is there a % ratio to divide expenses?

DavidRB

Big Dawg wrote: »

Is there anyplace you can go to listen to the LSi7 vs the RTi3? The LSi7 are more refined and laid back, but will push your budget a bit more. The RtiA3 are brighter (some would say too bright), but if paired with a good amp, will sound very nice within your budget.

Oh, don't forget to budget about $50 for decent stands.

Not sure, some monitors are around but scattered.

The RTi3; I am pretty sure I listened to them while on the USA a year ago. I liked them.

DavidRB

Today I went to as many stores as I could and listened to all the HT set ups they had reasonably installed and I got to this: I could not care less for surround. Don?t get me wrong I do love movies and I do watch dvd?s/br. So I thought: I would love to get better sound but for MUSIC. After all when I see a movie I see it first and then listen to it (It is just my opinion please do not offer me in sacrifice). When it comes to music I do sit for hours and do some work, have a nice meal or just close my eyes and really relax.

As mentioned before I would go with the 2.1 setup, hook it up to my screen via digital audio (once again please do not shot me) and as LitoZacky suggested, somewhere down the road get some extras for that set up. I want to go bookshelf on the speakers. I cannot audition the Lsi7?s but I am pretty sure I listened to the RTi3 and liked them. I like the HK 3490 but I am open to suggestions, just remember I want to get a digital audio input. I will ask around and contact polkaudio.com and try to find a shop nearby that carries their home audio speakers.

thanks to all of you once again

20hz

DavidRB wrote: »

man, you guys are a really helpful bunch!

Bookshelf speakers it is.

I would love to go LSi7 but with the receiver and the sub I am way over 1k plus import and shipping (still cheaper than buying here); I cannot afford that. do you have any other ideas on a good pair of speakers? as I mentioned I want to go bookshelvesthanks to all!

I use older polk moniter 5's (not the jr version) mine have the silver coil tweeter a 6" mid/woofer and a 9" passive radiator , I use them w/subs .
But for the cost of $45 on ebay they sound real good plus mine came with new tweeters .
Sure new is nice but good sound is much sweeter when you get a deal , plus lights are dim during movies
Spend the extra money on a good avr .

LitoZacky

Emotiva is having a promotion of 2 monoblock amps (UPA-1) and a stereo pre-amp (USP-1) for $1,000. I believe the shipping is free. This 1k will give u a lot of room for speakers choice. Might want to consider a pair of MMG or a pair of Lsi9 (used is around 400-500). This would be a very formiddable setup.

DavidRB

I listened to Bela Fleck on the RTiA3 and it sounded amazing!!!

I found this on the forum:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119979&page=2

the LSi7 may be a good option, am I right?

Big Dawg

The LSi7s are very nice speakers. If they can fit your budget, you should be very happy.

Big Dawg

LitoZacky wrote: »

Emotiva is having a promotion of 2 monoblock amps (UPA-1) and a stereo pre-amp (USP-1) for $1,000. I believe the shipping is free. This 1k will give u a lot of room for speakers choice. Might want to consider a pair of MMG or a pair of Lsi9 (used is around 400-500). This would be a very formiddable setup.

I'm not sure how $1K for electronics without speakers will fit in a budget of $800?

swb502

I saw it was already pointed out Monitor 70 II are on newegg for 365.96 a pair today. When I started out I just had two Monitor 70s and they were great, I got a PSW505 after that and for music I turned it off. The 70s are pretty strong on the bass with the 4 drivers and for sub 400 bucks it amazing stuff. The jump for me was massive.

That gives you $435 for a receiver. I still think the Monitor 70s are the best deal around.

CCNJ

I have the Polk LSI9s and really like them. Some people even prefer the LSI7s over the LSI9s. For music I don't think you can go wrong with the LSI7s. I think you will be very happy with the LSI7s even without a sub. You could always add a sub down the road if you feel you need one and as fund become available. My feeling is to spend the most on the speakers so I would get the best you can afford now.

I really think an integrated amp is the way to go for two channel. I would stick to solid state gear over tubes due to the ease and cost factor. An integrated amp will give you much better sound than a receiver will. I think NAD and Cambridge make some of the best entry level gear around. Something like a NAD 316 would run about $349 and a NAD 326 would run about $499 new. I do not know about hooking up an integrated amp with a TV so you will need to do more research on that part before you make any buying decisions.

Good luck and have fun!

DavidRB

what do you guys think of the LSi7 in this post:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...=119979&page=2

LitoZacky

DavidRB wrote: »

what do you guys think of the LSi7 in this post:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...=119979&page=2

I think it cannot be found.

