VM series vs RTI series

Erik Tracy
Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
edited September 2008 in Speakers
There is hardly a mention of the VM series of speakers here.

Does any own a set?

Any opinions on how they compare to the RTI series?

The RTI series has been labeled as being designed/tailored for Home Theater (not sure why), yet the Polk Product page explicitly says the VMs are the HT specific series.

I see from the bookshelf selections that the VM10s are pricier than the RTIA3s.

Things that make you say hmmmm.....

H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
Post edited by Erik Tracy on
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Comments

  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited September 2008
    I've been thinking about the same thing for a little while. I personally have not commented because I've never heard them or seen them in person.

    Everyone always talks about the RTi line being for HT, but isn't this supposed to be the VM's cup of tea...
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
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    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2008
    Both products hit different segments of the market. Not everyone wants a boxy speaker for HT, for example.

    Extruded aluminum isn't cheap.

    RTi = Reference Theater improved

    I prefer the RTi series but I like boxy speakers.
    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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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited September 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Both products hit different segments of the market. Not everyone wants a boxy speaker for HT, for example.

    Extruded aluminum isn't cheap.

    RTi = Reference Theater improved

    I prefer the RTi series but I like boxy speakers.

    We know what they look like, but how do they sound....Both speakers target market is going to be different based off of the looks alone. How do they sound?
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited September 2008
    [sound of crickets].........

    From a sales perspective, does the VM series sell?

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,205
    edited September 2008
    in cases where they are the right fit, not for sound quality over the rti
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited September 2008
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    [sound of crickets].........

    From a sales perspective, does the VM series sell?

    IDK....where is Eric Wong????
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • jwhitakr
    jwhitakr Posts: 568
    edited September 2008
    At some point (when I get off my lazy ****) I'll write a review of the VM20s. I own the RTi8's and will base a lot of my comparison on the 8's.

    to be continued ...
    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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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited September 2008
    jwhitakr wrote: »
    At some point (when I get off my lazy ****) I'll write a review of the VM20s. I own the RTi8's and will base a lot of my comparison on the 8's.

    to be continued ...


    Nice! That would be a very interesting comparison.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited September 2008
    I have the VM30, still, from the demo and RTi-10s. I have a somewhat crappy review up on the VM30 site but here goes the comparison. I put the VM30 in place of my RTi on the system in my sig.

    I found the sound stage on the VM30 to be just as large as the RTi. The VM30 are better at imaging than the RTi. They do need a sub and don't give the same kind of bass the RTi do, expected. But because they have less bass they are easier, for me, to blend into my system than the RTi. They also have a kind of airy, eveloping sort of sound that reminds me of an electrostat speaker. Not saying they are like Maritn Logan like in that respect but they lean that way a little, maybe it's just me. They are easy to drive and while I did not take my amp out for the testing I do think my B&K is overkill for these speakers.

    Which would I take, well remember I still have both as I can't seem to get in touch with Russman. And right now I have the RTi in my living room and the VM30 in my closet. I recently moved and maybe I will give the VM30 a try in my new room again. Overall I prefer the RTi-10 over the VM30.

    For what it's worth I also demo'd the RtiA5s and it was closer but like the new RTiA more for music and about the same for HT. I like what Polk has done with the new RTi, they are more laid back than the last version. Makes me want to demo the RTi-A9s badly.

    Mark
    AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
    Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
    Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
    Mains: RTi-10
    Center: CSi-5
    Rear: Boston DSi460
    Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
    TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
    DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K
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