RT series vs. RT i series

Tmeleo

I just purchased 2 RT35 bookshelf speakers off E-bay (Got a deal I couldn't pass up). I'd like to build a 5 speaker system once more funds come through. Does anyone see a problem mixing RT series speakers with RT i series speakers?

For example I know that the tweeter on the RT35 speaker is different then the RT35i. Someone told me that there may be an incongruity in sound if I was to mix the two series.

Is it still possible to purchase the RT series from Polk or are they only currently selling the RT i series? Thanks for the info.

juice21

the difference between the trilaminate tweeter in the 35i and the silk dome tweeter in the 35 is that they won't be timbre matched. if you eventually want to use the 35's you just got as rears, and use rti's up front, i don't see a problem with it. if you use them as front's with 245/400 center, the tweeter's will not match, and you will hear a tonal change as the sound passes from the center to one of the sides. from the front to the rear, you aren't going to notice this as much, and is why i say they would make good rears. if you could find matching rt's that would be a good 5 channel system as well, but it may be hard to find them though. i saw a couple at CC a few months ago (open box) but they were pretty beat. good luck setting up a system.

RuSsMaN

Find some more good deals on an older 245, 200, or 100 center channel, and maybe some R10's to bring up the rear.

Are their tonal differences in the silk dome and the tri-lam? Absolutely, just depends on how picky you are. If you aren't real discerning, and a slight change won't bother you, don't sweat matching up with the newer speakers.

Not sure how old you are, but it is said that more than half of men over 30 can't hear much over 15-18Khz anyway....then it would be a moot point. Xover points are identical, I beleive in both series, so midrange tones won't be an issue either.

Take your time, let us know how it progresses, and hey, if a year from now you need to dump your 35's, it will take all of 1 day in the flea market, at a fair price to get you a buyer......

Cheers,
Russ

TroyD

Russ (as usual) I believe is absolutely correct. I have R10's as rears with the silk and my fronts (RT7's, CS400i) have the trilam. I suppose there may be a difference but from front to back, I can't tell. A buddy of mine is currently using R40's which sport the silk and a CS350LS which has the trilam, the difference is a little more noticeable on some things but nothing serious or distracting.

Troy

ntculenuff

the difference is a little more noticeable on some things but nothing serious or distracting.

i will agree with troy. i have rt10's w/silk tweet and the cs350ls w/tri lam tweet. have had this set up for about 5 years and the diff is very minimum. having the tri lam in the center works out great since most movie dialog is from the cntr. i tend to like brighter highs than most any how