Front Speaker Recomendation (again...)

Nemesis

Yet again I need help...

I currently use R15s as my fronts in my 13x15 bedroom. I need to replace my crappy Samsung "canabalized from my old HTiB" satilite speakers fro rears. I assumed that I would buy new front speakers so I could just use my current R15s as rears. I have a Harman Kardon AVR 235, a good powerful subwoofer, and room for really only bookshelves. I currently don't have the "parental thumbs up" to buy online so I'm going to have to actually buy from a store .

Clear bookshelve speakers say for around $150 or $200 for a pair. Would Polk's Monitor 30's work well as fronts? Any other Polk bookshelves? An other brands? Or would it just be better (and cheaper) if I bought another pair of R15s for rears?

Sorry to ask this question seemingly every month...:o

Toxis

Originally posted by Nemesis
I currently don't have the "parental thumbs up" to buy online so I'm going to have to actually buy from a store

what's so wrong with supporting your local shop? If they go under due to lack of sales, how will you ever be able to hear anything?

Save up a bit and get RTi4's. The Mon30's just don't really sound good... ever IMO.

wingnut4772

Save a bit more and get the LSI9s from Ebay, Acousticsounddesign etc. You will have MUCH nicer speakers and eventually you can upgrade the rears. You will be happy with them for years and save $$$$ in the long run.

Nemesis

Originally posted by Toxis
what's so wrong with supporting your local shop? If they go under due to lack of sales, how will you ever be able to hear anything?

Not a problem at all. I want to support the local guy, but sadly local audio shops aren't really here (Cambridge Soundworks, where I bought my sub). I'm just saying I know I could get better deals online than in store, generally. Which is the problem with LSi's: an 18 about to go to college can't afford them unless I did go online. My parents don't want me to spend that kind of money.

I get teh feeling that it is not worth buying the monitors. No votes of confidence. The RTi4 is at least in my price range. Though I don't know if my local Tweeters still carry them. Plus there's their markup. I've had teh pleasure of hearing a pair of LSi bookshelves, but I don't know what model.

AT least I've narrowed it down. Anymore help, please???

cfrizz

1. Get a job
2. Call Tweeter & ask about RTI line
3. If available, go in & audition
4. Purchase speakers with Tweeter Card.
5. Depending on the amount for speakers, split payment 6-12 months.
6. Pay off amount on time each month until fully paid INTEREST FREE!
7. If you go over alloted time to pay off card, YOU'RE SCREWED!

Free financing is a great thing! But you have to be disciplined about paying it off. & it helps to establish you as a good credit risk.

Any questions?;)

Nemesis

Good Suggestion. The worse part is I technically afford LS but DOn't want to blow all of my money. Even with job

wingnut4772

Then just wait a little while longer and save. It is way better to get lasting quality and spend a little more.

janmike

Being in debt for audio equipment may suggest a problem. Cash or do without. It's like sacrificing necessities for luxuries. Not smart.

sucks2beme

The tweeter stores down here have those funky European Monitors with the RTI silk tweeters on sale again this weekend.
Check it out. Better than standard monitor series AND on sale.

gregure

Agreed, at 18 you should not be worried about financing, the best way to build credit is with loans and credit cards, and not the electronics financing kind.

However, if you have you're own checking account, you can use your check card as a credit card. That is the key to purchasing online.

I guess if your parents are paying for college, they have the last call, but if you have your own money, you should be able to use it as you see fit. Just a bit of personal advice there, sorry, couldn't help it. I earned money by working, and paid for college with loans, and never let my parents tell me how to spend my own money. But, in dealing with that obstacle, explain to them how much it would help you study if you could raise the budget on your audio equipment a bit

Finally, I would not recommend purchasing LSi 9's for your mains for several reasons.
1. Yes, it is a superior speaker, but you do not have a superior amp in you HK receiver, as decent as it may be for more efficient speakers.
2. Due to the above, the LSi would sound like ****.
3. Getting the LSi 9's would only promote upgrade fever in order to make them sound best, which you obviously don't have the funds for.

I think the Rti 4 is an excellent idea, given that it would work well with your current system, not cost too much, and is in itself a perfectly fine speaker, given a nice review in Stereophile Magazine a ways back at that.

Start small, with what you can afford, to build a system that makes you happy within your means. Get through college with the assurance that you can later get a job that will provide you with the means to buy a better system, and get out from under Mom and Dad's roof.

aaharvel

http://stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/1004polk/

Nemesis, I too have an H/K 235- and I used that very receiver in the auditioning process between the Monitor-30's and Rti-4's. After about 30 minutes of inspecting and listening to both, I came to the following conclusions:

Build Quality: rti-4 > monitor30.
4's are heavier, with better internal bracing and thicker MDF enclosures.
4's are made of real wood/30's are made of vinyl wrap.
4's have more substantial grilles.
4's have sturdier binding posts.

Sound Quality: rti-4 > monitor30
4's have the Power Port- which extends bass response and improves imaging and soundstage.
4's vifa silk tweeters have heatsinks: giving superior frequency response and power handling.
4's have a wider frequency response than the 30's (50hz-27,000 khz vs. 63hz-24,000 khz).
4's have higher thresholds for power than the 30's (125 watts vs. 100 watts).

In other words- skip the 30's and buy the 4's. For less than $100 more- you're getting twice the speaker. IMO there's no comparison, no contest.