Mixing LSIs and RTIs

nodeuces
nodeuces Posts: 96
edited February 2008 in Speakers
I have a chance to get LSI25s for a couple of hundred more than the planned RTI12s. Is mixing these a bad idea for sound quality. Obviously the aesthetics are not as pleasing to me as the RTIs are.

So...
TV: Hitachi P42H401
DVD Player: Sony Playsation 3
XM Tuner: polkaudio XRt12 Reference Tuner *SOLD*
Console: Nintendo Wii
Cable: Tivo Series II DVR *SOLD*
Receiver: Onkyo 705
Amps: (3) Outlaw M200
Center: polkaudio CSi5 *SOLD*
Fronts: polkaudio RTi12s *SOLD*
Sides: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
Rears: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
Sub: Invisible :(
Post edited by nodeuces on
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Comments

  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited February 2008
    Based on your sig, I wouldn't get either, unless you have an amp unlisted.............your Onk won't do either model justice by itself.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • nodeuces
    nodeuces Posts: 96
    edited February 2008
    An amp will come. 200x7 outlaw most likely.

    Not to be catty, but I asked about the speakers, let's assume the power will be there and a DSW600 or equivalent Velodyne is coming.
    TV: Hitachi P42H401
    DVD Player: Sony Playsation 3
    XM Tuner: polkaudio XRt12 Reference Tuner *SOLD*
    Console: Nintendo Wii
    Cable: Tivo Series II DVR *SOLD*
    Receiver: Onkyo 705
    Amps: (3) Outlaw M200
    Center: polkaudio CSi5 *SOLD*
    Fronts: polkaudio RTi12s *SOLD*
    Sides: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Rears: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Sub: Invisible :(
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2008
    Take the sub back and look into a SVS, or Epik Model. Based on your signature I would keep everything timbre matched and go for the 12s.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
    I would eventually upgraded everything to the LSi line or get the RTi's.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2008
    Sherardp wrote: »
    Take the sub back and look into a SVS, or Epik Model. Based on your signature I would keep everything timbre matched and go for the 12s.

    Have you heard the new DSW lineup?
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2008
    nodeuces wrote: »
    I have a chance to get LSI25s for a couple of hundred more than the planned RTI12s. Is mixing these a bad idea for sound quality. Obviously the aesthetics are not as pleasing to me as the RTIs are.

    So...

    I would stick with an all RTi system. They're pretty easy to drive and the future Outlaw amplifier will be more than enough power to give them some legs.

    The new DSW line is solid and Polk finally has a subwoofer lineup that can compete with the likes of Velodyne.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Roland P
    Roland P Posts: 33
    edited February 2008
    Face wrote: »
    I would eventually upgraded everything to the LSi line or get the RTi's.

    I agree, I would stay RTi because of the aesthetics and the timbre match. If you go LSi it should be an upgrade path to LSi all around.

    But how much more do you get when you upgrade to the RTi12s?
    You can't get a better timbre match than with the RTi8s ;)
    My HT - JVC DLA-HD2K - Rotel rsx-1065 - Polkaudio LSi9, LSiFx, LSiC - REL Storm III
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  • nodeuces
    nodeuces Posts: 96
    edited February 2008
    Sherardp wrote: »
    Take the sub back and look into a SVS, or Epik Model. Based on your signature I would keep everything timbre matched and go for the 12s.

    I don't have the sub yet. I did not ask about the sub. Focus please. Do not derail my thread. :mad:
    TV: Hitachi P42H401
    DVD Player: Sony Playsation 3
    XM Tuner: polkaudio XRt12 Reference Tuner *SOLD*
    Console: Nintendo Wii
    Cable: Tivo Series II DVR *SOLD*
    Receiver: Onkyo 705
    Amps: (3) Outlaw M200
    Center: polkaudio CSi5 *SOLD*
    Fronts: polkaudio RTi12s *SOLD*
    Sides: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Rears: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Sub: Invisible :(
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  • dephinistr8
    dephinistr8 Posts: 61
    edited February 2008
    nodeuces wrote: »
    I don't have the sub yet. I did not ask about the sub. Focus please. Do not derail my thread. :mad:

