Hi all! (RT series question)

Headmanbrewing
Headmanbrewing Posts: 27
edited June 2014 in Vintage Speakers
Hi to all the members here! Obviously I'm new to Club Polk, but am a long time Polk speaker owner. I'm a bit surprised that there isn't a New Members section...
Anyway, what I'm looking for is some recommendations on what center speaker and sub I should be looking for to complete my system. I have a set of RT8 mains that I bought new back in '96-ish and R10's for my rear speakers. I (hopefully) will be getting a single RT10 in the near future, and will be looking for a match to that one. My thought is to find a PSW150 sub to match the vintage of my mains, but have no idea what would work for a center.
I suppose I should give an idea of how I will be using this system. Primarily I listen to a wide range of music, but I do use it for HT as well. My tastes run a wide spectrum. Sinatra, the Nylons, old country, Buffett, classic rock, traditional jazz, some classical, Offspring, 80's glam metal, Michelle Branch, pretty much everything that shows some musical talent.
I have a smallish (15' by 10') room to fill with sound. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!
Scott
(I also have a question about a DIY sub that I will post in the appropriate section.)
Post edited by Headmanbrewing on
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Comments

  • HTguru1982
    HTguru1982 Posts: 1,066
    edited May 2014
    CS245 would be the best match, I think. The original, not the 245i. http://www.polkaudio.com/products/cs245

    This is a very good deal IMO. CS245 with RT25 bookshelf speakers: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-RT25-Speakers-Center-speaker-CS245-with-Stands-/131188876995?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8b7766c3

    The CS175 would work also but it only has a single midrange driver. http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-CS175-Center-Channel-Black-Speaker-/301171635394?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item461f3a74c2
    Display: Sony 42" LCD
    Sources: Harman Kardon DVD-27,
    Panasonic DMP-BDT110 blu ray player
    AVR: Sony STR-DA2400ES
    Amps: Sonance Sonamp 260(fronts),
    Kenwood KM-894(surrounds)
    Fronts: NHT 2.5
    Center: NHT VS-1.2A
    Surrounds: NHT Super One
    Subwoofer: SVS PB10-ISD
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  • Inspector 24
    Inspector 24 Posts: 1,308
    edited May 2014
    Why run the 10's in the rear? Their larger driver and lower frequency response would make them better for front mains, especially for HT use.

    For a center I'd look at the big boy CS400i, it's larger drivers will likely compliment the sound of either towers better.
    Up
    LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000

    Down
    LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
    Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
    Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500

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  • HTguru1982
    HTguru1982 Posts: 1,066
    edited May 2014
    Those Pioneers are pretty nice.
    DSkip wrote: »
    I'd suggest possibly looking at newer models. The original RT series is obsolete as far as drivers go. If you toast one, you're going to have a hell of a time finding a replacement. Don't worry about matching a sub - just get the best you can get within your budget. Personally, with your music background, I'd recommend looking at the new entry-level Pioneers if you're on a budget (sounds like you might be). They are excellent performers and honestly perform above the price point. Believe me when I say they are a new benchmark for their competition.
    Display: Sony 42" LCD
    Sources: Harman Kardon DVD-27,
    Panasonic DMP-BDT110 blu ray player
    AVR: Sony STR-DA2400ES
    Amps: Sonance Sonamp 260(fronts),
    Kenwood KM-894(surrounds)
    Fronts: NHT 2.5
    Center: NHT VS-1.2A
    Surrounds: NHT Super One
    Subwoofer: SVS PB10-ISD
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  • Headmanbrewing
    Headmanbrewing Posts: 27
    edited May 2014
    HTguru1982 wrote: »
    CS245 would be the best match, I think. The original, not the 245i.
    The CS175 would work also but it only has a single midrange driver.

    The CS175 had come up before in my search, I'll add the CS245. Thanks!
    Inspector 24 wrote: »
    Why run the 10's in the rear? Their larger driver and lower frequency response would make them better for front mains, especially for HT use.

    For a center I'd look at the big boy CS400i, it's larger drivers will likely compliment the sound of either towers better.

    I guess I didn't make it clear. The rears are R10's, bookshelf speakers. If I can find a match to the RT10 I'll be picking up, I'll probably swap those for the RT8's. And the CS400i will go on my list as well.
    DSkip wrote: »
    I'd suggest possibly looking at newer models. The original RT series is obsolete as far as drivers go. If you toast one, you're going to have a hell of a time finding a replacement. Don't worry about matching a sub - just get the best you can get within your budget. Personally, with your music background, I'd recommend looking at the new entry-level Pioneers if you're on a budget (sounds like you might be). They are excellent performers and honestly perform above the price point. Believe me when I say they are a new benchmark for their competition.

