Confused on what to do need good advice.

Jer_ry

I have rti4's(mains) csi3(center) pb-10(sub) crappy klh's(rears) and a HK 435. I have enough $ to get the rti8's as mains but not sure what direction to go. For roughly another $150 I can get lsi9's as mains and save up for what i assume is the correct center channel the lsic. Here is my question though. Could I be able to use my rti4's as the rears? Also will that even be an improvement over the rti8/csi3 front stage? And Finally will it even matter considering they will be powered only with my HK? I might get an amp later but that won't be for a loooong time so don't factor that In. So final tally lsi9(mains) lsic(if correct center) rti4's(rear) pb10(sub). Let me know if thats a good/wise choice or should I stick with the 8's and complete my setup. Thanks!

MikeC78

Lsi9s are in a totally different league than the RTi series.

Like you said you want to match your 3 front soundstage with the LSi's for sure.

The rears are not as important and will work fine for now until you update later.

I'm not to familiar with that H/K receiver, but I'm sure it's not enough power for the LSi's. The H/K should work for now, you'd be best to get an external amp and use the H/K as a pre-pro if funds allow it? If you can upgrade to the LSi's, I say go for it!

Mike

MikeC78

If you are more than happy with RTi's and would like the 8's, that might suit you even better? The RTi8's are a BIG step above the RTi4's and they will make good surrounds and will match the rest of your speakers. The H/K should also drive the 8's nicely too! Go with the RTi's and save for now, or go with the LSi's and prepare to break out your pocket book! I hope I'm helping?????

Mike

McLoki

Personally I would start with upgrading that sub. For home theater - it is the biggest let down in your system (even more so than your rear speakers). If you plan on running off the HK for the forseeable future, I would take your HK to the store, and listen to both the RTi8 and LSi9 on it (with music that you like) let the sound you hear be your guide.

Don't worry about matching the rears to the front stage. It is worth having them match, but it should be the last thing that you upgrade. Keep in mind that if you purchased the RTi8's. the 4's would already match. It all comes down the the sound you like and what makes you happy to turn on your system though.

Either way - upgrade that sub first, your movies will thank you.

Michael

Early B.

Get the RTi8's and put the 4's in the rear to replace the KLH's. The HK will drive them just fine. The next upgrade should be Csi3 to Csi5, and if you have enough space behind you, use the Csi3 as the 6th channel.

Forget about the Lsi series for now because it will require an entirely new setup.

millerman 3732

isn't the pb 10 an svs sub? how big is your room?

Jer_ry

my room is 13ftx10ft yeah the pb10 is a svs. Weird that McLoki said that was the biggest let down It's the best sounding thing i have going on in this room. I love the bass just hate the rest of the sound. If the lsi conversion is that much of a difference I'll go ahead and get the 8's and eventually get teh csi5 to complete my ht. Hopefully that will give that sound that I desperatly lack right now.

millerman 3732

where do you feel that its lacking?

MikeC78

His sub is a PB10, definetly a decent sub by SVS.

Personally, I would do speakers first! A sub is a nice upgrade, but not a priority. Especially if you already have the SVS PB10? That's a nice sub.

Mike

Jer_ry

in a nut shell....clarity. It's blah center sounds to midy but if i turn down the bass or up the treble it's to noisy...some stuff sounds good but most makes it not enjoyable to listen to. I find myslef turning it down constantly to aviod a quickly approaching headache.

millerman 3732

If it were me and since you already have decent sub, forget about getting anything else out of the RTi line and buy a decent 5 or 7 channel amp I'm pretty sure your HK has preouts so your set there, and if you still don't like the way the RTi's sound then start looking in to LSi line and you'll already have the amp to drive them.

Jer_ry

oh i forgot to mention that when i do get the center sounding good like right now i have NO absolutely no mids...

millerman 3732

have you ever calibrated you set up with an SPL meter? where are your crossovers set?

McLoki

Sorry, I'm an idiot. I was thinking one of these -

Complely disreguard my last post - (except the take your AVR in and listen to both speakers with it)

Sorry bout that...

Michael

cfrizz

All right! We have established that you have a good sub, so scratch that.
You don't like the center channel, so that should be the first thing you upgrade.

1. Get the CSi5, get a Radio Shack spl meter & calibrate.

2. Re-evaluate after upgrade.

If still not satisfied with sound upgrade main speakers to the 8's & recalibrate.

3. Go back to step #2.

4. If still not satisfied, Get a separate amplifier (used) 200wpc & recalibrate.

5. Go back to step #2.

6. Keep adding steps until you are satisfied with sound!

7. Always report back here to let us know how it is going!

MikeC78

Money wise the best for your situation is to upgrade your mains as you already told yourself in post #7.

If you are like me and have the upgrade bug and have to have the best, than the LSi's might be the best bet for the long run? Do you plan on upgrading to an amp, an LSi center, LSI surrounds in the near future? If you do, then get the LSi's and don't look back!

