Polk Tsi200 vs Monitor 45b/40 vs RTI A3

emaccarthy
emaccarthy Posts: 4
edited January 2014 in Speakers
I am looking to set up a simple vintage/modern home stereo. I will be using a Pioneer SX 780 and I am looking to use only 2 speakers for a simple stereo setup. I am trying to figure out the differences between these three sets of speakers. Any preferences? The RTI A3s seem to be the most expensive whereas the TSi200 and the monitor 45b look extremely similar in both price and specs. Since I will not be running a subwoofer I want speakers that can produce a decent amount of bass. I will not be using dedicated speaker stands or anything like that I was looking to just simply place them on top of my bookshelf (I am strapped for floor space). I will be using the stereo with a vintage turntable as well as playing mp3s from my computer. I listen to a lot of classic rock/hard rock as well as a lot of other old classic albums of various types. Any advise?


thanks!
Post edited by emaccarthy on
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Comments

  • mr2686
    mr2686 Posts: 52
    edited January 2014
    The TSI200, 40 and 45b are all pretty much the same speaker with cosmetic differences and a few other little tweeks, but sound wise they are real real close (so if you go with one of those, go with the one you either think looks nicer, or is cheaper). Then there's the RTIA3 which is a nice jump up in sound quality. You will hear some people say that the RT line of speakers is specific to Home Theater instead of music, but I'm here to tell you that they sound great with music. I demo'd the RTIA3's before picking up the RTI8 towers and I played all kinds of music on them...Led Zep, Stones, Pink Floyd, etc and they all sounded great. You cannot go wrong with this speaker IMHO. If you want to save some cash, the Polk direct ebay store usually has the older model of this speaker ( RTI6) for a bit of a savings. Again, mostly cosmetic differences between the two.
    Hope that helps.
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  • emaccarthy
    emaccarthy Posts: 4
    edited January 2014
    thanks for the reply. Would you say that the RTIA3s sound better just because of the bigger speaker size? I just really want to make sure those would be the speakers to get because they are right on the edge of my budget.
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  • seabeerob213
    seabeerob213 Posts: 1,843
    edited January 2014
    its is the overall design of the speaker, the components used, and all that, my rti 4's and rti a3 sound way better than my monitor 30's.
    2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know :)"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA
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  • emaccarthy
    emaccarthy Posts: 4
    edited January 2014
    I am just curious what makes them sound better? Wider frequency response? clearer sound? deeper bass?

    Thanks!
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  • mr2686
    mr2686 Posts: 52
    edited January 2014
    nbrowser wrote: »
    Higher up the food chain, engineered for HT use primarily but do so well for music (I have a pair of A3s), higher end drivers, better crossovers, better enclosures. I could go on, easiest way to find out what to buy is to go listen, and listen and listen. We could tell you what speakers to buy day in day out, but it's what sounds best to YOU. All ears are not created equal.

    +1000
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  • emaccarthy
    emaccarthy Posts: 4
    edited January 2014
    Rti6 vs RTi A3? Just older model with different box shape?
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