Polk sale at Newegg... Need some help with options

[DisgruntledVirus]

http://www.newegg.com/Store/BrandSub...Audio-Speakers

Decent sale on Polk stuff, and been wanting to upgrade from my Logitech Z5300 system I've been using. I'm kind of torn on all of it though and if I decide to jump which route to take for the best cost/quality ratio (from the Polk options, because best SQ would be getting some Focal 1037 BE's and center/surrounds for ~$25k ).

Option 1:
2x Monitor 60's $111/ea
1x CS2 $111
1x Monitor 40's $123/pair
1x PSW 10 $100

Total $556 shipped

Option 2:
2x Monitor 50's $93/ea
1x CS1 $68
1x Monitor 40's $123/pair
1x PSW 10 $100

Total $477 shipped

Option 3:
2x Monitor 40's $123/pair (4 total speakers)
1x CS1 $68
1x PSW 10 $100

Total $414 shipped

Option 4:
Go a 3.1 system (or maybe even a 2.1 with Monitor 60's) and fill out to 5.1 later?
2x Monitor 60's $111/ea
1x CS2 $111
1x PSW 10 $100

Total $433 ($322 for 2.1) with the Monitor 60's/CS2
Total $354 ($286 for 2.1) with the Monitor 50's/CS1

I'm just trying to figure out cost/benefits. Is the first option worth an extra $100? Is the 3rd option going to suck compared to 1 or 2? Are the Monitor 60's a significant step up from the 50's, or would 50's be fine? Anything would be an improvement over the Z5300's since they aren't meant for HT (and no dedicated tweeter or anything), and I don't want to spend a ton of money on it. I would like to upgrade to actual speakers though so I can get my Z5300's back for my computer lol.

The way the living room is setup, there currently is no real way to get rear speakers so they are used as side speakers. It's not able to be changed/modified due to space constraints (and gf wouldn't be ok with it lol). Here is a rough pic:

This system isn't meant to be the end all, but just to hold me over until I'm out of college and can get into something more like Focal, Paradigm, B&W, etc.

 

[s44]

2.1 and a real (non-Polk) sub.

edit: given the space, maybe 4.1 and a real (non-Polk) sub

 

[CubanlB]

As an owner of a polk sub, they are pretty terrible.

 

[jtvang125]

I have the 50's and they're decent for movies but lacks good bass for music. Looks like the 60's add another woofer so there's going to be a little more bass response. The 70's however step up to 4 6.5" woofers so there's going to be a substanial increase in bass.

If you have a nice sub, it will easily fill in the lows that's missing from the 50's. If you prefer your music in 2.0 mode the 70's would be the better choice.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

FYI the center speaker is NOT on the floor, it's actually just below the TV.

So nix the Polk sub. Would I be ok with doing like Monitor 50/60 sans sub until a good deal on a real one comes up? What about if I go with 4x Monitor 40's (Obviously this would be the worst option for bass)?

 

[vshah]

how big is this room? i would consider putting more money into a sub if you're going to be watching lots of movies.

also consider putting the sub near one of the sofas so you have more placement options. that corner could make it pretty boomy

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

how big is this room? i would consider putting more money into a sub if you're going to be watching lots of movies.

also consider putting the sub near one of the sofas so you have more placement options. that corner could make it pretty boomy

Room is maybe 12x14? The sofa on the left side has a small book shelf that is maybe 3 ft long. Sofas are about 7 ft each, and the corner where the sofas meet is maybe 4x4? I can measure tonight, but that's my rough estimate of room dimensions.

I don't watch movies too often, and due to it being a duplex with crappy soundproofing (basically an old farmhouse from like 1920) I try to keep bass down for the neighbors. The current sub actually has it's volume all the way down (although not off).

Regarding the 50's vs 70's with bass (@ jtvang125), I don't often listen to music critically right now. I listen to it for background type noise, but if I want to really enjoy music I'll throw on my headphones (Beyerdynamics with dedicated DAC/amp). So, the only benefit from the 70's would be so I can go sans sub entirely with the setup. This would then be more like a 2.0 setup just with these for fronts only though. I'm fine with this (although wish they had black lol) since, ultimately, my goal is to move up from my Z5300's sound quality wise while replacing them.

 

[velillen]

just so you know "rear" speakers are for 7.x set ups. Side speakers are used for 5.x
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/speaker-setup-guide/index.html

Still wouldnt work that well for you right now in your rooms configuration

If you keep the bass down for the neighbors i would hold off on the sub anyways. grab some monitor 60's or the 70's and they will have enough bass in them to hold you off for awhile. I know its not the same but i was actually impressed on the bass with my boston acoustics VR1's. I figured there wouldnt be much bass but the sound comes through just fine. You dont get the rumbling or anything like you would with a sub but sound wise i think its just fine.

