[ragdoll]

I know there are some audiophiles out there, so maybe you can chime in here. I've been focusing on building up my home theater. I have a purpose built movie theater room in the basement. Dimensions are about 13' x 25'. Screen size is 7.5 ft (not that it matters)

I just blew my load(heh) on some front main speakers and some rear surrounds. I think I have a decent enough sub for now. All Polk Audio...

I am lacking a decent center channel. I guess I would like to keep in the Polk Audio family. I know how important a center channel is, but I have a lot on my plate for things I'm trying to buy for the house, so I'd like to stay under $200 for the speaker. And of course, the lower the price, the better. I'm good at sniffing out deals like Moto is good at sniffing out JB's undies. If I could just get a hand or advice on what would work good, I'd appreciate it.

Also, looking for a better receiver, would like to stay under $500 for that. There is a lot more that would need to be discussed before a choice could be made on THAT though. So I'll wait.

Other question, I am failing to see the difference between a 5.1 and a 6.1 stereo setup. Someone please explain. Right now I'm at 5.1 Thanks!

 

[Evad101]

Doesnt Motohead work in the biz? Moto where ya hiding? You still out driving your "Special" van around?

 

[Motohead]

Ragdoll you ASSHAT. I am a Polk retailer you ASSHAT. Post before you buy ASSHAT. Which Polk speakers did you get? If you bought front towers you will want a decent amp to push them, as Polk speakers like power to make them sound their best, clarity wise. As far as cheaping out on the center channel, in a home theater set-up that is your most important speaker, over 60% of your sound including all vocals. What series speakers do you have, as its a good idea to stay in the same series because most systems are matched. (for instance if a car drives by on the tv, you don't want it sounding like a ferrari from the center and a Yugo on the rears)

6.1 is going to add a rear center speaker for depth. Most systems now are 7.1 and go up to 9.1

As far a a receiver goes, I carry quite a few brands, mostly what I sell is a cutom line which is hard to get called Marantz. They are owned by the same company who owns Denon. Their receivers are awesome. I have one in my home, also sold one to Midwest. He should enjoy it if he ever figures out how to use it.

Let me know what Polk speakers you currently have ASSHAT, the ones that I most likely could have saved you money on... ASSHAT.

Now, I must go back to sniffin' JB's undies.


ASSHAT! <----- I sound like a certain stinky female Canadian.

 

[ragdoll]

I should have started the "what do you do for work?" thread a few weeks ago.

Relax! I still need stuff, I'll give you some money.

I got last year model(or the year before that maybe?) speakers at a great discount. Not sure many people could have beat the price.

Anyways, what can you get me a Polk Audio CS2 for?

How much for an airhorn kit for an Audi S4?

How much wood could a JB chuck, if a JB could chuck wood?

 

[Bigdaa]

Ya, Rag. Ya just should of started the thread by saying "Hey Moto, I know you are a dick but I really need your audiophile advice because you grabbed Sporties Jumblies and I trust your twisted expertise"

That would have cut to the chase.

 

[Motohead]

"Hey Moto, I know you are a dick

Hey, I resemble that remark...

Rag, just got in and have to run out to take the gf for dinner, i'll list some prices when i get back in...

 

[Bigdaa]

It's good to see you two playing well together in the sandbox

 

[midwest]

Ragdoll... First you screwed up bigtime on your initial purchase... Whether you think you got a deal or not... you didnt.

I went with a 5.1 Klipsch setup from Moto and he saved me ALOT from an already highly discounted local price. 1 of the 6 came damaged and it went right back, no questions asked. Center channel I believe....

For the center... I aggree... it should be your best speaker. I went with the RC-7 which is the top o line Klipsch on the center and rears, and rc-5's on R/L. Sub... I cant recall... with my size room, slightly bigger than yours, 345 watt, 10 incher. (Calm down Sporty... its only a subwoofer!)

My reciever is a Marantz courtesy of Moto. They are pricey... but let me tell you... IT ROCKS! I truly know how to work it... just havent set it up fully yet. The remote is even amazing... but I havent dialed that in yet either. Lots of work to do there yet... but more pressing things on my plate right now... Of course he even hooked me up with cables... pointing me in the right direction - good cables... not the ULTRA expensive waste of money cables!

All in all, when it comes to audio.. if you go cheap... you will get cheap sound.

I started wishing on the Polk line too, but then Moto got me hooked on Kef, but there is NO support locally. I have Klipsch in-walls in several rooms upstairs, and they never had a hick-up... so I went that way. I love them! If your in deep with Polk... stay there = timber matching I think its called.

I was told locally too that Polks need power... lots of of good clean power to sound their best!

