I actually like my RTi150s.

EnoughOfThis

My first post; I finally felt compelled to post after reading so many negative RTi150 stories. I wanted to share my own experience with them. I am starting to feel like I am the only one having any luck/enjoyment with these things. But this story starts off rather rough. When I first got them, they liiterally blew up my crap JVC 7030 receiver. Then I tried an Onkyo 601. It didn't take long for it to go into protect mode. Then my father's Denon 3802. Again, it was able to send it into protect mode at high volumes. I finally "married" it with an HK 525. Talk about one hell of a receiver! The HK has never gone into protect mode when driving the 150s at ear-bleeding volumes (0 on the dial). The fan has never kicked on to my knowledge either. However, I would think it's safe to guess that the HK 525 is not pushing the 150s to their full low-frequency potential. But I dare say, the bass they output now is very strong and satisfying. It is able to shake the couch and really fill up the room. I would not say that it would beat a dedicated sub. But it does such a good job that it makes it hard for me to want to rush out and buy a sub. I am probably in the 1% crowd who do not think that a home theatre must have bass that nails me in the chest for it to sound good. Last time I checked, my local movie theatre doesn't do that either. I prefer the balanced, full spectrum of sound that comes out of each 150 speaker. After all, isn't that the whole point of buying a tower speaker in the first place? Good job, Polk!

I have lurked around this board long enough to realize that my opinion will mostly likely be attacked. Have at it. I just hope that this message finds others who also enjoy their RTi150.

Thanks,
EOT

HK 525
RTi150
CSi40
RTi38

VR3

glad to hear ur diggin it! Rock on!

Airplay355

i agree i loved my rti150s when i had them. i only got rid of them because i plan on getting an svs, and i didnt need the 6 woofers with receiver amps driving them when i have an svs.

no attacking here, i completely agree

Dr. Spec

Originally posted by EnoughOfThis
I am starting to feel like I am the only one having any luck/enjoyment with these things.

When I first got them, they liiterally blew up my crap JVC 7030 receiver.

Then I tried an Onkyo 601. It didn't take long for it to go into protect mode.

Then my father's Denon 3802. Again, it was able to send it into protect mode at high volumes.

Your post speaks for itself.

You did not have any luck or enjoyment out of these speaker until you got to your FOURTH AVR and finally found one that apparently has enough guts to drive the 150s.

Not many people have the $$ or access to four AVRs; count yourself in the minority.

BTW, no one is criticizing the sound of the 150s per se. Aside from the evergreen 70/150 argument regarding the slightly better mids of the 70s, the main problem with the 150s have been exactly what you experienced. Glad you got them running smooth now. h/k does have beefy power amps, that's for sure. Still, I'm surprised the 525 is doing so well - good for you!

dholmes

I own both the rti70 & the rti150, love them both!! the 70s have a more musical sound( 2 ch listening) the 150s, great for HT!! Just my opinion

kberg

I think the 150's may have received a few unjust posts, but perhaps because they require quite a bit more power to drive than the 70's (an issue which has been addressed in earlier posts), so maybe it's not really apples to apples when compared to the 70's on the same AVR.

But there are those who also claim it's not just a power issue. I contend that proper MATCHING of components is always a CRITICAL factor, including the power consideration, but we all know these are not the only issues. And nobody can come up with a calibration device that tells you when your "personal preference" has been met - you have to determine that for yourself, no matter what anybody else says or what the meter reads.

Sometimes I look at posts (including my own!) that ask what needs to be done get a system to sound the way it "should". I like reading the responses and trying out suggestions made by others. I find most of them to be VERY helpful and informative. But in the end, we all want what sounds best to us personally, so I may deviate a bit from what might be considered "the norm" because of it.

mantis

But there are those who also claim it's not just a power issue. I contend that proper MATCHING of components is always a CRITICAL factor, including the power consideration, but we all know these are not the only issues. And nobody can come up with a calibration device that tells you when your "personal preference" has been met - you have to determine that for yourself, no matter what anybody else says or what the meter reads.

I gotta agree with this.Matching is only the first step.Room is second which works with Matching as the room and system have to work as one.Over powering or underpowering just doesn't work.Overpowering I mean by have alot of extra power not needed or having speakers to large for the given space.Setup is last on my list,you have to get the room and system right before you can properly set it up.


As for the Rti150's,there not bad speakers.Room and matching should yield good results with them.There not **** speakers.I have listened to them in a horrible conditions.I can tell with a Denon avr3803 and some good high quality wire,good quality sources in a nice larger room could be a sweet system.........

Dan

stevew14

EOT,

I have said it before, and here it comes again. I love my 150s and have from the start. I don't know first hand about their problems being underpowered however, as I have had 500w/per from day one. That being said, I am sure some have better luck/ skill in proper positioning, and the room can make a big difference as well. So many things can affect the way any given speaker will sound in a room.

Maybe I got lucky, but I have loved mine. No regrets here. I have listened to the new rti12 however and have a chance to upgrade at cc for a song. I have auditioned them three times at Frys now, side by side with the 150 and do like the extra detail and clarity they provide. I'll probably bring home a pair soon and give them a whirl in my room. If I think they are better to me, I will trade the 150s, and don't really care if someone here, or anywhere thinks badly of them. I am the one who will be listening to them.

You have some great speakers there and if you enjoy them, don't worry about what the rest of us think. We're all just bozos on this bus!

Solaris

I have had my 150s for over a month now, nothing but sweet sound come out of them. I never experienced any of the problem posted here. For two hours, I audition both the 150s and the 70s at the same setting and loudness level with sub and without sub. I liked the sound of the 150 more. I got them for $500 and never regretted it.

I love my 150s. For my listening level and room layout they are perfect. They sound great and they look great next to my 57"RPTV. Very balanced to my ears. I like them for their full, well seasoned sound. I had the RT600is before and I always wished for a fulll three way speakers. Now that I do, I couldn't be happier.

I ran them on my Denon 3801 all day long at -10db and they never clip. I added a dedicated amp (Adcom 555 for $400 on Ebay) to bi-amp the bass. Now they rock and sound even better than when I first got them. I also know that there's still lots of headroom for improvement in the future, and I like that.

So, don't give up your 150s especially if you got them at the price I got them for. With a bit of patience and tweeking, they will give you many years of enjoyment.

Tour2ma

EoT,
Wow... a customized screen name. lol... Maybe you could jump in on any new "Bi-Wire" threads...

Dan,
Never have seen "overpowered" stated as a problem before. Personally I can't see it producing a bad match.

Care to amplify your comment?

4_everyman

I've had my RTi150s for three weeks. Lovin' every minute of it! I'm driving them with a Rotel RMB-1075 in a bi-amped configuration, so power output isn't a problem for me. I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

Rgds,
--Pete