Id just go 60 or 70 and then decide if you want a sub or not. As for center speaker....i like having it with my setup (a 3.1) but you have to have the L/R speaker a bit further away from the tv than you have it shown as in your picture. Having all three right next to each other you cant really get a sense of what speaker is delivering what, which basically negates having the center speaker.

if you have a best buy nearby id recommend trying to go there. The one by me has the rsi whatever (the new model for the 60 and 70) setup for listening so i was able to hear them there. Would at least give you an idea on the bass quality and such before you blind purchase. I know its not the exact model but itll be close enough to get an idea

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

just so you know "rear" speakers are for 7.x set ups. Side speakers are used for 5.x
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/speaker-setup-guide/index.html

Still wouldnt work that well for you right now in your rooms configuration

If you keep the bass down for the neighbors i would hold off on the sub anyways. grab some monitor 60's or the 70's and they will have enough bass in them to hold you off for awhile. I know its not the same but i was actually impressed on the bass with my boston acoustics VR1's. I figured there wouldnt be much bass but the sound comes through just fine. You dont get the rumbling or anything like you would with a sub but sound wise i think its just fine.

Id just go 60 or 70 and then decide if you want a sub or not. As for center speaker....i like having it with my setup (a 3.1) but you have to have the L/R speaker a bit further away from the tv than you have it shown as in your picture. Having all three right next to each other you cant really get a sense of what speaker is delivering what, which basically negates having the center speaker.

if you have a best buy nearby id recommend trying to go there. The one by me has the rsi whatever (the new model for the 60 and 70) setup for listening so i was able to hear them there. Would at least give you an idea on the bass quality and such before you blind purchase. I know its not the exact model but itll be close enough to get an idea

I thought that sides were added for 7.x setups, and rears were added for 5.x setups. Guess I was wrong. The more you know.

I have listened to (and love) the Focal 836's (http://www.focal.com/en/home-audio-...akers/floorstanding-speakers/chorus-836-v.php), but they run ~$1500/pair. They worked great without a sub, and the 826's do as well. So I'm not afraid of going sans sub on towers but I do want to know if they can cover the sub frequencies enough to hold off on buying one (when I have one now).

Unfortunately, there isn't any way to open up the speakers like I would need to. Here is a pic of the setup (that pc is moved)

So, yeah can't really space them apart much (you can see the entryways at each side of the picture). That is a Kuro 50 inch for reference sizing.

It seems like the option will be go with Monitor 60/70's and no sub. Thoughts on side speakers? The room is small, but sometimes do use it to play music while cleaning or playing cards with friends in another room. Would a 2.0 setup with the 60's/70's actually be a step up from 5.1 Z5300s?

Didn't think about the BB option. Good idea, forgot they sold Polk.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

That pic is about a year old, and lots has changed since it was taken. The tv and stand is still the same though.

 

[JSt0rm]

hey there. I would create a sweet spot of the middle of 1 couch

O-----O-----O


___Couch___
O------------O

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

hey there. I would create a sweet spot of the middle of 1 couch

O-----O-----O


___Couch___
O------------O

Not an option. I don't have 2 walls that are on opposing sides big enough to do that.

 

[velillen]

Will the polk 60/70's be an upgrade? it depends how you look at it. better front sound, then yes. You would lose the "surround" though. The polks will be an upgrade you just lose the rear too.

As for the bassyness i dont know the polk 60/70. I do know my VR1's do pretty nice on explosions and gunfire and the such. Not as nice as a dedicated sub but it does sound rather nice for an "all in one" speaker. Setting it to no bass it is pingy (think laptop speakers) but turn it to 0DB or so and it changes it drastically to have a fair amount of oomph.

By the way what receiver you going ot use for this?

For that room i would personally go for a 2.0. grab the polks 70's im sure youll like them. For sides you can add in polk 50's or go to the like 30/40 range.

Could you move the one couch to the opposite side of the room (with the large opening in your first pic, right wall) and just leave it ~2 feet off the wall? Then plop the tv on the full wall (ie left wall in your pic) ou could then do a main couch with a 5.0 set up.

Just remember BB doesnt carry the monitor series, its some like rsi series which my understanding is just the replacement for the monitors.

 

[Aikouka]

Your room sounds like my bedroom... I use:

Front: Monitor 50 x2
Side: Monitor 30 x2
Center: CS10 (TSi series, not Monitor)
Sub: PSW10

The PSW10 isn't that bad and it actually works fine for a small room. If you aren't willing to pay around $200 for a BIC F12 (or similar), the Polk sub is nice for that price range since it has auto-sensing on/off.

EDIT:

Although, this is a fantastic price on the Monitor 70 cherry - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290209

 

[Mr Black]

I just set up my 60s today... they sound great for 100 dollar ea. speakers. Also, the CS2 is a huge center... make sure you have the room. I'm looking into a stronger sub though, bass is just ok with my wimpy sub.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Pio makes a sweet speaker system that matches up with Kuros. Last month they were clearancing them through the company store. If your Kuro is registered, you shoulda gotten the same email I did (about this system).

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Pio makes a sweet speaker system that matches up with Kuros. Last month they were clearancing them through the company store. If your Kuro is registered, you shoulda gotten the same email I did (about this system).

I didn't register

edit: have a link if they are still there?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Will the polk 60/70's be an upgrade? it depends how you look at it. better front sound, then yes. You would lose the "surround" though. The polks will be an upgrade you just lose the rear too.

