In-Ceiling Surround Questions
Hi Polk fans!!
I have had a setup for about 10 years now consisting of the following:
Rti-A3 (front R/L)
CSi-A4 (Center)
RC60i (surround L/R)
(subwoofer is non-Polk)
I recently upgraded my receiver and contemplated Dolby Atmos, but my room and current setup just doesn't really work for that. So instead I want to upgrade my rears, as they're easily the weakest component in my speaker collection ($100 for the pair I think I paid?). I don't know why Polk doesn't make their ceiling speaker lineup more clear, but I am completely lost as to what is better than what. I have seen RCi, TSi, MC, FX-RT, FX-LS, RT, VT... What the heck?
I've sort of gathered that for my surround needs, and to match the timbre of my RTi-A series speakers, I'd want the TSi60/80 (I can't find them anywhere!) or the 80 FX-RT? Those I can find in the $200-$300 range it seems (MSRP $400/pair?). Would that be my best option? And can anyone please rank those above series from best to worst? I just don't have a clue, but I suspect my RCi series is close to worst.
Relatedly, do you suspect a jump from RC60i to 80 FX-RT will be a pretty noticeable improvement in sound quality for my system? I don't want to waste money obviously, and this is the upgrade I'm pretty interested in this year (I try to upgrade the weak link).
I have had a setup for about 10 years now consisting of the following:
Rti-A3 (front R/L)
CSi-A4 (Center)
RC60i (surround L/R)
(subwoofer is non-Polk)
I recently upgraded my receiver and contemplated Dolby Atmos, but my room and current setup just doesn't really work for that. So instead I want to upgrade my rears, as they're easily the weakest component in my speaker collection ($100 for the pair I think I paid?). I don't know why Polk doesn't make their ceiling speaker lineup more clear, but I am completely lost as to what is better than what. I have seen RCi, TSi, MC, FX-RT, FX-LS, RT, VT... What the heck?
I've sort of gathered that for my surround needs, and to match the timbre of my RTi-A series speakers, I'd want the TSi60/80 (I can't find them anywhere!) or the 80 FX-RT? Those I can find in the $200-$300 range it seems (MSRP $400/pair?). Would that be my best option? And can anyone please rank those above series from best to worst? I just don't have a clue, but I suspect my RCi series is close to worst.
Relatedly, do you suspect a jump from RC60i to 80 FX-RT will be a pretty noticeable improvement in sound quality for my system? I don't want to waste money obviously, and this is the upgrade I'm pretty interested in this year (I try to upgrade the weak link).
Comments
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best match for the RTi/CSi speakers you have would be the RT range for the ceiling speakers. 80fx-RT or either the 90-RT/70-RT/50-RT 3-ways but those require quite a bit of depth so ensure to factor for that.
(Please don't ban me. Am just trying to help) -
TopperDude wrote: »best match for the RTi/CSi speakers you have would be the RT range for the ceiling speakers. 80fx-RT or either the 90-RT/70-RT/50-RT 3-ways but those require quite a bit of depth so ensure to factor for that.
(Please don't ban me. Am just trying to help)
I have about 9.5" of depth. I measured late last night actually! For surrounds, would the FX-RT series be better than the RT series? I don't know how much it matter having 3-way speakers up there for surrounds. Is one "better" than the other? -
I would upgrade my center before the surrounds. Much more important for HT. Also, can you patch the wholes and use some RTiA1s for surrounds? That would definitely be a big improvement...Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
I would upgrade my center before the surrounds. Much more important for HT. Also, can you patch the wholes and use some RTiA1s for surrounds? That would definitely be a big improvement...
Honestly... I can't do much with the CC. The RTi-A6 is just too big for my room. Eventually I could change the whole lineup... But I think my fronts are good for now. If the A6 was only an inch or two less wide... I'd be set. I have the depth and height, but not the width.
I considered RTi A1 for surrounds but I'd need stands and my wife and I cannot seem to agree on that setup. With little kids, wiring issues, the general unpleasant look of speaker stands in the middle of a family room... It's just not looking good for that route, haha. -
anonymouse wrote: »In order of priorities, I would work on the front stage, and then the surround. Both the A3 and the A4 are the lowest end of their respective series. Upgrading those would give you more depth and presence than any change to the 60i.
Second (or perhaps first), what are you powering all this with? A beefier receiver will bring out the best in your existing speakers.
Third, what kind of wire are you using for connections? Especially for the long runs of the surrounds, are you using a quality 12AWG or better wire?
If you are intent on replacing speakers, I have an RTi set listed in the FM that would be an upgrade all round.
I thought the RTi A1 was the lower bookshelf and the RTi A3 was the high end bookshelf of the series? I'm not going floorstanding at this time. It's a family room with young ones... I need things off the floor and out of sight, basically. If there was an upgrade to the CC or bookshelves, I'd do it. But the CSi-A6 is just a monstrosity and I don't have room for it. It's too wide for my setup. Mine is nearly tucked into a center shelf in my TV stand where it fits with about an inch to spare on either side and above. Any idea how to upgrade with essentially the same form factors as the ones I have? That would be my next adventure... The fronts. That'll likely take me a year or two to budget for, haha. I don't have a ton of disposable income at this point in my life so I upgrade slowly. I'm pretty excited about these 80 FX-RT's though!
I pulled the trigger this afternoon on an open box set at Crutchfield for a great price. -
anonymouse wrote: »In order of priorities, I would work on the front stage, and then the surround. Both the A3 and the A4 are the lowest end of their respective series. Upgrading those would give you more depth and presence than any change to the 60i.
Second (or perhaps first), what are you powering all this with? A beefier receiver will bring out the best in your existing speakers.
Third, what kind of wire are you using for connections? Especially for the long runs of the surrounds, are you using a quality 12AWG or better wire?
If you are intent on replacing speakers, I have an RTi set listed in the FM that would be an upgrade all round.
I forgot to answer your other question. I just updated my old 10-yr Denon with a Sony STR-DN1080 to match my Sony TV and Sony 4K player. It's a really slick setup now because I can control everything with my one Sony TV remote with Google Assistant and voice control. I'm quite pleased so far, and I know it's not the best receiver but it's an upgrade from my last one on power and capabilities (and at $600 retail, is in my wheelhouse for price). -
TopperDude wrote: »best match for the RTi/CSi speakers you have would be the RT range for the ceiling speakers. 80fx-RT or either the 90-RT/70-RT/50-RT 3-ways but those require quite a bit of depth so ensure to factor for that.
(Please don't ban me. Am just trying to help)
I have about 9.5" of depth. I measured late last night actually! For surrounds, would the FX-RT series be better than the RT series? I don't know how much it matter having 3-way speakers up there for surrounds. Is one "better" than the other?
For ceiling speaker surrounds, i'd personally go with the 80fx-rt with that setup.
