Polk speaker comparisons

friggy
friggy Posts: 66
edited December 2012 in Speakers
Looking at comparisons between Polk Speakers. I see that the LSiM707 looks like the Flagship, how does it compare to the B&W CM9? OK now just Polk....what is there ranking according to Polk and what makes them different? These are just the ones I know from this forum.
LSiM707-series is there flagship?
LSi25, LSi15, what makes these better than the RTi series?
RTi series, RTi12/RTiA9 the same? RTi10/RTiA7 same?
CSiA6, what makes these better than the CSi30? Would it be a measureable upgrade?
One of my goals is to set up my son with my Onkyo 806 (HDMI went out) and my old sub in a 2.1 set up. One of my options would be to upgrade my towers and use the old RTi10's in his set up.

Thanks for any insight, Ken
Panasonic 50"
Panasonic BPD 50
Marantz 6007
B&W CM9
B&W CM2BG
CM 1's
HSU 3MK4
XPA 5
Post edited by friggy on

Comments

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2012
    Dskip's got you above. +1.

    As to the B&Ws. I don't like them, in general. Let me put it this way. If you like that class B&W with its STRIDENT nautilus tweeter then you will NOT like the Vifa tweeter on the LSiMs and vice versa.

    I'd take LSiM towers over B&W equivalents any and every day--all day!!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • friggy
    friggy Posts: 66
    edited December 2012
    I just got back from listening to the Polk RTiA9 and RTi12 side by side and other than appearance could not tell a discernable difference. Also listened to the LSi25 next to the RTi12/RTiA9 and while I think it was better than the RTi's it still wasn't enough to make me buy them. Now I have the RTi6 as my back speakers and was listening to them next to the RTiA3 and could tell a difference....the RTiA3 just seemed to be a better overall sound to my untrained ear. Also was comparing the A3 and i6 to some Klipsch ref. bookshelfs, can't remember the number designation but the Klipsch sounded very very good!
    I was listening to the RTi12 as Frys has the pair of RTi12's and the free sub for $747, I was thinking this is a pretty good deal....then I went to listen to the Klipsch ref. 7 and 62's, for music, IMO heads and tails above the RTi's. I had previously listened to the B&W CM9 and really liked them but would like to hear them next to the Klipsch. I was going to buy the RTi12 and send my RTi10 to my son...but after listening to the Klipsch I'm thinking I may want more of an upgrade than the RTi12.
    Panasonic 50"
    Panasonic BPD 50
    Marantz 6007
    B&W CM9
    B&W CM2BG
    CM 1's
    HSU 3MK4
    XPA 5
  • friggy
    friggy Posts: 66
    edited December 2012
    I was really just looking for some speakers for my son.....but said to myself why don't I upgrade my towers and give him my hand me downs, and of course when you're out looking you get a little excited! Now if the RTi12's would've sounded like a big upgrade over my rti10's I thought that was a pretty good deal they have going on at Fry's and I would've bought them and gave my RTi10's to my son, but I didn't think they were that much of an upgrade. I initially had an overall budget of $3500 to purchase an AVR and upgrade some pieces, I bought a Marantz 6007, a HSU sub, and an Emotiva XPA 5, this is pretty close to $3000 and doesn't leave me enough to upgrade my towers. So I was going to get some more bookshelf speakers and go to a 7.1 set up but decided to set up my old stuff at my sons first.
    By all means through some options out there while I don't see me making any big upgrades within the next few months I can always review.

    Thanks Ken
    Panasonic 50"
    Panasonic BPD 50
    Marantz 6007
    B&W CM9
    B&W CM2BG
    CM 1's
    HSU 3MK4
    XPA 5
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited December 2012
    Klipsch ref. 7 and 62's

    I tell ya, I have run into that several times recently.
    I heard this speaker or that speaker (all highly rated) yadda, yadda, and left not feeling overwhelmed.

    I hear the Klipsch line, and go home trying to figure out how to buy them!:lol:

    That said, the horns will be "different" by a larger margin compared to domes, in your personal listening space.
    I have found that out from past experiences.

