Upgrading main speakers

jmierzur

I was planning on upgrading the main speakers in my HS/HT system. My primary listening mode is HS. I currently have a CS400i center and FX500 surrounds.

I would like to upgrade my main speakers to either the RT2000i or the RT55i/RT35i with a PSW650/550 subwoofer. The local retailers have told me that the above items (RT2000i and RT55i) are discontinued and are out of stock.

What main speaker configuration (other than the LSi series) would give me the optimum setup for two-channel audio? I am looking for clarity, detail and depth in the presentation of the soundstage. Would it be better to have separate speakers (RT55i) and subwoofer than an integrated enclosure (RT2000i)?

Polk Audio Staff:

When does Polk plan on having the new RT series models available? Are there any plans to resurrect the SDA technology? Should I wait for the new series to arrive (if there are any improvements) or should I try to purchase the ‘current’ models on-line?


Room dimensions:
15x13x8 dedicated audio room

Amps:
Rotel RB-980BX (main speakers)
Rotel RMB-1075 (current and future surround channels)
(For the price point, these amps mate very well with all Polk speakers I have tried)

Note: I am not able to listen and compare the RT2000i or the RT55i at this time for the above stated reasons.

hoosier21

I have wanted to go with a pair of RT55i's plus two subs, I have only listened to the RT2000i's at CC and did not really care for them. the RT55i's setting on top of a good subwooferwould sound better to me.

Who knows any of the answers to the questions you have asked, SDA new RT line or whatever, if you already have the center and surrounds, I would go for the RT55i's from Crutchfield for the 400.00 and get a pair of good subs.

juice21

i am currently running 800i's for my front's. i prefer the sound of a seperate sub(s) matched with the polk's in the front, so i would suggest the 55i's, of course i am a HT guy. in HS, the 2000's may provide you a better soundstage. this is pretty much a preference thing. i would listen to both, and decide which sound you like better. you should also be able to still find these speakers at CC.

bjschw

i am currently running CS400i, Rt2000i, & Rt35i and I absolutely love it. The only thing missing is a sub. But, fr now the 2000's give me plenty of bass. IMO I don't think you could go wrong by going to the Rt2000's.

TrappedUnder Ice

well..I've run a lot of polks speakers...55's,1000's,2000's,800's and fx300's...

my current setup consists of a pair of 55i's on top of 2000i's. I have done extensive a/b between the two and like the 2000's much better- and this is with a vel ct150.

I had it set up many ways... running all as mains... I do have a large room. I set my vel to 60hz...if my reciever had better bass management..I'd set it to 40 or 50 myself.... any way you go.. all the speakers sound great!


good luck...Thomas

skinny

I JUST BOUGHT THE 2000 AND THEY ARE SO CLEAN AND CLEAR.. YOU WONT BELIEVE YOUR EARS... THE BUILT IN SUBS ARE AWESOME THE BASS IS SO CLEAN I HA VE THE 450SUB TO GO WITH THEM AND IT SOUNDS GREAT.. YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THE 2000 U CAN FIND GREAT DEALS ON THEM ALL OVER . YOU WONT BELIEVE WHAT I PAID FOR MINE......

Jay M

Hi this is Jason. Yes the RTi line is being phased out and the new and improved RTi will take it's place. You will probably see the new RTi line late Jan to Feb. Honestly the current RTi line prices are so good that I would suggest taking advantage of the lower prices. I would suggest taking a look a CC or Crutchfield.
I usually prefer seperate sub and front speakers. The RT2000i is a great sounding speaker, it will benifit someone who either does'nt want the extra sub or does not have the room for it. The best judge is your ear. If you know of a place to listen to the RT2000i , I would suggest listening to both speakers RT2000i and RT55i. If there is no place around your area that has those in stock you may want to purchase both speakers and set them up in your listening area and send the speakers that you don't want back to that dealer. I hope this info is helpful.... any more ?'s
J

mikemokr

my question Jason is that smiley makes it look like you've got one king-hell throbbing headache. How can you smile through that

mikemokr

what exactly will be "improved" about the new RTi line vs the old?
I ask because I'm now weighing some sort of RTi for rears.

hoosier21

Will these be RTii's, RT2, RTi series 2, iRTi ?

And does changing the logo equal a product line "improvement".

Jay tell us more, we have nothing to live for but upcoming Polk related stuff.

RuSsMaN

Whats up, what are the changes? I'm a week or so away from choosing an upgrade to my Celestions in the family room.... and I have been eyeing some AR hi-res, NHT, and B&W to name a few.

Sure would be nice to know if I should wait until Jan.....

Cheers,
Russ

Didn't Micah assure us nothing was happening to the current RTi line?

We wait, but we may not believe you.....

TroyD

You know it does, to me anyway, seem to be an inordinate amount of time being spent in limbo here with the changes to the RTi line.

I as yet do not have all the money in the world so I still have need for option.

I'm kind of in the same boat as Russ, I am really serious about some new speaks as well but I don't see any new stuff forthcoming

Troy

Aaron

I as yet do not have all the money in the world so I still have need for option.

You're killing me over here! Hahah.

Regarding the new RTi line, are you really that interested? Since you have those RT7's I doubt that a new RTi would provide you with enough reason to upgrade. It's all about the LSi, baby! I think over my Christmas break I'm going to do some speaker listening. I want to put in some quality time with the LSi15, Paradigm Studio 100, and B&W CDM 9NT. The local Tweeter has Mirage and Vienna as well. Anyone ever listened to those?

