RTi150 vs RTi12
AsSiMiLaTeD
Posts: 11,728
Has there been any discussion on this comparison?
I still have 3 months left on my CC upgrade policy for the 150s and went up there with the intention of 'upgrading' to the 12s...was only going to cost me $40...
Before I switched though I wanted to compare side by side...so the guy at the store was cool since I'm a frequent customer and he let me bring home a pair of 12s to compare...cool!
So here are my thoughts:
First, let me be the first to say I don't like the looks of the new series...I know everyone else does and that's what matters...but I don't...oh well looks don't factor into the equation when choosing anyway, so moving on...
To get an idea of what I tried them out on, take a look at my setup in the showcase...basically none of that matters too much becuase it's constant and both speakers are fairly similar...
Bass Performance - The 12s have more surface area in three 7 drivers vs the three 6 1/2 drivers of the 150s, so I assume up front I would get more bass from the 12s...wrong...I'm not sure exactly why, but I get a much better bass response from the 150s overall. I think the 12s may go a little lower, but I don't have anything to test that goes that low...I tested with music and a few scenes from Matrix Revolutions and T3 (crane scene) - the 150s are considerably better than the 12s, especially with HT. Maybe it's becuase of how they're porting the bass, through tbe back instead of the bottom..I don't know, but the 150s convincing win surprised me a little...
Mids and Highs - Again I was expecting better performance from two mids in the 12s than 1 in the 150s...again not the case. I personally don't like the smaller drivers as much, don't seem to carry as much low frequency (yeah I know that's what the subs are for)... I just feel like there's some frequency missing with the 12s...with the smaller mids and larger subs, I just feel there's stuff in between being left out...feel like the 150s have a more seamless sound to me. I like the highs on both, but do like the 12s a little better...they're a little more 'in your face' than the 150s. I have a feeling some people will like the tweeters in the 150s better becuase it's more laid back, but I personally like the 12s a little better...
Final verdict - The 150s wins 2 of 3 categories for me. And as far as the highs are concerned, it was a cery close match, just like the 12s a little better in some areas...
It looks like I won't be upgrading to the new line after all. I've decide to hang on to my 150s for now. Who know, maybe CC will carry the LSi line someday and I can do some more comparing (don't think that will be much of a contest though...)
I still have 3 months left on my CC upgrade policy for the 150s and went up there with the intention of 'upgrading' to the 12s...was only going to cost me $40...
Before I switched though I wanted to compare side by side...so the guy at the store was cool since I'm a frequent customer and he let me bring home a pair of 12s to compare...cool!
So here are my thoughts:
First, let me be the first to say I don't like the looks of the new series...I know everyone else does and that's what matters...but I don't...oh well looks don't factor into the equation when choosing anyway, so moving on...
To get an idea of what I tried them out on, take a look at my setup in the showcase...basically none of that matters too much becuase it's constant and both speakers are fairly similar...
Bass Performance - The 12s have more surface area in three 7 drivers vs the three 6 1/2 drivers of the 150s, so I assume up front I would get more bass from the 12s...wrong...I'm not sure exactly why, but I get a much better bass response from the 150s overall. I think the 12s may go a little lower, but I don't have anything to test that goes that low...I tested with music and a few scenes from Matrix Revolutions and T3 (crane scene) - the 150s are considerably better than the 12s, especially with HT. Maybe it's becuase of how they're porting the bass, through tbe back instead of the bottom..I don't know, but the 150s convincing win surprised me a little...
Mids and Highs - Again I was expecting better performance from two mids in the 12s than 1 in the 150s...again not the case. I personally don't like the smaller drivers as much, don't seem to carry as much low frequency (yeah I know that's what the subs are for)... I just feel like there's some frequency missing with the 12s...with the smaller mids and larger subs, I just feel there's stuff in between being left out...feel like the 150s have a more seamless sound to me. I like the highs on both, but do like the 12s a little better...they're a little more 'in your face' than the 150s. I have a feeling some people will like the tweeters in the 150s better becuase it's more laid back, but I personally like the 12s a little better...
Final verdict - The 150s wins 2 of 3 categories for me. And as far as the highs are concerned, it was a cery close match, just like the 12s a little better in some areas...
It looks like I won't be upgrading to the new line after all. I've decide to hang on to my 150s for now. Who know, maybe CC will carry the LSi line someday and I can do some more comparing (don't think that will be much of a contest though...)
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
Comments
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Nicely done! I'm sure you're glad to have auditioned in your home instead of doing a semi-blind purchase. Proof positive that not all new models, regardless of the maufacturer, are always an upgrade.
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PM,
What did you power the 12's and 150's with for your evaluations ...
I'm curious because my impressions several months ago were markedly different.
But then I guess that's what makes room for multiple models.
PW -
I'm using a Sony STR-DA2ES receiver...bi-amping with a HK PA2000 amp.Originally posted by PolkWannabie
PM,
What did you power the 12's and 150's with for your evaluations ...
I'm curious because my impressions several months ago were markedly different.
But then I guess that's what makes room for multiple models.
PW
In the store, I liked the 12s better, but when I did the compare at home, the 150s won out... -
Interesting ... what was powering them in the stores ?
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I had the 150s and now I have the 12s.
I do think the 12s are a little better, but not drastically so. It's by no means a jaw dropping night and day difference.
I also agree that the bass on the 150s actually seems just a tad bit better too.
But the 12s new tweeter is better than the 150s.
Mid range dynamics should be a little better than with the 12s, but if they are, it's not easily noticeable. -
It was their Onkyo stuff, not sure which model...either way not near enough power...Originally posted by PolkWannabie
Interesting ... what was powering them in the stores ? -
How much power have you got going to them now ? 100 on the bottom and less on top ?
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I've got 100 WPC of HK power on the bottom, which is probably more like 115 knowing HK...and I've got 100 WPC Sony ES power on the top, which is probably more like 85 knowing Sony...Originally posted by PolkWannabie
How much power have you got going to them now ? 100 on the bottom and less on top ?
Overall it makes for a great combination. -
Still a little on the light side imho but regardless I still find it a little strange that the 12's sounded better in the store w/100 wpc and the 150's sounded better at home even with twice the power. But who knows. You got what you like, that's really all that counts.
