Help - confirm my HT spec build for my sister

[The Stigenator]

Previous Thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2107033

So my sister has drafted me to setup her HT. So I'll be flying to Albany, NY to set it up.
With that said I have been given a budget and right now I am having second thoughts, especially since I am seeing $850 on speakers!!!!.

System is going in her living room. The tv is in the corner, not much 'leeway' on it. You know WAF. Her husband wants a good sounding system, that can be used for movies and entertaining guests (background music etc).

So this was what I spec'ed for her

* Onkyo TX-SR608 Receiver (95x7.2) $399.99
* Polk Audio RM95 $599.99
* Subwoofer: Polk PSW505 $249
* Stands: Sanus 31" or 24" stands (amazon) ~$50/pair
* Belkin PureAV AV20500-25 25-Foot Subwoofer Audio Cable - $13
* RCA AH16100SN 16-Gauge Speaker Wire (100 Feet) - $19
* HDMI Cable 2M (6 Feet) $3

TOTAL ~ $1400 + tax + shipping.

Is the RM95's that worth it for $600 for a set of 5. I liked them cause they give a wider sound stage due to the lousy room placement of speakers.

What I am considering

* Denon AV1910 (only now its $499, I'd like the MultiEQ, but should I then just get the Onkyo instead save the $100)
* 4 Polk RM 6751 Speakers $43/piece
* 1 Polk RM 6752 Speakers $80
* 1 Polk PSW 505 $ 250
* 2 Atlantic Satellite Stands $28 / pair
* Belkin 25ft Sub Cable $13
* RCA 16 gauge Speaker Wire $20
* 2 10 ft HDMI cables $ 6 (not 6 feet)

Total: ~ $1100 (With the Denon amp, it was $100 cheaper a month ago) $1000 with Onkyo.

The other option:

* Denon 1910 or Onkyo 608 $500/400
* Energy Take Classic 5.1 $ 300
* plus rest of stuff, stands, cables etc etc.

The Take Classic is very well reviewed, but I am weary of the 110-20K frequency range. Even my freaking 8 yr old Magnavox (rebranded Phillips) unit goes down to 80hz.

Any other option. I plan to add a PS3 to the list, for the Blu-Ray + Media Center abilities. She can have her music / photos etc and run them off the network.

We need to buy this soon, since i am leaving CA in 2.5 weeks and it has to get there before I do.

Room Layout:

 

[s44]

The Energy should be crossed at 120hz or higher, but so should the Polk. You're fantasizing if you think that will go any lower. Nothing else currently sold as part of a 5-sat set will do better either.

Get the 591. 7 channels is a waste.

edit: on seeing the pics, I think you should be going 4.1 -- you aren't going to get much L-R separation in that corner. Put two real bookshelves (not tiny sats) under the TV (on a new stand?).

 

[The Stigenator]

Well I looked at things, you are right, screw a 7.1 amp, a 5.1 will do on this, though for future proofing a 7.1 might help. Lets see what she says.

Re-looking at the manuals for the speakers I listed, the only one with a wide enough sound stage is going to be the RM95's. There are no other small bi-pole/di-pole speakers that I know off that are cheaper and are of the same size.

Evidently this system will end up being in the living room and her husband will eventually have to get a man cave (hopefully) in the basement, leaving his wife (my sister) out of the decision making process so it can be done correctly. But for now this what they settled on. So do help me out.

I really feel spending $850 on speakers is that really worth it? I thought the rule was 500 for amp, 250 for speakers and 250 for sub. Obviously I am not doing that

 

[electroju]

The Polk Audio RM95 will be worth it if they were used as computer speakers or for a small room. You will have to crossover at 150 Hz. A speaker crossed over at 150 Hz will have a problem with subwoofer placement. The subwoofer can not be any further than 7 feet from each speaker or else the speakers will sound puny. For good sound speakers on a cheap, Boston Acoustics CS 26 and CS 225C. A dipole and bipole speakers are not necessary for rear speakers because you can use directional speakers in certain way to get the ambiance feeling. To use directional speakers for rear speakers, place them away from the listening area, but at a material to diffuse the sound. The diffused material is just has multiple bumps at different heights that disperses the sound in multiple directions. Rears speakers should always be place at least 6 feet high or above the ears.

