RT800 Speaker Combo

solidus28

I was curious if anyone had any experience or even just an opinion with this combo. I'm looking at a pair of RT800 (I don't think they are RT800i) on CL for $150. First off, I would like to know if you guys think that's still a decent price if they are in good shape and perfect working order. Second, I was trying to decide how to combine them with the rest of a 5.1 setup. I see on the Polk FAQ that the CSi5 is supposed to be a good match for a center channel. I have read in the forums that the CS400 is the best match, but I am unable to find any on ebay, audiogon, CL, etc. Anyone know if they would work together? My only concern is that they are different tweeters. Additionally, I was looking at the RTi6 for surrounds. These are all being hooked up to a Sony STR-DG1000 receiver and even though I know it's not the same as purchasing a separate amp, I will be biamping the RT800s with the remaining two channels of my 7.1 setup since I'm only using 5.1. I figure it should help a little bit. What do you guys think? Thank you for any advice you may have.

Kex

I have a pair of RT800 myself, and yes, $150 is a good price for these if they are in good condition. You will probably have difficulty in getting anyone to sell them to you for less (but you can always try).

The CS400 is the correct match, but a CS300 will also work well (I have both, and have tried both too). They do come up from time to time on e-Bay (or craigslist, but it'll take longer). My estimation is that you'll pay about $200-250 on e-Bay with shipping for a 400.

For surrounds, you should be able to find a pair of RT55 (nice large bookshelf with the same drivers and tweeter as the RT800, I have two pairs of those) RT35 (I have one pair of those also) or RT25. The RT55 will cost about the same as the RT800 in my estimation, sometimes actually more (up to $200 + shipping recently on e-Bay); you might find the smaller speakers for about $125 or so, depending on condition.

All the above price estimations will probably strike many CP members as "rock bottom" pricing (and well below what they would accept if they were selling any of these). Any comments are welcome on the topic.

The RT800, RT55 and CS400 are all "big" enough to want extra power IMO. I am thinking about that myself right now and will post my experience here when I get through with it (if I ever figure it out!).

A very warm welcome to the forum BTW!

solidus28

Thank you for the warm welcome and the response! I've been reading the forums for a while trying to decide what to get and had really been looking into rti8s, but I just felt like I couldn't pass up the RT800s for $150, quite a bit cheaper than a pair of rti8s. If I am unable to find a cs400, do you think the csi5 would be pretty close or should I not even bother with it? I'm going to start looking for some RT55s and see what I can find.

solidus28

Ok, another question. I found an auction for a CS400i. Will the CS400i match a non i RT800? Would this be a viable option?

solidus28

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have another one. As I mentioned, I was previously looking into the rti8s. Going with your above price estimates, I could get a pair of rt55s, the pair of rt800s I found and a cs400 for around $650 rock bottom. So that could potentially be anywhere from $650-900 probably. Now, I could get a pair of RTi8s, a pair of RTi6s and a CSi5 for $1015 or even upgrade the RTi8s to RTi10s for a total of $1085. Would it be worth a $200-300 for the RTis? If so, what's your opinion on RTi8 versus RTi10 if I will have a sub in either scenario. I've seen a lot of threads where RTi10 is great if you don't have a sub, but is it that much better if you do? Is it worth a $70 upgrade? Or is all of this moot and the RT800s are a better speaker and I should just stick with that regardless of price?

Kex

solidus28 wrote: »

Ok, another question. I found an auction for a CS400i. Will the CS400i match a non i RT800? Would this be a viable option?

Yes, it would, probably exactly AFIK. I have the manual of the CS400 and the specifications are identical in every way to those posted on the CS400i web page. I am not sure what the exact technical differences are. In terms of the cosmetic aspect:

- the "i" versions have "metallic blue" colored drivers.
- the "i" versions have real wood veneer (although the RT vinyl veneer is high quality IMO).

I will be selling a lot of my gear sometime in the near future, so let me know if you're interested in anything in particular (including the CS300 BTW).

dipiazza

Rti Series is on sale almost everywhere because of the new RTiA series. Could be a good time to get some Rtis.

Kex

solidus28 wrote: »

... If I am unable to find a cs400, do you think the csi5 would be pretty close or should I not even bother with it? I'm going to start looking for some RT55s and see what I can find.

The CSi5 will not be technically as good a match as the CS400/400i, but in my experience, it will still be an excellent center and you will not notice any glaring incongruities (I paired a CS245i with older MiniMonitors with great success).

In some setups, you can just use a "phantom" center. Most 5.1 capable AVRs will allow you to speciy that there is no center speaker and create a phantom effect without it. I have tried it several times with surprisingly excellent results. The center seems to mostly anchor dialogue near the screen for those that are seated closer than would be optimal to either of the front L/R channel speakers. You don't want people to be watching a character speak on the screen while hearing the voice coming from somewhere else entirely. You certainly could use a phantom effect until you find the matching center you would prefer at the right price. In some cases, the absence of a center is really not noticeable IMHO, such as when I am seated correctly with the two front speakers positioned "toe in" towards the listening area, and 9' or less apart. You certainly don't really need a center if your speakers are positioned either side of the TV, as many people do (incorrectly for my taste, because they're too close together).

