RT5000p (HT: RT300p, CS1000p, f/x1000) - review - work in project
I promised a thread on this, and although I cannot fully review them yet, I'd like to start laying the ground work. Some of you know the back story, but for those that do not, here is the synopsis:
It all started here on the forum. So I brought them home and began looking for the replacement driver and new built-in amp, both of which are no longer made or carried by Polk. With the help of rtart on the MW8500 driver, and Tony M on the amp, I was inn business. Thanks, you guys!!! :biggrin: (Excellent gentlemen, if I might add)
So I replaced the amp and the driver and got the mains set up for couple weeks and have had some opportunity to listen with different sources. This is not my formal review, but my immediate opinion was that they were high quality. I instantly realized they weren't my ideal speaker for music. They are warm, heavily laid back, and not super clear. However, what there were was dynamic. Very much so. The bass hit with authority and blended into the mid range quite well. Midrange, although feeling too saturated, was quite clear, if not a tad guttural. The highs were a bit too mellow, but like I said, the speakers werequite warm to my liking. As I was already familiar with the CS1000p, I instantly recognized these characteristics. But like I asid, DYNAMIC. Movies sounded excellent in stereo. Soundstage wasn't terribly well defined, but since I've been using SDA's I think the bar has been set unfairly high for these poor guys
I haven't yet set the whole system up yet as I am waiting for some new furniture to get here. I listened to the dipoles on some too-small-for such-large-speakers stands just to get an idea of their sound, and was quite impressed. dispersion was great and they dig much deeper than I would have thought.
In the future I will be updating this thread wit any changes I may make, as well as an official review of the RT5000p system. For now, I am going to leave you with some really terrible pics of them as I was swapping and testing them. Excuse the mess
It all started here on the forum. So I brought them home and began looking for the replacement driver and new built-in amp, both of which are no longer made or carried by Polk. With the help of rtart on the MW8500 driver, and Tony M on the amp, I was inn business. Thanks, you guys!!! :biggrin: (Excellent gentlemen, if I might add)
So I replaced the amp and the driver and got the mains set up for couple weeks and have had some opportunity to listen with different sources. This is not my formal review, but my immediate opinion was that they were high quality. I instantly realized they weren't my ideal speaker for music. They are warm, heavily laid back, and not super clear. However, what there were was dynamic. Very much so. The bass hit with authority and blended into the mid range quite well. Midrange, although feeling too saturated, was quite clear, if not a tad guttural. The highs were a bit too mellow, but like I said, the speakers werequite warm to my liking. As I was already familiar with the CS1000p, I instantly recognized these characteristics. But like I asid, DYNAMIC. Movies sounded excellent in stereo. Soundstage wasn't terribly well defined, but since I've been using SDA's I think the bar has been set unfairly high for these poor guys
I haven't yet set the whole system up yet as I am waiting for some new furniture to get here. I listened to the dipoles on some too-small-for such-large-speakers stands just to get an idea of their sound, and was quite impressed. dispersion was great and they dig much deeper than I would have thought.
In the future I will be updating this thread wit any changes I may make, as well as an official review of the RT5000p system. For now, I am going to leave you with some really terrible pics of them as I was swapping and testing them. Excuse the mess
design is where science and art break even.
Post edited by newrival on
Comments
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ps, the lens on my camera was pretty dirty so the pics are even worse than they would've been otherwise. These speakers really look new in person. I'll try and get the DSLR out for a photo shoot.design is where science and art break even.
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Thanks for sharing, Newrival. The RT3000 are my dream speakers. I'm constantly looking around for a used pair locally.
I look forward to reading your full review once you've got everything dialed in. Oh, yeah, congrats! -
I agree, awsome Home Theater System!!!
SRS's or something else for critical stereo listening.
Looks great.
I know the top is supposed to be flush, But I sit my tops flush to the back. I then put art or sometimes nothing on the space on the bass cabinet. My ears don't hear a void between bass and midrange doing it my way so I continue to do it. I've had a few Time aligned speakers and I think that's why it doesn't bother me to see the step with mine.Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
Where are you located, Organ?SRT For Life; SDA Forever!
The SRT SEISMIC System:
Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once. -
I'm not going dream system but I would love to own one to play with. they are excellent theater speakers. Not so much music. I only did a few of these systems and everyone was impressive for theater especially Star Wars EP1Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Very nice. I'd love to get my ears on these someday.
There's some RT55i's by you if you wanted to go 7.2 -
Where are you located, Organ?
Toronto, Canada. I think there was one sale I missed this year. -
You know they wouldn't be running at all if it werent for you, Tony
Thanks again!
The SRS's are doing stereo duty, and I love them. It's really nice having a dedicate stereo rig. Even if it has to be at my office... Oh well. It's only temporary until we move.design is where science and art break even. -
I've had this complete setup, while excellant for HT, music was a bit less favorable. Then again, they were built to blow the doors off in a HT setup. Same with the SRT's, great on HT, lacking on the musical side.
Chris, you may have to do some crossover work on those. The reason I'm saying this is from what you describe, no way comes near what they should sound like. BTW-maybe I missed it somewhere, but what are you driving these with ?HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
With the help of rtart on the MW8500 driver, and Tony M on the amp, I was inn business. Thanks, you guys!!! :biggrin: (Excellent gentlemen, if I might add)
Thanks for the kind words. Glad to see another set of RT3000p's up and running.