    Oh I'm aware that the RT series has been surpassed. And it's not like these are '70s vintage Monitor 7's or Advents. But, they have served me well for going on 20 years, and I would rather not banish them to the basement, as long as they still work. Though you have given me something to consider in the Pioneers. Do you know any model numbers, to give me a starting point?

    Thanks all, I appreciate the help!
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  • Inspector 24
    Inspector 24 Posts: 1,308
    edited May 2014
    Aaaaaah, that makes sense. Happy Hunting!
    Up
    LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000

    Down
    LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
    Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
    Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500

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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited May 2014
    I would not go with anything lower than a CS400. I've heard the 175, 245 and 400 next to each other and the CS400 delivers a level of detail that far surpases its lower model relatives. With the center speaker delivering a high percentage of the movie sound, it's important to get something good. The 400's can be had these days for around the $100 mark.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited May 2014
    I can't blame you for keeping that first set. Mine are RT8, CS200, PSW150, and R1 for the rears. I even sold my RT55 and RT800 based systems first and kept these. I do recommend the CS400 for the same reasons as dpowell.
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,761
    edited May 2014
    Don't rule out a CS350LS center IMO...
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  • Headmanbrewing
    Headmanbrewing Posts: 27
    edited May 2014
    In looking at the description of the CS400 on the Polk site, it says it is for a "larger room home theater", which I certainly don't have (the larger room). Is this something I need to consider? And to DSkip, can you tell me what " boxy sounding " means? I don't think that I have heard that used before now.
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    edited May 2014
    It means it sounds as if all the sound is coming from a box, I.e. It is localizable to the source of dispersion rather than dispersing sound well beyond the boundaries of the actual speaker box. A good speaker is going to make it sound like the crash symbol is coming from slightly behind and off to the right of the right speaker, one of the guitars will sound above and to the side of the left speaker etc. you will be able to point to where the instruments are on he the "stage". Boxy speakers, on her ghost other hand, will sound like everything is located right at the speaker.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited May 2014
    If you look at the dimensions of the cs400 you will see that it is deep and fairly large overall. It takes a bit of volume before it sounds it's best which is why I assume it is suited for larger spaces. It guess it could get too loud before it sounds best in a small space. I preferred it because the center channel carries so much of the sound percentage.

    Look at what will fit and look good in your space. I really never felt my cs200 was lacking and it was much easier to fit in. The cs400 would not have fit well back I. 1997 when I bought mine.
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited May 2014
    Cincycat is right. You do need to consider whether you have the space for the CS400. The CS350 mentioned above is a much wider center speaker and takes up way more real estate. That said, if you start off with a lower model now, at least your ears don't know what they're missing. You can always upgrade later. :)
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited May 2014
    perspective of cs200 vs cs400
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  • Jimbo18
    Jimbo18 Posts: 2,334
    edited May 2014
    I recently sold my CS400i from my bedroom setup and replaced it temporarily with a CS175i. In a small room, it sounds really good. I know it only has one driver, a tweeter and a bass port, but for fairly low level listening, it works very well and it pairs well with the Monitor 7's.

    I definitely prefer it to the CS150 or CS200 I had in the past (not sure which model it was).
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  • Headmanbrewing
    Headmanbrewing Posts: 27
    edited May 2014
    I've looked at the dimensions for the 4 models that have been talked about, and I know I don't have the room for the CS350 at over 2 feet wide. I would like to lay my hands on a CS400 to see if that larger room description holds true. At least for the moment, I think my questions have been answered and I have some good options to start searching for locally. Thanks to you all, I do appreciate the help!
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  • c_nitty
    c_nitty Posts: 38
    edited May 2014
    Cheap rt1000,f/x500,and cs400 for someone on Ebay now I hope someone gets this great setup.
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  • Headmanbrewing
    Headmanbrewing Posts: 27
    edited June 2014
    Well, this doesn't solve my sub and center issue, but I did just pick up a pair of RT8's for $85 to go along with the pair I already own. These are the black finish instead of the woodgrain that are my original set, but at worst I have a set of replacement drivers and tweeters to install in my current cabinets. Everything works great, but there are some finish problems (small tear in one of the grilles, black vinyl is pulling up in a few spots, etc). I think I have narrowed my search down to the CS245, as there are a few that pop up from time to time, and it will definitely fit better physically.
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