RTI12 Used - Should I buy?

dertitan2

I found a pair of RTI12, used, but in perfect condition for $400..I have always wanted a set of floor speakers to complete my HT, right now I have (4) TSI100 for front and side L & R, a CS10 as my center, and a PSW110 for the sub, my receiver is a pioneer VSX-94TXH...

I am a novice when it comes to this stuff, so is it worth purchasing these RTI12?? Price seems good if they are still in good condition?

I have never been completely happy with my systems sound, so I thought this addition might make an impact, but my concerns are the center channel - with these floor speakers, will it get lost and what about my current sub...lost in the mix...and do I have enough power in this pioneer elite receiver to even drive these things?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

BigDaveyL

The issue is this: Does the CS10 match the RTI12 if you're using them as Front L/R.

If you're using them as surrounds, they probably would be overkill.

dertitan2

i thought about that, what do you suggest?

tommyt21

dertitan2 wrote: »

I found a pair of RTI12, used, but in perfect condition for $400..I have always wanted a set of floor speakers to complete my HT, right now I have (4) TSI100 for front and side L & R, a CS10 as my center, and a PSW110 for the sub, my receiver is a pioneer VSX-94TXH...

I am a novice when it comes to this stuff, so is it worth purchasing these RTI12?? Price seems good if they are still in good condition?

I have never been completely happy with my systems sound, so I thought this addition might make an impact, but my concerns are the center channel - with these floor speakers, will it get lost and what about my current sub...lost in the mix...and do I have enough power in this pioneer elite receiver to even drive these things?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

You can always timbre match at a later date with upgrades, those are a huge step up from your current fronts and would probably push you further down the rabbit hole.

nhhiep

i paid 400 for my used set as well. i don't think it's hard to resale if i change my mind now.

dertitan2

Rabbit hole as Money Hole??? I think I understand...so my next upgrade would be a better center channel, of course then followed by better surrounds...rears...sub....etc. etc. etc.. WOW...so let me ask you, at this price point and if they are in good shape, worth buying anyway?

deronb1

The 12s are great for HT. I sold mine for 350.00, but 400.00 is not bad. Your AVR is not going to let them reach their potential however. That said, they will still sound good for HT. An external amp of 200wpc or more is ALWAYS a good idea for a speaker that can handle 500 wpc.

tommyt21

I have the newer version of the rti8's (A7's) and they were well worth getting. Can you audition them? Also these things are freaking monsters they are very large. I think its worth it.

la9ers

if you decide to go with the rti'12 you better start saving some $$ for an amp to get the most out of them, if not i would not bother picking them up.

Geoff4rfc

dertitan2 wrote: »

Rabbit hole as Money Hole???....so let me ask you, at this price point and if they are in good shape, worth buying anyway?

Oh yeah, you will quickly see that the rabbit hole has no bottom as you continually fall and fall and fall......okay, enough of that Yes, that sounds like a good deal and maybe you can make an offer. As Tommy suggested, try to demo them before making a purchase.

You're right, the center would be your next upgrade, the CSi5 or the CSiA6, either would do great. And, when you can, adding power would be the thing to do.

Sherardp

I would pick them up at that price. Huge speakers and they perform very well. I have a set in my dedicated theater, and can't find a reason to upgrade them. Go for it, but as mentioned prepare to buy the CSiA6 center and an amp sooner or later.

-Stanley-

If I ran across a pair of RTI12's for $400 I would jump on them. I should be so lucky.

dertitan2

an external amp for a HT is some what foreign to me...i have external amps on my car systems...but not familiar with the brands out there for this piece of equipment...any suggestions? wish money was no option, but it is...

dertitan2

I have another question on these RTI12...since my pioneer AVR is setup for a 7.1 system...I know that I can utilize my rear surround amp for a bi-amp setup...after reading several articles on bi-amping, i think I am more confused than educated...

if I leave out the rear surround, and bi-amp these RTI12...does this benefit me at all...or just go with the full 7.1 setup since I know how enough speakers to do so...

tonyb

dertitan2 wrote: »

I have another question on these RTI12...since my pioneer AVR is setup for a 7.1 system...I know that I can utilize my rear surround amp for a bi-amp setup...after reading several articles on bi-amping, i think I am more confused than educated...

if I leave out the rear surround, and bi-amp these RTI12...does this benefit me at all...or just go with the full 7.1 setup since I know how enough speakers to do so...

Eh, not really. It's more so a marketing gimmick. What your actually doing is robbing alittle power from each of the other channels to power that bi-amp feature. Digital amps, or ice amps as they are called, found in receivers such as the Pioneer SC series tend to hold their power better when spread over 5 or 7 channels. Which is why we usually recommend those receivers when driving towers or multiple tower speakers. Aside from an external amplifier of course which would be optimal.

dertitan2

this issue of adding an external amp, if my AVR is able to provide 140 watts per channel, over 7 channels...the type of amp that would be higher than that and over 7 channels...were talking about several thousand dollars...or am I missing something? Can you give me a model number of an amp that you may be referring to...Thx

dertitan2

tonyb wrote: »

Eh, not really. It's more so a marketing gimmick. What your actually doing is robbing alittle power from each of the other channels to power that bi-amp feature. Digital amps, or ice amps as they are called, found in receivers such as the Pioneer SC series tend to hold their power better when spread over 5 or 7 channels. Which is why we usually recommend those receivers when driving towers or multiple tower speakers. Aside from an external amplifier of course which would be optimal.

this issue of adding an external amp, if my AVR is able to provide 140 watts per channel, over 7 channels...the type of amp that would be higher than that and over 7 channels...were talking about several thousand dollars...or am I missing something? Can you give me a model number of an amp that you may be referring to...Thx

chumlie

You don't need a 7 channel power amp. A high current 2 channel power amp to drive the 12's is all you need to bring those to another level. Leaving your Pioneer to drive the rest of your speakers leaving more headroom for your other speakers. Used Parasound amp can be had for around $400. I use a Parasound HCA1500a with great results.

dertitan2

chumlie wrote: »

You don't need a 7 channel power amp. A high current 2 channel power amp to drive the 12's is all you need to bring those to another level. Leaving your Pioneer to drive the rest of your speakers leaving more headroom for your other speakers. Used Parasound amp can be had for around $400. I use a Parasound HCA1500a with great results.

I need to upgrade my center channel speaker...so should I look for a 3 channel...or will my AVR drive the center along with the other channels just fine with no additional amp needed

chumlie

I think that Pioneer would handle it just fine.

dertitan2

so a 2 channel amp like this, or do I need to go higher?

Onkyo M-282 Stereo Amplifier 140 Watts per channel, 2 channel

chumlie

I would go higher. Ebay is your friend. Used Parasound, Adcom, Carver etc 200 watts a channel. IMHO

slider2828

Would definitely jump on it

chadam44

Definitely grab the speakers as that seems to be a pretty solid deal. You will definitely want some extra power though. If you don't find anything used, emotiva has some pretty decent options (new to boot) that are not overly expensive, and since your Pio Elite 94 has pre-outs and decent power, I would just shoot for a 2 channel amp and let the receiver do the work for the center and surrounds.

thsmith

Thats a great deal, get with Gadabout, he had the best sounding 12s I have heard but it was the amp that made the difference. B&K I think. 12s really need more current than your AVR can generate.