RTi6 vs. TC615 (in-wall)

Jet_olson

Hey All,
I originally really liked the RTi6's and then thought that I would get the same sound without the bookshelves taking up space by going in wall with the TC615. Is there a noticeable difference in sound quality between them?

This is for a HT system for music as well as movies....

Receiver: Yamaha 5960
Center: CSi3
Surround: TC610i in ceiling
L/R: either RTi6's or TC615's inwall

It bothers me that I cant get a straight answer from Polk on this and it looks like no one in the forums has had any experience with the in-wall products like the TC615.

Any info would be appreciated!

disneyjoe7

If you like in wall speakers which I think is fine the TC615 doesn't match your CSi3 center where the RC65i does match the center channel speaker. Then on the other hand you could change out the center for something that matches the surround and TC615's L/R speakers.

disneyjoe7

What's interesting is that Polk website doesn't list a center to use with the TC series in-walls where they do for the RC line. Then they don't have a center which matches the TC line up?

Jet_olson

Thanks a bunch Joe for the response..yeah it looks like the RC85 and RC65i match the CSi3 however they dont list anything for the TC615's. I just figured since the TC series was timber matched to the RTi series that the Csi3 would be acceptable. I guess not!

Going with another Tc615 as my center channel is not an option as I wouldnt have the room to mount it beneath my TV.

On the other hand do you think the Rc85 or 60 would sound as good as the TC series? I'm all for saving some cash if it makes sense.

Thanks again for your quick response!

disneyjoe7

Jet_olson wrote:

I just figured since the TC series was timber matched to the RTi series that the Csi3 would be acceptable. I guess not!

Where did you see this? Maybe I learn something myself.

Jet_olson

Its the last bullet point in the TCi features section...

"Perfectly timbre-matched to the whole Polk Audio RTi Series of high performance loudspeakers. "

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/tc615i/

I am am relatively new at this so stay with me...but my logic says that since the RTi6 bookshelves list the CSi3 as an acceptable center and the TC series is timbre matched to the RTi series that the TC and CSi should play nicely. Again I am new at this so let me know if this doesnt make sense..there is probably more to the story here that I am missing!

And thanks again for your response!

disneyjoe7

Well I don't see a problem doing what you wanted with the TC615i as front in-walls. It will be a matter of sound level matching, but that true with any system.

Can I ask why you felt Polk didn't give you an answer you didn't care for?


BTW I shoot for the CSi5 over the CSi3 so if you didn't buy that center yet... Center will carry 50% of any movie, a strong center is really nice. But the CSi3 is a fine speaker also, so no harm if that's what you got.

disneyjoe7

Jet_olson wrote:

Thanks again for your quick response!

Not a problem, Stick around have some fun.

sbpolk

I think you would ultimately enjoy the flexibility, sound, and looks of RTi6's in the front. And I, along with many others here, would suggest springing for the CSi5 center.

The drivers and tweeters in teh CSi3, CSi5, and the TC610i and TC65i are all compatible, as near as I can tell. The drivers and tweeters in the RC series are NOT the same as the current RTi stuff. They look similar to older RTi speakers. Hope this helps!

Jet_olson

DJ7,
Traditionally, in-wall or ceiling's never had the sound that a bookshelf could put out and over the past few years that has changed. So I called Polk to get the thinny on if there will be a sound difference between the two models I am considering. The guy I talked to was so un-helpful it was ridiculous. He skirted the issue and wouldnt give me a direct answer on this other than in-walls were the stepchildren of the speaker industry and great leaps and bounds have been made over the past few years with them. I am going to buy polk either way so I cant see why they wouldnt just give me a straight answer on this, ya know? As a first time customer I would hate to be disappointed with polk right from the get go.

Because to me...all that matters is the sound quality. Its not a big deal to use the bookshelves but if I could also get the benefit of in-walls without sacrificing sound, then I would go that route.

BTW...it sounds like SBPOLK is siding on the bookshelf side of the house. Thanks bro for your thoughts as well.

disneyjoe7

Jet, if the sound is important than I would say bookshelf speakers or Tower speakers for the front speakers. If the view is important then ok in-wall speakers with a small center speaker.

I will be adding RC65i speakers for my house but I use these are for back sound stereo. So sound isn't important for this but the view is. My HT and 2 channel music is using a large Towers with a large center speaker.

So the speakers you use is really what you're trying to do.

Jet_olson

Yeah DJ,
Im thinkin the same thing here...so if I went with the RTi6 bookshelves for L/R....you are suggesting the CSi5 instead of the 3 for the center, right? And my rears would be the in ceiling TC610i's and my sub would be a martin logan Dynamo.

Any probems with that above configuration? I would be using the system for both music and movies. I am a not quite an audiophile but I want my music and movies to sound good without breaking the bank. Hopefully this should do it.

Thanks again Steve for all your advice.

wallstreet

Don't forget the sub. You'll need one with that setup. With a compentent sub, the 6's will rock to your hearts content.

disneyjoe7

Jet, I think you're moving in the right direction. I feel this a good start for your new HT, I like the fact you are thinking about RTi6 instead of in-wall speakers. This way you could update these speakers when you have some cash or you think you're missing something. This is really a Hobby some of us just keep updating are stuff, bigger this, bigger that.


We all started somewhere.

Jet_olson

Thanks again fellas for all your help...sometimes I feel that I keep going in circles (floorstanding to bookshelves to inwalls to bookshelves)...

but Im feeling pretty confident going with the RTi6's...or should I be thinking the RTi8 floorstanders??? jk....

Seriously, thanks again for everyone's help!

disneyjoe7

Well people here don't love RTi speakers for music (for the record I do, but I don't count) the RTi8 will be louder, I like towers speakers myself. You may like the look yourself, you may love the sound. It's your call it's your cash, I think the larger the speaker you get now the longer you will have them before you feel about updating them. I know you will be


I think sometimes here we can talk about a HT system, then you can afford it anymore. Starting somewhere is cool with me.

sbpolk

Mmmm, Rti8's... Now you're talkin! Nice speakers. I have the RTi70's up front, which are the predecesors to the RTi8. Love them. When I auditioned the newer RTi series, when powered with just an AVR (Denon 3806, 130x2 I think) the 8's where the shining star! Better, in my opinion, by far than the RTi10 and 12. Oh, and the 6! The 8 is a good happy medium. I have heard the 12's with a good amp though, and they sounded MARVELOUS. But the RTi8, if you can swing it, is a great speaker.

Jet_olson

you guys are killin me here!!!!

my budget keeps going up...every time I log on.....

I actually auditioned the RTi6's and loved em with a CSi3...for the price I thought they were really sound speakers with a tonal quality I really liked but it looks like Im off to tweeter to check out the 8's tomorrow...

did I mention that coming full circle thing a few posts back????? well its happening again....

Ill let you know what I think of the 8's tomorrow.

Have a good night guys!

sbpolk

Haha, sorry! CSi5, RTi8, that is a sound front soundstage (pun intended there!) That will keep ya from upgrading next week. Should buy you a couple of months or so! Anyways, the 6's are nice too, the 8's are just gravy...

Jet_olson

Done my friends...I have joined the ranks of polk owners everywhere...

Thanks for the advice..heres what I settled in on and I cant get enough...thanks again sb and DJ for your help on this...

L/R RTi8 Cherry
C CSI3 Center
Surrounds TC610i
Sub HSU Research STF-2
Rec Yamaha RXV659

disneyjoe7

Sounds good, lets us know what you think when you get it all together.

sbpolk

Very cool , congrats! So I guess you liked the RTi8's huh? The cherry looks great! Take a look at this guys setup, how nice those Cherry RTi8's look!

disneyjoe7

Is that yours?

sbpolk

nope, that is from an older thread asking people to post their systems. Can't remember the poster's name.

disneyjoe7

Ok nice

Jet_olson

hey guys,
Just got my TC610's mounted today and recalibrated....I am so blown away...for me this system really does the job...and does it so well. And I dont even have my sub yet...

thanks again fellas...I will post a pick or two when its all there.