    But!
    They are not hard to position to find the magic in your space either.

    I prefer some of the older Klipsch speakers (Made in Hope Arkansas), but a large part of that are based on my electronics, so YMMV.

    JMHO.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,132
    edited December 2012
    I have a pair of Rti'A3s as rears paired with A5's fantastic for Ht, however I have some Klipsch Synergys and when I swapped them out with the A3's the Synergys sound better in 2 channel playing music, but the Rtia3,s sound better on movies. I like both so I guess it depends. I use the HT setup mostly for movies so the A3's are staying. I have the Klipsch hooked up to an onkyo reciever and they sound pretty darn good.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited December 2012
    Yep, except for my sub (DefTech Powerfield 12) my entire HT is Polk.
    Front 3 are modded (Sonic Caps and MIlls).
    Rears are Bi/Di polar.

    Love Polk for HT, and modded, killer for 2 channel also.
    Just a matter of preference I guess, buy what you like, and don't look at the name.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2012
    cnh wrote: »
    Dskip's got you above. +1.

    As to the B&Ws. I don't like them, in general. Let me put it this way. If you like that class B&W with its STRIDENT nautilus tweeter then you will NOT like the Vifa tweeter on the LSiMs and vice versa.

    I'd take LSiM towers over B&W equivalents any and every day--all day!!

    cnh

    The tweeter in the cm9's are totally different from the D series tweeters. The cm9's aren't as bright as the other series.
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2012
    friggy wrote: »
    Looking at comparisons between Polk Speakers. I see that the LSiM707 looks like the Flagship, how does it compare to the B&W CM9? OK now just Polk....what is there ranking according to Polk and what makes them different? These are just the ones I know from this forum.
    LSiM707-series is there flagship?
    LSi25, LSi15, what makes these better than the RTi series?
    RTi series, RTi12/RTiA9 the same? RTi10/RTiA7 same?
    CSiA6, what makes these better than the CSi30? Would it be a measureable upgrade?
    One of my goals is to set up my son with my Onkyo 806 (HDMI went out) and my old sub in a 2.1 set up. One of my options would be to upgrade my towers and use the old RTi10's in his set up.

    Thanks for any insight, Ken

    Is this setup for Home Theater or music?
  • friggy
    friggy Posts: 66
    edited December 2012
    It is primarily HT.....with that said I was trying to improve the sound of the music also. I know there has to be some trade off between HT and music just trying to lessen the gap. I heard the CM9's connected to the same Marantz 6007 that I have, not sure if it was hooked to an amp or not but musically it was so so much better than my RTi10's. I have to say that the Klipsch ref 7 and B&W CM9's are the best that I have heard but with that said I've only heard a few different brands and models. The others were some Energy speakers that the salesman said would compare to my current RTi10's, and then some Definitive Techs which sounded pretty decent also. But the CM9's stole the show as they were out in the open and not in the showroom and drew alot of attention.
    Panasonic 50"
    Panasonic BPD 50
    Marantz 6007
    B&W CM9
    B&W CM2BG
    CM 1's
    HSU 3MK4
    XPA 5
  • friggy
    friggy Posts: 66
    edited December 2012
    Oh I'm in no hurry....have to replenish the bank account following xmas, I typically spend way too much money!

    Thanks for the ideas, Ken
    Panasonic 50"
    Panasonic BPD 50
    Marantz 6007
    B&W CM9
    B&W CM2BG
    CM 1's
    HSU 3MK4
    XPA 5
  • adb3da
    adb3da Posts: 507
    edited December 2012
    I love all of my Polk's (listening to some as I type this in my office) but there are other very fine speakers out there. I'm also a fan of the big upgrade if you're gonna upgrade. Here's my suggestion.

    Step #1 - Go listen to some Dynaudio's.
    Step #2 - Save up some money
    Step #3 - Keep an eye out for a nice used pair on Audiogon (also check your local CL)
    Step #4 - Just push play and enjoy the music.

    I bought a pair of Dynaudio Contour S3.4 off local craigslist for about $2k. Turns out I knew the guy selling them. It's been all good music-wise since then.