FXi3 or RTi4/6 as surrounds
Hey everyone. I'm a longtime reader but first time poster.
I'm thinking about picking up some new surrounds to round out my system's Polk front soundstage. Up front I've got a pair of Monitor 60s and a Csi3, as well as a PSW10 subwoofer, driven by an Onkyo 604. In back, I've got a pair of POS Pioneers that were carried over from my HTIB. With the clearance prices we're seeing on the RTi series, I figure now is a great time to upgrade.
I've heard the RTi4/6s, and preferred the 6 when up front, but I don't know if the difference would be very pronounced with surround duties. I haven't heard the FXi3. In either case, the speakers would be wall-mounted. The FXis could go on the rear or side walls, whereas the RTis would only go on the sides. My listening position is a couch which is against the rear wall (where it will definitely stay). I or others also sit on a perpendicular couch along the side wall, so this listening position is important too. The system is in my living room, which is 15X17X8, but is open to a stairway and has a 7X4 opening into the adjacent dining room as well. I use the system for about 75/25 HT/music. All my music is 2ch, but I usually listen in 5ch mode using Prologic IIx.
So which should I choose? I'm leaning towards the FXi3s since I don't listen to true multichannel music, and the directionality of the RTi4/6 would be a negative outside of the central listening position. All of my current Polk speakers are black, so the lack of a cherry option isn't a consideration. Are there other factors to consider? Any opinions are appreciated. Thanks.
I'm thinking about picking up some new surrounds to round out my system's Polk front soundstage. Up front I've got a pair of Monitor 60s and a Csi3, as well as a PSW10 subwoofer, driven by an Onkyo 604. In back, I've got a pair of POS Pioneers that were carried over from my HTIB. With the clearance prices we're seeing on the RTi series, I figure now is a great time to upgrade.
I've heard the RTi4/6s, and preferred the 6 when up front, but I don't know if the difference would be very pronounced with surround duties. I haven't heard the FXi3. In either case, the speakers would be wall-mounted. The FXis could go on the rear or side walls, whereas the RTis would only go on the sides. My listening position is a couch which is against the rear wall (where it will definitely stay). I or others also sit on a perpendicular couch along the side wall, so this listening position is important too. The system is in my living room, which is 15X17X8, but is open to a stairway and has a 7X4 opening into the adjacent dining room as well. I use the system for about 75/25 HT/music. All my music is 2ch, but I usually listen in 5ch mode using Prologic IIx.
So which should I choose? I'm leaning towards the FXi3s since I don't listen to true multichannel music, and the directionality of the RTi4/6 would be a negative outside of the central listening position. All of my current Polk speakers are black, so the lack of a cherry option isn't a consideration. Are there other factors to consider? Any opinions are appreciated. Thanks.
Post edited by rmccully on
Comments
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Your thinking is on the right track...
The only issue I see is that the RTi series and the Moniter series speaker is a very different speaker. Driver, cabnet, PowerPort, lots of differences between ea speaker. If you are looking for a full timbre matched set, I would go with the FXi3 surrounds and upgrade your fronts to a matching RTi speaker (8's 10's 12's).
Monitor series is a great budget speaker but the matching center would be like a CS1 and matching surrounds would be like the Monitor 30's.
Im still a rookie myself but i'm sure someone else will chime in soon, other than that, welcome to CP and glad to see your posting now
Television: Mitsubishi WD-57732
Front R/L: Polkaudio RTiA7
Center: Polkaudio CSiA4
Rear R/L: Polkaudio FXiA4
Subwoofer: Polkaudio DSW600
A/V Reciever: Denon 2808
DVD/SACD: Sony Playstation 3 -
duksbak +2. Now's a great time to get them. Have seen a lotta great sales lately.
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Your thinking is on the right track...
The only issue I see is that the RTi series and the Moniter series speaker is a very different speaker. Driver, cabnet, PowerPort, lots of differences between ea speaker. If you are looking for a full timbre matched set, I would go with the FXi3 surrounds and upgrade your fronts to a matching RTi speaker (8's 10's 12's).
Monitor series is a great budget speaker but the matching center would be like a CS1 and matching surrounds would be like the Monitor 30's.
Im still a rookie myself but i'm sure someone else will chime in soon, other than that, welcome to CP and glad to see your posting now
I hear what you're saying, but it's just not in the cards right now. I already have the front soundstage, and while a bit mismatched, I'm fairly happy with it for the time being. I'll probably do a major upgrade in 2-3 years time (I already have my eye on Paradigm Studios). Maybe I could sell the Monitor 60s and move up to RTi8s, but for now I'm just concentrating on the rears.
Any more opinions on which rears would best suit me? -
Right now i have the 6's for my rears and they do a great job but I'm gonna get Fxi5's shortly for that purpose. I'd probably say go with the Fxi3's. You may want to PM Doug(dkg999),he may have a pair to get rid of eventually and he's an excellent person to deal with.
Dave -
Recommended setup for 7.1 is dipole side-surrounds and monopole (regular speakers) for the surround-back.
So, I would get the dipoles (FXi) and move the POS Pioneers to the back. Or get a better L/R like one of the RTi and move the Monitors to the back. Fact, that's what I'm trying to do right now.
Oh, if you are only doing 5.1 then definitely get the di/bipole (use them in bipole mode) for surrounds. No question.- Sony 50"A3000 SXRD; Onkyo TX-SR 805
- Polk RTi150 mains; CSi30 center; FXi3 surrounds, R15 backs
- Velodyne CHT-12 subwoofer
