Question about "stacking" speakers

iluvmusic

Hello guys – need your input again. I’ve got some Rt800i’s for sale on the flea market (which aren’t selling, by the way), and the reason I was selling them is that I’m not real happy with the highs they produce. I have a pair or Rti8s, and love the crisp sound of the highs. To me, the RT800is sound like the Rti8’s with a sheet or blanket draped over them (that may be extreme, but you get the idea). This was really noticeable when I A-B’d them using an HK DPR 1001 receiver.

Anyway, now for my question, I was reading yesterday on the forum about stacking a bookshelf speaker on top of a tower to enhance the total sound. For instance, since I’m interested in improving the crispness of the highs on my Rt800is, that perhaps I could put a pair of Rti4s or Rti6s on top of them, to give me a more crystal clear high end, since I feel the Rti’s have the high sound I like. (I’ve not heard the 4’s, but have a pair of 6’s which sound pretty good to me). Would prefer to stack a pair of 4’s on top, as they’re smaller and the Rt800i doesn’t have a very big footprint.

Anyway, I didn’t totally understand the correct way to hook them up when “stacking”, and was just wondering if I hooked my Rti800i’s up as “A” speakers, and the Rti4s (or 6s) as “B” speakers, would that give me a noticeable difference. Or do they need to be biamped, or biwired in some way? This system is a stereo system only, and connected to a Pioneer VSX-D811s, 100 wpc, 7.1 receiver, with a Velodyne CHT-10 sub.

I’ve got the Rti6’s on my surround system, and was going to try them with the 800i’s tonight when I get home (A+B), but wanted to get you guy’s input first. If I can improve the sound this way, perhaps I won't need to sell them. Thanks.

dorokusai

I am sure "Mr. Stack" will respond promptly, but personally it's a terrible idea.

Let me clarify, experimentation is what created this whole audio steamroller.....so stack away....it's your scenario.

You will certainly have a change in the sound, that's simply due to having two different radiating sources....it's a no-brainer. If it sounds better, than go with it, but I think it's a waste of resources. Frequency response will be odd, and have fun calibrating an additional set of speakers.

The MTM array is a working application, and this does not simulate that theory.

dcarlson

I'm not sure stacking is all that great either.

There are other ways of improving the sound of your system. Source, pre, amp, cables. They can all change the sound to your liking.

*Edit*
Not to mention, new speakers.

RuSsMaN

Yeah, what they said.

The only speakers that should be stacked are old Advents with some BIG Hafler amps behind them. If you don't like the way your 800's sound - get rid of them, period.

Don't MacGuyver your rig up, or try to band-aid it. Do it right.

Cheers,
Russ

jdhdiggs

IMHO: Stacking is a temporary fix at best and that's only if you have extra, similar speakers on hand. Sell them and buy the ones that you really want.

iluvmusic

That's funny, because that's what I was going to say - I guess the best option for me is to sell these, and to get the Rti8's or LSI7's/9's. I know what they sound like, and I like it. Thanks for the input.