EDUBAG

David,

from my limited experience, i would say get the best speaker you can afford and then work from there. if i were you i would get iether the lsi7 or 9 with the hk3490 and some stands.

then i would set up your system and when you have them setup and played around and broken them in, then decide if you would need a sub. since your room is so small you might be surprised that you would not need a sub.

get the lsi line or you will be curious what they sound like, beleive me it happens to me all the time and you can read my setup on my signature.

good luck and enjoy the music

madmax

I tend to buy whatever speakers I really want and hope I can still afford decent equipment to go with them. Sometimes I've had to wait until the next spending spree to finish up the deal.

DavidRB

LitoZacky wrote: »

I think it cannot be found.

lets try again! http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119979

I found the HK 3490 for 260 shipped new in amazon, what do you think?

I just found out that NAD and Cambridge Audio do have stores here BUT I will pay way over 650 usd for an entry level receiver or integrated. With that in mind; will I do OK with the HK 3490?

If you think I will do good with the LSi7?s from Jim I will go for them and save some money and later this year get the 9?s. I think I can install the sets in a separate room with the HK so I could have the 7?s in my bedroom and the 9?s in my living/dining/tv room.

I think that the idea of getting the best speakers one can afford is a very good idea; as a noob I think, and may be wrong, that later one can add an external amp and improve a lot! I looked at the emotiva deals and man I really liked their gear.

LitoZacky

Instead of buying AVR to replace it later, I STRONGLY recommend you get the emotiva deals. Do some research on the monoblock, but the USP-1 itself is very stellar. Audio can be very frustrating at times, when you want to upgrade the sound, you have to upgrade everything. Getting the best speaker you can afford but with mediocre amp and pre-amp won't get you far, also to mention bad amp can blow the tweeter of your speakers.

Here's the plan: Get the USP-1 and 2 monoblocks for $1,000. get some cheap bookshelfs ($100-150) if you don't have any speaker atm and live with it until you can buy a used pair of Lsi9 for $400-500. Or you can choose to go big and get the LSiM 703 bookshelfs.

Lietuvis91

I agree with Dskip... the OP set a budget, and there is no reason to exceed it. There is ALWAYS something better for just a little more money, it never ends. So stick to your budget and buy the best matching components that fit in that price range range. Get a nice quality simple 2ch rig for starters, NO reason to complicate things!

BeefJerky

I get the impression that LitoZacky actually works for, or is a paid spokesman for Emotiva.

DavidRB

thanks guys!

I believe that LitoZachy means good, but I just can?t afford that Emotiva gear as it is.

I really liked this by Lietuvis97:"NO reason to complicate things!"

Because of work I may have to move, I will visit some places this week and see if my needs change; mostly because of space.

LitoZacky

I am only suggesting him $600 more, that is not a lot considering what he will get, if he get the AVR, how can he fully enjoy the LSi9 using its amp? If I work for Emotiva, I would recommend their reference monitors as well, not a pair of MMG or LSi9. Don't recommend this guy to use an AVR to power his LSi9. The LSi series are known for being power hungry, sure it can play those speakers, but what is the point of using part of its potential when you can buy cheaper speakers using almost all their potential which in theory can match with the LSi9? If you cannot stretch over $800, then buy the M70 pairs (sale ends on the 27th) and the HK AVR, stop scratching your head over this, dare I say the sound quality will be very similar no matter what you choose. If you want extraordinary sound as a cheap price then get a pair of headphone, it will save space too.

CCNJ

DavidRB wrote: »

lets try again! http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119979

I found the HK 3490 for 260 shipped new in amazon, what do you think?

I just found out that NAD and Cambridge Audio do have stores here BUT I will pay way over 650 usd for an entry level receiver or integrated. With that in mind; will I do OK with the HK 3490?

If you think I will do good with the LSi7?s from Jim I will go for them and save some money and later this year get the 9?s. I think I can install the sets in a separate room with the HK so I could have the 7?s in my bedroom and the 9?s in my living/dining/tv room.

I think that the idea of getting the best speakers one can afford is a very good idea; as a noob I think, and may be wrong, that later one can add an external amp and improve a lot! I looked at the emotiva deals and man I really liked their gear.

David - I think the Polk LSI7s would be an excellent choice if you can find them at the right price. I know I recommended NAD or Cambridge integrateds previously, but if you can't get them at a decent priced in Mexico, I think I would just go for the Harmon Kardon HK3490. It seems very reasonable for what you are getting, a two Channel receiver that pumps out 150 watts x 2 (stereo) into 4-ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.2% THD. It should power the LSI7s just fine and the whole package seems to be in your price range.

Good Luck. Chris

LitoZacky

DSkip wrote: »

I think most would agree to get the best speakers you can and build up around that.

