RTi70 vs. RTi8 Who reigns supreme?

pbc74
pbc74 Posts: 63
edited March 2004 in Speakers
Which do you think is better? I was thinking of trading in my R50s for the RTi8 ($699 per pair) at Circuit City but I saw that they had the RTi70 selling for $400 per pair on sale. Is there a big difference between the two?
Main system:

Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
Cable- Monster Cable XP

Bedroom Setup:

fronts- Polk R50
surrounds- Polk R30
center- CS1
sub- Sony 50 watt
AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
Cable- Monster Cable XP
Post edited by pbc74 on
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Comments

  • Drewsmith
    Drewsmith Posts: 160
    edited February 2004
    The RTI8's will be a better match with your CSI3, than the RTI70's. I also think they are a better sounding speaker, that is down to the listener though.

    I went with the RTI70's since CC is clearencing them and you can probably get that $400.00 price tag down to $300-320 which is an outstanding price.

    Listen to them both see which you like. If money is not an issue I would take the 8's to have a timbre matched front soundstage
    Epson 8100
    Directv HR24
    WDTV
    ONKYO 608
    POLK RTI70 Mains
    POLK CSI40 Center
    POLK RTI28 Surround
    HSU STF-2
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  • kingkip
    kingkip Posts: 401
    edited February 2004
    I listened to both, and went with the 70's. I thought the 8s were a little too bright for my taste. Though they definately seemed louder. Give em a listen.
    There are two ways to argue with women. Both of them are wrong.
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  • pbc74
    pbc74 Posts: 63
    edited February 2004
    thanks for the responses. I thought that the csi3 was designed to work with any polk setup. At least, that's what they said on the description in the home audio section of this site. ...if I can get the 70s for $320 then I don't care if they don't match perfectly. I'll buy em.
    Main system:

    Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
    Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
    Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
    Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
    Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
    Cable- Monster Cable XP

    Bedroom Setup:

    fronts- Polk R50
    surrounds- Polk R30
    center- CS1
    sub- Sony 50 watt
    AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
    Cable- Monster Cable XP
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  • Drewsmith
    Drewsmith Posts: 160
    edited February 2004
    The CSI3 Tweeter is different from the Rti70's.

    IF CC has the 70's new in box they may not budge on the price but you can try. They are no longer available in most parts of the country, and only a few openbox/demo ones are left. I got mine for $320.00 if that helps.

    I still prefer the 8's and if the 70's where not such a great deal I would have bought the 8's instead. They are a tad bright but most seem to either get used to it or after a short break in they seem to mellow out some.

    Either way both are good speakers.
    Epson 8100
    Directv HR24
    WDTV
    ONKYO 608
    POLK RTI70 Mains
    POLK CSI40 Center
    POLK RTI28 Surround
    HSU STF-2
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  • pbc74
    pbc74 Posts: 63
    edited February 2004
    ...yeah, they have the 70s new in box. As far as the tweeter in the csi3, is it the same as the old csi30? I was trying to buy a match for the R50s but CC stopped selling the csi30
    Main system:

    Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
    Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
    Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
    Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
    Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
    Cable- Monster Cable XP

    Bedroom Setup:

    fronts- Polk R50
    surrounds- Polk R30
    center- CS1
    sub- Sony 50 watt
    AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
    Cable- Monster Cable XP
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  • Drewsmith
    Drewsmith Posts: 160
    edited February 2004
    No it is also different from the old CSI30, the CSi30 would also not match the R50's perfectly either. I used to have R30's model below your 50's and used a CSI 30, and I think it sounded fine. $400.00 for the 70's is still a great price, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on it. Like i said if money wasn't an issue i would take the 8's. Then your front soundstage will be a better match. Will you be able to tell the difference? Maybe. Maybe not, I would get the 70's try them with your CSI3, if you dont like the sound return them and get the 8's.

    Either will be a nice step up from the 50's and should make you happy. Go for it.
    Epson 8100
    Directv HR24
    WDTV
    ONKYO 608
    POLK RTI70 Mains
    POLK CSI40 Center
    POLK RTI28 Surround
    HSU STF-2
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  • pbc74
    pbc74 Posts: 63
    edited February 2004
    yeah, I'll probably check to see if they still have the 70s left in stock. I'm glad to hear that someone actually started out with the R30s. It seems like everyone on here has the Lsi series.
    Main system:

    Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
    Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
    Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
    Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
    Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
    Cable- Monster Cable XP

    Bedroom Setup:

    fronts- Polk R50
    surrounds- Polk R30
    center- CS1
    sub- Sony 50 watt
    AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
    Cable- Monster Cable XP
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited February 2004
    ?!
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • pbc74
    pbc74 Posts: 63
    edited February 2004
    Originally posted by PolkWannabie
    ?!


    What's your question?
    Main system:

    Fronts: Infinity Alpha 50
    Center: Infinity Alpha 37c
    Surrounds: Infinity Alpha 20
    Receiver: Onkyo TS-XR607
    Subwoofer: Pioneer S-DW1-K
    Cable- Monster Cable XP

    Bedroom Setup:

    fronts- Polk R50
    surrounds- Polk R30
    center- CS1
    sub- Sony 50 watt
    AVR- Onkyo TSXR502
    Cable- Monster Cable XP
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  • spyderman
    spyderman Posts: 678
    edited February 2004
    To me the 70's sound better...

    If you like bright, then go for the 8's. But if you have the budget go straight for the 12's... The imaging is amazing!!!
    RTi70 Fronts
    CSi40 Center
    RTi38 Rear
    PSW650 Sub
    Str-de1075 Receiver

    Hope is on the way!

    ABB

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,773
    edited February 2004
    I've only heard the RTi12. The tweeter is identicle...

    Bright? Maybe, I dont remember...

    I do remember one thing though.

    The new tweeter is so much better, especially in the snare, cymbal, and guitar section. This is also where the Tri-Lam, Polymer, and every other tweeter Polk has created beats the Silk. This is why I stack. My RTi70 sounds hissy, bright, and muffled. The Polymer is the most detailed tweeter I own, then the Tri Lam. The Polymer is the smoothest, calmest, and most detailed.

    Again, the new line is supposed to be bright out of the box and calm over time.

    This my opinion on it...

    but what does that matter ;)

    BTW - I like the 70, but I REALLY want to swap tweeters! So anyone that has tri lams, that use the baffle want silks...I will not hesitate to trade :D
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • badolboy
    badolboy Posts: 1
    edited March 2004
    have rsi 28 rear suround, csi 30 center, think rti 8 will cut it, sub goes down to 20 hz at 500 w.
    audio boy
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