Advice, Monitor 70's vs RTIA9 vs Tsi500

jelliot2

Ok, I'm new to this website and Polk Audio products in general, but have been very impressed by the reviews and feedback. I'm in the market for a new pair of floor standing speakers and have narrowed down things to three different options. See below:

Newegg.com: Monitor 70's 220/each
Futureshop.com: RTI A9's 400/each (only for the next few hours!!)
Amazon.com: Tsi500's 350/each

I realize these are all quite different. I don't even know if future shop ships to the US so that deal on the RTI A9's may be off the list. How different will the Monitor 70's and Tsi500's be??

My current speakers are a pair of theater research (aka white van) towers I picked up, literally out of a white van about 5 or 6 years ago for $20/each. They actually do quite well all things considering, but I'd like to step up to something nicer and legitimate

I have a small sub that helps and an old Kenwood receiver that is fairly decent but nothing fancy. I'm expecting to upgrade the receiver at some point as well.

Drenis

Welcome to CP.

Future Shop doesn't ship to the US. So those are out if your not in Canada. The 70's and 500's are similar in some ways but as far as what to suggest, can you tell us what you use your system for mostly?

jelliot2

I mostly listen to music, a very wide selection. I thoroughly enjoy listening to things loudly, but also a normal volume! That all said, I do watch movies and really enjoy good solid bass.

Thanks for the info. I haven't heard much about the other models you both mentioned.

jelliot2

Here's a question: How would you say the Monitor 70's and RTi A7's stack up? Strengths/weaknesses to either of them?

nguyendot

The A7s will destroy the Monitor 70s, which are pretty good in their own right. Your weakness with either will probably be your receiver if it's long in the tooth.

jbooker82

I would go RTI A7 or 9's. Get a reciever that has pre amp outputs so you can add an external amplifier down the road.