Coming back to Polk, from Klipsch RF-82

sbpolk
sbpolk Posts: 644
edited November 2006 in Speakers
Hey all, with your help I may be coming back to Polk Fold.... Here is my story.

I got into the HT market about 7 years ago with a Polk RT55 setup, which I later changed to an RTi70 setup. I sold my house a year ago, and due to space constraints, sold my Polks. When I got to the new house (only a few months ago), it turns out I was able to utilize a bonus room as a dedicated theater, and began to assemble my theater. I have an Optoma HD70 projector, 120 inch screen, yada yada....

I went out on a limb and bought a set of Klipsch Reference Speakers without really auditioning them very well. They were RF-52s with RC 52 center, a nice little set up I thought would be comparable to my RTi70 setup. I was wrong. I did not get the warmth I got from the Polks.

It was most noticeable to me in a part of a clip of "Animusic" that I had shown a hundred times with my Polks. It just didn't sound good. So I decided to upgrade, and I got the much bigger RF-82's with RC-62 center. Still no go folks, I still just don't quite like the sound.

I am now planning on getting the RTi10's or RTi-12's and will be powering them with a Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX receiver.

Help me decide which to get!

Also, I want to do 7.1, so please help me out with surrounds. My room (and speaker placement) will look alot like this attached picture.

EDIT: My room is 16 feet long, by 15 feet wide. I will be sitting about 11-12 feet from the 120" screen, so help me pick accordingly!

Please give me some advice!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
Post edited by sbpolk on
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Comments

  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited November 2006
    Out of those two speakers, I'd get the 12's. However, in either case I'd never use an AVR to power them.

    The only speakers I'd use with that AVR are the 8's. IMO, I'd rather have the 8's over the 10's anyway. Just get a good sub and you'll be all set.

    BTW, welcome back!:)

    Mike
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited November 2006
    Welcome back!

    The 12 are probably the way to go here.. have you ever thought LSi though?

    Joey
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • sbpolk
    sbpolk Posts: 644
    edited November 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    Welcome back!

    The 12 are probably the way to go here.. have you ever thought LSi though?

    Joey

    I have, but won't go that way for a few reasons. The LSi surrounds retail at like $1200. No deal. The MSRP for a full lsi system is significantly more money than I can spend as well. Finally, I will be using an AVR, not seperates, and figured I would do better with the RTi series for that reason as well.

    Seperates are not an option right now. I guess I need to know if the RTi12 will still sound better than the RTi8, both being powered by this AVR.
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited November 2006
    IMO, the 8's will sound better than the 12's if powered by the AVR. Your AVR will be begging for mercy at high volumes.

    Those 12's are very power hungry! If you have a good sub, I'm sure you will not be dissapointed with the 8's. If you can audition both, that's the best way.

    I've used the 8's before with my Pioneer VSX-74TXVi receiver rated 140w/c, powered them ok. I connected an amp that delivered roughly 400 w/c rms into the 8's and a CSi3 and they came alive! Sounded like different speakers to me. I could only imagine what the 12's would be like? I had the 8's with 2 PCU's and it was an awesome combo! Very happy!

    Mike
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  • sbpolk
    sbpolk Posts: 644
    edited November 2006
    Well, I may buy the RTi12 combo, and look to get an amp in the future. Problem is that I want a 7.1 setup, and seven channel amps are $$$$. I did find some cheaper 5 channel amps though.

    Can I use my Pioneer as Pre/Pro then, with a dedicated amp? If so, that won't be TOO bad.
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
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  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited November 2006
    shawn birch wrote:
    Well, I may buy the RTi12 combo, and look to get an amp in the future. Problem is that I want a 7.1 setup, and seven channel amps are $$$$. I did find some cheaper 5 channel amps though.

    Can I use my Pioneer as Pre/Pro then, with a dedicated amp? If so, that won't be TOO bad.

    The Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX has pre-outs - you could use it to drive the rear channels and a good 5 channel amp to drive the rest.
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited November 2006
    Have you looked into www.Outlawaudio.com they have some good priced 7 channel amps.

    Keep checking Audiogon, Ebay, etc. if you are looking for used.

    Mike
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited November 2006
    I have no idea what price range you are looking for, but there are several nice multi-channel amps on Audiogon (I'm a big fan of used gear).

    Check out this 3-channel beast (with remaining surround speakers driven by your AVR):

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1168032977

    Here's a nice 5X220 Parasound:

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1167404407
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2006
    I think that this would be the best way to go. Keep a look out for used amps in the 200wpc or higher range to really hear what your speakers are capable of. In the meantime, you receiver will do just fine!

    shawn birch wrote:
    Well, I may buy the RTi12 combo, and look to get an amp in the future. Problem is that I want a 7.1 setup, and seven channel amps are $$$$. I did find some cheaper 5 channel amps though.

    Can I use my Pioneer as Pre/Pro then, with a dedicated amp? If so, that won't be TOO bad.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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