To calculate the distance for a desire crossover frequency.

speed of sound / crossover (Hz)

13385.82 inches per sec / 150 Hz = 89.23 inches

13385.82 inches per sec / 80 Hz = 167.32 inches

My rule is for an good audio system is take the cost of the TV and multiply it by 2. A lot people here argue, but people here are cheap ass bastards or they are missed informed how much information is in the audio that their cheap speakers can not produce. Another rule of thumb is always break-in the speakers before any speaker critique or any speaker calibrating.


Artistically the TV is in a bad spot. The TV will be more balance if the TV were placed on the right side of the room where the couch is at.

 

[Viperoni]

I really feel spending $850 on speakers is that really worth it? I thought the rule was 500 for amp, 250 for speakers and 250 for sub. Obviously I am not doing that

Considering the speakers contribute much more to sound quality than the receiver/amp, they should definitely be more expensive.

 

[The Stigenator]

Well the room placement is a no-go, sister is adamant that the TV stays in that corner, apparently when they moved into the house when they bought it they tried the other location where the couch is and the reflections from the window (which is open during the day) drove them nuts and also they couldnt see the tv from the kitchen or anything. Lets just say its not ideal.

@viperoni, I know what you mean, speakers contribute a lot more but seriously 850 for set of speakers, small ones, for that I would have gotten some larger ones obviously because I am a man and I like things big and manly.

Its just hard to comprehend a woman's mind.

Anyway should I stick with the RM 95 (2 year / current model) or get the RM6750 (a 4 year old dated model).

RM95 is dipole design, smaller, more expensive, people like it, but claim not good for rock music since it lacks midrange (well duh 2.5" midrange)

RM6750, dated 4 year old design, comes with a sub (which will be replaced cause it was labelled muddy), cheaper, directional system. Quality of speakers, not sure. Obviously I believe teh RM 95 will be better but who knows..

 

[s44]

I don't get it. You don't have room in that current setup to put even the small speakers there! Since you'll have to get a new stand anyway, fit real bookshelves in there under the TV.

 

[The Stigenator]

Well I know its not a perfect setup, I told her this. Still they want a HT, which is why I am kinda siding on getting rid of the 600 dollar front speakers for a cheaper set, no use spending that kind of money if you dont have the right sound field.

They got a newer tv stand in there now, thats an older picture. Still the amount of room hasnt changed.

 

[electroju]

Glossy screens will always have issues. It is best to pick TV that have matte or anti-glare. The glossy screens can be converted into matte by putting a film. Drapes for the windows helps with the glares. Some drapes are thin enough that you can see through them, but they will diffuse the light. There is always an option to a TV in the kitchen.

The Stigenator, please read what I posted previously.

 

[CubanlB]

That room layout is pretty brutal...

I really like dipoles for rears, IMO the help create a bigger sweet spot for listening to surround tracks, but those polks will pretty much be lacking everything else and it isn't going to help the fronts placement.

So if you want better sound quality on everything I'd go with s44's recommendation and get some real bookshelves up by the TV and let the rears get in where they fit in. I don't really have a suggestion for which rears to get though (the rm8's are sold individually but still kinda spendy), and buying all the speakers separately isn't going to help cost.

I don't think you will be disappointed by the Polks just don't expect the world from them. Polks entry level stuff is mostly pretty meh... although I have never heard the rm95's

When are you going to be doing this? There are usually great deals on entry levels speaker sets on black friday. (derrr... you answered this in your OP, sorry)

Last year where I worked these were going for like $180~ although the are more similar to the RM705 set.

http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Tec.../dp/B001GOK9GE

and electro, I only spent like $600 an my speakers not counting my sub(not with any employee accommodations, I might add), am I missing a ton of audio information because I only spent half as much on my speakers as my TV?
Please bring some points that are valid to what the OP is asking not just your standard "spend a shit load more on your speakers or it will suck" response.