I need two back speakers to complete my 7.1, what would work well with the rt25I?

fust

I would love to use another pair of RT25I but I can't find any.

http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rt25i

What would be a similar model that would be easier to find?

goofyGAguy

RT15i

fust

Thanks! Any idea where I'd find that? I'm not finding any.

dorokusai

How about the Polk Wireless F/X? Check out the product pages.....I use one and have installed a few for customers with great results.

http://www.polkaudio.com/products/series/fx

Mark

fust

I've got the wires all set up, and I have other speakers there now. But I've come to the conclusion that I absolutely love the polk bookshelf speakers more than the other one's I'm using as my surround speakers and I really want the same thing or as close to the same thing as that.

tonyb

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/3248377859.html

VR3

Kind of an odd ball suggestion but the Atrium 6 is a 5.25", 1" tweeter configuration, already has the wall mount bracket and is paintable...

dorokusai

I've seen many Atrium series speakers used as Surrounds in my travels.

fust

The Atrium 6 looks similar to what I'm using now for my back speakers. I guess I really like the wood case and was hoping for something like that.

Also, the wall mounting/brackets don't matter. Everything is in place, I just need to swap out the old with the new (or old lol). No mounting.

VR3

Technically - here are the models that would match what you are looking for - (No specific order)

Bookshelf -
(Current Production)
RTiA3

Older production -
RT25i, RT25, RT3, RTi28, RTi4,

Current production -
FXiA4

Older Production -
FX300i, FXi30, FXi3

Alternative Products -
Atirum 6, OWM3

ken brydson

Right here...

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?135766-Yamaha-Sony-Components-Jamo-Surrounds-RT25i-Cherry

fust

Great, this is a lot of options. Thanks to all three of you.

This is what i have now, the ones I want to replace:

http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Technology-ProMonitor-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B000V41XII

So you guys are saying that either of those (RTiA3 or FXiA4 ) would better compliment the RT25I? Which would be recommended? Not concerned about price. And which would work better for my side and rear? My old RT25I as the rear or as the side?

VR3

I would use the FX for the side surrounds perhaps FXiA3 and move ur 25i to the back and get RTiA3 or 6 for the front.... best of luck

fust

Thanks everybody, I think I have all the info I need. Very impressed with these forums.

I bought a cheap receiver with some nice Polk speakers and sub a long time ago... then I upgraded my receiver and for the first time in my life I was happy with my sound. That was what I needed to really drive these speakers. The one thing that I felt holding my system back was those rear speakers. I'm an audio noob (though at gaming forums I often help others with audio issues) but I love the great sound, I'm really into headphones and gaming and all that combined... so I really appreciate the sound, I'm just very far behind in my overall audio knowledge.

Thanks again guys.

VR3

I always recommend upgrading your fronts and slowly moving those mains to other channels... :-)

I would always recommend towers if you have the space, especially if you are into gaming/HT

fust

My fronts are RT55i

surround are rt25I

Rear is Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000

So what would you do with this setup? I'm not happy with the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. Anything I don't use will be put to good use in another setup.

Space would allow me to replace the fronts with towers, and move the RT55i to the rear. For sides, I could use either the rt25I or something better. I can't move the RT55i to the sides.

VR3

If I were in your shoes...

Mains - RTiA7 or RTiA9
Center channel - RT55i x 2, tweeters turned towards each other on their side (like a big center channel)
Side Surrounds - FXiA4 or FXiA6
Rear Surrounds - RT25i

Then obtain a 3 channel amplifier to power your front three...

But I am a nut case when it comes to this stuff! :-D

dorokusai

VR3 wrote: »

I always recommend upgrading your fronts and slowly moving those mains to other channels... :-)

That sounds like advice I've heard before....and its sound advice at that.

The smart folks in audio always re-use and re-purpose things they already have into new applications. If you can save money by shuffling a couple things around and yet upgrade another aspect of your rig, your hitting all the right buttons. By upgrading your mains, you gain a killer 2CH setup and get to move what you already love about your system into another duty for HT rears....as Trey mentioned earlier for example.

The RTiA9's as main L&R would be a smooth transition between the series you already own and give you a smoking 2CH option if you wanted to just sit back and listen to stereo some day.

Mark

fust

I think I may be spending more than I intended to. But that's ok, I'm not complaining at all! This is exactly the kind of thing that I think I need to do.

All my life I took shortcuts with audio, and I've spent a lot of money on crap. I even fell for the white van scam (speakers).

