tsi500's or RTI a7's?

Theheadsn

*I know theres 1000&1 topics on this already, should have put monitor70 in the title as well*

Ok damn you guys, now im hooked haha

I recently hooked up my cs20 for the center, and I can already tell the difference over my old onkyo center.

Now as far as this goes, it isn't RIGHT NOW so I'm not really looking for the best deal. Hopefully in the future if this year pans out decently.

I'm still just running the Pioneer 1020k, I KNOW I KNOW no pre-outs, but I will change it out in a year or so probably.

Ive been told the Monitor 70's are great speakers, just the older model, which I was kinda keen on getting. Then I was able to demo the tsi500 at frys and I was to say the least, blown away at the setup. Then come to find out the RTia7's are BASICALLY the same amount as the Tsi's. So Im kind of stuck in a dilemma.

If I just wanted to go good and cheap Id go with the 70II's

If I wanted to go with that matches my cs20 and newer, Id go with the tsi500's

If I wanted to go up a class I could get the RTia7's

DAMN to many choices.

The RTia9's are WAY out of my price range. And I know the tsi's are basically the same as the 70's just with a little more bass, the crossover I guess is different, and the vent hole is located in a different spot. So basically paying just for the NEW model speakers.

As far at the tsi's compared to the rtia's Im lost. I havent read as much as I should about the comparison, and I was wondering from anyone's personal experience HERE with both of them, would it be worth it for me to just get the RTIa's? I know they look a little different then the cs20 finish but I dont mind if the sound performance is as good as the price dictates.

On a side note, I know the 1020k is a little underpowered for the RTIa's and the TSI's but screw it ha Id rather have the good speakers now and then deal with the receiver later. Gives me time to break the speakers in, warm them up a little.

Thanks again! :biggrin:

Erik Tracy

Of those choices...go with RTiA7s - take the big step up and be done for awhile.

Theheadsn

Yea thats what I was thinking. Even if there a little under powered with the 1020k atleast Ill be ready when I DO decide to start amping out lol

spock 2054

The Tsi series is more like the Monitor series than the Rti. Depends on your budget. The Rti models are really nice looking and sounding speakers - but for the average price of 1 A7, you could buy a pair and a half of Monitor 70's.

I would class the old and new 70 series speakers as good and inexpensive, not cheap. The build quality is actually quite good. Both the Tsi and Monitor speakers would be a good timbre match for your center channel.

Upstatemax

I have had them all hooked up in my HT system and this is how I would rank them from most like --> least like.

Rti A7 --> Monitor 70 --> Tsi 500

I'm of the opinion that as long as you can get the Monitor series, there is zero reason to get the Tsi speakers. The Monitor 70's are a better speaker I'm my opinion.

Theheadsn

ok I have a question then, how do the monitor 70s go against the rtia7's?

EndersShadow

Theheadsn wrote: »

ok I have a question then, how do the monitor 70s go against the rtia7's?

LOL....its the same results as the TSI500's. The Monitor 70's were the line that the TSi's replaced. So the 70's are better than the TSi's (since they cost hella less and sound a little better) but the RTi's are mountains above the Monitors.

danz1906

If it's in your budget go for the RTiA7s.

Theheadsn

O ok haha

geebolt

I prefer the RTi A7's over my Tsi 500's in all areas. The 500's are currently serving as rear speakers although the started out as my mains...

Theheadsn

WOW i couldnt imagine having 500s for rears. Isnt that a little much? lol but in a great way ofcourse

Topper

the RTi A series is quite a step up over the TSi range

Upstatemax

My Rti A7's are great for HT, and pretty damn good for music. They digg deeper than the 70's and do it cleaner/tighter. More of an "in your face" speaker than what my 70's are.

I still have my Monitor 70's in my office for a 2ch system. For flat out music, I like my Monitors (I prefer the warmer laid back tone). But for a do it all speaker, the Rti A7's shine well above.

The Tsi 500's and Monitor 70's are not the same thing. M70's have a front firing port, 500's have a bottom firing port and the crossovers are different. The M70's have a Cascade crossover that I found had much better imaging and offered a much more substantial soundstage than the conventional crossover that the 500's use.

Regardless of price, I'm of the opinion that the Monitor 70 is a better speaker than the Tsi 500. It's just a huge bonus that it's on an awsome sale...