Help picking speakers, new to Polk

mu1166

Finally got the wife talked into upgrading my home theater. I have a Bose Acoustimass 10 system now mostly due to the size factor. I sold my NHT setup to go to the Bose, what a downgrade. Having the wife happy makes my life much easier though.

My coworker has a Polk RM7600 system that I just love the sound of. I'm looking for some insight on a good route to go. Those speakers are about as large as I'm looking for. A little bit bigger wouldn't be a big deal.

Any ideas/options would be great. Looking to spend 600-1000 and the sub would/could be optional for now.

thanks

organ

How about the OWM series? Should have super WAF.

mu1166

I don't know to much about the Polk speaker line. I have heard the RM7600 and that's about all. The wife factor is alright with some bookshelf speakers and I was going to take advantage while I can to get rid of the Bose system.

I'm looking for some options.

My previous setup was 5 NHT SuperOnes. I never did get around to buying a sub. From there, came the Bose setup and I've been crying for the last few years....

thanks for any/all help.

Retro152

Cry no more, Grab the Rm7600 setup, which you said you have heard, and get rid of your current piece of "Crap". I had the Rm6750 system and thought it was great. The 7600 is a much better system and i think you will be quite happy, plus you wont need a box of Kleenex.

comfortablycurt

If you wanted to go the bookshelf route, you might want to look into the RTiA1's, with a CSiA4 center channel. You could also look into the older versions of those same speakers and save a few more bucks. The RTi4 and CSi3. That would be a great setup that would fit nicely into that price range.

mu1166

Would there be a noticable difference between going the RTiA1 setup versus the RM7600?

I'm not finding much of the RM7600 for sale anywhere. I did find one on the web. I'm not even sure if it's a good deal or not at $650.

My room is about 17x22 if that makes any difference.

How would the RM95 setup compare to these 2 options?

comfortablycurt

The RM7600 is an older model...so they probably are kinda hard to come by now.

I've never heard the RM7600 personally, but there would probably be a pretty big difference in sound between that and the RTi's. For 650 bucks for the RM7600, you'd be better off spending a couple hundred extra and going for the RTi's in my opinion.

The RM95 package is probably great as far as little sat/sub packages go...but it wouldn't be able to hold a candle to the RTiA1's with a CSiA4 center channel.

mu1166

I don't have alot of places to go to listen to any new Polk speakers so just seeing what some other people think. Happens when you live in the middle of nowhere.
I know that the RM7600 is an older model, but it did sound very nice when I was listening to it.
I might take a look into the of the RTi models and see what's out there. Hopefully will be able to get somewhere to listen sometime.

Montoya

The VM series are awesome you can get them from Polk direct for a good price. My wife loved the look of them and she is picky.

mu1166

Is there much difference between the RTiA1's and the RTi4's? I'm really leaning going that route at the moment. Same question applies to the CSiA4 and the CSi3?

Thanks once again

Upstatemax

mu1166 wrote: »

Is there much difference between the RTiA1's and the RTi4's? I'm really leaning going that route at the moment. Same question applies to the CSiA4 and the CSi3?

Thanks once again

The one main difference I know of, the Rti-A's look better (IMO) since they taper in toward the back, they are not just a "box".

The Rti-A1's are also reviewed VERY well.

Erik Tracy

mu1166 wrote: »

Is there much difference between the RTiA1's and the RTi4's? I'm really leaning going that route at the moment. Same question applies to the CSiA4 and the CSi3?

Thanks once again

I have the RTi4s (rears) and the RTiA3s (fronts).

This is just me....but...if you can find the RTi4s for considerably less than the RTiA1s - then go for the RTi4s - they are a gem of a value and wouldn't give much away in sonic difference to the RTiA1s.

If you are trying to eek out as much sonic goodness as you can in your budget and can afford the RTiA1s -then go for those.

but - that's just me...

mu1166

I never did mention my receiver if that makes any difference in this situation. I have an option of 3 different ones at the moment.
Harman Kardon AVR 430 (Pretty sure this is the number)
Integra DTR 6.4 or an older Yamaha HTR receiver.
I kind of like the options (HDMI switching) that the Onkyo TX-SR606 has for an entry level receiver. It seems to have everything I would want in a receiver.
Any of these receiver work better with Polk speakers than the others?

I like the look of the RTiA1's but for the cost difference the RTi4's look to be the better option (179.99 for a new pair).

Erik Tracy

mu1166 wrote: »

I never did mention my receiver if that makes any difference in this situation. I have an option of 3 different ones at the moment.
Harman Kardon AVR 430 (Pretty sure this is the number)
Integra DTR 6.4 or an older Yamaha HTR receiver.
I kind of like the options (HDMI switching) that the Onkyo TX-SR606 has for an entry level receiver. It seems to have everything I would want in a receiver.
Any of these receiver work better with Polk speakers than the others?

I like the look of the RTiA1's but for the cost difference the RTi4's look to be the better option (179.99 for a new pair).

Hmmm...I really like the RTi4s, but for that price you may want to consider waiting for a pair of refurbished RTiA1s to show up on Polks ebay site.

As a comparison, they had RTiA3s(refurb) for $219/pr (still have to pay tax and shipping). I can't recall what the "buy now" price was for RTiA1s on Polk ebay, but it has to be less than $219.

Your call...just stirring the pot...

mu1166

Yes, you are stirring the pot. I'm open for all ideas. Hoping to get a system that I won't have to update for quite a number or years, or I get another itch to buy something new....