    Dang dude, he answered and said go with with the 12s..and just suggested a sub trying to be helpful.
    The Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Polk RTi6
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk FXi3
    Rears: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Polk PSW125
    AVR: Denon 3808CI
    TV: Mitsubishi 65" Diamond DLP (WD-65833)
    Game Console: Xbox360
    Game Console/Blu-Ray: PS3
    Satellite: DirecTV HD-DVR (HR21)
    HD-DVD: Toshiba HD-A35
    Remote: Logitech Harmony 890 Pro

    2 Channel Setup

    AVR: Pioneer VSA-910
    Speakers: Klipsch KG4 (from 1985)
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  • m00npie
    m00npie Posts: 697
    edited February 2008
    nodeuces wrote: »
    I don't have the sub yet. I did not ask about the sub. Focus please. Do not derail my thread. :mad:

    Are you the soup ****?
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  • dephinistr8
    dephinistr8 Posts: 61
    edited February 2008
    m00npie wrote: »
    Are you the soup ****?

    This is not about soup!!!! FOCUS!!!!

    :D
    The Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Polk RTi6
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk FXi3
    Rears: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Polk PSW125
    AVR: Denon 3808CI
    TV: Mitsubishi 65" Diamond DLP (WD-65833)
    Game Console: Xbox360
    Game Console/Blu-Ray: PS3
    Satellite: DirecTV HD-DVR (HR21)
    HD-DVD: Toshiba HD-A35
    Remote: Logitech Harmony 890 Pro

    2 Channel Setup

    AVR: Pioneer VSA-910
    Speakers: Klipsch KG4 (from 1985)
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  • sbpolk
    sbpolk Posts: 644
    edited February 2008
    Clearly, the answer is this: if you don't do LSis all the way around, and you don't get serious amplification, stick with the RTi12s. They are a nice speaker.

    Now that you have your answer (several times) let's not derail the forum. Case closed. Next?
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
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  • nodeuces
    nodeuces Posts: 96
    edited February 2008
    Indeed...like all the other threads on here. They turn into such a dorkfest of off topic gibberish, I fear for the day when those regulars who are knowledgeable and eloquent log out of this forum for the last time.
    TV: Hitachi P42H401
    DVD Player: Sony Playsation 3
    XM Tuner: polkaudio XRt12 Reference Tuner *SOLD*
    Console: Nintendo Wii
    Cable: Tivo Series II DVR *SOLD*
    Receiver: Onkyo 705
    Amps: (3) Outlaw M200
    Center: polkaudio CSi5 *SOLD*
    Fronts: polkaudio RTi12s *SOLD*
    Sides: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Rears: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Sub: Invisible :(
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2008
    nodeuces wrote: »
    Indeed...like all the other threads on here. They turn into such a dorkfest of off topic gibberish, I fear for the day when those regulars who are knowledgeable and eloquent log out of this forum for the last time.

    Oh yeah, talking about subs in a speaker forum is wayyyyyyyy off topic. Take a chill pill and enjoy the advice you are asking for and given. No malice in any of these posts, just helpful advice. Don't hit your head falling off your horse.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2008
    Oh, I forgot to answer your question

    Yes, they will sound bad. NO don't mix them.

    Disclaimer: Don't want to expound upon my answer for fear it might go off topic. Explanations are overrated anyways.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dephinistr8
    dephinistr8 Posts: 61
    edited February 2008
    Oh and H9, don't you dare ask a question about power or perhaps a mixture of a sub, the resulting
    answer of the question might help us make a more informed suggestion. Since we are not knowledgeable or eloquent we must not bother with such trivial things...
    :)
    The Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Polk RTi6
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surrounds: Polk FXi3
    Rears: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Polk PSW125
    AVR: Denon 3808CI
    TV: Mitsubishi 65" Diamond DLP (WD-65833)
    Game Console: Xbox360
    Game Console/Blu-Ray: PS3
    Satellite: DirecTV HD-DVR (HR21)
    HD-DVD: Toshiba HD-A35
    Remote: Logitech Harmony 890 Pro

