RTi vs LSi

polk_audio_lsi

Which one is really the best for my situation? I like to watch my movies just as much as the next man. Just sit back on the couch have every speaker cocked towards you, subwoofer rumbling a hole in the ground. There's really nothing better than watching "The Day After Tomorrow." But I have to tell you I LOVE to sit on the couch drinking a beer and jamming to some heavy heavy metal there's nothing better than that. So I have to ask you even though the LSi is the top of the line, would the RTi series be the best for my application? And even then would it make a difference if I would replace the RTi surrounds (RTi FXi5) with LSi surrounds (LSi FX)?

aaharvel

receiver, no separate amp...
heavy metal preference...
movies over music...

go with the RTi.

dorokusai

RTi...it's just Home Theatre.

SuperDave

The Lsi's will get you into upgrade-itus mode.(not necessarily a bad thing) If you are going to keep the rest as is get the Rti's. If you decide to get more stuff you can always upgrade. Some audio stores give you a year to trade up if you like.:o

SuperDave
Yamaha RX-V992 (Center,Rears)
Adcom GFA-5500 (Main)
Denon DVD-1920
Sony XBR 27"
BrightHouse DVR
Polk LSi25 Main
Polk LSiC Center
Infinity RS1 Rears
Monster THX Cables

marcpam

RTI's = movies
LSI's = critical ears for music

janmike

How many people here use LSi's for HT.

*Seby*-Polk-

marcpam wrote:

RTI's = movies
LSI's = critical ears for music

Agree with Marcpam. But the LSI's sounds great whit movies too. C'mon..is the best speaker line of Polk Audio !!!! (and looks fantastic....)

Sami

janmike wrote:

How many people here use LSi's for HT.

I have 7's all around with SVS PCU and it's great for both movies and HT. Even with my receiver (TOTL so it can drive them) the 7's are great for music as well but they only got better with an external amp. LSi's will sound better even with low end gear than RTi's but you need to be careful not to fry the amp (and damage speakers) if you play it too loud. I would go with LSi's and upgrade the rest of the system when extra funds show up.

I have 15's on their way but they won't go into HT. My new bedroom speakers, which reminds me I need another powerful amp soon...

EricT43

The LSi's can jam heavy metal just as well or better than the RTi's can. The difference is that with the LSi's you will probably notice how compressed a lot of your heavy metal recordings are, when you play a high-quality recording. I've been listening to a bunch of jazz stuff lately on my 7's, and then when I put in one of my System of a Down CD's (Mezmerize), which positively rocks in my car, it sounded kind of weak.

The RTi's might not show that difference as much.

ohskigod

janmike wrote:

How many people here use LSi's for HT.

I do, just bumped up to it recently. kind of backd into it. Got the LSi9's for fun (500.00 for a floor model), just to hear the LSi line. really liked what I heard. Picked up some LSi15's used from a polkie (name escapes me at the moment) Liked them a bit more. I then realized I was an LSiC away from a full LSi theater. (I allready had seperate amps, but beefed em up a bit with a couple of Outlaw m200 Mono's and a Rotel RB980)

then got a LSiC on the cheap from Carlos, and there ya go...LSiC theater. I do use it for music as well when I am too lazy to go to the bassment where my 2 channel rig is.

Liked it better than my last set up, subtle but noticable increase in detail, draws you into movies and music. Not the most cost effective improvement, but cool none the less. plus they look great, so they will be staying for quite a while.

janmike

That's the direction of am heading. I am ordering the LSi9's tomorrow and want to hear what they sound like with a decent amp. I am actually hoping to test a couple of amps as I have a Rotel 1080 but am in the midst of working a deal for a MAC amp. I am hoping the LSi9's will fill the room (18.5 X 14.5). And the SVS PB12-Plus will be here this coming week.

Midnite Mick

I think the brightness of Rti tweeter is more suitable for home theatre than is the lsi line. I think the lsi line is too smooth for home theatre. The tweeter is too soft and doesn't have the same impact that is ideal for home theatre. Just my opinion though.

Mike

McLoki

janmike wrote:

How many people here use LSi's for HT.

I have never heard the RTi's in a home theater. But I can tell you that LSi's are awesome.....

Michael

janmike

Well I have RTi's for HT and they sound fairly decent. A good sub will add impact to HT using LSi's - IMO.

Early B.

For your application, go with the RTi's.

Holydoc

My system is the choice of my friends for movie night. Haven't heard any complaints such as:

"Boy, that War of the Worlds shook me too much. I sure wish that your bass was much softer."