I only found the new RTi4's at Crutchfield.com. For that price difference I may wait around a while. No harm in that. Have to keep my eye on the Polk ebay store. All kinds of options.

mu1166

Since I really don't have a problem with used, as long as it's not abused. I found a pair of mint RTI6's along with a CSi5 in cherry color for $350 including shipping? Is this a good deal for the 'older' model of speakers?

comfortablycurt

mu1166 wrote: »

Since I really don't have a problem with used, as long as it's not abused. I found a pair of mint RTI6's along with a CSi5 in cherry color for $350 including shipping? Is this a good deal for the 'older' model of speakers?

That's a very good deal. Snag it up before someone else does. Those are some great speakers.

mu1166

Would those be alright with any of my receivers I already have until I purchase a new one?

comfortablycurt

mu1166 wrote: »

Would those be alright with any of my receivers I already have until I purchase a new one?

I'm not really familiar with any of those receivers, but they should work just fine. Those are 8 ohm speakers, and don't require huge amounts of power to be driven efficiently.

taketheredpill9

Go the Polk eBay store and pick-up some vm series speakers. They sound and look awesome. Fed-ex dropped off a set of vm30's today!

daboyz

mu1166 wrote: »

Since I really don't have a problem with used, as long as it's not abused. I found a pair of mint RTI6's along with a CSi5 in cherry color for $350 including shipping? Is this a good deal for the 'older' model of speakers?

Don't walk.........RUN and get these. You can get an Rti4 for rears and you will be ecstatic. Your current AVR(s) will run them adequately but not up to full potential. Get the speaks first then we'll discuss how to run them.

comfortablycurt

daboyz wrote: »

Don't walk.........RUN and get these. You can get an Rti4 for rears and you will be ecstatic. Your current AVR(s) will run them adequately but not up to full potential. Get the speaks first then we'll discuss how to run them.

x2. He's lucky I'm not trying to get there before he does.;)

mu1166

I tried running to get them, but email is only so fast. I may have missed out on that option but I'm still on the prowl for some nice speakers. Whether it be something out of the RSi series or maybe even and old RM7600 type system. Even though I think everyone on here has me leaning towards the RSi series system.

How do the VM series of speakers stack up against the RSi series? Just a plain curiousity type question.

mu1166

I think that I am going to try and get some of the Polk refurb'd speakers. Most likely going with 4 RTiA1's and a CSiA4 unless there is a absolutely great sale on the RTiA3 and CSiA6. I'll be trolling Polk's eBay site to try and snatch some up. I just missed out on the buy it now for the CSiA4 but we'll see where the bidding goes on it. Thanks for the help.

MADGSF

As far as an AVR goes the HK and Pioneer go great with the RTi series speakers.

JohnnyG83

To the OP. Wow, what a very small world. I have been in the process of slowly upgrading my HT too. Guess what I am upgrading from? You got it, Bose AMS10! I used to work at a Bose store and picked up the set for $400; couldn't pass it because I knew I could make a profit off of it.

Anyway, like I said, I have been in the slow process of upgrading. I just recently bought a the RTiA'1, let me tell what a difference it has been so far; the speakers are absolutely amazing and I am still in the break-in process. I am powering them through a Denon AVR789 (that was my first upgrade in the process, used to have a Sony).

My next step which I will be doing this Friday is ordering the CSi A4 for my center channel. So with my recent experience, I would recommend going this route. I didn't listen to the A1's before I bought them; I just went by word of mouth. I heard the TSi's and thought they sounded great but also heard that the RTi A1's were twice as good and they are.

The biggest challenge will be my subwoofer. I am thinking about the DSW Pro 500 or DSW Mircropro 1000 alone with some other brands.

The RTi A1's msrp at $349 per pair. I got them on Amazon brand new for $213. The prices jumps back and forth by the week. So I would pay attention to that. The CSi A4 is going for $208 brand new right now (normal msrp is $349).

JohnnyG83

Oh btw, the A1's are acting as my main L/R.

MarvC

For what it is worth I just sold my RM7600 speakers these are roughly six year old technology speakers with good performance.
I ordered a set of the RTi A1's for the front and a set of Rti 4's for the rear initially.
These made a world of difference in the sound of my system compared to the RM7600's.
I ended up sending the RTi 4's back for a pair of RTi A3's for the front mains while the A1's were used for the rear.
Both the A1 and A3 speakers have more low end from my comparisons with better high tonal quality then the RTi 4 units.
If on a budget go with the A3's on the front and the RTi4 on the rear (these can be found for less than 200.00 a pair).
I fell in love with the system described above the RTi A3 in the front RTi A1 for the back and the new Velodyne DLS-4000R which replaced my older Polk PSW 450 I tried the DWS 400 and auditioned the 500 and 600. The Velodyne is a masterpiece at this price level. The DLS-3750R is one step below the one I purchased another incredible buy for the price.
I have the CSi A4 center speaker. All this powered by an Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver.
It takes my breath away with the above compared to the RM7600 series I sold.

:cool::cool::cool::cool:

Pycroft

I just bought the following:
2 Polk Monitor 30's (Fronts in the home theatre)
2 Polk Monitor 50's (Rears)
1 Polk Monitor CS1

They sound great together. Best news was I got the whole deal for 369 dollars from Newegg.com.

I recommend them. I'm not an audiophile, but think they sound fantastic. I have them paired with an Onkyo SR606 receiver.

Pycroft

mu1166

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
Once again, I lost out on Polk direct on eBay. I clicked on a CSi4 to do the buy it now at 149.99 and it was already sold... Need to be quicker in looking on that site I guess. From everything that I've heard, the RTi A3 or A1 for mains and surrounds with the CSi4 for my center is what I'm planning on finding. I don't think I'll purchase new unless there is a great deal somewhere. Planning on using Polk eBay store as much as possible.

NashG

Hi.
that's really great.It's appreciable.thanks for the information.

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