How's the CSi3 w/RTi4s?

butie120

I'm thinking of getting the Polk RTi4's due to the nice price of $99, but I've heard some mixed reviews on the CSi3. The CSi5 is not an option due to size, so this seems to be the next best thing. For those who have it, is there a lot to be desired? Do voices sound accurate? Decent room filling sound? Thanks so much!

jeremymarcinko

If the 5 isn't an option then get the 3. I use one with rti12's and 6's and I have no complaints.

Yes dialog is full and intelligible.

butie120

nbrowser wrote: »

How big is the room? What's the rest of your system as in receiver etc.?

The room is about 11x20 with 7 foot ceilings. I have a Denon 2112CI receiver, Fluance bipolar surrounds, Benq 1080st projector. Again, mostly HT, but certainly some music as well.

jeremymarcinko wrote: »

If the 5 isn't an option then get the 3. I use one with rti12's and 6's and I have no complaints.

Yes dialog is full and intelligible.

Ok, thanks for the information. And maybe this is a long shot, but how do you think this center compares to the Pioneer SP-C22 from Andrew Jones?

butie120

Oh I'm aware of that. I wouldn't cross match brands. I'm just curious about going either the Polk RTi setup or the Andrew Jones line. That's what my question was about.

trj

Couple of things to consider.
1. Pioneer Andrew Jones are 6 ohm, RTis are 8 ohm.
2. I believe Andrew Jones are less efficient than RTi which are 90db.
3. I tested the FS52s and RTi8s side by side. Didn't like how Pioneers sounded at all, plus my receiver ran very hot while driving the Pioneers.

If mostly for HT, RTi are better IMHO.
I have RTi8s with CSi5 right now for the front stage and RTi4 as surrounds. Performs really good for HT. I had CSi3 before I upgraded to CSi5 and tested it with both RTi8s and RTi4s for the front sound stage. Both instances sounded equally good.

However, I liked CSi5 so much with RTi8s that I bought a new TV stand to fit it. But with RTi4's definitely CSi3.

Compared to RTi8's I hated the looks of Pioneer Andrew jones towers. Even the grill looked and felt cheap.

My vote would go for RTi's, but listen to them both and decide. What I like isn't necessarily what you would like.

butie120

Thanks for the comment. I think my biggest concern at this point is what people describe as the RTi series as being "bright". I've read that this is actually a good thing for home theater as sound becomes more precise, articulate, and "alive", but that this is a drawback when it comes to music because it doesn't sound as natural. How much truth is there to this subject?

tonyb

butie120 wrote: »

Thanks for the comment. I think my biggest concern at this point is what people describe as the RTi series as being "bright". I've read that this is actually a good thing for home theater as sound becomes more precise, articulate, and "alive", but that this is a drawback when it comes to music because it doesn't sound as natural. How much truth is there to this subject?

Some....RTI stands for Reference Theatre Improved. Key word being theatre. Doesn't mean they can't be used for music though. You simply have to overcome that upper brightness. How do you do that ? By matching them up with warmer sounding gear, cables. Which btw, is why most of us don't recommend Emo amps with RTI's for music because both have a somewhat hot top end.

Use a warmer sounding receiver like an HK or Marantz if your not using separate amps. A warmer sounding cable like a Kimber 8TC, Analysis Plus Black mesh 12's, and a bunch others. Pairing the gear and cables up correctly can overcome some unruly characteristics, but not all in some circumstances. Still, it's important to get a handle on what works well together to achieve the sound that you like.