"Really, Doc. Do something about those tweeters. Those depth charges from UH-571 were right in my face."

"You know that singer from the Fifth Element was too bright for my likings. Get some LSI's!"

or even...

"Your surround sound effects on Bad Boys II were too much. I kept getting distracted and having to duck down with bullets and cars flying around me."

Ok...ok...so I did hear that last complaint. But it does not count.

Umm...sorry for getting off topic.

SKsolutions

Midnite Mick wrote:

I think the brightness of Rti tweeter is more suitable for home theatre than is the lsi line. I think the lsi line is too smooth for home theatre. The tweeter is too soft and doesn't have the same impact that is ideal for home theatre. Just my opinion though.

Mike

As a conterpoint,

With the LSi's while watching a movie my girlfriend remarks:

"Wow, I can hear their clothes move"

Also, I personally experience less fatigue with them than I did with the RTi's

dorokusai

If I found an improvement with using LSi's in my HT, I would have upgraded years ago.

EricBurg

My initial thoughts were that the Rti's were kind of "bright", however, after putting some accoustic treatments in my room, I don't feel that way at all. I use an Rti setup for both hometheater and music. No matter what speaker line you buy, make sure you have proper amplification, proper speaker placement and calibration and some accoustic absorption in the room.

sickicw

I have both the lsi and rti line. the lsi is better in every way including metal and movies. they will, however, sound like crap if you dont give them the proper amplification. I found that the best way to do this is to buy high current amps, and then bi amp every lsi speaker. if you cant afford the cost of amps, then go with the rti. they are also pretty good speakers.

organ

I have both LSi and RTi. Depends if you want quality/accuracy or loud with more displacement.

For the price of LSi speakers, you can get RTi towers that move more air and are more efficient.

The LSi, like sickicw said, need very good amplification to sound their best. You'll end up spending a lot more if you go LSi.

I listen to metal as well and I'd probably use RT's over LSi for this purpose. You should give them a demo first. I love both my LSi and RT. You might prefer LSi.

michael_w

I've found a good ht is much easier to build than a good 2 ch system so if it were a 2 ch system I'd definatly go for LSi's. On that note I think as long as it's a HT system and you don't skimp on the center channel I'd go for the RTi's. You'll save quite a bit of cash to put towards other things like upgrading from that 24" tv

dorokusai

Michael - My thoughts as well....HT is easy.

unc2701

Yeah, RTI probably suits your needs a lot better and looking back, I probably should have done RTI HT, then just had a dedicated 2 ch music rig.

Can LSI do HT? Hell yes!
Is it that much better than RTI for HT? Probably not.

Oh yeah, and if you buy LSI, you can figure on spending at least another $2,000 on amplification down the line.

Musophile

Yeah, I have a pretty good LSI system that I started buying in February and I've spent about 5k in amps, preamp, and speakers. The alternative would have been the HTIAB that these guys absolutely hate.

Willow

I use a full Rti set up and couldn't be happier......for now. Beside not having an external amp to power my 8s I am at a phaze of being very content with my system. I am enjoying the mix of HK and Rti.

marker

aaharvel wrote:

receiver, no separate amp...
heavy metal preference...
movies over music...

go with the RTi.

Simple, and to the point. :cool:

wodom1

I've got an RTi setup with an Adcom GFA-545 II thrown in and I've been happy. I'd like to move up to LSi, but only because stereo music is more important to me than HT. For HT, the RTi, CSi, & FXi setup is great.

SuperDave

Use the for all your listening you won't be sorry and they will not wear you out. I will get the rears soon.

SuperDave
Yamaha RX-V992 (Center,Rears)
Adcom GFA-5500 (Main)
Denon DVD-1920
Sony XBR 27"
BrightHouse DVR
Polk LSi25 Main
Polk LSiC Center
Infinity RS1 Rears
Monster THX Cables

GATOR3000

I’m happy with my Rti HT setup, but found the Rti8’s are on the bright side hooked up to Denon alone for 2 channel music listening.

Recently I have upgraded my gear with B&K external amp. With the B&K amp the tweeters aren’t as bright and are much more softer on the ears at high volume listening.

Also, auditioned NAD amp with the Rti8’s at home and found the tweeters were just as bright as hooked up to Denon. The B&K amp made the difference.

I guess some amps will make the Rti series tweeters softer, not as bright and forward.

Gator

Willow

GATOR3000 wrote:

I guess some amps will make the Rti series tweeters softer, not as bright and forward.

Gator

Seems to be the general consensus here. Which is why I swaped out my yammy for a HK.