Upgrading my polk system... Please help

allen9917

I have been happy with my Monitor 60/30/CS1 5.1 setup the past 3-4 years and finally decided to upgrade to the RTi series. Already got a pair of RTi A5's (cherry finish) from craigslists and they look and sound great. I have a few questions regarding other upgrade options.

1) I plan to get CSi A4 to match the A5's but just found local frys has CSi 3 for $129, much lower than the price of A4. Are A4 and 3 almost identical sound and function wise except the different looks? I actually don't care much about the look of center because it will be 'hiding' in the TV stand anyway. If I'm not losing anything in sound I'd rather save the $50+ with CSi 3.

2) I like the RTi A1's in cherry for rear surround but also hear great things about Fxi A4. Which one will be a better match for the A5?

3) My current AVR is Onkyo NR608. Will it be sufficient to drive the RTi's or I also need to think about upgrade?

Any help is appreciated!

zane77

I think the Fxi's would make for a better surround experiance.

snake1

1. They are essentially the same speaker I believe. Both have 5 1/4 drivers
2. I agree with Zane, FXsi's would be better on surround duty.
3. It will drive them yes, but you will want to start thinking about an upgrade. Your current Onk does not have pre-amp outs, so you won't be able to get any extra power to your speakers down the road. Plus the more speakers you add (that are driven) to your current AVR the less power your speakers are going to get.

Hollar if you need more help!

Geoff4rfc

Also in agreement on the FXi's.

And, anytime you can get an AVR with pre-outs, you're set for upgrades down the road. You can get any speaker you want and know you'll have the option to add amps to your system for extra power.

One step up from where you're at now would do the trick i.e. the 708.

I still have my 807, I bought it because, along with many other features, it had pre-outs, and even though at the time (due to inexperience), I had no intention of adding amps, I'm so glad I did because I now have two amps added to the AVR. It's one of the few times I planned ahead and it worked out

allen9917

Thanks y'all for the input. Really appreciate. It seems Fxi A4 will be the winner even though they are more expensive than the Rti A1's. I did some research online and found those babies never go below $300 for a pair. Fxi's got great look too so I think wife would like them.

Can any one recommend some speaker stands for the Fxi's?

OOsemka

FXi4's will be better for movies. If you plan to listen to 5.1 SACD or some high quality concerts, then you should also consider A1's, since they might do slightly better in directional sound.
As of center, I would wait for a deal on CSI A4 to match the other speakers. It's not that A4 will sound better (they are very close), but you will have a matching set and since you upgraded once, I bet you will most likely upgrade again down the road. Reselling matching set might be little easier.

You should start thinking about getting new more powerful receiver with some pre-outs (future proof).