What's a good upgrade from the monitor series?

mcluvat

I currently have a 7.1 polk system. I have M40's for the fronts...a CS1 for the center...and M30's for the 4 surrounds. I also have a psw125 for my sub. I want to upgrade to something that will give me a noticeable improvement. I am using a HK3600 to power everything. I know the LSi series needs dedicated amps, but I'm not sure if that's the way I should go. Please give me some advice! thanks!

dorokusai

RTiA. It's a more well rounded loudspeaker with more flexibility than the M or TSi series in regards to HT or 2CH. Sonically, the high end gets smoother albeit still forward and the midrange, and low end get much tighter. There's more to love about the RTiA than the Monitor on multiple nerd levels. The cabinet construction and design show and are a big help to the sonics.

McLoki

What is your budget and what are you looking to fix\improve?

To each their own - but I would start with two things...

1) Room Treatments for sound - one of the best upgrades you can make and will allow you to get the best out of your current speakers and any upgrade you may decide on.

2) a killer sub. For movie watching, that will be one of your biggest "OMG" type upgrades from getting new equipment. Most people have never really experienced deep bass. once you have, it is hard to even get a smile out of anything else.....

So beyond that - what do you want?

Louder
More Clear
More Dynamic
briter (more pronounced highs)
laid back (less pronounced highs)
Different surround formats
better music listening
better 2 channel music listening

mcluvat

I definitely want more low end. My psw125 does alright, but I've heard better. Sometimes I feel as if my speakers have clarity issues. I know that the next levels are the RTi and the LSi. I don't really care about money...it just takes time to save up to get what I want. Is it better to save up for the more expensive LSi's as well as the amp to power them? Is there really a point in getting tower speakers if I'm always told to set them to small? Thanks again everybody.

-Mike

McLoki

RTi vs LSi = sound is really up to you. I love my LSi speakers, but to be honest - for mainly home theater - I wish at times I would have gone RTi (actually vintage SDA - that would make for a killer home theater)

i would definately get your listen on as much as possible before you start spending money though. a store demo is always nice, but finding someone who has a series you can listen to in their house is often a better judge of sound. Where do you live? Maybe some polkies can give you a demo of each and let you decide from there.

(on the good side - room treatments and subs do not have to match to your main speakers... )

danz1906

RTiA5 front and rear.....CSiA6 center channel.

mcluvat

I live in central Indiana.

Geoff4rfc

mcluvat wrote: »

I currently have a 7.1 polk system. I have M40's for the fronts...a CS1 for the center...and M30's for the 4 surrounds!

Have you considered upgrading within the Monitor series???? A CS2 is actually a huge step up from a CS1. Having 70's for your fronts and moving the 40's and 30's to surrounds could be a possibility.

If you've ever demoed a CS1 and 2 side by side you'd know what I'm talking about :cool:

mcluvat

I have thought about it, but I bought all of the speakers because they all have the same size woofers. They are voice-matched. I was afraid that if I go mixing up woofer sizes that the timbre would change from speaker to speaker. What do you think?

teamjhertz

The LSi speakers are very good HT speakers and even better music speakers. But only get them if you have the power. I also recommend getting the FX style surround speakers.

Square

Its my understanding (and i may be wrong) that you want the L/C/R to be voice matched to each other and that the surround speakers don't have to be the same size.

I have M70IIs up front with a CS2II and it makes for a very good entry level (read: cheep) set up. im using Monitor 40s for surrounds and I am very happy with my set up. It sounds great for HT and in 2 channel mode (Onkyo Pure audio)The M70s work great for music. Plenty of bass and clear as a summer day. Newegg is having really good deals on Polk Audio. I got great deals on both the M70IIs and the CS2II I would check them out.

Geoff4rfc

mcluvat wrote: »

I have thought about it, but I bought all of the speakers because they all have the same size woofers. They are voice-matched. I was afraid that if I go mixing up woofer sizes that the timbre would change from speaker to speaker. What do you think?

I think like this guy here.......

Square wrote: »

Its my understanding (and i may be wrong) that you want the L/C/R to be voice matched to each other and that the surround speakers don't have to be the same size.

I have M70IIs up front with a CS2II and it makes for a very good entry level (read: cheep) set up. im using Monitor 40s for surrounds and I am very happy with my set up. It sounds great for HT and in 2 channel mode (Onkyo Pure audio)The M70s work great for music. Plenty of bass and clear as a summer day. Newegg is having really good deals on Polk Audio. I got great deals on both the M70IIs and the CS2II I would check them out.

I have pretty much the same set up 'cept I currently have 30's for surrounds and using some dual driver onkyo's in the wide position until I get my 40's to replace them.

For HT, the sound is incredible, music is really good, I've heard better but I'm really happy with what I have, again, the movie department is bashing.

Geoff4rfc

Square wrote: »

I have M70IIs up front with a CS2II and it makes for a very good entry level (read: cheep) set up.

Actually, I think this set up is better than entry level. I've upgraded my system from the Onkyo SKS-HT870 7.1 speaker system and the Monitors leave the Onks to appear to be entry level.