Ok. Before I go off the deep end here let me run something by you guys. I currently have POLK LSI 15 fronts and Center with Polk RTI100s as surrounds and FX30s as my two rear channels.

For some reason , the RTI floor standers sounded better as R/L surrounds in my room than the FXs. Perhaps this is because I am unable to wall mount the FXs due to my room layout and had to mount them on stands. This way I could not take advantage of the wall for reflection and dispersion in the dipole / bipole settings? Just a guess.

For the sake of matching the timbre of my LSI front stage I was considering getting another pair of 15s for my R/L surrounds. Is this just a silly idea? Maybe the LSIFXs would work better - even on stands..... ????

The most recommended surround playback system has always been 5 identical speakers. The only downfall would probably be a smaller "sweet spot" compared to using bipoles/dipoles, especially with movies. If that's not an issue, however, your should be set. If I had the money, that's exactly what I would do. Go for it!

The sweet spot now is pretty good and it is normally just me in it with one other person. I was also thinking for music it would be really nice especially for 4 channel stereo. The LSI series are really good speakers but the 15s in particular are excellent. Can't beat 'em for the $$$$$$$. Thanks. I am going to start shopping

I actually spoke to Steve at Polk and the he says he steers customers away from the FX series if they do not have a dedicated wall to hang them from. He preferred the idea of the LSI15s too so I guess we are on to something here.

I think you are right about the FX series. I actually have a pair serving as my surrounds right now and I'm very disappointed with the sound. After reading what you've been saying about needing wall mounting, it's starting to make sense. Guess I should take my own advice and go for 5 direct radiators all around....hmmm...project time.

I was always disappointed too so it makes sense that even the Polk guy tells customers not to get them without the wall. I guess in open space all that wonderful dipoling floats away. I have a pair of FX30s as my two back channels though - on the wall - and they sound great. I highly recommend them there. Especially two in a 7.1 set up.

i use FX1000s and have never been disappointed with them in any way. sometimes i have had them along a wall, other times free standing on stands, and both ways were excellent.

the lsi series is different than the rti and fx series though. you probably prefer the lsi sound, so having more of them would be better for you.