RT800 or RTi70?

cambir

Looking at a couple different speaker options and would like some opinions.

I currently have RT600 fronts, CS200 center and R15 surrounds and am doing some upgrading.

I am keeping the 15s for now, and I have a CS300 on its way. I am looking at the RTi70 or the RT800 to replace my 600s. This is both a music and HT system.

Any thoughts on the two models? Pros/cons for either? Will the RTi70s match ok with the R15 and CS300?

Thanks.

ben62670

The RTi70 is nearly the same as rt800. The difference is between the tweeters. Most people prefer silk to trilam tweets, and that is what the RTi70 has. Double check what your center is going to be silk, or trilam. Me personally I prefer the silk even if it doesn't match the rest of the system just for the quality of the music.
for specs check out

http://www.polkaudio.com/search/older.php

Enjoy
Ben

cambir

According to the Polk archives, the RTi70 have silk. I think the RT800 also has silk. The RT800i has the tri-lam, but didn't the regular 800s have the silk?

Does anyone know for sure if the RT800 (pre 800i) have silk or tri-lam tweeters? How about the CS300?

Anyone else have a preference between the i70 or the 800?

cambir

has anyone paired the RTi70 with a CS300?

do the tweeters on the CS300 match the 70s?

disneyjoe7

I have a RTi150 front speakers with a CS400 center speaker the same as you are asking about Silk tweeter / Tri-lam tweeter. It sounds ok for HT no problem I like the silk tweeter better, so I may update my center speaker but CS400 is a beautiful speaker IMHO

danger boy

cambir, there is a pair of RT1000i's in Spokane on Craigslist.org email the seller if interested. similar to the RT800i's.. except they have a built in powered subwoofer. which you can either use. or just not plug it in.. in which case.. i think it would be sonically similar to a RT800i. could be an option for you.

http://spokane.craigslist.org/ele/259058642.html

cambir

I've considered this option also (I've been watching ALL WA craigslist locations across the state - also found a pair in Vancouver, but they don't want to seperate from system:( )...I've read a lot of posts about humming from the amps and didn't really want to deal with that...didn't realize I could just not plug in the amps on the powered towers.

Thanks for the info. Though I'd like to come back and visit, not sure I'll go to Spoke-a-vegas anytime soon.

danger boy

Cameron, here is a pair of RT800's in Seattle area. if interested see if he will come down in price on them.. that's to much.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/ele/261681432.html

cambir

He keeps reposting these. He started at $300, hasn't sold them, so he went up to $350? I have looked at them, and they had minor damage. I am considering them again, because I think I can live with the damage (broken binding post)...he is offering them to me with the cs400 for $450. Offered him $250 for the 800s and an extra $100 if he wants to get rid of the 400, but haven't heard back.

danger boy

i guess some sellers never learn huh? if they didn't sell for one price. raise the price? :eek:

Some other guy on the West side kept posting some SDA for like 30% over what they would sell for. he kept posting them over and over.. after several years I think they finally sold or he gave up.

If you're not in a hurry to buy.. you could always wait for a pair in better condition too.

VR3

Just a fwiw...

The Tri-Lam is a silk. Just with metal laminates...

But the RTi70 and RT800 tweeters are both bright... lol - sounds pretty close to the same Id say.

zingo

The RT800's have the tri-lam. I currently have all HT speakers with the matched tri-lam and they sound great together. If you have the chance, I'd say try to match the tweeters above all. But that is just my humble opinion... I prefer the non-powered speakers unless you are talking SRTs or something like that, but then SRTs are a beast of their own anyway...

cambir

well...finally got the new cs300, and it has the trilam, so I'll probably stick it out to find some 800s. The 800s in Seattle are in great condition other than the broken binding post, and from what I've heard this should be available from Polk and easy to replace myself (or just find some jumpers). I may get a chance to hear the 70s soon, so maybe this will convince me to buy 70s instead.

thanks for all the opinions and help.

civilian

I have the RTi70's with a CS400i and they all sound great. Even got a pair of RT55's for the rear channels.
I went with the RTi70's over the RT1000's as I figured my amp could do as good a job driving the second 6 1/2 as the built in amp on the 1000's, and I have a seperate sub already.