Older RTi8 quieter than newer

cnjvh
cnjvh Posts: 253
in Troubleshooting
I've got 2 pairs of RTi8, purchased some time apart. The 2 newer speakers have serial numbers quite close together and the older ones also have close numbers. But the older vs. newer set are quite far apart.

I was resetting up my system and noticed the sound stage was pulling to the right even after running Audyssey and rechecking with my sound meter. Everything looked right but the soundstage was pulling to the right. I then swapped the speakers and the problem followed the speaker. Soundstage was now pulled to the left. Putting my ear up to the drivers told me that all drivers and the tweeter in the quieter speaker were at least working, nothing had outright failed.

I then noticed that I matched an older RTi8 with a newer one, the older one being the quieter speaker. I grabbed the newer counter part from the rear and matched it up with newer one upfront and everything was perfect again.

So what's likely the culprit? Tweeter old and tired? Failing crossover?

Thanks!

No earth robot is going to tell ME which button to press!!

--Stuff--
Front: Polk Audio RTi12
Center: Polk Audio CSi5
Surrounds: Polk Audio RTi8 (x4)
Sub: SVS PB10-ISD (Dual)
AVR: Denon AVR-3805
Blu-Ray: Panasonic BD30
Display: Sony KDL-55NX720B
STB: Xfinity X1DVR
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    Many possibilities....could be the crossovers are getting tired. Is it the pair or just one ?

    If you bought them used, could be the tweeters were replaced in one set and not the other giving the illusion of a louder speaker. Check the numbers on the tweets to make sure they match between the 2 sets. I'm not 100%, but I don't think Polk used different tweeters in them, but a replacement may be different.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • cnjvh
    cnjvh Posts: 253
    I did in fact buy one of the set used. Dont recall which one though. Good thought, I'll check that they all match part number wise. Thx :)
    No earth robot is going to tell ME which button to press!!

    --Stuff--
    Front: Polk Audio RTi12
    Center: Polk Audio CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk Audio RTi8 (x4)
    Sub: SVS PB10-ISD (Dual)
    AVR: Denon AVR-3805
    Blu-Ray: Panasonic BD30
    Display: Sony KDL-55NX720B
    STB: Xfinity X1DVR
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  • cnjvh
    cnjvh Posts: 253
    It looks like the number is covered by what looks like a small black heatsink screwed to the back. Is that safe to remove?
    No earth robot is going to tell ME which button to press!!

    --Stuff--
    Front: Polk Audio RTi12
    Center: Polk Audio CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk Audio RTi8 (x4)
    Sub: SVS PB10-ISD (Dual)
    AVR: Denon AVR-3805
    Blu-Ray: Panasonic BD30
    Display: Sony KDL-55NX720B
    STB: Xfinity X1DVR
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  • cnjvh
    cnjvh Posts: 253
    Both are RD0690-1.
    No earth robot is going to tell ME which button to press!!

    --Stuff--
    Front: Polk Audio RTi12
    Center: Polk Audio CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk Audio RTi8 (x4)
    Sub: SVS PB10-ISD (Dual)
    AVR: Denon AVR-3805
    Blu-Ray: Panasonic BD30
    Display: Sony KDL-55NX720B
    STB: Xfinity X1DVR
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  • cnjvh
    cnjvh Posts: 253
    Well, after spending an evening swapping things in and out, the problem is the tweeter and not the crossover. I emailed support and was quoted a price of $135.00 for the tweeter. Can that be right? I can order a single new RTi8 from New Egg for $149.00 ;-(

    Does anyone know of a cheaper source for these?
    No earth robot is going to tell ME which button to press!!

    --Stuff--
    Front: Polk Audio RTi12
    Center: Polk Audio CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk Audio RTi8 (x4)
    Sub: SVS PB10-ISD (Dual)
    AVR: Denon AVR-3805
    Blu-Ray: Panasonic BD30
    Display: Sony KDL-55NX720B
    STB: Xfinity X1DVR
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,010
    google the part number, ebay had some new ones for much cheaper.
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