So thank you, I appreciate the advice and reassurance.

fust

One more question... if i did get the RTiA7 or RTiA9, would I need another amplifier for that? Or would my VSX-03TXH be enough?

And what amp would be recommended?

My reciever:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Receivers/VSX-03TXH

Amplifier Design Discrete (A.D. Energy)
Surround Power 110 Watts x 7 (20Hz - 20kHz, 8 ohms, 09% THD - FTC)
Stereo Power 110 Watts x 2 (20Hz - 20kHz, 8 ohms, 09% THD - FTC)

VR3

I would highly recommend a nice high powered amplifier for the mains, just make sure the receiver has pre outs. Those speakers are not easy to drive...

You will be blown away though!

chumlie

Your reciever has preouts, so your all set to add an amp. Look at used Parasound, Adcom, Carver etc. Will make a world of difference with either the 7's or 9's.

dorokusai

fust wrote: »

One more question... if i did get the RTiA7 or RTiA9, would I need another amplifier for that? Or would my VSX-03TXH be enough?

And what amp would be recommended?

My reciever:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Receivers/VSX-03TXH

Amplifier Design Discrete (A.D. Energy)
Surround Power 110 Watts x 7 (20Hz - 20kHz, 8 ohms, 09% THD - FTC)
Stereo Power 110 Watts x 2 (20Hz - 20kHz, 8 ohms, 09% THD - FTC)

The first answer is yes, it will work and drive the RTiA9. Will it be enough power is the second answer and that's NO. You can see how that's a Catch-22 answer. It will work but it won't be what you need is the best phrase here.

You should outboard your amplifier for the front, main two(2) channels in ANY setup. That way, your Receiver/AVR can handle everything else just fine. There are very capable AVR's out there for sure but its usually a best practice to get your main channels on separate amplification. There's no reason to fault your AVR when it comes to surround channnels since you don't need that much power anyways....just good power, quality power. Most high end AVR's have all this covered these days and the era of having amps for every channel is simply not needed.

Mark

fust

I'm going to do one thing at a time. First I'll get the surround speakers I was originally looking at. Then I'll get a 2 or 3 channel amp for the front, and maybe upgrade those front speakers at that time or sometime soon after. Finding enough electrical power for another amplifer is my main concern.

fust

VR3: I went with the FXIA4 and it sounds great. But I am still thinking about upgrading that front, and this sounded really interesting:

"Center channel - RT55i x 2, tweeters turned towards each other on their side (like a big center channel)"

That sounds like a great idea, but from what I'm reading I'm not sure I'm ready for that. If I did go with the RTiA7 or RTiA9 front, what would be a good center to go with that?

And you mentioned a 3 channel amp for the front two + center.. any recommendations?

fust

...Or a 2 channel amp. I'm seeing prices from $200 to thousands of dollars. What is something in my league? I'm looking for good sound and in a smaller room. Not trying to bust out windows. But I don't mind spending more now to be happy longer.

tonyb

Amps are a plenty, but some good ones on a budget are B&k, Parasound, Carver, and a host of others. Look for something on the warm side of neutral to pair with RTI's. If you go with the standard center like an A6, a 2 channel amp and let the receiver take care of the center will get ya by. All depends on the depth of the 'ol wallet.

rtart

fust wrote: »

"Center channel - RT55i x 2, tweeters turned towards each other on their side (like a big center channel)"

That sounds like a great idea, but from what I'm reading I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

If you go this route expect to have point-source issues.....you'll hear the voices seem to come from two places instead of one. There is a reason center channel speakers only have one tweeter.

fust

I could still use some help with the amplifier. I have no idea how many watts I would need.

Again, this would be for either the RTiA7 or RTiA9

specd_out

Your gonna want something 200wpc or more. Emotiva xpa3 is a popular choice but it runs in the $700 range. I have Carvers so thats what I will recommend. In the Carver line you could do M1.0t, M1.5t, TFM25, TFM35, all are over 200wpc and most will spec out much higher then rated when tested. Carvers tend to be on the warmer side so they work well with the RTIa's. I also hear a lot about Adcoms, though I dont know much about them.

The Carvers you will find anywhere from the $200 up to the $400's depending on the models and condition. Most older amps are at the end of their lifespan and will need some refurbishment. Average price for a rebuild will be $300ish. Choice is up to you and you have a lot of options.

fust

So the Emotiva xpa3 is a 3 channel, for center also? Well... that sounds nice.

I noticed the XsiA6 in your sig.... I just picked up the CsiA6 too, so maybe that would be the way to go.

Could you explain how you have that set up, with two amps?