Polk Monitor and TSi speakers

dank2hydro

Hi, new here on this board and I had a question that I could not find a definitive answer to. I recently purchased a pair of Monitor 50s and a PSW505 for my home theater. I also purchased a CS10 because that was the shortest center channel speaker in Polk's lineup and space is a factor for my center channel placement. The only thing left would be to purchase the rear surround and don't know if I should go with Monitor 30s or TSi100s. Basically since I mixed speakers from Polk's old and new lineup when I was forced to go with the CS10 I am now a little indecisive when choosing the rear surrounds and if it was wise to mix the two lineups. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

jbooker82

Voice or Timber maching in the rears is not as big of a deal as it is up front. If you cant really notice the difference between the towers and center channel then I wouldnt worry about the rear surounds.

Have you considered the FXI 4's. They are more expensive than the moniters or tsi's but they are real nice for suround speakers. They are triangle shape and have a tweeter on each side so the sound comes out of both sides. That way they are not as directional as regular bookshelf speakers and the sound blends nicely.

You can get a deal on them if you watch polk direct's ebay store.

dank2hydro

Hi, thanks for the reply. No I don't really notice a difference between the center and towers and yes I have checked out the FXi 4s but would probably be out of my price range since the highest I was going for was 140 with the TSi100s from Polk's Ebay store. If that is the case then I would probably go for the TSi100s. Thanks again for the reply!

polkfan38

I would go with Monitor 30s and save a few bucks. They are the same speaker save for some cosmetics.

ROHfan

dank2hydro wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply. No I don't really notice a difference between the center and towers and yes I have checked out the FXi 4s but would probably be out of my price range since the highest I was going for was 140 with the TSi100s from Polk's Ebay store. If that is the case then I would probably go for the TSi100s. Thanks again for the reply!

The TSi100 and M30 are almost the same speaker but the M30s can be had for 89.99 a pair on the Egg and they are a visual match to your M50s. I have M60 fronts and when I upgrade my rears and front heights they will be M30s.

jbooker82, I disagree. I believe timbre matching the rears are very important. Right now I have Dayton bookshelfs as rears and when watching a movie everytime a car goes from the front speakers to the rears it turns into a different sounding car. Same with jets, airplanes, explosions, etc. At times it's not a big deal, other times it's a distraction from the movie watching experience. So yes, it matters.

jbooker82

I have herd others say it doesnt. I was just passing on info that I have herd.

spock 2054

ROHfan wrote: »

The TSi100 and M30 are almost the same speaker but the M30s can be had for 89.99 a pair on the Egg and they are a visual match to your M50s. I have M60 fronts and when I upgrade my rears and front heights they will be M30s.

jbooker82, I disagree. I believe timbre matching the rears are very important. Right now I have Dayton bookshelfs as rears and when watching a movie everytime a car goes from the front speakers to the rears it turns into a different sounding car. Same with jets, airplanes, explosions, etc. At times it's not a big deal, other times it's a distraction from the movie watching experience. So yes, it matters.

Timbre matching is important to me because I listen to a lot of multi-channel audio. Prior to installing the M60's, I had JBL e20's for surrounds. The difference was noticeable in the rear sound stage. Speakers are very transparent with the M60's as surrounds when using them in a surround music application.

Theheadsn

For me Im running different brand speakers in the rear then my all Polk front. Mainly because I dont have the money or the space for lets say a pair of tsi300. Ive read a lot of debates on here about the monitor and tsi series, and it goes back and fourth as far as which is preferred. To save some money, Id go with the monitors, WAY cheaper then the Tsi series. If you have the money, or find a really good deal, then go with the tsi's. I was able to get mine for a decent deal off ebay. To each his own

dank2hydro

Thanks for all the feedback, I appreciate it. Newegg has sold out of the Monitor 30s currently and hopefully they will get more in soon but I guess if the Monitor 30s and TSi100s are almost identical I could go with the 100s if I get impatient(I really want to complete the surround). Thanks again for your feedback.:biggrin:

P.S. This is my first set of "good" speakers and I couldn't be happier with Polk. Really enjoying what I have so far and can't wait to complete the system.

ROHfan

dank2hydro wrote: »

Thanks for all the feedback, I appreciate it. Newegg has sold out of the Monitor 30s currently and hopefully they will get more in soon but I guess if the Monitor 30s and TSi100s are almost identical I could go with the 100s if I get impatient(I really want to complete the surround). Thanks again for your feedback.:biggrin:

P.S. This is my first set of "good" speakers and I couldn't be happier with Polk. Really enjoying what I have so far and can't wait to complete the system.

Damn! M30s (cherry) are in stock on the Egg but are back up to 119.99. The Tsi's are 199. That's too expensive IMO. Be patient. All good things.

dank2hydro

ROHfan wrote: »

Damn! M30s (cherry) are in stock on the Egg but are back up to 119.99. The Tsi's are 199. That's too expensive IMO. Be patient. All good things.

You're right, but I ended up ordering the TSi100s today off the Polk Ebay store shipped for 140. I just couldn't wait to enjoy the full experience. Total now spent with the TSi100s(Polk Ebay) plus 2 Monitor 50s(Newegg), 1 CS10(Amazon), and 1 PSW505(Newegg) came up to 650 with shipping and taxes which I think wasn't too bad. Thanks guys, can't wait to enjoy the full Polk HT experience.