What to upgrade? Rti questions

svtjoe

Hey guys, huge Polk fan here.

Currently I have (2) R50's (2) R15's and (1) CSM center. I am using a nice 10inch Velodyne Subwoofer and its all ran through a Denon AVR-2805 (Actually 985s..same thing just silver)

My system sounds loud and pretty clear, but I am a big music person and love tight clean sound that makes my skin tingle. We also watch a lot of movies and I think it sounds good now, but I think it can sound better. I guess, I am trying to say..I want it to sound "sharper".

Where should I start. The Denon is only a couple of years old, but the speakers are about 6 years old (CSM is newer)


I see a set of RTi10's for sale at a good price and know I would have to match it with a CSi5 and RTI6's (surround) to timbre match it.

Do you think I will notice a nice difference with this upgrade or should I look at something else?

I really like the Denon/Polk combo, but I think I can do better on one or the other without breaking the bank. It seems everything is going smaller, I heard a $800 HTIB the other day and it rocked (with small mountable speakers)

Are the sound guys moving towards the mountable polk speakers? I would think nothing beats a full range speaker.


Thanks!

Joe

comfortablycurt

Go for the RTi's...they'll blow away your current speakers. You'd likely notice a huge upgrade in your sound.

I'm not familiar with your AVR...and as such don't really have any opinions on it.

Welcome to Club Polk though.

svtjoe

Thanks for the advice! RTI10's or RTI8's. I keep hearing people say to get the 8's as they are more accurate in the midrange? I have nice low end now, but I could always use more.

Thanks,

Joe

Ricardo

I would go with the RTi8's, but I am biased because that's what I have. They will sound great with your Denon without the need of an external amp, and your sub will take care of low frequencies. The RTi10's would probably require an external amp to get the best out of those woofers.

ZOOPDOOP22

svtjoe wrote: »

Thanks for the advice! RTI10's or RTI8's. I keep hearing people say to get the 8's as they are more accurate in the midrange? I have nice low end now, but I could always use more.

Thanks,

Joe

Joe, I use the 8s with my SR5003 (90 conservative watts) and they sound spectacular. I started with R50s and moved up to RTi6 and it was a great move. I got the rti8 from Frys and it was well worth it. The 8's have the same sound as the 6 but in my mind were much much fuller and have better imaging.

Now, I'm out of town but will be back in the 14th and I've already arranged to test out RTi10s with my receiver but without other amplification. I'm not sure how the rti10 will sound with my Marantz bi-amping them. I'm hoping for a superior result to the 8s but I'll make sure to post here when I know.

nm4710

Joe, I want the same route. I had a pair of R50s with R150s as surrounds and a CSi3 center. I upgraded to RTi10's up front with RTi6's in the back and the upgrade was unbelievable. The RTis imaged much better, had much much more detail, and could be cranked louder without sounding strained. I subsequently purchased many more RTi speakers. I prefer the 10s. To me they sounded better than the 8's without a receiver (but slightly so)...but when you throw an amp on they had much more bass and overall presence than the RTi8. Don't get me wrong, the 8's not a bad speaker - I have two...but I'm glad I stepped up to the RTi10. There is a group of people here who think the 10's lack midrange...I don't find this to be the case with my equipment.

svtjoe

Guys, thank you! I know it all comes down to power...Im not really looking to add another amp at this time. My Denon is pretty clean power, but it may not be up to the task for the 10's. I can't wait to hear the difference with the Rti series!


I need to go and try them out. I wonder if they will let me bring my Denon in?


sdschwendener, Let us know how the 10's sound.

Thanks,

Joe

polrbehr

One more from the gallery here...

I was using a Denon 2106 originally driving a pair of R50s, since upgraded to RTi10s.

The 50s sounded fine, no complaints, but I know what you mean about the music thing.

Denon and RTi10, to me, were a tad bright, even harsh at times; of course, YMMV. I added an external amp (Adcom GFA555), and those 10s opened up. They need to be driven properly to sound their best. I would get the 10s now, and think about adding extra amplification down the road.

Ironically, I am almost done with my basement cave, where my 50s now reside, in 2 ch. duty only. Go figure.

svtjoe

Thanks for the input. This is where I am getting worried. I keep hearing how the Rti10's need a lot of power. I could cross them over higher as I have a sub, or I could run a Biamp setup if my Denon allows (I am brand new to this Bi-amping thing)

Heres the deal. (2) Mint Cherry Rti10's and a Brand new Csi5 (Cherry) for $400. An older guy with too much money and a need for an upgrade has them for sale.

I guess I could buy them and look for a second hand dedicated amp down the road.

I hate deciding. I do not want to get them and be disapointed...

It looks like most of us started off with the R50's!

polrbehr

svtjoe wrote: »

Thanks for the input. This is where I am getting worried. I keep hearing how the Rti10's need a lot of power. I could cross them over higher as I have a sub, or I could run a Biamp setup if my Denon allows (I am brand new to this Bi-amping thing)

FWIW, bi-amping is overrated, at least when doing it within one power source, such as your AVR. You would actually need two separate amps to do this properly, but try the 10s using the Denon; you may be pleasantly surprised at how well they perform?

svtjoe wrote: »

Heres the deal. (2) Mint Cherry Rti10's and a Brand new Csi5 (Cherry) for $400. An older guy with too much money and a need for an upgrade has them for sale.

