In Market for new Polk Speakers and ??? >

Cush64

I have somewhat of a budget: The RTI-7's seem great, but a pair is over $1000. Do the TSI 500's compare: They seem more affordable, and still a great speaker: My room is hardwood floors , and like 12 x 15: Getting a new Samsung flat screen next week, and next step is to step up my sound?

Any thoughts on the TSI 500's, ? What about the RT( A5's, - I have seen deals on them??? I bellieve i was told i don't necessarrily need a sub woofer with either the RTI-7's or the TSI 500's???

Thanks,
Mike

Romo

If you're looking for a cheaper speaker, rather than the TSi500, take a look at the Polk Monitor 70B Series II Speaker which is currently on sale at Newegg, only $180 each. While I haven't heard the TSi series myself, I've heard that they sound quite similar.

mole'

was just about to say the Monitor 70 aswell

Log1x

JR Audio has the Monitor 70 for $160 each ($320 shipped) if you call and order. No difference from the Series II other than a new look. Both are great deals.

Brandon

DefaultGen

The Monitor and Tsi line are comparable, I've seen people on this forum prefer the sound of either the Tsi500 or Monitor 70s (and I'm sure you can find dozens of threads on the topic, it was the main topic I searched for here!). No experience with the RTi line, but just judging from what others say again, they aren't in the same league as The Tsis.

I have four Tsi500s and am quite happy, but should mention I got them on sale for $275, when Monitor 70s were selling for $200. I read that the Tsi500s were a bit cleaner and decided springing extra might be worth it. You might not need a subwoofer depending on how much bass you need. I was told not to bother with cheaper subwoofers since they wouldn't benefit my system, so I went for a decent sub. The Tsi500s don't give the "punch you in your soul" feeling that a real sub does, but are adequate by themselves depending on your needs.

I'd get two Monitor 70s, a CS20, and put saved money into a nice sub or rears if you were going to step down from the RTis Unless you're an audiophile, I doubt you'll be disappointed in anything you get recommended in this price range.

nedh84

I have two Monitor 70's and I love them. RTI's are brighter. I've read that they excel for home theatre. I'd say save the cash and get the pair of 70's for 320 off JR Audio. They won't disappoint. More money for electronics

mystik610

Cush64 wrote: »

I have somewhat of a budget: The RTI-7's seem great, but a pair is over $1000. Do the TSI 500's compare: They seem more affordable, and still a great speaker: My room is hardwood floors , and like 12 x 15: Getting a new Samsung flat screen next week, and next step is to step up my sound?

Any thoughts on the TSI 500's, ? What about the RT( A5's, - I have seen deals on them??? I bellieve i was told i don't necessarrily need a sub woofer with either the RTI-7's or the TSI 500's???

Thanks,
Mike

For home theater, you will need a sub all of the speakers in question. For music, a full-range tower like the RTi-A7' or monitor 70's should suffice without a subwoofer.

If home theater is your preference, I'd go for the A5 and budget the difference for a high quality subwoofer. Personally, I prefer the A5 over the A7 for home theater. The RTi's have a more detailed tweeter that make them the obvious choice for home theater.

If music is your preference, I'd hop on the Monitor 70's over the TSi500's. They're cheaper, but are functionally the exact same speaker. In fact the Monitor 70's may have a bit of an advantage....The 70's have a cascade Tapered Array crossover, while the TSi500's do not. For music, the RTi's can seem a bit bright...very fatiguing after a while.

orrb_05

J&R has the RTi10s for $249 each plus shipping. They will usually knock some off the shipping if you ask - as lon as you are not paying with PayPal.

I picked up a pair of RTi12s for $1017 shipped

cnh

mystik610 wrote: »

For home theater, you will need a sub all of the speakers in question. For music, a full-range tower like the RTi-A7' or monitor 70's should suffice without a subwoofer.

If home theater is your preference, I'd go for the A5 and budget the difference for a high quality subwoofer. Personally, I prefer the A5 over the A7 for home theater. The RTi's have a more detailed tweeter that make them the obvious choice for home theater.

If music is your preference, I'd hop on the Monitor 70's over the TSi500's. They're cheaper, but are functionally the exact same speaker. In fact the Monitor 70's may have a bit of an advantage....The 70's have a cascade Tapered Array crossover, while the TSi500's do not. For music, the RTi's can seem a bit bright...very fatiguing after a while.

+1, Good info above!!

orrb_05 wrote: »

J&R has the RTi10s for $249 each plus shipping. They will usually knock some off the shipping if you ask - as lon as you are not paying with PayPal.

I picked up a pair of RTi12s for $1017 shipped

Rti-12s or Rti-A9s = the ultimate upgrade from M-70s! If you want to 'do it'; DO it RIGHT!!

Enjoy!

cnh

spock 2054

Cush64 wrote: »

I have somewhat of a budget: The RTI-7's seem great, but a pair is over $1000. Do the TSI 500's compare: They seem more affordable, and still a great speaker: My room is hardwood floors , and like 12 x 15: Getting a new Samsung flat screen next week, and next step is to step up my sound?

Any thoughts on the TSI 500's, ? What about the RT( A5's, - I have seen deals on them??? I bellieve i was told i don't necessarrily need a sub woofer with either the RTI-7's or the TSI 500's???

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike:

My room is the same size as yours, with hardwood floors. Running the monitor 70's, CS2 in front, monitor 60's, rear, and 2 subs. Have not yet been to a Best Buy to listen to the TSI series, but from what I've observed here, most folks agree that the monitor series is a better value, and a sonic match for the TSI series. After living with this setup for just over a month, my ears are very pleased with the smooth, linear sound of my speakers. (My wife really likes the cherry finish..:cool:) They play loud and clean, with no distortion.

I think that a sub is needed for most listening applications - be it movies or music. When listening to music and watching movies, I like to hear and feel low frequencies. My suggestion would be to invest in reasonably priced speakers, and put the money you saved into a good sub (or 2) and a high current amp or AVR. What do you plan to drive your speakers with?

google tsi500 vs monitor 70:

http://www.google.com/search?q=tsi500+vs+monitor+70&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=

cfrizz

Very nice setup Spock.

dpowell

You can always start off with some used speakers too. Gives you more flexibility to sell if you don't like how something sells. Many good deals to be found out on CL.

geebolt

I have both the TSi500's and RTi A7's. While I prefer the RTi's for both music and HT, I think you'd be very happy with the TSi500's or as others have suggested, the Monitor 70's. Polk's specs show the TSi500 lower 3db limit to be 38hz with an efficiency of 91db. The Monitor 70's are listed as 40hz and 90db respectively. I don't know that you'd be able to tell the difference. But as others have also suggested, you'll ultimately want to get a sub for best performance.

(I do have a PSW505 sub and a CS20 listed in the for sale forum).

George