new RTi series....

bignorm

Anyone know when Polk is planning to introduce the new
RTi series.....

Kevinvb11

To be honest, I thought the current RTi's were fairly new.?

bignorm

I thought they were introduced early in 2003

fireshoes

I don't think any plans are in the works for the RTi line for this year.

Mjr7531

I asked Polk CS about this one early summer,
"Hello,
In checking with the project manager, that series is going to remain
current until Spring 2007.
Regards, Ken,
Polk"

VR3

Hopefully there will NEVER be another revision of that series...

5 revisions and 'upgrades' is ENOUGH.

please dont ask for them anymore. There is like 9 years worth of 'upgrades' on EBay, go for it!

Mjr7531

*sigh*
:rolleyes:
Some people like the series...
How about we let this thread die before it balloons into something like the last one?

fireshoes

God forsaken series? Getting a little harsh in your old age, aren't you, Sid? While you might not like them, a lot of people do. You dismiss them completely, but I feel they compare very favorably to many other brands in sound, and the build quality and finish is excellent for the price point.

VR3

5 revisions is enough.

Its time for something new. They may sell well, but no one is buying the 'RT series', people are buying 'POLK SPEAKERS" - no one cares about the name of the series. As long as it sounds good.

the RT series needs to be retired, I never said the current series was bad, you said I said it was bad.

I'll let you know how my RT8's sound when they arrive

Cant wait to get the RT5 sound back, simply great lil speakers!

Well I'm willing to put down $$, that within the next 2-3 years, we will see TWO new lines from Polk

coolfishy101

I think they should definately keep the RTi series. Awsome sounding speakers for under $2000. A few ideas though would be to bring back the blue woofers (I loved those), create another large bookshelf like the rt55i, get rid of the monitor series, bring back the SDA series.

eaadams

I agree with bringing back the blue. That would make current moddels closer to what people have if they need to fill in a hole in their system.

Mike Reeter

About 15-20 years from now,Polk enthusiasts will have in their signature...Bring back the RTi's...

disneyjoe7

I for one like my RTi speakers over the RT speakers RTi150's vs the RT800i. I find the tweeter softer with the RTi150's over the RT800i.


Ok flame suit "ON" (if needed)

brettw22

Sid, who ever said that 5 revisions mandated a replacement of the line? Ever looked at a car lot?

Revisions are a good thing, and evolution of a line is for the better. Keep them coming I say. I love the RT line period.

VR3

I believe in revisions... (really, I do)...

But I dont see a reason to take one series, then move it horizontally - to a new style and call it a revision -

Granted, if you compare the last RT series to the current one, its gonna be an upgrade... yeah we know.

But you own the RTi12 and the RT16, and you said it yourself, they sound similar in most aspects...

Revise it, but make it BETTER, not the same with different looks..

Airplay355

the look changes were a positive revision IMO

brettw22

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
But you own the RTi12 and the RT16, and you said it yourself, they sound similar in most aspects...

I'd agree with the looks change being something different/better. While I said the RT16's and the RTi12's sounded similar, I haven't calibrated my system with the 12's in the mix, so the settings are all geared towards the 16's. I also haven't really had a lot of time to spend actually playing with the 12's with my work schedule keeping me out of town as much as I have been.

coolfishy101

They not only did asthetics. They changed how they sounded. The old lines sounded awsome IMO so it is kind of hard to improve them. Some of the improvements are the silk tweeter vs the tri lam tweeter and power port plus. What are they going to do next? Built in powered subs maybe?!? (hint hint to polk engineers):)

Airplay355

they already had built in powered subs and they took them out...for a good reason too

VR3

The silk is not a new thing...

And the new Silk/Polymer in this current line is worlds better than the silk/polymer in the last RT line that just happened...

I wouldnt call it an improvement over the Tri-Lam or the Polymer in the past RT lines, maybe a side movement at the most....

Why would they put the powered subs BACK in them? Oh my lord!

I liked the RTi12, pretty nice speaker, but it sounded like every other RT speaker I've heard too...

Hence, why I ask why revise it and not just start over?

brettw22

I'd like to hear your idea Sid on how to start over on a speaker. Tell me what you're going to change from current line to a new line, and tell me how your new speaker is better than the existing line.

coolfishy101

Forgot about the subs in the earlier lines. I think polk should do a little more research and development on their subs. I love what definitive does with their floor speakers.

