Monitor vs RTi Series

BD1904
BD1904 Posts: 5
edited January 2008 in Speakers
I am replacing a sony home theater system that I have had for around seven years. No matter what I purchase today, it will be an extreme upgrade from what I have had. I have read everything that I can find about the Monitor and RTi series. These speakers will be my fronts. Every reviewer seems to have a lot of praise for the Monitor series. Other than the price what is so different about the RTi series from the Monitor series? I plan on also purchasing a polk subwoofer so if there is a bass problem with the Monitor I do not think that I will notice it. I am also purchasing a csi 3 or 5 center. Also still trying to decide on the Onkyo 705 or 805 receiver. I am somewhat of a novice so any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Post edited by BD1904 on
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Comments

  • jwhitakr
    jwhitakr Posts: 568
    edited January 2008
    I think the best advice is for you to go out and audition the speakers for yourself, if possible. It would also help if you gave us an idea of your budget?
    My HT
    HDTV: Panasonic PT-61LCX65 61" Rear Proj. LCD
    AVR: Harman Kardon AVR 235
    Video: 80GB PS3, Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD
    Fronts: Polk Audio RTi8
    Center: Polk Audio CSi3
    Amp: Emotiva LPA-1
    Surrounds: Polk Audio R150
    Sub: HSU STF-3

    The only true barrier to knowledge is the assumption that you already have it. - C.H. Dodd
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  • BD1904
    BD1904 Posts: 5
    edited January 2008
    The RTis are within my budget. I just dont want to throw money away if the monitor series are similiar. Thanks.
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited January 2008
    That's why you need to listen to them. The RTis are equivalent to 480p to 1080i. On some content you won't notice a huge difference...on most it's you get what you pay for.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,029
    edited January 2008
    Yes,the RTI line is better than the monitor line.Straight up.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • BD1904
    BD1904 Posts: 5
    edited January 2008
    Thanks. RTis it is.
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  • dcacc
    dcacc Posts: 45
    edited January 2008
    for what it's worth, I have right in front of me at the moment a pair of Monitor 70s and a pair of RTi10s and am trying to decide which pair to return.

    I got them both for a steal -- the Monitors for $550 (pair) and the RTis for, believe it or not, $400 for the pair new. Listening side by side with a just an Onkyo 505, the Monitors actually sound a lot better -- more spacious and responsive (I have a HSU STF-2 sub, so bass isn't an issue). I'm probably going to keep the Rti10s based on all the rave reviews, since I hope to upgrade to either a better receiver or amp. I'm hoping I'll then hear their true potential.

    Still, I have been very impressed with the Monitors and will miss them when they're gone.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited January 2008
    If you think the monitors sound better, that is what you should keep. (unless they are not worth the additional cost to you)

    Don't keep a speaker based on reviews when it is not what you like.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • shimey013
    shimey013 Posts: 79
    edited January 2008
    Ive heard the monitor series, i liked them but wasnt overally impressive. So for the price and what people said, i picked up the RTi8's and WOW...I can say I am impressed and for the price its amazing.
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