How are they

doug lang

Can you tell me something about these? Picked up these bookshelf mains about a year ago. They were open box. There number on rear is rt351. They sound okay, was wondering if they would match up well with a lsi center which I just purchased. Thanks guys love the site

billbillw

Originally posted by doug lang
Can you tell me something about these? Picked up these bookshelf mains about a year ago. They were open box. There number on rear is rt351. They sound okay, was wondering if they would match up well with a lsi center which I just purchased. Thanks guys love the site

Sounds like RT35i (not 1). They are generally thought to be one of the better bookshelves made by Polk. They wouldn't match up with an LSi center very well at all. You need to find a used CS245i or CS400i to get the right sound. The newer RTi series has a different tweeter and the timbre wouldn't match.

The CS245i and CS400i show up on Ebay frequently.

okiepolkie

Or, sell the RT35i's and get some LSi7's:) . That is what I did and I enjoyed the LSi's much more. I wish I still haad my LSi's:(

doug lang

Thanks for your answer. With the new lsi center. What would you recommend new for the front speakers. Waiting for used ones could take a while. By the way they would have to be book shelf. Thanks

okiepolkie

LSi7's would be a good choice for matching bookshelves. They can be had on ebay used for $300-$400 if you are patient. Polk increased the price of the LSi's in April by $100, and ebay sales have been reflecting it(even if the speakers were purchased under the old pricing).

The LSi9's are also bookshelf speakers, but are a little bigger and more costly.

What are you using to drive the speakers with?

billbillw

Originally posted by doug lang
Thanks for your answer. With the new lsi center. What would you recommend new for the front speakers. Waiting for used ones could take a while. By the way they would have to be book shelf. Thanks

Have some patience. It will cost you much more to go the LSi route, because you will also have to have a 4 ohm stable amplifier (unless you already have one)

Here is an auction ending in 6 days for a CS245i.

Link to auction

Looks in good shape, seller has good feedback and has the original box, but ask for double boxing anyway.

They usually sell for $130-$180, far less than an upgrade to LSi.

Edit: I just noticed that someone on the Flea Market here is trying to sell a CS400i for a good price.

doug lang

Hey okie I am useing a onkyo DS 989. Now you mention ohms. My specs show 130 watts per channel min. RMS at 8 ohms, 2 channel driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more 0.05% total distortion. 170 watts min. RMS at 6 ohms, 2 channel driven from 1 kHz with no more than 0.1% total distortion. Can't you tell I am new to this. Let me know if this helps with speaker selection, or if there is some other info you need. Thanks

timothyj

Doug, check out the 245i in the Flea Market:)

I'm looking for an LSIC - I see a swap in our future:)))

audiobliss

Swappin' sounds like the way to go, to me. You will need to invest a lot more money not only in the speakers if you go with the LSi series, but you would also end-up paying a bunch of money on equipment to power the LSi's. I'd say jump on that CS245i!

doug lang

Hey Timo the Lsic is the best thing I have ever purchased. Had a polk single driver with tweeter, and bought this high end center. It was worth the 5 bills. I am working on matching all other speakers. I was told put your money in the center and start from there. By the way I am new to this forum, and from what I read I have been light years behind. It seems like money is no object. My receiver is a onkyo 989, plenty of juice to drive these speakers. Thanks for all the info.

timothyj

Cool. I do suggest getting some LSI7's or 9's for the fronts at least. The tweeters in the LSI line are far superior to those in the RTi line.

How long have you had the Onkyo? I worry that you could have spent oodles less and used some 4 ohm stable (rotel, NAD, adcom) amps to sufficiently power the lsiC.

doug lang

I have had the receiver about 8 months. You are rite it did cost a bundle. Now I am ready to finally appreciate it with some fine speakers. I will look to match the center with Lsi 7's,as soon as I get over the price. Thanks for talking. Doug

billbillw

Originally posted by doug lang
Hey okie I am useing a onkyo DS 989. Now you mention ohms. My specs show 130 watts per channel min. RMS at 8 ohms, 2 channel driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more 0.05% total distortion. 170 watts min. RMS at 6 ohms, 2 channel driven from 1 kHz with no more than 0.1% total distortion. Can't you tell I am new to this. Let me know if this helps with speaker selection, or if there is some other info you need. Thanks

Doug,
You will notice that Onkyo doesn't have a spec for 4 ohm load. That is because Onkyo receivers (as well as most well known brands) are not 4 ohm stable, especially if driving more than 2 channels. To get the most out of LSi, you need amplifiers that are high current and 4 ohm stable. This is a well trodden subject around here. You may get the LSi speakers and they will play fine, but you will probably run into overheating issues that cause frequent resets, and possibly a shortened life on the Onkyo.