I've never heard a good polk sub compared to other subs in the same price range. (I've never heard the LSiw before though) If they could make a clear sounding sub, even at the expense of going under 30hz, I think polk could dominate.

With that being said, I love all of their RTi series. I'm just sort of dreaming about what could be done. My main point is, keep the RTi series.

VR3

First...

Get rid of all the 'technology' - ARC Port, Power Port, etc...

And stick to the basics, like the Monitor line...

Second...

Stop putting a million tiny drivers and calling them woofers/subwoofers. Put one big one, or nothing at all. The SDA series had plenty of bass and just utilized midbasses and a passive radiator.

And while were removing the multiple small drivers, lets stick to letting the midbasses, or ONE woofer (6.5) doing the bass.

With the proper tuning, etc - this can be killer. I know, I own a speaker (2 of them) doing it.

Its all about quality, not quanity.

Third, no plastic

Fourth, keep it a 2-way, 2.5 way at the most.

Imagine what Polk could do, sticking to a 2-way/2.5 way crossover, with only 3 drivers, limiting the materials they would use, and just making a flat out awesome speaker. Nothing but quality.

Heck, while their at it, why not beef up the cabinets even more, using thicker wood than 3/4", they could do that ya know, with the money they save not putting 6 drivers and making a crossover component to suit it, then the production time to cut the holes, then the extra wood used...

If you cant see where I'm getting at with this, get rid of the subs...

eaadams

I would not get the new series. I'd probably change brands before I'd go with the monitors.

But I have not heard the LSi's so I dont know bout them

VR3

I can see this argument coming, so I'm gonna respond before it starts....

The RT800, RT800i, RT16, RTi70, RTi8 do not count as a speaker I would make.

They are a 2-way with 2 woofers.

What I am talking about, is a RT600i - that costs as much as the RTi12.

And yes, that would put the line I'm thinking ABOVE the RT line, in a whole new class. Which IMO, is where Polk needs to try to get to. Introduce a line with SDA qualities..

coolfishy101

Sid, you're no fun.

First off, I think the monitor series sucks, and it sounds to me like you are describing the R-series (R30 anyone?)

Second I think the RTi upgrade should include multiple drivers and have 3-way crossovers maybe something like a 1" tweeter, 2-6.5" midranges, and 2-7" bass drivers, and keep all the technology created over the last 30 years. After all they are improvements, hence the word upgrade. That would be one bad **** speaker.

Since most people don't like the sub idea and most of you know more than me, then let's not include it.

I don't think one 2-way, single woofer speaker will sound as good for home theater as the RTi series.

I think Sid's idea would be great for music though, and don't sacrafice the RTi line, get rid of the monitor line. Also I would like to see some improvements on the R-series. I think there is some entry level potential there.

disneyjoe7

Sid,

You're scaring me. One woofer :eek: This is way I don't like my Rt800i speakers not enough bass in the room. With my RTi150's 3 woofers small as they are work great all the bass you need. Like I had a 10" woofer in them, so if Polk thinking is keep them thin then what do you do in a room that would require this bass? Sid I talking about a large room vs. your bedroom, not apples to apples
.

VR3

The R series is gone. The Monitor line replaced it.

And how many people actually use JUST the mains/center/surrounds for bass?

Why would you have to front mount a 10" woofer on the RTi12?

The RTi12 has a deep enough enclosure to mount a 15" woofer, and could easily knock the width of the RTi12 to 6-7"

And were on a different level here. Were talking ONE HIGH QUALITY 6.5" at 1,400 a pair. Not dual 6.5" at 600 a pair

And what would I do in a room that large where this bass was needed?

I'd buy......... >sideglance< ...............


















you ready for it????
















A.....














SUBWOOFER

disneyjoe7

I use a Paradigm Servo 15 to shake my walls, floors. Move clocks, nick knacks on shelf, and jiggle recess lights.


My Rt150i's won't do that......... So I just use them for Front speakers in HT and Front speakers in 2 channel.

But I now see there’s no talking with you :eek:

VR3

Ah dont even say that....

Your argument was what would you use to make this bass needed to be made by your front speakers?

A few midbasses, if not just one, can produce the bass needed.

And there are plenty of systems out there that only have a 6.5" (or smaller) that have PLENTY of bass for music... regardless of room size.

My argument is not for HT. My argument is for music.

If you need more bass, buy a subwoofer. simple.

Airplay355

lol