Should I swap rear Monitor 30's for RTi6?

Gurm42

So my current setup, as listed below, is Monitor 70 II's in front, Monitor 15C in the middle, and Monitor 30 II's in back. With a PSW110 sub.

I have a line, for short money, on a set of RTi6's. I've been meaning to start the upgrade process for Atmos (saving up for the tuner will take a while), and I fully intend to keep the 30's as side speakers or B channels or something, I really like their sound!

So - timbre matching is important for front/center, is it important for front/rear? I figure the increase in sound output - especially midbass - from Mon30's to RTi6 will more than make up for any loss in tonal equivalence. Am I wrong?

Feel free to enlighten me. I was an audiophile back in the day, but that day was 25 years ago. Today I'm a n00b again.

Gurm42

Also, I am well aware that I probably ought to be running a CS2 or Monitor 25C instead of the 15C, but ... $$. CS2's aren't plentiful, and aren't cheap when you can find them. I didn't spend the $250 a CS2 would cost me on the rest of the speakers put together!

codycatalist

You are correct that timbre matching doesn't matter AS much for rear speakers. If the price is good grab them, as you said you are going to eventually upgrade so why not start now while you can get them at a good price.

Will it bring you the expected results and sonic qualities you need, don't know. Buy them and figure it out.

Gurm42

Yeah, they're... cheap. Cheap enough that even if I don't use them for that I'll still find a use for them!

codycatalist

Gurm42 wrote: »

Yeah, they're... cheap. Cheap enough that even if I don't use them for that I'll still find a use for them!

I think you just answered your own question my friend. Stick around and let us know how they sound once you get them. Welcome by the way!

mdaudioguy

Buy them if you have another good use for them. They probably won't improve your HT performance, IMO.

Gurm42

Even more torn now, I can get Monitor 40's for the same money. While I know that people have the strong opinion that the RTi line in general outperforms the Monitor line, having the dual-driver matched rears wouldn't break my heart... ugh. Decisions decisions! Of course, I could always get BOTH, and then have a whole second surround setup for the upstairs... *evil*

Legender

I'm in with both for sure. You can never have too many speakers

Gurm42

So just for everyone's edification, here's what I did...

Front: Monitor 70 Series II
Center: Monitor 15C (yes, I know I should hunt down a C2 or Monitor 25C - that's on my list for a later date because... $$$)
Sub: PSW10 (looking to update to PSW110 or PSW505 at some point, pending availability and $$$)
Rear: I have Monitor 30 Series II, Monitor 40, and RTi6 now. At this point I'm leaning towards RTi6.

The second system will likely be:

Front: Monitor 40
Center: The 15C when I upgrade to a C2 or 25C.
Rear: Monitor 30 Series II
Sub: PSW10 when I upgrade to a PSW110 or PSW505

So yeah, it's a disease and I've caught it.

rooftop59

Gurm42 wrote: »

So yeah, it's a disease and I've caught it.

Yes it is. But at least it’s better than syphilis...

Gurm42

Ok, I have to re-run calibration, but at the moment I think that the Monitor 40's win, at least for 5.1 music. I have to give the RTi6 a fair shot for gaming, but as far as a quick listen of some range-heavy music is concerned, the Monitor 40's are matched the best, so that the music sounds like it's coming from everywhere.

ken brydson

Save up for better subs and thank us later...

rooftop59

Agree with ken, and even though it is true that your center channel is very important, if you grab a 12 incher from SVS or HSU you won’t worry about the center for a good long while... eventually you will want to replace it too but sub first will buy u time.