    2 Channel Setup

    AVR: Pioneer VSA-910
    Speakers: Klipsch KG4 (from 1985)
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited February 2008
    Don't mix. Adjust attitude. End of post.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • john22614
    john22614 Posts: 214
    edited February 2008
    Ideally, it's obviously best to timbre match....but, if you play music in stereo, it may not be that big of a deal. I used a CS400i center with my LSI9's for a couple years for HT, and it worked fine. The timbre issue was hardly noticeable since very little dialogue comes from the mains. I finally replaced it with the LSic because I wanted a smaller, lighter speaker and felt it was a step up in quality and a perfect timbre match. I guess what I'm saying is, if you really like the '25's better than the RTi's, don't let the CSi5 keep you from getting them.
    B&W 804s mains
    B&W HTM4 center
    Polk PSW 1000 sub
    Outlaw 990 Pre Amp
    Anthem MCA 30 Amp
    Monitor Radius 180 surrounds
    Audiosource Stereo Amp for surrounds
    Denon 2910 Universal DVD/SACD Player
    Comcast DVR
    Pioneer Elite 42" Plasma 940 HD
    Harmony Universal Remote
    Blue Jeans interconnects and biwires
    Itunes Air Express
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  • nodeuces
    nodeuces Posts: 96
    edited February 2008
    Thank you kindly john22614 - your post was very helpful. I think i have my heading now.
    TV: Hitachi P42H401
    DVD Player: Sony Playsation 3
    XM Tuner: polkaudio XRt12 Reference Tuner *SOLD*
    Console: Nintendo Wii
    Cable: Tivo Series II DVR *SOLD*
    Receiver: Onkyo 705
    Amps: (3) Outlaw M200
    Center: polkaudio CSi5 *SOLD*
    Fronts: polkaudio RTi12s *SOLD*
    Sides: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Rears: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Sub: Invisible :(
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  • john22614
    john22614 Posts: 214
    edited February 2008
    Glad to be of help.....and, by the way......I much prefer the LSi over the RT series, including the 12's. I just feel the RT's are too bright for music. If it were me.....I'd jump on the 25's....if you don't mind plugging them into the wall separately and tweeking the subs.
    B&W 804s mains
    B&W HTM4 center
    Polk PSW 1000 sub
    Outlaw 990 Pre Amp
    Anthem MCA 30 Amp
    Monitor Radius 180 surrounds
    Audiosource Stereo Amp for surrounds
    Denon 2910 Universal DVD/SACD Player
    Comcast DVR
    Pioneer Elite 42" Plasma 940 HD
    Harmony Universal Remote
    Blue Jeans interconnects and biwires
    Itunes Air Express
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2008
    nodeuces wrote: »
    Indeed...like all the other threads on here. They turn into such a dorkfest of off topic gibberish, I fear for the day when those regulars who are knowledgeable and eloquent log out of this forum for the last time.

    You got at least 5 positive answers to stick with the Rtis. Then you got additional information with the clear intention of expanding and benefiting your audio experience.

    Your low post count and dare-I-say "basic" question regaridng timbre matching suggests to other members that you could benefit from extra suggestions. If I ignored all the additional information given to me by fellow polk guys, I wouldn't know what I know today.



    PS

    :mad: don't do that.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2008
    By the way, I mixed the RTis and Lsis in an old setup. I used two 15s as fronts for stereo and when I wanted home theater I had Rtis for surrounds. The timbre matching didn't matter to me as I listened less critically during movies. It's all relative to your taste.
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  • nodeuces
    nodeuces Posts: 96
    edited February 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    It's all relative to your taste.

    All speakers are...I was asking because at this point in these products life cycles I cannot run to Frys or Tweeter and expect to listen to them on the floor. Nor can I buy and return closed out items which are not defective (in this case).

    So my hope in this post was someone, like yourself, to discuss their experience in mixing these two lines.
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Your low post count and dare-I-say "basic" question regaridng timbre matching suggests to other members that you could benefit from extra suggestions.

    So if you're fat I should make weight loss suggestions? I don't follow your logic on this as it has to violate the spirit of the "search" function. This post is perverted (search wise) by suggestions of other products. Now when someone searches for info on SVS subs before posting (as they should) this thread will tarnish the results.

