RTi Speakers

ccruzen
ccruzen Posts: 24
edited January 2009 in Wanted (WTB) Classifieds
I'm trying to get together an all Polk RTi series setup and am looking for any of the following speakers (listed in order that I would prefer them):
RTi38
RT55i
FXi50
FXi30
RT35i
RTi28
RT25i

A little more info, right now I've got some RTi38's and CSi40 and a CSi30. Can't really do floor standing with the room I've got and looking to add some surrounds or replace the 38's and move them to surrounds. If anyone has other ideas I'm also open to suggestions.
Polk Speakers
CSi40
RTi70 (2 pairs)
Monitor 7a
Monitor 7b
Monitor 7c
Monitor 5
Monitor 5jr
Monitor 4.5
CSi A6
RTi A7
RTi A3 (2 pairs)
RTI4 (2 pairs)
RTi 28
RTi 38
RT 55
RC80i (multiple)
RC60i (multiple)
Atrium 45

Yes, I have a problem
Post edited by ccruzen on
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Comments

  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited December 2008
    I have some FXi50 that I am no longer using.

    RT1
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  • ccruzen
    ccruzen Posts: 24
    edited December 2008
    Sent email.
    Polk Speakers
    CSi40
    RTi70 (2 pairs)
    Monitor 7a
    Monitor 7b
    Monitor 7c
    Monitor 5
    Monitor 5jr
    Monitor 4.5
    CSi A6
    RTi A7
    RTi A3 (2 pairs)
    RTI4 (2 pairs)
    RTi 28
    RTi 38
    RT 55
    RC80i (multiple)
    RC60i (multiple)
    Atrium 45

    Yes, I have a problem
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  • mak99
    mak99 Posts: 362
    edited December 2008
    I have some cherry RTi28s that have yet to find a new system to play with...

    I have two other pairs in other systems, and absolutely amazed by the sound from these little guys!
    Main HT:JVC DLA-RS45135" Elite Screens fixed frame, 1.1 gainMarantz SR7007 (operating as pre-pro)Emotiva XPA-1 x3 (L+C+R), UPA-7 (surrounds)Oppo BDP-103D/BDP-83Toshiba HD-XA2Panamax M5410 Pro x3Polk LSiM707s, LSiC706, 80 F/X-LS, 65-RTSeaton Sound/MCCA MFW "Turbo" + custom Dayton SA1000 sub amp (orig. AV123 MFW-15)Velodyne SMS-1I/Cs: MP 12ga/4-cond (fronts); MP 12ga (surrounds), MP HDMI (all sources), some BJC sprinkled thruoutHarmony EliteSalamander Triple 40 C/B* still need to sell older but mint gear!!
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,194
    edited December 2008
    As you know, I already have some RT35 that you are considering for your system, and they are an excellent speaker (which you already know since you own some RT38i). Anyway, in a 5.1 system, I wasn't all that sure about the differences between the different models that I own when "compared" indirectly, but then I decided to do a direct comparison in stereo/pure direct. I hooked up one pair of RT55 and one pair of RT35 on A and B speaker connections, using the same receiver each time (both a Denon and a Yamaha alternately), with A and B speakers in stereo only (obviously, if you think about it). Well, somewhat to my surprise, the RT55 totally blow the RT35 away. The amount of extra musical "information", for want of a better word, is very significant. I would estimate 50% more sound: details that were not even being attempted by the RT35 were revealed. Those details were not weaker with the RT35, they simply were not there at all in comparison.

    Now that I'm using a NAD receiver, the bass performance from the RT55 is so impressive that I have found myself lowering my crossover setting (for 5.1 listening) by an extra 20Hz. No small achievement, I think.

    I don't want to derail your decisions, and the RT55(i) are big speakers to fit in a room that does not want to look like a student dorm, but judging by my experience alone, the RT55(i) would truly be worth the extra effort, especially since they are probably not even twice the price of the RT35/38i in most cases.

    In the world of audio, where returns on investment are frequently limited to subtle improvements, it might be worth your while to think about it. Sorry to throw the cat among the pigeons!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • ccruzen
    ccruzen Posts: 24
    edited December 2008
    mak99, thanks for the reply and would be interested in the 28's but I need to keep the system all black to keep the wife happy.

    Kex - Thank you for the reply, have been starting to think I should try to find some rt55i's and your response helped confuse things in my head even more, lol.

    edit: fixed a typo.
    Polk Speakers
    CSi40
    RTi70 (2 pairs)
    Monitor 7a
    Monitor 7b
    Monitor 7c
    Monitor 5
    Monitor 5jr
    Monitor 4.5
    CSi A6
    RTi A7
    RTi A3 (2 pairs)
    RTI4 (2 pairs)
    RTi 28
    RTi 38
    RT 55
    RC80i (multiple)
    RC60i (multiple)
    Atrium 45

    Yes, I have a problem
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,194
    edited December 2008
    ccruzen wrote: »
    ... Kex - Thank you for the reply, have been starting to think I should try to find some rt55i's and your response helped confuse things in my head even more ...
    The biggest problem with the RT55(i), is that they are a BIG speaker ... not good for WAF. In my opinion, they look more imposing in a living room decor than the floorstanding equivalent RT800(i), mostly because they are so deep, but also a little wider than the RT800(i). You also need some decent stands to keep them steady, which is where the floor standing models have an advantage. If you decide on these, you may have to think about how they can blend in with your decor/cabinets, unless you have a dedicated theater of course.