Oh yes... 5.1 in my mind is all you need. Reason being is not that much stuff is broadcast in anything higher than 5.1. Even DVD movies are rearely in much more than 5.1... at least in my collection. Vary rarely when listening do I get to enjoy the rears... I would think anymore cash spent on more speakers that you rarely hear from would be a waste of money! When they do pop on though.. it freaks me out a bit as it scares the hell out of me.. suddenly hearing gun fire from over your shoulder... fun stuff!

My kids love the set-up... when its movie time down there... all the lights go off... they think its pretty cool. No porn on there yet though... waitign for Sporty to roll into town!

 

[ragdoll]

I was thinking for rear speakers... if I did go that route, that Polk made some good speakers that are pretty well known. The R15's. A smaller speaker, either for bookshelf or wall mounted. Since the rears don't get much play, I bet they would be perfect for that role. They retail for $130, but outpost.com has them for $40 for a PAIR every once in a while. Actually, they have the Polk Audio R50's down from $200 a piece to $70 a piece at this moment.

Still waiting for the price(s) from Moto...

 

[midwest]

Outpost.com...... occassionally? Like whenever someone has them fall off a delivery truck? Then they have them? Or when they are tested and do not meet standards? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. be careful!

 

[RC90]

He's doing the yellow pinstriping on them speakers right now so he'll be chiming in later on... have faith and keep you chin up

You bastids have me salivating with all that talk about home theaters...

 

[Bigdaa]

.........keep you chin up.


Who talks like that?

 

[ragdoll]

.........keep you chin up.


Who talks like that?

1950 does...

 

[XFBO]

Jeez Im still running Pro Logic.

Moto: I currently have Bose speakers dont ask me which one cuz I cant recall......it has 3 dbl cube lil speakers and one passive sub.

If I ever get my freakin family room (home theater room ) set up Ill be upgrading, hopefully to a 6.1 minimally.......what do you recommend without going crazyyyyy!?!?! Will I be able to upgrade what I already have or????
Ive alloted no more than $3-4k including a HDTV.

 

[RC51_CBRXX]

Moto: I currently have Bose speakers dont ask me which one cuz I cant recall......it has 3 dbl cube lil speakers and one passive sub.

I believe that would be Acoustimass7.

Moto, I also need your help now. I am not an audiophile. Looking for the "Best Bang for the Buck" system set-up. Here's the scenario. The screen is about 15' from the seating area. I have side walls (room width 18') but no direct back (room length 45') wall for rear speakers (hoping to be able to use the ceiling). Would like the "best bang for the buck" set-up (your call, upto $10k). Needs to just sound good. Would like "in-wall" and "in-ceiling" speakers if possible. Out of sight sub if possible. Just and amp if possible, no need for a receiver and no need for all the bells and whistles for effects. I've got about 6-8 weeks 'til I need it all.

 

[XFBO]

Would like the "best bang for the buck" set-up (your call, upto $10k).

How the heck can you type 'best bang for your dollar' AND TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR budget in the same post is beyond me!!!! LOL! I think its safe to say you should be able to acquire a decent 'sound' for that much denaro!!!!

 

[RC51_CBRXX]

XFBO, that does come across sound a bit a-hole-ish.

I'd love to keep it about $3. But, know people that have spent crazy dollars. My bro spent "stupid" money on his home theater. Yes, it sounds great, but to me didn't it sounded that much better than my present Cambridge Sound Works (Newton Series) Onkyo set-up. I'd like to go 7.1 or 8.1, so new the receiver, amp and speakers will add up.

 

[Evad101]

Moto, I also need your help now. I am not an audiophile.

Neither is Moto, he's a Sportyphile!

 

[CMulford]

He's also gonna' be busy as all get out with this thread...

 

[midwest]

$10K is not that much for a theatre setup when you figure in a new HD set.

$4k for 50" plasma EASY!
$3300 for good 5.1 set-up
$1500 for decent reciever
$500 for progressive scan, DVD recorder... your not gonna plug that old peiece of sh!t into that are you?
$300 for cables?
$500 minimum for racking or wall mount or ????
$250 for Surge Protection - You spend $10k and your gonna use a Home Depot power strip? Good Luck.

$10k+.....Your there!

If your not including the set... you can obviously do MUCH better on the speakers and reciever.


As for INWALL speakers... yeah they are nice, they are hidden, but by the dimensions of your room XX, you might be able to do some construction, and hide some towers behind some false walls, covered with audio fabric in a few places...

Like I said before I have top-o-line Klipsch in walls upstairs in the house, and they fill fairly large rooms well, but for a theatre... not sure if they would compare to what I have there. I'd be REALLY certain of the placement before tossing them in and running with it.