RTi12's vs. RT3000p's?

arcman

I have a pair of the 12's powered by two NAD amps mono'ed running 300 watts a side. There's a smidge of EQ to get them closer to the sound of my LSi9's. The 12's move a ton of air. So much so that on most listening sessions, the lights on that circuit do some flickering. (try 'Out of Town' by the Yellowjackets) I can't believe they can go so loud without ever sustaining any damage. I'm fine with listening to the 12's and my setup for the rest of my life.

But I hate the cabs. They're huge and being a square box, plain ugly. They just don't look good in our living room. I refinished them from the black oak to cherry and even that didn't help.

I like the look of the old RT3000p cabs. I've toyed with the thought of building a similar cab setup using the innards of the 12's (3-6.5's in the lower cab) but I hate to put the cab I finished to pasture and I have enough projects going already. I'd rather sell the 12's and start over if the 3000p's are similar.

My question to the group is, anyone here have or had both speakers? I can't seem to find any specs on the 3000p's. What is the power handling? Are they as efficient and will they go as loud as the RTi12's? Thoughts about both?

I've found a good price on a set with bad amps and was wondering if I don't bother with repairing them, is there any reason why I couldn't bypass the amps? Would I need to do a passive crossover?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

adb3da

I can't comment on the RTi12 but I have a pair of RT 3000p. They are indeed fairly efficient and can get louder than I care to listen to. The sub units are pretty good on these speakers. I think they would be worth repairing. I suppose you could maybe rig up some external amplification but I would think you are better off repairing them.

honestaquarian

From what I have read in multiple places including here. The sub amps on the 3000's always go bad eventually. I'm sure someone here can turn you on to a good repair person. I have also seen them on eBay selling repair services for those amps.

pitdogg2

arcman wrote: »

I have a pair of the 12's powered by two NAD amps mono'ed running 300 watts a side. There's a smidge of EQ to get them closer to the sound of my LSi9's. The 12's move a ton of air. So much so that on most listening sessions, the lights on that circuit do some flickering.

I hate to bust your bubble but that is NOT the air moving that cause's the light to "flicker" that is you STARVING the amps of good clean juice. Sounds like you need a dedicated 20amp circuit for your gear. Dirty power like that can eventually harm both amps and speakers.

Unless your using candle light ignore all the above.

Gatecrasher

honestaquarian wrote: »

From what I have read in multiple places including here. The sub amps on the 3000's always go bad eventually. I'm sure someone here can turn you on to a good repair person. I have also seen them on eBay selling repair services for those amps.

It's not just RT3000p subwoofer amps that "go bad eventually" it's every type of amp ever made. The electrolytic caps go bad, power surges damage stuff, other components fail, nothing lasts forever.

Fortunately, the RT3000p amps can be repaired and are well-worth the cost. That's not to say that another 20 years from now they won't need some more maintenance. It all depends on how well they are taken care of and how many hours you put on them too.

There's a guy on eBay who repairs all Polk amps. He lives in the Chicago area. I had him repair two sets of RT3000p amps for me when I lived in Chicago. I drove right to his house (to save on shipping) and met him in person. He charges a flat-rate unless the amp is totally-fried. Even then he can repair them for an additional charge.

arcman

As to the lights flickering... I am aware it's a AC power issue. It just shows how much juice these things can handle. Five years and no problems with any of the components.

Repairing the amps isn't an issue, just looking for someone who's had both to compare (or the A9's).