    They are built like a tank though, and bigger than your own CSi40, but that also makes them difficult to ship. Pricing on eBay seems to hover in the 150-250 range, but I did see one pair a few weeks ago that failed to sell for $150 and were relisted immediately by the seller ... and on the second attempt ... they sold for $307, with an additional $50 for shipping! The shipping cost was probably very reasonable actually, for 76lbs of speaker.
    Alea jacta est!
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  • burdette
    burdette Posts: 1,194
    edited December 2008
    PM sent regarding a cosmetically rough but sonically perfect pair of RT55i and, because I want to get rid of it also, a good CS 400.
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  • ccruzen
    ccruzen Posts: 24
    edited December 2008
    Thanks for the responses, sorry Burdette but to make the wife happy whatever I end up getting needs to look pretty good due to being somewhat the focal point of our living room.
    Polk Speakers
    CSi40
    RTi70 (2 pairs)
    Monitor 7a
    Monitor 7b
    Monitor 7c
    Monitor 5
    Monitor 5jr
    Monitor 4.5
    CSi A6
    RTi A7
    RTi A3 (2 pairs)
    RTI4 (2 pairs)
    RTi 28
    RTi 38
    RT 55
    RC80i (multiple)
    RC60i (multiple)
    Atrium 45

    Yes, I have a problem
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  • shenlonco
    shenlonco Posts: 42
    edited December 2008
    ccruzen wrote: »
    Thanks for the responses, sorry Burdette but to make the wife happy whatever I end up getting needs to look pretty good due to being somewhat the focal point of our living room.

    Hi I have Rti28's in black in like new condition i actually just threw the original boxes out a few months ago.
    Asking $250.00 shipped.
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  • ccruzen
    ccruzen Posts: 24
    edited January 2009
    Sorry I haven't replied but didn't want to jinx anything. I've recently acquired a pair of RT55i's, a pair of RTi70's and another CSi30. For now I don't have the space to use the RTi70's in my main living room so running the 55i's as the mains, CSi40 for center, and RTi38's as surrounds. Thanks for everyone's responses.
    Polk Speakers
    CSi40
    RTi70 (2 pairs)
    Monitor 7a
    Monitor 7b
    Monitor 7c
    Monitor 5
    Monitor 5jr
    Monitor 4.5
    CSi A6
    RTi A7
    RTi A3 (2 pairs)
    RTI4 (2 pairs)
    RTi 28
    RTi 38
    RT 55
    RC80i (multiple)
    RC60i (multiple)
    Atrium 45

    Yes, I have a problem
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,194
    edited January 2009
    ccruzen wrote: »
    Sorry I haven't replied but didn't want to jinx anything. I've recently acquired a pair of RT55i's, a pair of RTi70's and another CSi30. For now I don't have the space to use the RTi70's in my main living room so running the 55i's as the mains, CSi40 for center, and RTi38's as surrounds. Thanks for everyone's responses.
    That should sound pretty good, but I don't know if you'll notice a really big difference with the RTi38 for H.T. unless you beef up your amplification. I got a huge difference using a NAD T754 (you can get the T744 or T754 for just under $400 and $500 from Spearit Sound). Just in case you're wondering. I was initially a little disappointed with the RT55 compared to the RT35, until I got the NAD. It breathed a whole new life into them.

    Right now, with the size of those speakers, your poor wifey is probably wondering if she can hear the difference at all and why you bothered to get such big speakers. Like I suggested above though, an A/B comparison test in stereo only should be convincing, if you can spare the time and effort to do it (and if your receiver has A/B speaker output).

    Congratulations, in any case! You seem to be building a very good system, just don't underestimate what the RT55i can really do!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • mak99
    mak99 Posts: 362
    edited January 2009
    ccruzen wrote: »
    mak99, thanks for the reply and would be interested in the 28's but I need to keep the system all black to keep the wife happy.
    Understood! My only black pair of RTi28s are the L+R mains for our A/V system in the family room. Paired with a CSi30 and PSW303, the 28s still amaze me with their capabilities. Most friends that I demo this system for also are impressed with the performance from such a small speaker.

    Like you, I have RTi70s (cherry) for our main A/V system downstairs. They replaced a pair of cherry RTi28s last year, and the increased performance with the CSi40 makes movie watching better than most local theaters! And with my second PSW505 arriving yesterday, well...sorry, neighbors! ;)

    If you get a chance to get your RTi70s up and running, you will not be disappointed...

    Enjoy!
    Main HT:JVC DLA-RS45135" Elite Screens fixed frame, 1.1 gainMarantz SR7007 (operating as pre-pro)Emotiva XPA-1 x3 (L+C+R), UPA-7 (surrounds)Oppo BDP-103D/BDP-83Toshiba HD-XA2Panamax M5410 Pro x3Polk LSiM707s, LSiC706, 80 F/X-LS, 65-RTSeaton Sound/MCCA MFW "Turbo" + custom Dayton SA1000 sub amp (orig. AV123 MFW-15)Velodyne SMS-1I/Cs: MP 12ga/4-cond (fronts); MP 12ga (surrounds), MP HDMI (all sources), some BJC sprinkled thruoutHarmony EliteSalamander Triple 40 C/B* still need to sell older but mint gear!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter