Advice for L/C/R upgrade

NewOrlnsDukie

First of all, I want to thank you folks in advance for any advice or direction you can provide. I've been trying to decide on my course of action for a while, and I believe that you guys could crystallize things.

So here's my situation -- started off w/ an Onkyo HTib, upgraded the mains to Monitor 50's and center to a CS1 a little more than a yr ago, and have since done piecemeal upgrades on everything else such that this is my current setup:

still Monitor 50's and CS1 up front
2 pair of FXi5's for surrounds
Dual SVS 16-46PC+ subs
Will be getting a new Onkyo 875 delivered in the next couple of weeks.
Will be getting a 200wpc/8ohm amp for mains (and probably center as well) -- in all likelihood, probably a couple of used Adcom 555's or a 5503.

I am probably 90% HT/ 2% music, and the rest is 360/ps3/wii gameplay.

I don't listen very loudly, but I like good crisp, clean dialog with a good wide soundstage. And the CS1/M50 combo just isn't cutting it in eitrher department, but I guess that's to be expected in entry-level HT spkrs.

At this point I'm debating about doing LSI25 or 15's w/ an LSIc center, vs RTi12's w/ a CSi5 center.

Many seem to be of the opinion that the RTI12's are the choice for those that are more into HT rather than music, but it seems as if the logic driving that is that they are really bright and powerful (given enough juice, of course). I think the CSi5 would meet my needs well, but, of course, given the timbre-matching issue, I obviously wouldn't get it if I get the LSI's

But here's the thing -- I like to be able to get the fine detail of movie soundtracks and dialogue, and will be listening at relatively comfortable, non-mind-blowing db levels. For that reason, I think the LSI's would be a better match for me (though I obviously understand that there wouldn't necessarily be the best timbre-matching w/ the FXi5's if I did that). As for the 25's vs the 15's -- obviously, my dual SVS's can handle the LFE quite well. I don't know that the larger built-in subs w/ the 25's are worth the upgrade from the 15's, as they seem to be essentially identical otherwise.

As for the RTI's -- am I selling them short here? I don't need my ears to bleed when I'm watching movies. And maybe I'm being a bit too quick to dismiss the RTI 10's?

Any advice is so very greatly appreciated, and I very much look forward to following the forums more closely in the future.:)

duksbak

Just my 2 cents...

If you already have the FXi5's as your rear, and you (for the most part) doing 5.1 and gaming, I would go with the RTi12 - CSi5 combo. Put your money in good pre/pro amps to power the big 12's effectively. The 12's can get as loud as you want them but are really good sounding mid and lowermid at non-earbleeding volume lvls.

LSi are beautiful speakers. I would only get into the LSi25 (if of course I had the cash-ola) for a really nice 2ch setup.

NewOrlnsDukie

Fair enough. The cost issue isn't a really big one for me. I hate to make my decisions based solely on the FXi5's, as I could probably re-sell them right now and make a profit on them. But your point regarding 2-channel vs true HT surround setups is well-taken. I guess part of my trepidation had to do w/ the B-word, which has gotten a negative connotation in speakers over the yrs.

So are the 12's demonstrably better spkrs than the 10's for those of us that prefer our volume at realistic levels? Or are those extra drivers better able to provide me w/ the detail I crave?

Ern Dog

You really gotta get your ears on these speakers and see what you like. When I listened to the Rti10's vs the Rti12's, I thought the 12 sounded a bit bloated and the Rti8's sounded too thin to my ears. The 10's were just right.

duksbak

I honestly prefer the RTi8's over the 10's. Maybe I didn't get a good enough audition but the 8s had better, cleaner mids. Sure the 10's had a better lower end but a good sub has good low end. In a HT setup I envision a clear center, really good mid towers, clear precise surrounds and a hard tight sub.

Eventually I will be replacing my current HT setup with RTi8 CSi3 FXi3 and prabably the PSW1000 (nice dual tight 10's).

If you have the cash to spend, I would imagine that LSi25, LSiC, LSiFX would make a really nice HT but I really think the detail would be lost in DVD viewing over a good 2ch source.

Welcome to Club Polk by the way.. /wave

wingnut4772

If $$$ is no object , go with a complete LSI set up with a beefy (and I mean BEEFY) amp for at least the front 3 channels. As you stand now, I would go with the Rtis to go with what you currently have. Timbre matching is important all around in HT.

XJRGUY

I haven't heard the Lsi line, but you said that most of your listening will be HT and Xb0x 360.

This is primarily what the scenario is in our house.

I have RTi12's as my left, center, and right. The Polk FXi5's are handling the rear surround.

I'm using two (soon to be three) Sony TA-N9000ES amplifiers running in BTL mode.

Needless to say, it sounds fantastic.

If you have the room, the $$ and the amp(s) go with the RTi12.s

Best thing is to listen or demo all of the choices you have. That's how I ended up with the 12's, and I love how they look too.

XJRGUY