Tsi 400 v/s Monitor 60 - regardless of price ?

drummer86

cnh wrote: »

The drivers, themselves in all of these speakers are not radically different from each other. The TSI cabinetry is a tad different...it is bottom ported rather than having the port in the front and, in general the cabinet volume is slightly larger in the TSI series allowing for a bit more extended bass--but not a huge difference with the previous speaker. The main differences in the TSI series from what I've seen and heard is that they have a uniform crossover of 2.5khz (which I assume was a decision made by Polk Engineers to provide more of a seamless matching between ALL TSI speakers for Home Theater--primarily!

The cosmetic appearances are also a big bonus on the TSI series whose finish looks a look more contemporary and a lot more like real wood veneer. When I listen to both series--I'm not wowed to the point where I feel the TSIs are some new level of performance over the Monitors that preceded them. In fact, I prefer my M-70s to the TSI-500s for 2 channel performance. In conclusion, if you're setting up a HT the TSI series is probably a smidgen better for surround sound. And it looks a lot better. More WAF there.

Hope this helps.

cnh

Some of the best comments I've seen on this topic. Nice input cnh. Can anyone comment on the aural difference in front vs. bottom porting?

Geoff4rfc

drummer86 wrote: »

Some of the best comments I've seen on this topic. Nice input cnh. Can anyone comment on the aural difference in front vs. bottom porting?

Very interesting question. I never even noticed the port was out of sight on the TSi's.

So if it's bottom ported, you only have so much clearance from the port opening to the floor. As with the front port, you have much more clearance.

So how does that affect sq?

mrbigbluelight

Well ......

THE GOOD (excellent advice, suggestions, helpfulness)

tonyb
"Agreed, but don't let a parts list persuade your discision."

Joe08867
"If you are unhappy with them nothing you measure or look at will help. Either give them a chance to settle in or return them but seriously you are over thinking these speakers."

EndersShadow
Willingness to use his time and gear to see if he can help figure out if it is your source or not.

cnhGiving his personal experience with that Harman Kardon AVR and offering suggestions.

Almadacr
For correctly perceiving, IMO, "you talk in frequencies of 1Khz-2.5Khz , for starters with that much knowledge you would`t be buying Monitors 60 series II but you will be buying something like wharfedales Diamond series."

drummer86
For referencing a cnh post as being informative and helpful and then asking a question regarding the actual aural difference between porting methods.

Hamchunk
Relating his personal experience to Ranger who had some concern regarding having enough power for his setup.

Ranger
Having received some input from Hanchunk, responded with a "Thanks for the reply". This is known as manners; this is a good thing.

pdxfj
Relating his personal experience with a pair of M70's and a CS2 bought off of Craigslist.

dowop
Taking time to measure his drivers per AVHead's 'concern'.

chadam44
Insightful comments regarding Polks excellent quality/performance/price versus other speaker companies.


GoBigBlue
Experience with the Monitor 60's II and the TSi and relating his personal preference for the TSi for music and the Monitor II for HT.


Outfitter03
Sharing how he had opened his monitor 60 to check for bracing and is currently modding the monitor 70 crossovers.


THE BAD ( Enjoying music isn't best accomplished with calipers,a Stanley tape measure, & charts )

Audible distortion in this range where the ear is most sensitive is a felony in the world of speaker and crossover design.

Question - the drivers on the M60 are supposed to be 5.25" but I measured the drivers across and they are only 4.25", so what am I missing ?


Stay tuned for frequency response, distortion and impedance charts.

Its a terrible cabinet job. Outfitter03, have you seen the distortion on the tweeter between 2k-4k. Its humiliating!


I paid only $250 so I dont have much regrets but I can't believe and get over the fact that people were made to pay $650 for a pair such lousy speakers, and if the Tsi are anything like these, you've just been robbed.


THE UGLY

"Needless to say, this is my first and last Polk purchase!"


Mainly posted this for the newer guys, but take a look at The Good, compare it to The Bad, and use that comparison to make your own judgement as to whether The Ugly is a measured, reasonable response.

One little footnote:
Polk's acknowledged EXCELLENT Customer Service should be mentioned. Outfitter03 did experience some bracing problems on his Monitors that he fixed himself, and he is modding his 70's crossovers.
This isn't a requirement by any means for owning Polk speakers but is rather a sympton of the "disease" that will grab ahold of you the longer you get into this hobby. It isn't a bad 'disease', but .... well, it can get expensive.
If you do experience trouble, Polk CS offers excellent assistance via phone and email, and Polk STANDS BEHIND THEIR GEAR.

So remember the Golden Rule:
Get what you can with what you got, and enjoy what you get

If you're prone to being 'humiliated' by gear you buy, then perhaps you might consider another hobby ?

EndersShadow

So I have been doing a bit o listening in the office using the OP's same setup. Pics of my layout are attached.

I honestly feel they are sounding quite good as stereo only speakers. Do they compete w/ my newly aquired LSi's, Hell no, but they sound good in their own right.

I would say get a nice musical sub with them and your golden.

I havent had too much time to do lots of demo'ing with them between work, overtime and some other errands recently, but honestly for ~225 we paid for them I love my Monitor 60's. Still running them off a monoprice coaxial cable, but looking to get a external DAC to go between the computer and HK.

Now if I could get my hands on a set of LSi 7's I would hop on em, but thats not gonna happen for the price I paid for the 60's lol.

Almadacr

I don`t regret what i bought , i can say i am very happy with price quality .

Z0RrO

@Almadacr

I am also from Montreal and I'm looking to buy the Monitor60 but I can't find any retailer. Where did you get yours ?

Thank you

gudnoyez

Regardless of price then I would choose the Tsi 400's