (no stands or furniture needed), the consider Monitor 70 for L & R front, and Monitor 50 for side surrounds in a 5.0 setup. The CS2 center is the match for Monitor 70's. The CS1 is the match for Monitor 50/60 fronts.

On the receivers, if you don't need a "Zone B" output for remote speakers, then consider the Denon 590 or 790 receivers (very like the 1610 and 1910 but no zone B). The Onkyo SR507/607 receivers will also be a good choice.

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cb32

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 16, 2010

Thanks for the alternative. Without the sub the 70s might work. Plus, the incremental cost can be mostly covered by a move to 30s for surround rather than 40s plus more than made up by waiting on the sub. I am guessing I wouldn't lose a lot there moving from 40s to 30s? My room is not large enough to go with four standing speakers so the suroounds for the rears work better.

As for my listening, it will mostly be focused on TV/Movies (90%) with music/gaming as the remaining 10%. As you can tell I am far from an audiophile but I want to make sure I am getting the correct setup in the price range I am exploring.

Finally, thanks for the info on the Denon receivers. Excuse my ignorance but I don't know what Zone B is necessarily used for. I believe it is used for powering speakers outside of the room your setup is in but can you please confirm? Right now, I don't need that feature but I want to make sure I am assessing the need for it correctly.

m_vanmeter

· #4 · Feb 16, 2010

yep, zone "B" is another name for a set of stereo speakers in another room powered by the a/v receiver. Some receivers (I'm not sure which, never needed zone B) will allow the selection of another source, like FM tuner, for Zone B, others play the same source as Zone A (primary speakers). It's a little different from the old selector switch A, B, A+B that used to be on early stereo receivers. On modern HT a/v receivers, Zone B speakers actually have their own amplifiers. Anyway, if you don't need it, don't pay for it.

dgf2002

· #5 · Feb 17, 2010

I would get 60's vs 70's (three mid range speakers in 60's vs 2 in 70's) (and alot more speaker than the 50's) and then PSW 505 sub: the more substantial sub does the heavy lifting. Set speakers to small on receiver and crossover to 150.

Cs2 for center esp. since you are into movies.

30's should be fine for rears to save $$ since little sound there anyway.

Buy all from Newegg when on deal.

Zone B on Pioneer 919 is good for outdoor, patio or Bedroom speakers and video. Can play the same or a separate channel than what is playing in zone A.

Above makes great music setup as well.

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cb32

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 17, 2010

Thanks for the feedback. I actually went in on the great newegg deal on the M70s yesterday which I am sure I'll be happy with. Haven't decided on a sub or receiver yet for the whole package.

So for now I have M70 fronts, M30 rears and a CS2 on the way. Very excited.

As for the sub the sub forum is pushing the PA-120 or Bic F12. Both a bit more than I wanted to pay but maybe I can find $100 bucks somewhere.

And for receiver I am still very much in dark. The 919 would be great if I can find a decent price or availability for that matter.

m_vanmeter

· #7 · Feb 17, 2010

the current generation of Pioneer "19" series receivers are very hard to find. Pioneer apparently is not shipping any more to dealers (model change ???). 919 or 1019 are very capable units, just very hard to find now. Many dealers list them, but they are NOT in stock (and may never be). Much easier to find an Onkyo SR507/607, Denon 590/790, or Yamaha V665/765

Esdeekay

· #8 · Feb 17, 2010

With my budget setup I went with the Denon AVR-590 and have been nothing but pleased with it since it came in. $350 retail pricing, 3 HDMI's, and it is quality work, well worth the money.

And grats on the monitor 70 deal, I did the same thing and they are simply amazing.

dgf2002

· #9 · Feb 17, 2010

Oh, sorry , guess I missed that you got the 70's already.

Maybe try them before committing to a sub.... crank up the bass a tad.. they have 4 6 1/2 inch woofers between them.. maybe that wil be enough, for a while at least!

Good luck!

Good choice on cs2.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cb32 /forum/post/18154947

Thanks for the feedback. I actually went in on the great newegg deal on the M70s yesterday which I am sure I'll be happy with. Haven't decided on a sub or receiver yet for the whole package.

So for now I have M70 fronts, M30 rears and a CS2 on the way. Very excited.

As for the sub the sub forum is pushing the PA-120 or Bic F12. Both a bit more than I wanted to pay but maybe I can find $100 bucks somewhere.

And for receiver I am still very much in dark. The 919 would be great if I can find a decent price or availability for that matter.

Esdeekay

· #10 · Feb 17, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by dgf2002 /forum/post/18155081

Maybe try them before committing to a sub.... .

I agree. Set the speakers to LARGE on your receiver, and let them push the low end and see if a sub is truly necessary.

v-six

· #11 · Feb 17, 2010

2

I have Monitor 70's as my mains, and a Pioneer VSX 1019 driving them. CS2 as my center, formerly CS1.

