RTi vs TSi

Peter_Klim
Peter_Klim Posts: 4
edited November 2010 in Speakers
Do these speakers use the same components (x-overs and drivers)? and the only difference is that the RTi uses real wood?

For example, the TSi100 and the RTi 1A are $200 and $340 a pair. Do they sound the same and you are just paying for the nicer cabinet?
Post edited by Peter_Klim on
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited November 2010
    That's a no! They use different drivers and crossovers....it's NOT just a cabinet difference. Check Polk's site and descriptions of them.

    They also sound 'different'. I own some Monitor 30 (like your TSI-100s) and Rti-4s (previous version of Rti-A1s and they are two distinct bookshelves).

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    The RTiA is sonically a lot different from the TSi and the cabinet construction is painfully obvious.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • K-daugh
    K-daugh Posts: 467
    edited November 2010
    rti's are nnnniiiiiiicccccceeeee!!!!!id love to be able to grab four rtia3 and a csi 6 .......with a nice 5 x 200 watt amp .....oh boy!!!!
    Budget 5.1 H.T. Set Up
    HK avr 247 - Adcom GFA-7605:mrgreen::mrgreen: - Belkin PF60 Power Conditioner - Cs2 center channel - Monitor 60's fronts - Monitor 30's rears
    Mirage Bps 150i powered sub - 40"Samsung LCD ln40c530 - Sony Blu Ray Player BDP-S370 - Comcast digital hd box(motorola dcx3400)
    Monoprice Premium Interconnects Monoprice Ultra Slim HDMI w/Redmere:mrgreen: -Knukonceptz Kord 10 Gauge Speaker Wire - Nakamichi Banana Plugs
    Custom Jumpers
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,349
    edited November 2010
    The RTiA series is a huge leap over the TSi series in every way possible..
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited November 2010
    TSI = Monitor = better for music
    RTI A = RTI = better for movies
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited November 2010
    i have both RTi and Monitor series.

    RTi blows the monitors away.........

    not even close
    mole'
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,349
    edited November 2010
    nhhiep wrote: »
    tsi = monitor = better for music
    rti a = rti = better for movies


    nimo!!!!!
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited November 2010
    nhhiep wrote: »
    TSI = Monitor = better for music
    RTI A = RTI = better for movies

    And you're basing this off of what?

    The term "monitor" in the Polk line does not denote that they are studio monitors.... it's just a name.

    The RTI A series in just about every way blows the TSI series out of the water.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited November 2010
    mole' wrote: »
    i have both RTi and Monitor series.

    RTi blows the monitors away.........

    not even close

    I've Rti8s and Mon 70 too and to me, it all depends on what you're listening to. The rtis are too bright for music. and I tested with Sony ES 444ES AVR, HK 7000 top of the line AVR, and HK pa5800 5 channels AMP. All of them put out honest clean power.
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited November 2010
    nhhiep wrote: »
    I've Rti8s and Mon 70 too and to me, it all depends on what you're listening to. The rtis are too bright for music. and I tested with Sony ES AVR, HK 7000 AVR and HK pa5800 5 channels AMP.

    i have the RTi10, CSi3, CSi5, CSia6, FXi3, FXia4

    had the Monitor 70, Have the Monitor 50, 40, CS2


    i really like mt RTi10s for music and HT
    mole'
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  • geebolt
    geebolt Posts: 215
    edited November 2010
    I have RTi A7's and TSI500's. RTi's are better all around. My TSI's have been assigned rear channel duty. The 500's ain't bad, just not up to the RTi performance.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A7's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk TSi500's
    Subwoofer:Polk DSW Pro 500, Emotiva Ultra 12
    Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5
    Processor/AVR: Emotiva UMC-1
    DAC: Emotiva XDA-1
    CD player:Emotiva ERC-1
    Blu-Ray: Oppo BDP-93
    Turntable: Kenwood KD-500
    Tonearm: Polk-Mayware Formula 4
    Cartridge: Shure M97-XE
    Television: Sony KDL-55EX500
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited November 2010
    I have listened to both the RTI A's and LSi's at Fryes and also ran the Monitor 40's as fronts for over a year. Here are my observations:

    The RTiA's are probably the best price/performance of the lineup IMHO. They have almost all the clarity of the LSi line (but the LSi's kill them IMO with the right amount of clean power) and are as easy to drive as the TSI/Monitor lines. The difference between the Monitor/TSI and RTI line is easily identifiable if you can listen to both side by side. The RTI's tend to have a better/clearer soundstage than the Monitors. With that said the Monitor/TSI series is no slouch either and I have really enjoyed them for the past few years.

    If I had to choose with both being the same price, the RTi A's would win hands down. Suggest going with Polks ebay site to get great deals on them and save some cash. Buying new, I would go with the Monitors due to the price difference (but I havent bought new in a long time...).
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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