Advice for Complete Home Theatre Combo

[sdurani]

If the size is okay than what are the thoughts on all Polk combo of Tsi400 FS / Tsi100 (Or OWM3) SS / CS 10/20 CS / PSW125 SW with Denon 1713 .

If you're going to use the PSW125 subwoofer to handle the bass down to 32Hz, why would you want to buy the Tsi400speakers that go down to 34Hz? That much overlap is a huge waste. If your subwoofer is going to handle the low frequencies, then get bookshelf speakers that cover the range above the crossover point (80Hz or 100Hz on up).

Besides, the Tsi400 is a very different speaker than the CS10 or CS20, so when sounds move from left to right across the soundstage, they will change in character as they go through the centre speaker. For the price of those three speakers, you can get 7 of the Tsi100 bookshelf speakers, which will allow you to do a 7.1 layout that is consistent sounding left to right AND front to back. No matter where the sound moves, it will be reproduced by the exact same speaker.

Again, you've got the low frequencies covered with the subwoofer. Why buy large floorstanding speakers that reproduces those same frequencies?

 

[MZB]

If you're going to use the PSW125 subwoofer to handle the bass down to 32Hz, why would you want to buy the Tsi400speakers that go down to 34Hz? That much overlap is a huge waste. If your subwoofer is going to handle the low frequencies, then get bookshelf speakers that cover the range above the crossover point (80Hz or 100Hz on up).

Besides, the Tsi400 is a very different speaker than the CS10 or CS20, so when sounds move from left to right across the soundstage, they will change in character as they go through the centre speaker. For the price of those three speakers, you can get 7 of the Tsi100 bookshelf speakers, which will allow you to do a 7.1 layout that is consistent sounding left to right AND front to back. No matter where the sound moves, it will be reproduced by the exact same speaker.

Again, you've got the low frequencies covered with the subwoofer. Why buy large floorstanding speakers that reproduces those same frequencies?

Okay. Thanks sdurani . Than whats your suggestions on SW and CS ? I dont want the satellites atleast as my requirement is more for Music ( 70% ) than Movie/ Video Content . Is Velodyne Impact 12 good enough ? What about CS ?

 

[sdurani]

The best centre speaker is another of the L/R speaker. Whatever you end up getting for your front L/R speakers, whether it's floorstanders or bookshelves, get a third one for the centre. For example: for about the cost of two Tsi400 speakers you can get three Tsi300 speakers, for unmatched consistency across the soundstage.

A bookshelf + subwoofer combo can work better for music than large floorstanders because it allows you to place the sub at the location where you get the best bass in the room and place the bookshelves at the locations where you get the best soundstage and imaging. Can't do that with floorstanders (unless you're handy with a saw).

 

[tanmayj]

Besides, the Tsi400 is a very different speaker than the CS10 or CS20, so when sounds move from left to right across the soundstage, they will change in character as they go through the centre speaker

I wouldnt worry about timbre matching. All Polks are timbre matched with each other. Specifically, I've got a mail confirmation from Polk Audio support USA that the CS10 and TSi 400 are matched to each other. I had asked them this before going in for this combo

 

[MZB]

The best centre speaker is another of the L/R speaker. Whatever you end up getting for your front L/R speakers, whether it's floorstanders or bookshelves, get a third one for the centre. For example: for about the cost of two Tsi400 speakers you can get three Tsi300 speakers, for unmatched consistency across the soundstage.

A bookshelf + subwoofer combo can work better for music than large floorstanders because it allows you to place the sub at the location where you get the best bass in the room and place the bookshelves at the locations where you get the best soundstage and imaging. Can't do that with floorstanders (unless you're handy with a saw).

Interesting Sanjay !! One of the few comments suggesting same CS as L/R speakers and also on bookshelf + subwoofer combo for a better music experience !!

 

[MZB]

I wouldnt worry about timbre matching. All Polks are timbre matched with each other. Specifically, I've got a mail confirmation from Polk Audio support USA that the CS10 and TSi 400 are matched to each other. I had asked them this before going in for this combo

You surely have done a good research before going for a similar combo !! And I also found the audio/video experience better than the other setup in the same budget . Cant explain it in the technical words like other knowledgable HFM but purely on good to ears experience .

 

[Dirac]

Well this forum is not devoid of polk fans afterall
Did you audition rti a7. Very subtle than tsi400. I auditioned them side by side.

 

[sdurani]

One of the few comments suggesting same CS as L/R speakers and also on bookshelf + subwoofer combo for a better music experience !!

Not radical ideas, just common sense.

If you were listening to a 2-speaker set-up, would you use the Tsi400 as your left speaker and the CS20 as your right speaker? Of course not, even if the company's marketing material tried to convince you that they were "timbre matched". Instead, you would want 2 of the exact same speaker. Why should that change just because your soundstage is now made up of 3 speakers instead of 2? This is why movie theatres and recording studios use 3 of the same speaker up front.

When listening to stereo music, should you compromise the bass response by placing your speakers where you get then best soundstage? Or should you compromise the soundstage by placing the speakers where you get best bass response in the room? Why compromise either when you can have the best of both: place the subs where you get the best bass and place your speakers where you get best soundstage. But if you're going to use a subwoofer to cover the low frequencies, why do you need speakers that cover the same range?