    I mean no offense, but quite simply I asked a specific question and for the most part received unrelated answers and flaming. But you are right I did get a lot of good answers and I am thankful for that. Gotta take the bad with the Good I suppose.
    TV: Hitachi P42H401
    DVD Player: Sony Playsation 3
    XM Tuner: polkaudio XRt12 Reference Tuner *SOLD*
    Console: Nintendo Wii
    Cable: Tivo Series II DVR *SOLD*
    Receiver: Onkyo 705
    Amps: (3) Outlaw M200
    Center: polkaudio CSi5 *SOLD*
    Fronts: polkaudio RTi12s *SOLD*
    Sides: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Rears: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
    Sub: Invisible :(
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2008
    Listen I feel your pain and desire for straight to the throat answers and I am extremely sympathetic to your frustration. But, if you want it that way, then preface it from the beginning, otherwise you are open to free conversation. It's the nature of a forum.

    That being said, I would recommend getting the Lsis if you do a lot of 2 channel listening and value it over HT. If HT is secondary to you but you still like it crazy, then I see no reason why an LSi RTi combo wouldn't serve you perfectly.

    I also meant it's relative to the terms of your taste regarding whether or not you want timbre matched gear. The Lsis will blow the doors off the Rtis in terms of sonics. But, if you can't stand the different appearance of your speakers or the different sonics in HT, then get the Rti12s.

    I hope this helps you out. I like your focus, your attitude just cuts me the wrong way. Good luck on your audio journey.

    Let know if you want to discuss anything else regarding issues beyond timbre matching.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2008
    nodeuces wrote: »
    Obviously the aesthetics are not as pleasing to me as the RTIs are.

    So...

    Nothing is obvious about the aesthetics. I prefer the Lsi appearance anyday . . . and so do many other people.
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  • AdamRagland
    AdamRagland Posts: 521
    edited February 2008
    well at least if anyone does a search for BUTTHEAD they will get taken straight to your thread.
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  • Yashu
    Yashu Posts: 772
    edited February 2008
    10s, not 12s, and with the outlaw. No LSi.

    I think the 12s could be used with more power and you wouldn't need a sub, but you aren't giving them that much more power, and you want a sub. Get the 10s, better crossover point, make the sub worth it's weight.

    Hope Troy doesn't see THIS thread... woo... people tell me that I cause controversy, but I am not trying to, it seems you are really trying to push buttons, or just be pushy, don't know. You will catch more flies with honey?
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  • sbpolk
    sbpolk Posts: 644
    edited February 2008
    AdamRagland wrote: »
    well at least if anyone does a search for BUTTHEAD they will get taken straight to your thread.


    Tis the truth... fortunately for me I found this thread before the need to actually SEARCH for BUTTHEAD!

    Actually, I can do you one better. Just search this guy's username, and you will find all KINDS of butthead! :p

    Hey OP, bring that attitude in here with one month on the board, you'll be invited to move along. You've got to have a few years on the board to earn BUTTHEAD status and still stick around. :rolleyes::D
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited February 2008
    Yashu wrote: »
    10s, not 12s, and with the outlaw. No LSi.

    I think the 12s could be used with more power and you wouldn't need a sub, but you aren't giving them that much more power, and you want a sub. Get the 10s, better crossover point, make the sub worth it's weight.
    If I may, you were doing fine here stating your opinion. Below is why you "seem" to cause controversy.
    Yashu wrote: »
    Hope Troy doesn't see THIS thread... woo... people tell me that I cause controversy, but I am not trying to, it seems you are really trying to push buttons, or just be pushy, don't know. You will catch more flies with honey?
    Re read this last sentence Yashu. This time, look in the mirror and say it.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • wz2p7j
    wz2p7j Posts: 840
    edited February 2008
    I'd like to know if the proposed LSi's are piano black or cherry and how this fits into the decor of the room. If the decor is straightforward and simple, I would suggest the piano black LSi's. If a warmer look is desired, the cherry LSi's are more desirable. In addition, from a decorative standpoint, the LSi's offer a more linear and angular look. Conversely, the RTi's are a little more conservative and altogether warmer in appearance. Judging from your profile and posts, I would say an "obtuse" look might be best for you. Unfortunately, there is nothing presently offered in "obtuse" in the Polk lineup or this forum. Perhaps another manufacturer would suit you better. Good luck in your search. LOL Chris
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