Aaron

jmierzur

Thanks for the reply Jason.

My main goal is to upgrade my current system with components that will be with me for the long term. In this regard, I am looking for a main speaker configuration utilizing the latest technology/features achieving advanced performance compared with my current model. Past Polk Audio surveys have alluded to technology improvements/re-intorductions.

Cost saving are always of interest. In order to determine if the cost savings are justified in this instance, I require specifications for the new RTi series. This would allow a comparison between old and new instead of completing a blind purchase I may later regret.

As noted in the original post, I have a CS400i center that does not require replacement. I have not auditioned speakers for the past several years. Has anyone found another manufacture's series that match a CS400i? This could be a possible solution.

Polk Audio:

When will Polk be releasing preliminary information on the new RTi series? As I recall, preliminary LSi series information was released many months prior to product availability.

Jay M

Wow quick responses from EVERYONE!!!!
Well the tweeter will be upgraded. It will have a smooth flat response. Also the cabinet looks great, I am trying to convince Polk to send tissues to clean customer drool. Right now we are not posting specs. but as soon as we do I will post them.
Any more ?'s
J

Jay M

Sorry Hos. the new product will have RTi then the number.

Ex.

RTi100

J

hoosier21

I have another, what color will the cones be?

RT x5 = black
RTi x5 = blue
RTi x00= ??? green, red come on lets make them cool yellow

Also what about the cabinets, are we going to have real wood veneer? Maple, Cherry Black ohh please say we can get OAK

Run up and down the hall and say MATT WE NEED SOME F'ing OAK CABINETS

jdelan

Thanks Hoosier...I ran up and down the Hall saying that and Now Everyone looks at me funny...

hoosier21

will the cones still be blue?

will the tweeter look different?

will the new RTi's be priced like the old RTi or the recent discounted old RTi

and really what cabinet finish will be offered

jmierzur

Thanks for the information on the new RTi series (more information would have been appreciated).

As per my prior posts I am looking for the best two channel performance possible without upgrading my complete configuration to the LSi or other manufactures series (maybe Polk will subsidize the upgrade… didn’t think so). The information provided is adequate for me to determine that my best interest would be to wait for the new series introduction, then decide.

P.S.

Oak would be nice to match the surrounding décor. Tissues are NOT required, as no drool is produced at the Polk site; only information is required as a decision would have to be made soon if I was to purchase an existing model.

P.P.S.

Drool is produced at the Martin Logan, Magnepan, Cinepro, PS Audio, Bryston ...... sites.

The Polk Audio site is a practical solution that is a compromise between household members.

Jay M

If you are looking for a speaker to replace the RT20p than you may want to consider the RT2000i will be very similar to the RT20P. The tweeter will be a little smoother sounding.
I need to also clear something up and inform you all that the new products are still in the works. It will be much later until you see the new products. All information is unavalible now.
J

Micah Cohen

Hate to do this, but I gotta step in here. The upcoming RTi Series is, as I stated before, merely the evolution of the line, it is not not not a radical change in sound or timbre-matching. It is just the way products evolve, getting small changes in cosmetics and (sometimes) components. In most cases, specs will remain somewhat the same. Your worry over the differences between "old" (or current) RTi and upcoming (or "new") RTi lines is moot. Current RTi product, as I stated before, is a great deal (I love my 55i's!) -- if you get em inexpensively you still are getting a speaker you can't beat for that price. New stuff will come soon, as product cycles change.

>> As per my prior posts I am looking for the best two channel performance possible <<

The RT2000i's are big and bold, but don't poo-poo the RT55i's. They are volume oriented and really rock. Don't overlook the RT35i's, which will be dynamic and detailed (reminding me most closely to the LSi9's I listened to!) and surprisingly strong for such small speakers.

>> Tissues are NOT required << Don't underestimate the joy of dynamic, fairly priced speakers with real wood cabinets, man.

Paul may chime in at anytime. Be warned.

MC

TroyD

Jay, you seem to be a plethora of information my man!

I agree that I envision the upcoming RTi line just an evolutionary step, nothing radically different over the current line. Theoretically, if I were looking to buy a pair of the RTi line, now would be the time. I liken it to buying a last years model car. It's still new, still cool and pretty similar to the new model.

To answer Aaron's question, no. There is nothing in the RTi line that would make me want to give up the RT7's. Personally, I prefer the older RT line over the RTi line. I think the 7.5" driver is the cat's meow. I have somewhat the same reservations about the LSi line. Would a pair of LSi9's REALLY be worth a grand more than what I already have? I'm not saying it isn't but I really got to wonder. I was at Audio Wharehouse the other day listening to some B&W 602's and Paradigm Studio's ( I use them as a benchmark for the LSi's) and while the high end was a bit smoother and more refined than the RT7's, not a grand better.

What I am really up to , is looking to set up a 2ch rig in a spare room. I have listened to a BUNCH of speakers but I am really still digging planars. I have the room and the power so I don't see why not.

Troy

hoosier21

Troy, I am sure you have seen the offer at Magnepan for the MMG at 550.00 delivered for a home trial

TroyD

....yes, I have.

There is a Maggie dealer here in town and he has got the 1.6's on display along with the 3.somethings......

They sound AWESOME. I am really leaning towards a pair of MMG's. The guy told me that they are a steal and at 550....

I am also looking at used as well, although, used ribbons frighten me to be honest. Ideally, if Wendi would come off the money, I would love a pair of used Carver Amazings.

I am in no rush so we will see how things go.

Troy