Just got the RTi4

wz1
wz1 Posts: 20
edited February 2011 in Speakers
for $149 + tax, free shipping. Although this is an old model, they are absolutely new when i unboxed them. I was worried about Polk since my friend has a pair of monitor 7's with 4 - 6 1/2 drivers and has no bass. The difference is that i am using a vintage harman kardon reciever and he has a Onkyo avr, with speaker setting set to large and no subwoofer an xover at the lowest possible setting. I have better bass with my speakers and reciever with bass/treble set to flat and loudness off. The sound is really clear. Only problem is that my system is hooked up to my computer and when i use my mixing program, the speakers can't handle the extra bass properly during a mix at medium volume level. I also have a pair of Athena As-b1 with the same size bass driver that can handle mixes. For strictly listening purposes, the RTi4 have deeper bass than the Athena and sound really good. I think they're a steal at $149.

Just want to add that my reciever is only 20 watts/channel and the speakers go loud and stay clear and never went past the halfway mark on the volume.
Post edited by wz1 on
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    Welcome to Club Polk!

    My guess is your buddy's system isn't set up correctly. The 7s are a great speaker.

    That being said, I'm glad you like your RTi4s. I loved the bass from my RTi A3s, which are the new version of the RTi6. They gave the perception that a small subwoofer was being used... pretty incredible for a bookshelf.

    'grats on the setup. Keep Polkin!
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    It's probably his avr. I had a budget Yamaha that delivered no bass to the large speakers. Swapped different speakers, same result. I know how to setup avr's, there are just some that you just got to use the subwoofer for any bass.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    In "Straight" mode, my Yamaha does a decent job, but definitely doesn't hit like my Kenwood VR-9070 does. Doesn't matter much since it's in a 5.1 system at the moment and all of the bass is supplied by the 4 10s in the room. The only reason I'm using it now is for the HDMI switching, and more advanced calibration features vs the Kenwood's. However, it's going to be replaced very soon.
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    I have a s-video switching Pioneer vsx-d509s. It's old but this amp in direct mode 2 channel and the AS-B1, the walls shake. It's a 5.1 and has truly a full band 20-20000hz in stereo mode. I'm gonna try the RTi4's with this amp. I have no sub and the xover is off, speakers are large.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    Welcome to Club Polk.

    I started my own HT rig with RTi4s and was pleasantly surprised at the sound quality for the size and price - a little gem of a speaker!

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    You should try your buddy's Monitor 7s on it sometime. I bet they'll sound quite nice
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    wz1 wrote: »
    I was worried about Polk since my friend has a pair of monitor 7's with 4 - 6 1/2 drivers and has no bass. The difference is that i am using a vintage harman kardon reciever and he has a Onkyo avr, with speaker setting set to large and no subwoofer an xover at the lowest possible setting.


    Glad you are enjoying the new speakers and welcome to Club Polk. I just wanted to point out that the Monitor 7's have 1 6 1/2 driver and a 10" passive radiator. If they are Monitor 5 or 5jr I forget which one they would have a 6 1/2 driver and similar sized passive radiator to help w/ lower freq response. It's true that setting up the AVR correctly will be a must to get the best bass sound. I'm sure your vintage amp putting out 20wpc will sing compared to a modern AVR "rated @ such and such spec". I've just recently discovered the joys of an older amp rated at only 30wpc and the bass and wieght of the sound is a dramatic difference to my modern Denon 890 AVR.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2011
    Congrats. My bedroom system is a set of Rti-4s, an Onkyo 604, small 100 watt 8" sub and a Toshiba HD-A30. With the little sub to fill out the low end and the ONKYO in Theater Dimensional-wide mode you don't miss much in a 'smaller' space. The Rtis are PERFECT in that space.

    Enjoy!

    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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  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited February 2011
    Congrats,

    i have purchased two pairs, one for surrounds and the other one i gave my father. I love them and will be buying another pair for my office anytime now.

    I honestly beleive that for the money it would be hard to find a better pair of speakers (bookshelf that is).

    Edubag
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited February 2011
    wz1 wrote: »
    The difference is that i am using a vintage harman kardon reciever and he has a Onkyo avr, with speaker setting set to large and no subwoofer an xover at the lowest possible setting.