Seems to be an excellent deal (without seeing them). I would probably grab them even if I did not own something to drive them with .

svtjoe wrote: »

I guess I could buy them and look for a second hand dedicated amp down the road.

I hate deciding. I do not want to get them and be disapointed...

See last statement... you pretty much can't go wrong at that price.
Good luck, let us know how you like them.

nm4710

Joe that's a fantastic price. It'd be almost impossible to get a better setup for a mere $400. Yeah your receiver won't power the RTi10s to their full potential but if you cross them at 60-80Hz and don't listen to >100dB music continuously it should be fine. You will need/want to add an amp down the road. Yes it's more money...but it'll sound a lot better. Used amps can be had pretty cheap...even some new amps (are reasonably priced. These aren't something you need to jump on right away. Enjoy the denon with the 10s for a while. Oh btw, if you hang around this place, you assuredly will be considering an amp within a year ;-)

comfortablycurt

nm4710 wrote: »

Joe that's a fantastic price. It'd be almost impossible to get a better setup for a mere $400. Yeah your receiver won't power the RTi10s to their full potential but if you cross them at 60-80Hz and don't listen to >100dB music continuously it should be fine. You will need/want to add an amp down the road. Yes it's more money...but it'll sound a lot better. Used amps can be had pretty cheap...even some new amps (are reasonably priced. These aren't something you need to jump on right away. Enjoy the denon with the 10s for a while. Oh btw, if you hang around this place, you assuredly will be considering an amp within a year ;-)

It probably won't even take that long to sell him on an amp...lol...I haven't been here that long, and I've already went from wanting to get the new Monitor series speakers with an Onk606, to selling my 606 to get an 806 and getting RTi A speakers with external amps...so my target budget for the whole setup has nearly tripled.:eek: I won't even get into how much I can't wait to get my first pair of vintage Polks...

You people will be the death of my bank account...lol :D

sandworms

svtjoe wrote: »

Thanks for the input. This is where I am getting worried. I keep hearing how the Rti10's need a lot of power. I could cross them over higher as I have a sub, or I could run a Biamp setup if my Denon allows (I am brand new to this Bi-amping thing)

Heres the deal. (2) Mint Cherry Rti10's and a Brand new Csi5 (Cherry) for $400. An older guy with too much money and a need for an upgrade has them for sale.

I guess I could buy them and look for a second hand dedicated amp down the road.

I hate deciding. I do not want to get them and be disapointed...

It looks like most of us started off with the R50's!

hey if you don't buy this I certainly will, with no remorse or second guessing!!!

Motzart

svtjoe wrote: »

Heres the deal. (2) Mint Cherry Rti10's and a Brand new Csi5 (Cherry) for $400. An older guy with too much money and a need for an upgrade has them for sale. :eek:

I guess I could buy them and look for a second hand dedicated amp down the road.

OMG MAN are you kidding????
I'd RUN not walk and grab those up fast!!!
That's the deal of the year and the year is just getting started!! Holy smokes!!!

I dinkered around with a sweet listing on the local craig list involved some Warffendale Mains and high end sub with fancy sats MINT all for $300.
I waited too long and zapp they were SOLD!
The Warfs were like $2000 speakers alone.....Guy just needed $$$.

svtjoe

This site is great. As you guys said, you are already making me want more. I have never throught I would have needed a seperate amp, but I am already pricing those as I think the RTI10's will need it.

My two things are the cherry color (never had cherry before...not sure how it looks in person) and the fact that I see some deals from some forum members of around $300 for the pair on the RTis and about $150 on the Csi5 (Black)

I am being too picky I guess. I just want to do the best I can with my money.

I am gonna go give them a listen (and mabey) buy if I can get over the Cherry finish and make it work with my decor.

svtjoe

Bummer...

I just spoke to him and he said that the brand new center channel was a CSi3. My room isnt very big, but from what I read, it would be much better to go with the Csi5...

Although the I guess if I listen to my music in pure direct mode, the center wouldnt be that big of an issue.

Thanks,

Joe

svtjoe

Not me again!


Ok, pulled the trigger on the SB50, but I am backing out of it because the seller is an idiot. The Rti10's are still for sale with the CSi3 (brand new)


Heres pics of my new house. Its going to be a pain to wire it, hence the SB was a cool step into the future. But I KNOW the RTI's would prob sound better than the SB50.

I cant wire any rear speakers up and make it look neat in this house. My only option would be to put them on the way back shelf (on top of cabinets) and use my rocket fish wireless system to get surrounds.

Hook up the auto setup mic on the Denon and let it figure how much boost and delay it needs to get the rears going.

Keep in mind (I only have R15's for the rears)

Pics!!

Throw some ideas out there!

This was a spec house, so thats not my stuff. 2 story home (very very tough to get into the middle layer to run wires. Also there is a sweet closet to the left of the TV spot. Perfect for a component closet, but I have few little knowledge of running wires to the TV area. Can it be done on a completed house? There are recessed lights.