 

[MZB]

Well this forum is not devoid of polk fans afterall
Did you audition rti a7. Very subtle than tsi400. I auditioned them side by side.

Nope . Not tried A7 . Will give it a try. It will overshoot my budget . Initially I had deicided to go for everything in one go and hence almost freezed on Paradigm 100 CT along with a decent PJ . But now postponed the PJ for few months and will go for better quality speakers combo .

You too have a All Polk Combo !!! :clapping:

 

[MZB]

Not radical ideas, just common sense.

If you were listening to a 2-speaker set-up, would you use the Tsi400 as your left speaker and the CS20 as your right speaker? Of course not, even if the company's marketing material tried to convince you that they were "timbre matched". Instead, you would want 2 of the exact same speaker. Why should that change just because your soundstage is now made up of 3 speakers instead of 2? This is why movie theatres and recording studios use 3 of the same speaker up front.

When listening to stereo music, should you compromise the bass response by placing your speakers where you get then best soundstage? Or should you compromise the soundstage by placing the speakers where you get best bass response in the room? Why compromise either when you can have the best of both: place the subs where you get the best bass and place your speakers where you get best soundstage. But if you're going to use a subwoofer to cover the low frequencies, why do you need speakers that cover the same range?

So Sanjay , Are you suggesting for a 7.1 ( all tsi100 ) Combo or a different SW and CS for Tsi 400 ( what models ? ) or satellites ( with same CS ) with a better SW ?

Had auditioned Kef 5.1 HT package ( Spherical shaped satellites speakers,cant recall the model ) & Paradigm 100 CT which is the best in this category, price for kef is higher than Polk combo and they didnt sound better than the Polk Combo I mentioned both in Music ( Stereo only ) and Movie !!

 

[moviemaniac]

Hey MZB check my PM

 

[MZB]

2 opinions from 2 different worlds !!!
Am I again confused ????

 

[MZB]

I am more or less convinced with Tanmayj setup and post audition .
Shall I expect some more response on this one ...

 

[sdurani]

So Sanjay , Are you suggesting for a 7.1 ( all tsi100 ) Combo or a different SW and CS for Tsi 400 ( what models ? ) or satellites ( with same CS ) with a better SW ?

I'm suggesting a couple of simple things:

- IF you are going to have subwoofers reproduce the bass range, then why buy speakers that cover the same range?

- Why set up a 3-speaker front soundstage any differently than you would set up a 2-speaker system?

Those ideas apply irrespective of speaker brand. I can't tell you which brand to buy, since I don't know your personal preferences. All I'm saying is that when you find a speaker that YOU like, get two of them for a nice dedicated stereo set-up or get three of them for a nice home theatre set-up.

If the speakers are inexpensive enough, then you can get two or four more to use as surrounds. If they're too expensive for that, then get three of them up front (e.g., Tsi300) and smaller versions for surrounds (e.g., Tsi100).

 

[deep_blues]

I'm suggesting a couple of simple things:

- IF you are going to have subwoofers reproduce the bass range, then why buy speakers that cover the same range?

- Why set up a 3-speaker front soundstage any differently than you would set up a 2-speaker system?

Those ideas apply irrespective of speaker brand. I can't tell you which brand to buy, since I don't know your personal preferences. All I'm saying is that when you find a speaker that YOU like, get two of them for a nice dedicated stereo set-up or get three of them for a nice home theatre set-up.

If the speakers are inexpensive enough, then you can get two or four more to use as surrounds. If they're too expensive for that, then get three of them up front (e.g., Tsi300) and smaller versions for surrounds (e.g., Tsi100).

Sanjay very valid points & enlightening. I will definitely keep this in mind for my next multimedia room.
I guess we all tend to move towards "centre speakers" for aesthetics (easier placement), with ltd space at our disposal. But loved the concept of having 5-7 similar bookshelves if not the towers.
Also if you are familiar, is it ok then to buy the TSI 400 if I do not plan to add a sub woofer. Planning a L-C-R config for a bedroom. Cheers!!

Came across another thread in the forum where there is a mention of 7 similar towers a no of times:
http://www.hifivision.com/surround-...me-choose-between-these-mega-monsters-13.html
(a must read thread for amateurs like myself)

 

[sdurani]

I guess we all tend to move towards "centre speakers" for aesthetics (easier placement), with ltd space at our disposal.

That's the reason manufacturers started making "centre" speakers: aesthetics. It certainly isn't because low profile horizontal speakers are a good design idea.

If that sort of design actually sounded good, you would see many more speakers with drivers arranged side by side. Instead, almost ALL speakers avoid that design by having their drivers arranged vertically (for good reasons).

Also if you are familiar, is it ok then to buy the TSI 400 if I do not plan to add a sub woofer. Planning a L-C-R config for a bedroom.

That is exactly the situation where large floorstanding towers make sense: when you're not using subwoofers. MZB was considering the PSW124 subwoofer, which goes down to 32Hz. The TSi400 floorstander goes down to 34Hz, which is almost the same.

So if you're not going to use a sub to reproduce the bass, then it really makes sense to use floorstanders that go down into the same frequency range. Something has to handle the low frequencies, either a sub or the main speakers, but doesn't need to be both.