I am with McLoki on this one, however, taking your AVR in to listen to speakers might be an issue? I would go to your nearest dealer and definetly hear them both and make a desision, find a AVR that closly matches yours. Go with what you think is best and don't let anyone steer you in the wrong direction.

Mike

millerman 3732

I don't think that the 8's are going to answer your problem, there going to sound pretty much like the 4's but with alittle more bass depending on where you have your crossovers set

McLoki

You reach a point in an upgrade, where you have to ignore where you currently are and just come up with a goal. Don't worry about what you have now - you can sell off as you upgrade if neccesary. Get out and listen to LSi's, RTi's, Paradigms, and anything else you can find.

Once you find a speaker that blows your skirt up - start planning on what it will take for you to build to that system. Don't limit your dreams by your current situation.

Michael

MikeC78

^^^ I'd have to beg the differ on that one! The 8's will blow the 4's away!

Please, go listen to them yourself and don't let someone tell you different. Your ears are the main concern.

Mike

millerman 3732

What I'm saying is that the 8's and 4's are timber matched so you will have the same basic tone but with added bass responce from the 8's, but if you have your crossover set at around 80hz or 60hz , as most do, the sub will handle everything below that so your really don't need the added bass that the 8's would give

Jer_ry

this might decide my next move....will the 8's fill/give the missing mids? I switched my mains(rti4's) to 60 to give it that mid but it didnt help much everything else is set to 80

MikeC78

8's are not going to give you "bass", those 6 1/2 speakers will put out good mid-range not bass that the 4's are definetly lacking. His PB10 will give him good bass.

Jer_ry

cool thats exactly what i was asking...i think thats my prob now that i keep meditating on it..when i give it more treble the center and overall sounds nice but i have a big gap because i have no mid. So I'm going to go ahead and get the 8's if it's still not what I like i'll try the csi5 and then the amp if needed.

MikeC78

The 8's and the 5 make one awesome setup! I was actually happy with the CSi3 center, but I had an external amp with gobs of power being ran to it. I've never heard the CSi5, but could only imagine. I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Please, if you can go audition them first.

Dennis Gardner

You've gone from thinking that your problem was your Yamaha receiver (so you replaced it) nope......., to thinking it was your new HK435 (new amp maybe?) nope........, to thinking it is your room (too small)nope......., to thinking it is your speakers(4s to 8s?), nope...........

How do I say this..........I think the problem might be Jer_ry........no disrepect intended, but I don't think you have listened to enough different gear to determine what your preferred sound is that you like. The only thing that you know is that your own gear sucks, no matter what that gear is. Researching on the internet forums is the poorest test drive I know of and will only confuse you more. Throwing more $$$ at more gear isn't a fix unless you know what it is that you are seeking, and finding gear that fits that particular sound.

Oh yeah, for the umpteenth time.......get an SPL meter and calibrate, no matter what gear you have.


Where are you located at? Maybe some Polkie can help you demo some other audio gear with your ears instead of your wallet.

rodneeb

I had the rti4s and I didn't like the sound, so I demo'd the 6s and saw a tremendous improvement. that said I believe if you demo the 8's you'll hear that improvement yourself, especially if you're looking for that midrange sound. I do have the csi5 and let me tell you it blows away anything below it. that is one purchase I don't have misgivings on.

Jer_ry

Dennis Gardner wrote:

You've gone from thinking that your problem was your Yamaha receiver (so you replaced it) nope......., to thinking it was your new HK435 (new amp maybe?) nope........, to thinking it is your room (too small)nope......., to thinking it is your speakers(4s to 8s?), nope...........

How do I say this..........I think the problem might be Jer_ry........no disrepect intended, but I don't think you have listened to enough different gear to determine what your preferred sound is that you like. The only thing that you know is that your own gear sucks, no matter what that gear is. Researching on the internet forums is the poorest test drive I know of and will only confuse you more. Throwing more $$$ at more gear isn't a fix unless you know what it is that you are seeking, and finding gear that fits that particular sound.

Oh yeah, for the umpteenth time.......get an SPL meter and calibrate, no matter what gear you have.


Where are you located at? Maybe some Polkie can help you demo some other audio gear with your ears instead of your wallet.

You sure do know a lot about my path surprised you remember my reciever post that was probably close to a year ago...yeah I know I have been considering a lot of things and yeah it has crossed my mind as hard as it is to accept that polk might not be the sound I'm after. You and I still have to keep in mind though that I have yet to complete my setup. Isnt mains one of the most crucial things? What I have heard over 90% of the time is that 6's and 8's fill the room a whole lot better than 4's plus I have 3" squared klh's as surrounds still. I can at least get a good pair of mains and then know once and for all if polk is right for me it's going to bug me because it's soooo close to being great. As for the spl meter I'm going to go get one from radio shack (if they have one) today as planned(pay day).