Monitor series vs. RTi series

Systems
Systems Posts: 14,873
edited July 2005 in Speakers
Hey guys I have heard the Monitor series and I liked it. I cant hear the RTi sereis. No dealers within 150 miles.

I was wondering if someone that has heard both could describe the tonal characteristic differences between the two series.

Also if they could describe if they felt the clarity/imaging etc... was better on the RTi series.

I know this will all be your own opinions but thats what I want.

Thanks guys.
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Comments

  • fergusonv
    fergusonv Posts: 3
    edited July 2005
    IMHO the RTi line blows the monitors out of the water. Granted they cost more but your getting a better speaker. My main setup has RTi's and I have Monitors in the bedroom. The RTi's are more detailed, present a better soundstage and are a more refined sounding speaker.
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by fergusonv
    IMHO the RTi line blows the monitors out of the water. Granted they cost more but your getting a better speaker. My main setup has RTi's and I have Monitors in the bedroom. The RTi's are more detailed, present a better soundstage and are a more refined sounding speaker.

    what Fergueson said plus the difference in performance outweighs the difference in cost twice over.

    Zach when it comes to sound quality the Monitors tend to sound brighter than RTI's- in any amped situation. Rti's can be bright in 2channel if hooked up to cheap gear- Neutral if hooked up to good gear (me) and warm sounding if hooked up to great gear. RTI's offer better construction and are heavier with internal bracing, better tweeters with heatsinks (Vifa), better cabinets (wood vs vinyl), better crossovers, better frequency response, better power handling, powerport.

    If you like the Monitor sound- then my guess is you'll love the RTI's. IMO they are Polk's bread and butter line- meaning they are closer to the performance of LSI's but closer in price to the Monitors- a wonderful give and take.

    However- if you're hell bent on trying out speakers BEFORE you buy- and you like the sound of the Monitors- then by all means by them. If you like their sound then you won't be disappointed.

    (edit) welcome to the forums the both of you. :)
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
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  • Andrzej
    Andrzej Posts: 8
    edited July 2005
    Before deciding what "blows out of the water" what, it would be nice to know what zachwhite is looking for. Mains? Surrounds? Floorstandings? Bookshelves? What's the budget and space?
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited July 2005
    IMO, I'd take RTi6's over Monitor 60's anyday of the week!! So no matter what he says, I'm gonna vote RTi's. But then again, I wouldn't run Monitor's in my system if they were given to me.
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Andrzej
    Andrzej Posts: 8
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by Toxis
    IMO, I'd take RTi6's over Monitor 60's anyday of the week!! ...

    I would not, especially on Mondays.:)
    But that's just my ear (and the rest of my setup). But what do I know? Not all my wires are by Cobalt. :)
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by Andrzej
    I would not, especially on Mondays.:)
    But that's just my ear (and the rest of my setup). But what do I know? Not all my wires are by Cobalt. :)

    RatShack fusions for me. Not exactly your high-end brand but oh well
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited July 2005
    bump.

    Im looking at a full 7.1 system with floorstandings in the front.
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by Andrzej
    Not all my wires are by Cobalt. :)
    was that supposed to be a diss or something? :rolleyes:
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Andrzej
    Andrzej Posts: 8
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by Toxis
    was that supposed to be a diss or something? :rolleyes:

    Hell, no. I was just impressed by your dedication to one company - Cobalt. I use a variety of cables, from BetterCables to Nordost.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by zachwhite0
    ....I have heard the Monitor series and I liked it....

    There ya go. The answer to the $64,000 question.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2005
    +1 on Russman's comments. Forget hype, forget product line "placement" and forget price. Listen and decide. I would rather select a speaker I can audition, then depend on others opinions and pick one I can't.

    If the Monitor series floats your boat--get them. I would imagine that about 90% of the parts are the same ones used in the RTi line.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited July 2005
    Originally posted by steveinaz
    +1 on Russman's comments. Forget hype, forget product line "placement" and forget price. Listen and decide. I would rather select a speaker I can audition, then depend on others opinions and pick one I can't.
    and with that being said, it's hard to understand why so many people buy speakers online...
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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