Upgrade to RTi12's?

BSmart

Hey. I own a pair of RT200p speakers that I simply love. I have had them for about 8 years or so. My question is, would you ugrade to RTi12's if you had the chance? My wife suprisingly has said okay to the possible purchase so I am still a bit in shock. The price has come down to where she doesn't object as much. When I bought the 2000's I didn't have a sub and now I own an SVS PC-Ultra so I don't think I need the built in subs any longer. Also, would my Marantz SR 8500 have enough juice to drive these bad boys? Thanks so much for the advice.

vinhividivici

yes, take them... if you don't like them return them :P

Sherardp

Grab those 12s, and put a nice two channel or monoblocks on them, the Marantz can run the rest of the setup. Check out outlaw audio M2200 monoblocks, nice amps that can handle the 12s with ease.

BSmart

Thanks, guys. I need to strike while I have my better half in the right mood. Also, thank you for the advice on the Outlaws. That gives me ammo for my next request.

Systems

I would only suggest the RTi12's if you have a pretty large room and you can sit a good distance back from them.

BSmart

The room is pretty large: 18 foot ceiling and is open from the back into the kitchen (I tried to attach a photo of the room but it is 765kb and too big apparently - anyway to shrink this enough?). A couple of things still concern me. My RT2000p's are in recessed drywall cavities that are big enough but not by much to accomodate the RTi12's. I have been reading that this may affect the bass. True? I can pull the RTi12's forward somewhat into the room. The cavity is 14"W x 28"D x 57"H.

Also, I am still nervous about my receiver having enough wattage to drive these. The Marantx SR8500 is rated at 8 ohms 125 W/Ch. and seems to be a pretty beefy unit. However, if I get these new speaks and the receiver cannot properly drive them I am in deep stuff as my wife would simply kill me if I have to immediately buy a new amp, etc.

Critical juncture here in the decision. Returning might be tough if I buy from Crutchfield, no?

Thanks for any and all advice!!

BSmart

I think I have reduced the photo of the living room enough to attach now.

Hope this helps. Thanks again!

bruss

nice setup Bsmart

Systems

BSmart wrote: »

I think I have reduced the photo of the living room enough to attach now.

Hope this helps. Thanks again!

RTi12's are going to be a pretty tight fit in your speaker slots there, make sure you get some good measurements for size. They are also a good 2 feet deep and you do need a good couple of feet behind them for Bass.

I'd almost suggest some kind of front ported speaker if they stay back in those nooks.

Like the other poster said, you need at least 200W for them. I have Outlaw 2200's on mine and I still think they need more.

treitz3

BSmart wrote: »

I have been reading that this may affect the bass. True?

Most definitely.

BSmart

Seems I may be on the wrong track with the RTi12's. Both from the cavity and wattage perspective. Sigh. Any suggestions as to what would be a better "fit"? I listen to music and movies about equally. Maybe I should just keep the 2000's??

McLoki

BSmart wrote: »

I think I have reduced the photo of the living room enough to attach now.

Hope this helps. Thanks again!

I love the baffle to hide the cords behind your TV. Great idea.

treitz3

What I would suggest for sound I don't think you will like because of the effort and money involved. That said, if your priorities are not sound, please disregard this post. Nice looking pad ya' gots there chief!

Atomic Turtle

BSmart wrote: »

Also, I am still nervous about my receiver having enough wattage to drive these. The Marantx SR8500 is rated at 8 ohms 125 W/Ch. and seems to be a pretty beefy unit. However, if I get these new speaks and the receiver cannot properly drive them I am in deep stuff as my wife would simply kill me if I have to immediately buy a new amp, etc.

I just bought a pair of RTi-12s a month and a half ago, and for the first couple of weeks I powered them with a 100 WPC Panasonic SA-55. They sounded terrific compared to the RTi-6s which they replaced, but they were clearly underpowered - to the point where I didn't dare crank them up past the lower third of the volume range. After a couple of weeks, my 250 WPC Carver M-500 amp arrived, and for the first time, I heard what the speakers really sounded like.

The bottom line - the speakers will sound great, but I don't think you'll ever really be fully satisfied with them if you're only feeding them 125 watts. If you're anything like me, every time you hear them you'll find yourself wondering how much you're not hearing. Another 3 or 4 hundred bucks for a used amp will really make 'em sing, and every time you fire 'em up you'll hear every penny of the money you spent on both the speakers and the amp.

Face

Wattage isn't everything, it's CURRENT.

treitz3

Current, wattage, amongst other things are not what may be the best. The end result as to what hits your ears is.

Sherardp

Nice room B smart, Everythings looks very organized and neatly placed. Like to see that in a home.

cfrizz

More often than not, you get the current with the higher wattage. At least buying an amp a non rich person can afford.

PS, Welcome to Club Polk BSmart!

BSmart

This has been all been great advice. And, thank you for the comments on the room. I would have designed it differently though as it really has me somewhat "boxed in" when and if I change components (in this case speakers). I built the entertainment center myself but now see that the speaker recesses will most likely limit what I can place in those. Since the Marantz is only about 2 years old, I will have almost no chance of upgrading that or adding a power amp anytime soon (after 25 years of marriage to a wonderful woman I know my limits, so to speak). So that leaves me with about $2500 to spend on new speakers and a center channel. So your advice is incredibly valuable to me. If $2.5k budget won't get me much of anything to get excited about above the current set up, I can look like a good husband and save it instead. Still, how often does the lovely wife say okay to spending some dough on toys?? (The married guys are now nodding their heads or shaking them and saying something like who runs your house anyway?). Should I stick or find something that will thrill me or is it possible with that sort of budget? Thank you all again so much!!!

treitz3

Are you open to suggestions that won't require major construction, yet will yield better sound?

This will take up some real estate on the carpet, so if this is not part of the wifeypoo's idea, please disregard.

BSmart

Welllll, now you hvae me curious. What do you suggest? I'll never know until I try with the little lady. She didn't notice the SVS sub until it sat there for a week so I may have a chance.