Need Help with RTI Setup

lasdj

Hi I'm not sure if this belongs in this section of the forums however if not can you please remove or inform me so I can post to the correct place.

So here it goes, just purchased a set of RTI8s to replace my old towers from craigslist. My first question is does it matter which terminal I hook my speaker wire to on the towers? Currently there are 4 terminals (for bi-amp), I hooked my system up on the top positive and negative terminal. Just making sure if that is right. Second question is should I setup a crossover, if so should it be around 80?

So when I listen to the system (no crossover) it didnt sounded a bit dead, not sure how to really describe it. I was thinking it is probably my receiver isnt strong enough but wasnt sure and thought someone would be able to help me.

This is my current setup:
ONYKO RC260 7.2
CSI3
RTI8
BIC F-12
Surround I have currently are Polk but unknown what model.

Can someone let me know if my receiver would be strong enough to handle the RTI8s?

Also I was thinking of getting the RTI4 or RTI6 as my rear. Which would you guys recommend? My living room is pretty big about 40 feet long by 20 feet wide. So I'm sitting in the middle and the RTI4 or 6 would be behind me (about 10 feet behind). Should I get the 6s for the back?

Also should I just get them both and use one of the pair for my surround and the other as the rear for a full 7.1 setup? If I go that route would my receiver have enough power?

Thanks for helping

alienwatcher

Congrats on your new speakers! You plugged into the terminals fine. I would suggest replacing the plates with real speaker wire between the terminals though. This is optional, but it made a world of difference for me.

You should definitely setup a crossover as those speakers. 80 is the best starting point and what most people suggest right off the bat. This is where I cross my speakers at (RTI A5s are very much like your RTI8s). Not crossing over to a sub on a speaker that's not made to be "full range" usually results in less than ideal sound. Overall muddy sound takes over and I've read some cases of speaker distortion occurring (bad).

Your receiver should be fine. While more power is always better, I ran my A5s off my Yamaha 663 for about a year and they sounded pretty good. I wouldn't upgrade the receiver unless you wanted to get into separates (as it looks like your receiver doesn't have pre-outs to do that).

You've got a pretty big room! I would suggest setting up a 7.1 configuration (or 7.2!) if your room allows. I would either setup the RTI4s and the RTI6s as you mentioned (to me, RTI6s would be ideal for your room size) or look into the FXI speakers as your sides. FXI5s or FXI A6s would work well.

lasdj

Thank you for your help I feel much better now. I found some guy selling the RTI6 and RTI4s for 250 together. So I will pick them up. So should the RTI4 be the rear and the RTI6 be the surround (the sides)?

So only the fronts should have the cross over correct? I am new to this cross over.

Also you mention that my receiver doesnt have a pre out so that would mean I cant install an amp correct? Well its good that I am on the right track and found this forum.

Thanks for your help :-)

B Run

Welcome to the forum! I run my Rti8's crossed over at 80hz and it sounds best to me. You should have all the speakers in your system set to small with a crossover. You're correct on not being able to install an amp with your current receiver because it lacks pre outs. I ran mine off an AVR for a while and they get plenty loud and still will work fine, an amp just makes em sound even better. Good luck with the new system.

lasdj

thanks for the tip. I will run the speakers all as small even the fronts and do the crossover as stated by the both of you at 80 then work from there.

should i be using the rti6 as the rear or on the side surround for my setup? i am not sure what the side surround is suppose to hear or do. this is my first 7.1 setup and technically my first real home theater setup.

as i mention previously i had a system that was just hand me downs and i decided to upgrade.

i appreciate everyone's input. this forums has been such a great help.

larry777

I would run the RTi6's as your Side Surrounds and the RTi4's as the Rears.