As for the bassyness i dont know the polk 60/70. I do know my VR1's do pretty nice on explosions and gunfire and the such. Not as nice as a dedicated sub but it does sound rather nice for an "all in one" speaker. Setting it to no bass it is pingy (think laptop speakers) but turn it to 0DB or so and it changes it drastically to have a fair amount of oomph.

By the way what receiver you going ot use for this?

For that room i would personally go for a 2.0. grab the polks 70's im sure youll like them. For sides you can add in polk 50's or go to the like 30/40 range.

Could you move the one couch to the opposite side of the room (with the large opening in your first pic, right wall) and just leave it ~2 feet off the wall? Then plop the tv on the full wall (ie left wall in your pic) ou could then do a main couch with a 5.0 set up.

Just remember BB doesnt carry the monitor series, its some like rsi series which my understanding is just the replacement for the monitors.

The only reason I even really use rears in this setup as "fill sound" basically. If I had two good fronts, I'm fine with no rears. This small room doesn't need anything more than fronts honestly.

I don't need bass that you feel inside your body bass, just enough to cover the low end (so it doesn't sound like something is "missing" from the audio).

I'm using a Marantz SR5002 currently.

I can't move the couch to block the opening, because of the distances it would hang out 3-4 feet. The wall there is only ~3 feet and the couch is about 7. Add in to that the gf would never let it happen haha.

Your room sounds like my bedroom... I use:

Front: Monitor 50 x2
Side: Monitor 30 x2
Center: CS10 (TSi series, not Monitor)
Sub: PSW10

The PSW10 isn't that bad and it actually works fine for a small room. If you aren't willing to pay around $200 for a BIC F12 (or similar), the Polk sub is nice for that price range since it has auto-sensing on/off.

EDIT:

Although, this is a fantastic price on the Monitor 70 cherry - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290209

How does that sound without the sub? The center I would change up too (try to match the front 3 channels), but I'm mainly curious about how the Monitor 50's sound and if they sound good.

Yeah, right now I'm torn between getting just the 70's and that's it for now, or getting the 50's and finding a sub now (or add center/side/rear channels).

I just set up my 60s today... they sound great for 100 dollar ea. speakers. Also, the CS2 is a huge center... make sure you have the room. I'm looking into a stronger sub though, bass is just ok with my wimpy sub.

So the 60's would need an actual sub, but the 70's *might* not basically (since they move up the driver size and add another one)?

 

[velillen]

So the 60's would need an actual sub, but the 70's *might* not basically (since they move up the driver size and add another one)?

it depends what you want exactly for base. i was at BB and stopped by to see the polks and after finally getting a sales person to let me just hear the rsi500 it hink they were without the sub,C, and surrounds i thought they had decent bass. With the receiver they had at -10DB it was pingy and crappy (think laptop speakers) but once i upped it to +2db or so it sounded just fine. if you just want to the deep bass sound for explosions i think the 70s will be good for you. If your more going for the shake the floor and feel it then youd need a sub. I tried to listen to the rsi 400's but they wouldnt let me disable the other speakers. /rolleyes.

IMO monitor 70's. if not enough bass save up and buy a sub later. Since you arent getting the polk one anyways (ie no sale)

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

So the 60's would need an actual sub, but the 70's *might* not basically (since they move up the driver size and add another one)?

it depends what you want exactly for base. i was at BB and stopped by to see the polks and after finally getting a sales person to let me just hear the rsi500 it hink they were without the sub,C, and surrounds i thought they had decent bass. With the receiver they had at -10DB it was pingy and crappy (think laptop speakers) but once i upped it to +2db or so it sounded just fine. if you just want to the deep bass sound for explosions i think the 70s will be good for you. If your more going for the shake the floor and feel it then youd need a sub. I tried to listen to the rsi 400's but they wouldnt let me disable the other speakers. /rolleyes.

IMO monitor 70's. if not enough bass save up and buy a sub later. Since you arent getting the polk one anyways (ie no sale)

That is the way I was leaning as well.

I would prefer to get a sub that's on sale but is actually good ... They crop up time to time.

 

[velillen]

good end of discussion get the 70's

 

[Anubis]

I agree with getting the 70s however that pic makes me laugh, you have a very nice & very expensive TV sitting on a 50$ TV stand, looks so out of place

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I agree with getting the 70s however that pic makes me laugh, you have a very nice & very expensive TV sitting on a 50$ TV stand, looks so out of place

Yeah I know

Have to love gf's lol. I want to get this one in black. Just one of those haven't gotten around to it yet things

 

[velillen]

Cant be as bad a smine Next purchase HAS to be a entertainment center type deal. Sub's amp and HPF sitting on the floor. Receiver using its box as a stand with the center speaker on top of it (with spacing so the receiver can "breathe")

 

[Aikouka]

I could try unplugging my subwoofer and seeing how the 70s sound without it if you really want. I've never really heard the bass from them since the sub is always plugged in and it can be pretty loud (Polk DSW Pro 600).