In this case, you mean the LSi9? To build around that means he would need a better amp, pre-amp, which will in turn costs even more money after dumping the AVR. My suggestion was to get him to buy something that will last him for a long time quality-wise(even the warranty is 5 years). Taking time to advice someone to buy something just to get criticized that I work for emotiva, I feel as stupid as stupid can be. Just for the record, I told him to live with whatever speaker he has now or buy a cheap pair UNTIL he can afford LSi9. Don't bother responding, after today I don't give a **** about what he gets, nor will I ever advice anything ever again.

Big Dawg

LitoZacky wrote: »

I feel as stupid as stupid can be.... nor will I ever advice anything ever again.

First things you've said that make any sense.

For the record, if in the future you ask what you should buy with your $10,000 budget, we'll be sure to recommend that you spend $17,500 on electronics, pick up some used crap speakers, and live with them until you can afford real speakers. If that sounds stupid, well, that is the advice you gave.

Joe08867

LitoZacky wrote: »

I am only suggesting him $600 more, that is not a lot considering what he will get, if he get the AVR, how can he fully enjoy the LSi9 using its amp?

So you want the guy to nearly double his original budget? What are you smoking, and can I have some?

DavidRB

hey guys! Today, merely by chance, I had the chance to listen to a pair of RTi4 in a shop; I really liked them, they had no sub and I could not see the amp; but the speakers really sounded great. What do you think?

BeefJerky

DavidRB wrote: »

hey guys! Today, merely by chance, I had the chance to listen to a pair of RTi4 in a shop; I really liked them, they had no sub and I could not see the amp; but the speakers really sounded great. What do you think?

I think if they sounded great to you, you should get them! The RTi's are a great series, and your listening session confirmed that.

Big Dawg

DavidRB wrote: »

hey guys! Today, merely by chance, I had the chance to listen to a pair of RTi4 in a shop; I really liked them, they had no sub and I could not see the amp; but the speakers really sounded great. What do you think?

First, it doesn't matter what we think, only what you hear. Second, I think that in a very nice $800 system, RTi bookshelves are an excellent choice.

Joe08867

Big Dawg is right. It's about what you hear not what we think.

That said the RTi4's are nice speakers.

Erik Tracy

Just to stir the pot.

I started with RTi4s - loved them - nice little gem of a speaker and can be had at a great price. Does very well in a small/medium room.

My next step was a pair of RTiA3s which I bid and won from Polk Ebay.

They achieved a marginal step up in sound to my ears -bigger soundstage all around over the RTi4s, and I thought they gave a tad faster response and warmer midrange than the RTi4s. Not by much, but by some. Depending on the prices you can get the RTiA3s, maybe not worth the price delta to a great deal on some RTi4s.

Not being able to resist upgrading, I bid and won of pair of LSi7s on Polk's Ebay at a ridiculous price (probably why you don't see these up for bids anymore).

To me the LSi7s were (as others have said) 'laid back' in the high end, do very well with music - but, imo, need a kick in the pants with a good amp to get them to 'wake up' to pump out the sonic goodness. To me, they are a tad 'sleepy' at low volumes.

I did a direct comparison of the RTiA3 vs LSi7 in my rig having both speakers at the same time. For my listening habits and musical preferences in my rig - I'm probably one of three people in the known universe that preferred the RTiA3 over the LSi7 - so I sold the LSi7s and kept the RTiA3.

Among the RTi4, RTiA3, LSi7 - they are all good speakers. If you can get your ears on them all - better for you than reading us 'experts' tell you what to buy. It really comes down to your budget (but never think you will ever be 'done' with this hobby! ), your preferences, and the other components in your rig.

And if you make a choice and over time things don't work out - ok - live and learn and make a change - not a big deal and you've got real ears on experience.

Enjoy the journey!

Big Dawg

Having owned none of these speakers (and thus not subject to potential listening fatigue), but auditioned all of them, I too prefer the RTi3 to the LSi7, particularly when used with an EL34-based tube amp that warms the mids and softens the highs. However, I find the LSi9 to be vastly superior to all of them.

DavidRB

UPDATE
Today I took a couple of cd?s to the store and auditioned the speakers again. I took Moving Pictures and Rock in Rio (what I usually listen to) and I sat and listened for about 30 minutes; I am sold. I also listened to some mp3 (I know it is not Hi Fi stuff, but in the end I had to try)

I already ordered the HK 3490 new from e-bay (300 bucks legally imported and shipped) and the RTi4 speakers new from Amazon (149.99). I think I will be really happy, just got to wait for my stuff to arrive to my new place.

I am pretty happy, I saved some money and will get a sub later if I need to. I want to listen to this set-up first and go from there.

I got to tell you all that I learned something very important; speakers are like hiking boots; it is not about the brand, pricing, looks or model; they either suit your needs or they don?t