RTi28 vs RTi38 ? My amp is 150w/channel

Turbota

My Pioneer Spec 4 power-amp is rated at [150w/channel].

I purchased a set of RTi70s for the fronts, a set of RTi38s for the rears and a Rava [powered] subwoofer.

The reason I bought the 38s for the rears speakers is that the recommended Amplifier Power is 20-150 w/channel.

The 28s recommended Amplifier Power is only 20-125 w/channel.

The speakers are still in the box. I am starting to think that the 38s may be awfully big to be placed on speaker stands.

Do you think I should send back the 38s and get the smaller 28s?

I'm a little worried that I may overpower the smaller 28s.

I don't know what to do. Right now this system is for audio only and is not going to be used as a home theater setup.

Thanks,
Ron

steveinaz

I think you'd be fine with the 28's. It's having too little power that kills speakers, rarely does "brute force" harm speakers as long as it's clean power.

steveinaz

Rti28's are rated at 89dB (assuming 1watt@1meter)
So given that you must double wattage to increase level by 3dB:

Output

---

Wattage required
89dB

---

1watt
92dB

---

2 watts
95dB

---

4 watts
98dB

---

8 watts
101dB

---

16 watts
104db

---

32 watts
107dB

---

64 watts
110dB

---

128 watts
113dB

---

256 watts

You could drive the Rti-28's "cleanly" to about 111dB's SPL (pretty damn loud) before you might experience clipping distortion in your Pioneer. It's my guess that Polk is recommending a 125 watt amp because they want to limit output to 110dB.

dorokusai

I have heard both, and think the RTi38 is a much fuller sounding speaker. It is a given, since the enclosure is larger, but you get the point. There are stands with larger bases for the speaker available as an option. I wouldn't base the return simply on a stand.

Power wise, either one is fine. They will handle that power and should distort before they get damaged.

dcorrea

I placed my RTi-38s in the rear and they are on speaker stands. The stands I bought are here. Omnimount A/H 400 . I think they compliment the 38's nicely and they are a strong sturdy stand.

scottvamp

If the 28's are a must for you the power diff is not going to be an issue as a surround speaker. Ron, I have barely broken in rt25i's if you want to trade. I have them hanging on the walls with brackets.

Turbota

Well, thanks for all the replies. Maybe I will just stick them on the stands and see how they work out. I just hope they are not too big.

VR3

Hang them on the wall then.....