Help a Gamer Out: RTi10 vs RTi8's

Cold-Steel

Hey guys,

My current setup involves a Polk CSi5 as my center channel with two RTi8's as my fronts and I'm using an older pair of Jensen C-5's as my rears.

A Velodyne DPS-10 acts as my sub and all these speakers are being driven by a Yamaha HTR-6090 receiver.

I'm mostly a gamer so I play a lot of 360, PS3, and Wii games but I also watch a lot of Blu-ray movies through my PS3. I am looking to upgrade my Jensen speakers so I figured by default I'd move my RTi8's to my rear and either add another pair of RTi8's or RTi10's as my fronts.

I'm kind of worried because I've heard a lot about the RTi10's not being very strong in the midrange (which is something the RTi8's really accel at).

So do I play it safe by picking up another pair of RTi8's and have 4 matching speakers or pick up the RTi10's?

Need opinions please.

dane_peterson

My input... keep the 8's at front, get some RTi4s for the rear, and invest the money you would have for the 10's into a better sub. There's really not enough signal going to the rears to really make it worth having that nice of a speaker in back. Your Yammy would probably choke with another pair of RTi towers to power anyway.

Sherardp

Get 4s or FXi3s in the rear, the sound of the 3s while gaming are awesome, I love the sound of explosions in the rear on call of duty 2, As dane mentioned you could use a better sub, try the NSD 12 of the SVS line up, or something similar, I use dual PB12 Plus2s, imagine the sound of grenade explosion, or the shotgun in Call of Duty 2/3, its insane guy. Enjoy, post up and let us know what you end up with. You can find the 3s at onecall or J&R for a very good price.

Cold-Steel

Well I appreciate the replies, they aren't exactly what I was hoping for.

Only reason I'm sticking with Polk and Velodyne is cause of the discount I get on them.

I really like the idea of four towers - is this really a bad idea?

fireshoes

I'd go with the RTi8's. If you cross them as small speakers, the Velodyne will handle the lowest frequencies and your Yamaha should be able to handle it. If you don't like the end result, flip the speakers and since you bought with a discount you might even turn a profit.

Zamps

dane_peterson wrote: »

My input... keep the 8's at front, get some RTi4s for the rear, and invest the money you would have for the 10's into a better sub. There's really not enough signal going to the rears to really make it worth having that nice of a speaker in back. Your Yammy would probably choke with another pair of RTi towers to power anyway.

I would agree with dane. You really don't need something that big for rears. But if you are set on getting another pair of towers, I would get another set of 8's.

Sherardp

8s in the rear would be a waste, if you need something of large size then go with the FXi5s and bigger sub, being that you can get a good discount and all. Save some coin and amp up the 10s also.

Cold-Steel

So my best option would be (according to you guys)...

CSi5
RTi8 RTi8
RTi8 RTi8

OR

CSi5
RTi8 RTi8
FXi3 FXi3

I mean, I'm using towers as rears to begin with and they work fine.

Ideally, I wanted to go as...

CSi5
RTi10 RTi10
RTi8 RTi8

But this would be a bad idea right?

I also have a wicked discount on Energy brand speakers (particularily the Reference Connoiseur series high-end) but I really didn't like them at all. In fact, they just sounded so terrible next to my Polks.

Plus, what's wrong with my Velodyne? I think it's a wicked subwoofer and outperformed the Polk in every way.

engtaz

I have no problem with #3. It would be a waste of a good speaker for HT only but thats up to you. If you plan on listening to music in 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 all channels, then it would not be a waste and would be great.
Good Luck

Cold-Steel

Occasionally I listen to music in 5.1 but I'm really doing this for videogames (PS3, 360, Wii) and Blu-ray movies.

engtaz

If you like #3 then do it. There are quite a few people doing LSi9's all around. To each his own. Like I said I don't see a problem if you want to do #3. I would be great. Try Doom3 loud and what yourself jump with the #3 setup.

Good Luck

Cold-Steel

Would my mids suffer from having the 10's as my fronts or should I go with 8's instead all around?

dane_peterson

It sounds to me like your mind was made up before you asked for advice. No point reasking the questions you've already asked... if that's what you want, do it.

Sherardp

Agreed, do what you feel. After all it is up your setup. Enjoy

engtaz

No you mids won't suffer.

Cold-Steel

I do appreciate the advice guys and I was looking at the FXi3s for awhile there.

I'll be sure to let you all know how it pans out!

Onac

I am running the FXi3s in the rear and I really like the sound. I play all three consoles, Blu-Ray and listen to a lot of 5.1 SACD. Since you get a good discount on the Polks and Velodyne are you buying them at Fry's?

If so they also sell some speakers stands that work perfect with the FXi3s.

Cold-Steel

I just figured maybe this might be a better idea (combine the best ideas):

CSi5
RTi10 RTi10
RTi8 RTi8
FXi3 FXi3

For a nice 7.1 setup?

(I think I'll need another amp though...ouchie)

daboyz

Me thinks he should share the love with that discount;)

Sherardp

daboyz wrote: »

Me thinks he should share the love with that discount;)

Definitely. Buy a pair Fxi5s at your price and sell them to me.

rmccully

Cold-Steel wrote: »

I just figured maybe this might be a better idea (combine the best ideas):

CSi5
RTi10 RTi10
RTi8 RTi8
FXi3 FXi3

For a nice 7.1 setup?

(I think I'll need another amp though...ouchie)

I think the separate amp issue is key. From what I understand, the RTi10s are really closer to 4ohm speakers than 8ohm, so would really benefit from a separate amp. Your AVR is good, but all of those towers will probably put a heavy load on it. I don't know what the impedance curve for any of these is like, but maybe the dips are below 80hz, so crossing over at 80hz will lessen the load on your AVR. If you can afford the setup you desire, with amp, then go for it. It will undoubtedly be great. However, I agree with some of the other posters that it's a bit of overkill. If you were to stay 5.1, I would get RTi6s or FXi5s for the back, or 7.1 get two pair of either.

Also, you like your RTi8s, right? Have you heard the RTi10 yet, and how do you think they compare? If you don't really think the 10s are better, get another pair of 8s. The 8s are a slightly better match for your Csi5 than the 10s are, at least based on driver complement and crossover points.

I'm sure you'll be happy whatever way you go. I definitely see the value in just saying F-it, and just go all out. At least you'll be less likely to want to upgrade anytime soon. Good luck.