If you ever decide to sell the RT3000p's let me know. I have a pair of the RT3000p top satellites as my rear surrounds (7.2) but have room to use a complete set. My current RT5000 system is rosewood, while the rear sats are black. I've got a spare rosewood sub module, less one driver :-) but never found another one. I also have another set of FX1000's in rosewood that I was using for my rear surrounds. Guess I ought to get rid of them at some point.
Anyway, enjoy!!My 7.4.4 DIY 4k Home Theater:
Polk LSiM 707 L-C-R, LSiM702 side surrounds, LSiM 705 rears
Polk LSiM 702s x 4 on the Ceiling Atmos speakers
2 x SVS PB12/Plus 2's
Denon X3700H
Emotiva XPA11 Gen 3
XBox One X 4k & BD and streaming
Panasonic UB-420 4k player
HD-A35 HD DVD
Oppo BD-103D for hirez audio
Technics SL-D2 TT, Grado Gold Cartridge
JVC DLA-RS2000/NX7 projector
Silver Ticket 120" acoustically transparent screen
Berkline 090 electric recliners with Aura Bass Shakers -
Rt3000P speaker hog hehe
Where are you located Rtart?
I am hoping to pick some FX1000's tomorrow locally. 3000's eventually________________
2 Channel-Denon AVR-4520/SDA 2.3TL's
5.1-Denon AVR-4500h/RT3000P's/CS1000P/RT2000P's/ -
Angelo, I also thank you for the kind words.
I love having my RT3000P's for my HT mains. I highly doubt I will ever part with them.Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
Rt3000P speaker hog hehe
Where are you located Rtart?
I am hoping to pick some FX1000's tomorrow locally. 3000's eventually
I'm near Atlanta.My 7.4.4 DIY 4k Home Theater:
Polk LSiM 707 L-C-R, LSiM702 side surrounds, LSiM 705 rears
Polk LSiM 702s x 4 on the Ceiling Atmos speakers
2 x SVS PB12/Plus 2's
Denon X3700H
Emotiva XPA11 Gen 3
XBox One X 4k & BD and streaming
Panasonic UB-420 4k player
HD-A35 HD DVD
Oppo BD-103D for hirez audio
Technics SL-D2 TT, Grado Gold Cartridge
JVC DLA-RS2000/NX7 projector
Silver Ticket 120" acoustically transparent screen
Berkline 090 electric recliners with Aura Bass Shakers -
Wow what a setup. What kinda center are you running?
His title says it is a CS1000p. The next to last picture just above the surrounds is actually the center channel standing on its end. It is a beast of a center.:biggrin: -
Hi newrival! how are you?
I?m interested to know the size of the RT3000's sub cabinet, i have two mw8500 drivers and the plate amp; my idea it?s build something similar, so if it?s not a problem for you, could you tell me the size of this cabinet? this beaty works in bass reflex mode? or it?s a sealed enclosure?
best regards!
Mariano. -
The bass cabinet is ported on the bottom. The cabinet you plan on building is going to have to be ONE SOLIDLY BRACED WORK OF CABINITRY. The power these put out rocks house foundations. I'm serious, others might tell you the same. It might be better to wait for a cabinet to come up for sale instead.
Either way, I do wish you well in getting those speakers and amp to play again. Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
Thanks tony! i know of what you?re talking about, these pretty small subs kicks hard, and i must to build something solid...
Using bassbox pro and the thiele small parameters i build a sub box, but the result is not what i?m looking for, that?s why i?m asking for the original box size.
The guy, who sold me my actually pair of mw8500, recently told me that he discover the other pair of mw8500 in his attic, new in box, so i think that it?s a good idea make a clone of this great subs for my HT.
A long time ago i was making a search in my country, triying to find a pair of RT5000 or RT3000, but nobody has one to sell. Even if i get the measures, i think i will be in trouble for the inside cabinet, i don?t know if it have a labyrinth or the exact size of the power port, but i think i can try it!
So, if you have the approx. measures, i will be much appreciated!
thanks again!
Mariano -
I have an unmolested bone-stock RT5000 system and love it for both home theater and music. I do have to adjust the settings between the HT and music modes to get the sound I'm looking for though. No complaints at all. Wouldn't trade them for anything (well almost anything).
In addition to the RT3000ps, CS1000p, and f/x1000s I also have the PSW650. I bought them all new together about 8-9 years ago.
Thunderous earth-shaking bass for HT and just the right amount of punch for music when tuned down a bit.
The best upgrade I made was to get a better receiver. Huge improvement in sound compared to what I had before and really does the speakers justice.
I watched "Ladies & Gentlemen The Rolling Stones" Blu-Ray yesterday at full concert volume and it was phenomenal!
I wouldn't mind getting another pair of RT3000 satellites or f/x1000s for a 7.1 set-up some day. -
Cool"There was an idea, Stark knows this. Called the Avengers Initiative. The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people, see if they become something more. See if they can work together when we needed them to. To fight the battles that we never could."