The RT35i are fine speakers, and if setup properly with one of the matching centers mentioned above, they would give you excellent sound. Do you not like the sound of the RT35i? Do you have them mounted on beefy stands? Subwoofer?

doug lang

Hey Bill you are correct about the 4 ohm load. Just noticed this when upgrading speakers. Is there something I can add to the onkyo. I would hate to loose it. As for the Rt35i's, I think they sound great. It was mentioned in another thread that they would not be exceptable with my center Lsi. I have them mounted on a bookshelf cabinet. My rears are Cambridge s300's multipolar surround speakers. I am using a jbl sub which seams to work ok. Listen if you have more info on that 4 ohm deal send it along. I did pay quite alot for the receiver. If I could add on to save it from over heating it would be worth it. Thanks very much, Doug

okiepolkie

Depending on your budget, you can add amplifiers to your Onkyo(assuming it has preamp outputs). The receiver's amp will probably be sufficient for the surround speakers, so the fronts will be my focus to begin with.

You can get a 3 piece monoblock set for the fronts(L/R/C) from Outlaw Audio. If you contact them ,they usually have some B-stock amps for $230 each.
Another option would be to get a decent 2 channel or multichannel amplifier. Rotel, Outlaw, Parasound, and many others would fall into this category. The two channel option could be found for around $400, while the mulitchannel ones could go up to $1000 or more. All of these will be 4ohm stable and will provide a lot more headroom than the Onkyo you are using now.
If you don't mind going used, look at ebay or audiogon. There are a lot of options out there that would be suitable for the LSi7's.

timothyj

The rotel stereo amp that I just purchased from Russ on the Flea Market, for example, would easily drive the LSI7's or an lsic - much better than the onkyo.

It cost me a whopping $135 shipped. Russ also recently sold an NAD stereo amp for $100 which could also easily drive 4ohm speakers.

Take your time and just make sure you don't fall into marketing hype - you don't need to blow more than a grand on the latest and greatest 7-channel amplifier. Go with a product that has stood the test of time and has kept a good reputation over a decade among audiophiles.

billbillw

Doug,
If you think the RT35i sound great with your Onkyo, stick with them. You can sell/trade your LSiC for a center that matches the RT35i and be done.

Regarding 4 ohm, 8 ohm, etc. We are talking about the nominal electrical resistance of the speakers. Most speakers are either 8 ohm, 6 ohm, or 4 ohm.
Your basic electrical power circuit is a function of voltage, resistance (ohms), and amps (current). This is a vastly simplified explanation, but when the resistance is lowered, the current gets higher for a given voltage. On amplifers, if the current gets higher than the rated output, it gets too hot and the protection circuits kick in. The amplifier needs to have a load (resistance) on the end of the speaker wires.
The beefier amplifiers are built to withstand the increased current of running a 4 ohm speaker, but since most average speakers are 8 ohm, the mainstream recievers are not designed to handle the extra current, hence they are not rated for 4 ohms.

doug lang

Hey Bill I thank you for all the time you gave me today. You certainly explained my ohm problem. Since my onkyo is fairly new and the center is just out of the box, I am going to explore getting a good used preamp. My receiver does have out puts for an amp. I don't no much about them and I guess i will have to read up. I am looking for an amp which will solve my problem. If you come across one on ebay by chance drop me a line. Again I have learned alot today, and I thank you.

timothyj

Are you sure that your Onkyo does not have pre-outs? On the website,under the 989, it states that it does. If this is the case, you can keep your onkyo and just add an amp. No pre-amp needed.