3) The CS1 isn't a bad center speaker if you have room for it. IMO, the CS2 sounds does the job really well for Newegg's price. If you have room for it, you won't regret it

4) For Monitor 70s, if you're an audiophile and movies / gaming is your main concern, yes, you might need a subwoofer, but try them first without one! If you just want your music to sound good and you don't mind that your system really can't hit 20hz, a sub is a waste of money. For music, I enjoy them just fine without a sub. In my experience the PSW10 isn't a great match for these, they sound better without it. If you want a polk sub, I'd go to Polk Direct and see if you can get something better. I run mine with a DSW Pro 600, and they make me very happy

5) I can't comment on the Denon or Onkyo, but the 919 has the same amp as my 1019. I have them quasi bi-amped via my 6th/7th channel. The Pioneer is good enough, if you don't want to blow your walls out. It gets a little bright when I bring the volume up above -20. Still, you'll never need them that loud unless you're on the other side of the house. Something to consider would be going a level up and getting a receiver with preamp outs. This way, if you ever want to REALLY power your Monitor 70s to their full potential, you run dedicated amp(s) to them. I almost got the Onkyo 607 but cnet says the Pioneers do upscaling/upconverting better... and I've got a Wii in my system. If you do get the Pioneer, let it run its auto calibration, but you'll still need to tweak it afterward. Hope any of this helps!

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Khakimon

· #12 · Feb 18, 2010

Here ya go. CS2 79.99, POLK MONITIOR 30s 109.00 pr (times 3 for 7.1), ONKYO 607 399.99, SVS PB10-NSD 429.00. Alittle over budget, but this entry level system will kick some arse. The monitor 30s I use for my highs, wides, and surrounds. They have a very nice sound.They will do well will a small sub. The PB10-NSD will do well from 80 all the way down to 20. (If you go towers the 50s are ok, but the 70s are much, much better for the price difference. Here you can live with out the sub for a while.) You can not go wrong here.

cb32

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 18, 2010

Thanks! I don't know where you found the CS2 at that price but I did fianlly decide and order the system:

M70s towers

M30s rears

CS2

Have yet to get a receiver or sub and the worst part is I think the speakers arrived today at my place!! No receiver will make the boxes just sit there!! So I need to move on a receiver ASAP to set it up this weekend.

dgf2002

· #14 · Feb 18, 2010

http://www.jr.com/pioneer/pe/PIO_VSX1019AHK/

looks like big brother is in stock

afrogt

· #15 · Feb 18, 2010

Quote:
http://www.jr.com/pioneer/pe/PIO_VSX1019AHK/

looks like big brother is in stock

As has been mentioned several times in the receivers threads, why pay that much for the 1019 when you can step up to the 9040 for $15 more?

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-90...6536048&sr=8-1

You gain:

1. Beefier power supply and 10lbs more weight

2. THX Select 2 Plus certification. Will drive 4 ohm speakers

3. Wolfson Digital to Analog converters

4. Multizone on screen display for zones 2 & 3

5. 12v trigger to automatcally signal external amps

6. 3 optical, 2 coaxial inputs vs 2 optical, 1 coaxial on the 1019

Its a no brainer to spend the extra $15.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ls/VSX-9040TXH

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david118383

· #16 · Feb 19, 2010

Has anyone compared the Polk Monitor series to the Klipsch Synergy series? I currently have an sc-1, sf-1s, and ss-1s as my system but was thinking of going to the Polk Monitors since they are fairly cheap if they'd be much of an upgrade. I'm not super impressed by the Synergys, but they were given to me so I can't complain.

dgf2002

· #17 · Feb 19, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt /forum/post/18163219

As has been mentioned several times in the receivers threads, why pay that much for the 1019 when you can step up to the 9040 for $15 more?

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-90...6536048&sr=8-1

You gain:

1. Beefier power supply and 10lbs more weight

2. THX Select 2 Plus certification. Will drive 4 ohm speakers

3. Wolfson Digital to Analog converters

4. Multizone on screen display for zones 2 & 3

5. 12v trigger to automatcally signal external amps

6. 3 optical, 2 coaxial inputs vs 2 optical, 1 coaxial on the 1019

Its a no brainer to spend the extra $15.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ls/VSX-9040TXH

I see what you mean. However, a tad less power and thd of .09 vs .05. Don't know how discernable the THD difference is.

dgf2002

· #18 · Feb 19, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by david118383 /forum/post/18164498

Has anyone compared the Polk Monitor series to the Klipsch Synergy series? I currently have an sc-1, sf-1s, and ss-1s as my system but was thinking of going to the Polk Monitors since they are fairly cheap if they'd be much of an upgrade. I'm not super impressed by the Synergys, but they were given to me so I can't complain.

Don't know about those specific models, but I bought these: Klipsch B-3 Synergy Bookshelf Loudspeakers for $150 (as low as they get I think) and don't like them near as much as the Polk Monitor 40's which can be had from NewEgg for $120 when on deal.

cb32

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 19, 2010

While I totally get the 9040 versus 1019 argument, both are far more receiver than I need. I am looking at more of a $300 receiver and trying to figure out what to go with. Head is spinning around the Pioneer, Denon and Onkyo options.

Khakimon

· #20 · Feb 19, 2010

Quote:
Has anyone compared the Polk Monitor series to the Klipsch Synergy series? I currently have an sc-1, sf-1s, and ss-1s as my system but was thinking of going to the Polk Monitors since they are fairly cheap if they'd be much of an upgrade. I'm not super impressed by the Synergys, but they were given to me so I can't complain.

Monitors are better if you like your sound on the detailed bright side. The really sound great across a wide power range. You will not need a ton of power to get great sound, where the Klipsch seemed more poer hungry to me. The Synergies are more warm and less detailed, but nice none the less.

I personally love the Monitor series. Better then the Rti series dollar for dollar.

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