    My Onkyo has a Full Band setting. Try looking to see if his has that.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    Upon further listening, I was sadly mistaken. I unboxed the speakers and played my trance collection and thought it sounded really good. I probably mistaken the punch for bass because after two days I hardly hear any on my other music. I also listened to the radio and on certain songs, it sounds unantural. The RTi4 is a mid driver. Highs and mid dominate the sound and basslines get buried. They should be called surround speakers instead of bookshelves.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    It's probably going to take some equalization to make them thump. The RTi4 isn't a large speaker. They're still referred to as "bookshelves" because a) they can fit on one easily, and b) they can still be coupled with a subwoofer and make a nice setup. It's a bit unreasonable to expect the bass of a tower speaker out of a small bookshelf speaker. On the contrary, I got bass than I had expected out of my RTi A3s, but that's also an updated cabinet as well as a larger driver. Plus, I was using equalization.
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    I had Athena AS-B1's with the HK amp. I mix with this setup and when i tried with the RTi4 i noticed that certain bass frequencies are missing or really faint. What is pronounced on the Rti4 is the beat. It actually has a bounce to it and when i mix that bounce gets pronounced and sound sometimes distorts. Now this sounds like bass but it's missing or burying the other bass frequencies. I'm not an engineer so I can't tell you what frequency range. The AS-B1 has the same driver size, same xover point which i like ,so I was expecting the same performance.
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  • thesurfer
    thesurfer Posts: 574
    edited February 2011
    Agree there jim, ive got some older rt25i,s with my loudness control on i can rock the bass realy good, even at higher volumes, theres good bass, with no distortion,, with it off, the bass is rather thin, sounding,,
    Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited February 2011
    Loudness control is for the lose.
    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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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2011
    You should play around with the 'placement' of your 4s. They are, like many smaller bookshelves...very dependent on location and room size. Mine sound much better in my smaller bedroom in two channel than they do in the main HT room?

    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2011
    Congrats!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • thesurfer
    thesurfer Posts: 574
    edited February 2011
    nguyendot wrote: »
    Loudness control is for the lose.
    Really, Who made you the all knowing audio God????
    Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with.
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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    The Rti4 are for my computer so they need to be right in front of me. As for loudness, it would amplify my problem so i would be better off with an EQ.
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  • thesurfer
    thesurfer Posts: 574
    edited February 2011
    wz1 wrote: »
    The Rti4 are for my computer so they need to be right in front of me. As for loudness, it would amplify my problem so i would be better off with an EQ.
    Be carefull Saying anything to do with Loudness, or EQing, It might upset the Self imposed Audio Gods,,, You know, those Dolts that would listen to crap,,,and do nothing about it,, because there taught, thats how it should sound, good luck anyhow,
    Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited February 2011
    I loved my polk rti6 for trance and various electronic music and always wanted a pair of rti4 for the surrounds

    Put your rti4 near the wall behind them and it might beef up the bass or buy a shanling cd player lol
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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    They are going in the garbage as I think my 20 watt amp will blow them soon. Reality is sinking in here.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    wz1 wrote: »
    They are going in the garbage as I think my 20 watt amp will blow them soon. Reality is sinking in here.

    Ok...I'll take em.

    You paid $140 shipped - I'll take them off you hands if you think they suck so much for $100 shipped to me.

    I'll treat them right and give them a good home.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    No deal. I want to try an EQ.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    wz1 wrote: »
    No deal. I want to try an EQ.

    You just said they were going into the garbage - was just trying to bail out a nice speaker from someone who didn't think they were worth ****.....

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    Erik, I think I'm as puzzled as you are :confused:

    The EQ will help, but you're still probably gonna need a sub when it's all said and done. Just sayin...
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited February 2011
    I have the RTi A1s (new version of RTi4) powered by a Parasound 2250 amp and they sound great. When my main amp was in the shop I spent a day just listening to music on the A1s and was very impressed. Normally they do surround duty so this was the first time I'd heard them alone. I did buy RTi4s for my cousin's husband a few xmas's ago. He runs them on a Yamaha RX-V663 (just them + a Klipsch sub) and they sound great there too.

    As to the Ops SQ woes, could it be the quality of the amplification?

    Otherwise, Renegade Ackley is right. you'll need a sub ultimately.
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    Lol thanks for dropping the Xbox gamertag in there
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited February 2011
    thesurfer wrote: »
    Be carefull Saying anything to do with Loudness, or EQing, It might upset the Self imposed Audio Gods,,, You know, those Dolts that would listen to crap,,,and do nothing about it,, because there taught, thats how it should sound, good luck anyhow,

    Dang you have some thin skin. Why don't you go over to mamby pamby land and ....you know the rest.

    All I said was loudness was FTL. You somehow took that as a personal insult and blew it way out of proportion. Seriously, grow up.

    also, the word is "they're" not "there".
    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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  • wz1
    wz1 Posts: 20
    edited February 2011
    JimAckley wrote: »
    Erik, I think I'm as puzzled as you are :confused:

    The EQ will help, but you're still probably gonna need a sub when it's all said and done. Just sayin...

    I'm using a vintage HKardon amp. C'mon I'm being honest here. I have a pronounced frequency that should not be present and that produces a pop on the beat if I mix in another song at medium volume. I swap bookshelves for bookshelves and problem is gone. Its the speakers.
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