TSi200 vs RTiA3
I'm looking for a set of monitors and have narrowed my choices to the TSi200 or the RTiA3. I have a small listening area (12' x 18') and listen at low to moderate volume. These speakers will be driven by a Marantz PM 6004 (I recommend this amp very highly) and I'm looking more for detail and accuracy than deep bass and SPL. Given the size and price are pretty even, I'm curious as to what your thoughts are. I'm partial to the looks of the TSi but I'm open to both. If I can get anywhere near the detail of my old SDA-1Cs I'd be thrilled. Thanks!
Life's too short too listen to bad speakers
Post edited by jmitchnh on
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I've listened to Monitor 40s pretty extensively, and I always liked their sound. They have very good bass for their size. That said, I would not have characterized them as incredibly detailed or accurate. They would definitely be good for background music in a room or for surround duty, but I would not want to listen to them as mains in a 2 channel for any critical listening.
That said, I did quite a bit of research into getting a pair of RTiA3s when I was upgrading from the 40s. There are a ton of reviews out there that deal with RTiA1 vs RTiA3 and RTiA1 vs Monitor 40s etc. After reading through quite a few VS threads, I eventually came to the conclusion that the RTi4 is the correct answer. Many people said that the RTiA1 sounds better than the RTiA3, but that the RTiA1 didn't go as low as the RTiA3. The RTi4 is the older version of the RTiA1, but it is cheaper since it is the older version.
I don't think any of the above mentioned speakers will compare favorably to your SDA setup, however I feel that any of those you're considering should offer quality sound at an affordable price.
RTi4 - $150 Polk Direct
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-RTi4-BLACK-Bookshelf-Surround-Speaker-Polk-Audio-/360372342875?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item53e7dd905b#ht_4418wt_905 -
Your not going to get sound like your SDA 1C's from bookshelves unfortunately. If total size is an issue see if you can find a set of SDA-CRS's as they are smaller than the 1C's and still have that SDA sound
I am going to suggest upping your budget if possible and grabbing a pair of LSi 7's from Polks ebay store (here). If thats not possible at all, then I would go with the RTi's over the Monitors."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
If it's between these 2 speakers, then rtia3 hands down. Besides it being a class above the monitors, the rtia3 has a 6.5 inch woofer as opposed to 5.25 in the tsi200, which makes it better at lower frequencies. RTIA3 is just a better speaker all around, especially if you're looking for detail.
For music, I do like the lsi7 suggestion, if your budget can swing that.Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:
M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires
Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :
LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3 -
Have to agree with the guys. I've owned Rti-4s, Rti-A3s, LSI-7s, and TSI-300s (which are the tower version of the TSI-200). I've also heard people who prefer the Rti-A1s to the A3s but the A3s do dig deeper than the A1s and are tighter down low than the TSI-300s. The Rti-A series also has a more "articulate" high end. But when all is said and done, I use my LSI-7s for music in a small to small-mid-size room--they're really a couple of steps above everything else listed. I'm not sure the Marantz AVR would do the LSI-7s justice without a bit more juice! But Marantz like Denons are a bit more musical and seem to pair up very well with Rti-As. My A3s sound their best on a Denon as opposed to other receivers I've had.
I do like the Rti-4s, though, in my smallish bedroom HT where they perform admirably for both movies and music with the help of an 8" 100 watt sub.
You should, however, hear all this for yourself instead of taking our "word" for it. Because I do know a couple of guys here who prefer the Rti-A3s to the LSI-7s?
cnhCurrently 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] -
Thanks for the input guys. I've got a chance at getting a pair of RT55i for around $100 that look to be in nice shape. Worthwhile?Life's too short too listen to bad speakers
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That's some older stuff, but 2 x 6.5 inch woofers should sound very nice compared to your other options, especially for the price.Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:
M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires
Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :
LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3