Kex

solidus28 wrote: »

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have another one. ...

No need to apologize in my book: that's what forums are for.

... Going with your above price estimates, I could get a pair of rt55s, the pair of rt800s I found and a cs400 for around $650 rock bottom. So that could potentially be anywhere from $650-900 probably. Now, I could get a pair of RTi8s, a pair of RTi6s and a CSi5 for $1015 ...

For such a small difference, it would be hard to refuse the "no risk" and new product warranty factors of the new speakers.

... or even upgrade the RTi8s to RTi10s for a total of $1085 ...

Some of those who buy the bigger 3-way speakers, rather than the 2-way speakers such as the RTi8 or RT800 find that they really need external amplifiers to be happy with their purchase. Until then, some find them good, certainly, but not as great as they had expected before buying. I don't think I would consider RTi10s or RTi12s unless I was prepared to be disappointed and prepared to spend the extra cash needed to buy the external amps in such a case.

... is all of this moot and the RT800s are a better speaker and I should just stick with that regardless of price?

Some people do actually prefer the older RT series over the RTi (not as bright, I think, is the main claim they make). I personally do not like what I consider the tacky plastic front aspect of the 2007 series and much prefer the new RTi A cabinets from that point of view (and because of the curved, not straight, sides). I also prefer the aspect of the older RTi and RT (with vinyl) to the 2007 range, but I would be somewhat surprised if anyone is going to say that the old RT series is fundamentally better than the 2007 RTi.

Kex

solidus28 wrote: »

... what's your opinion on RTi8 versus RTi10 if I will have a sub in either scenario. I've seen a lot of threads where RTi10 is great if you don't have a sub, but is it that much better if you do? ...

This same reasoning would claim that a bookshelf setup is better with a subwoofer than a floorstanding setup because the subwoofer can handle those low frequencies better than the tower and the bookshelf does not even try to go there, so the bookshelf/subwoofer setup is a better match.

There are also those who claim you should have full range speakers everywhere, capable of going as low as a subwoofer. I am not sure either camp is right or wrong.

In my case, I do not think I would miss a subwoofer much for most/all kinds of music if I were using something equivalent to RTi10s with external amps. For theater though, I think it's going to be hard to argue the absence of a subwoofer for the 0.1 LFE channel in 5.1 or 7.1 which produces those almost silent effects that you feel more than you hear, no matter what towers you are using.

YMMV (and I'm not an expert, being quite new to most of this myself!).

solidus28

Well, I guess I ended up solving my problem. I appreciate everybody's input. I went by Sound Advice (or Tweeter) and they had BOGO on the RTi10s because it's the last shipment they are getting. Basically, $240 a speaker. I was curious about the RTi8s but they only had a couple floor models left and they were still going for about the same as the BOGO RTi10s. I ended up buying 4 of them and have ordered a CSi5 from onecall.com for $199 that should be here Thurs. I can't afford to get external amps for the ATM, but it should still sound great compared to what I've been using for the past 8 or so years. I had 4 puny Sony Satellite speakers and a puny Sony center channel. I will admit, they still sound fine, but I'm sure there's no going back after I get done hooking up my new speakers. What amps would you guys suggest for RTi10s and a CSi5? I've never had to purchase amps for the HT before sine I had such small speakers. I'm not really familiar with brands even.

Kex

solidus28 wrote: »

... I went by Sound Advice (or Tweeter) and they had BOGO on the RTi10s because it's the last shipment they are getting. Basically, $240 a speaker. ... I ended up buying 4 of them and have ordered a CSi5 from onecall.com for $199 that should be here Thurs. ...

That would have been a hard deal to resist!

... I can't afford to get external amps for the ATM, but it should still sound great compared to what I've been using for the past 8 or so years. ... I've never had to purchase amps for the HT before sine I had such small speakers. I'm not really familiar with brands even.

Well, I'm going down that road myself just now, so I'll keep you posted. At least you have a receiver with pre-outs already! nm4710 got an Onkyo M-282 which I've seen refurbished from shoponkyo.com for $200. I don't think you're going to get better than $100 per channel really, even used, and I think you should plan on at least three channels.

AudioSource is one of the cheapest to buy new: some of these can be found for about $100! Otherwise you will hear many brands mentioned if you search the forum, including Adcom, Outlaw, Parasound, Carver to name just a few (that I can recall off the top of my brainless head). You could start with two channels and then add on as you can afford extra.

Congratulations though! A great deal on excellent speakers!

http://www.rodinaudio.com/audioSource/pdf/electronics_and_accessories.pdf

Kex

Try reading this ... I found it useful (or at the very least I didn't feel completely ignorant afterwards!).
http://www.hometheatersound.com/features/cinemacynergy/cc_20010901.htm

solidus28

Thank you for the links, I've begun looking at some amps, but they will have to wait until sometime down the line. The last link you provided was quite informative. I can't wait to get home and finally see how these bad boys sound! I am probably going to run with a "Phantom" center channel until the CSi5 arrives on Thur., so I'll really get to see how the soundstage is on these speakers. I'm sure I won't be disappointed with these without an external amp, simply because my old speakers were maybe 2 inches wide and 4-5 inches tall. This should be a huge upgrade!