To Buy or Not to Buy....That is the Question

TonyPTX · February 2003

Through my good forturne, I have an excellent opportunity to pick up a pair of RTi35's for about $200. Excellent condition, no flaws, and have been treated nicely (I know the owner). Wondering if this is a good deal. I've been eyeing the RTi38's and the RTi70's for a while. Looking at stepping up from the sat speaker setup as it's just not good for listening to music (sounds fine for home theater though).

Anyone have any opinions between the RTi35's and the 38's. Or should I just get the RTi70's because I'd like to have some floor standing speakers for mains in the future.

Thanks....

kberg · February 2003

Originally posted by ATCVenom
Tony,

Its a decent "deal". And I use that term loosely. I say, hold off until you can get those floor-standers. It will be worth it in the long run and its a decision you wont regret.

Major ditto.

TonyPTX · February 2003

Thanks for the advice folks. I still think that these speaks will make for a good pair of rear surrounds. I'm thinking of the following setup, granted it's not one of Polk's recommended setups, I'm more concerned about the center channel than anything else.

RTi70 Mains
RTi35 Surrounds
PSW-404 Sub

CSi30 or CSi40 Center

Which center is better? I've read that the CSi40 matches the RTi70's a bit better, however Polk still recommends the CSi30 as a good speaker for the RTi70's as well. Anyone have any experience between the two for comment?

Frank Z · February 2003

The 40 would be a great choice!

shack · February 2003

I agree on the CSi40. If it will fit go for the bigger speaker. It makes a big difference.

kberg · February 2003

Yep - go for the 40!

TonyPTX · February 2003

Went go get my demo on today....

had a big contest between the RTi70, RTi100, and the RTi150.

Personally it was really hard to make a call. I eliminated the 100's and I was left w/ the RTi150 and the 70. I really liked the idea of having a 3 way main speaker (just missed them so much) not having to rely on a subwoofer for the umfff. But boy can those 70's hit it low without washing out the mid bass. For the cost I think I'll pick them up instead of the 150's. They'll sound sweet with the 404 sub. I'm glad I picked up the RM6700's from Circuit City. Talked to the sales guy about using their Speaker Upgrade program and he told me to bring in the 6700's and they'll give me a full rebate credit toward the RTi70's as long as I had bought the 6700's within a year. SHHHHWEEEET!!!

As for the center channel, either the 30 and the 40 are too big for my setup so I'll have to redesign my shelf for the TV so I can get the center channel under it. So I might as well go for the gusto and pick up the 40.

shack · February 2003

Don't go too small on the center. I went with the CS245i vs the Cs400i because of size and I have regretted it ever since. Here is a solution that may allow you to get the CSi40. Sanus Systems® TV Top Shelf . If this would work it would be worth the investment.

Shizelbs · February 2003

Shack,

Does that Sanus shelf need to rest on the TV itself, or can it support the weight of the center channel speaker all on its own once mounted to the wall?

shack · February 2003

This store has it for $21.95 HERE

Shizelbs · February 2003

Thanks Shack. A picture is worth a thousand words.

TonyPTX · February 2003

Good suggestion Shack. That Sanus TV shelf looks like something I could have used on another setup. In my current configuration, the TV is a bit higher already thus putting the center on top would put the speaker about 2 feet above my head. I could angle it down, but I think I could build a fairly good shelf myself and put the center under my TV at ear level with about $15 dollars of lumber at Home Depot + my time (which I enjoy doing wood work anyway as a hobby).

TonyPTX · February 2003

kberg:

I know the RTi70's have dual terminals for bi-wiring/bi-amping, but how are the terminals split up to each speaker, ie. the tweeter is on one terminal by itself and the two mid-ranges are on the other terminal or is it the tweeter and one mid-range on one terminal and the other mid-range is on the other terminal by itself.

Anyone know how the RTi150's are seperated? I really like the idea of having a dedicated mid-range that doesn't get washed out by low bass tones.

faster100 · February 2003

Tony, been there before, bi-amped and bi-wired 70's...... The tweeter is all by it self and then the 2 woofers on the bottom terminals..

stevew14 · February 2003

Tony,

I have the 150s and learned that the woofers are by themselves and the mid and tweeter are combined on them.

Dr. Spec · February 2003

Tony- you are making the right choice getting the 70's if this is for HT. The 70's work phenom set on small - they are perfect in that application.

I have very large and capable speaks all around in my HT rig and I run them all on small. They sound better, and the amp can play louder, cleaner, and easier. I have large speakers all around not for the bass, but for the room filling volume and presence that they offer compared to tiny sats. Even if you filter at 80 Hz, all your speaks will still produce mid bass well down towards 60 Hz, so they are not being wasted in this application.

The 150's, on the other hand, ARE being wasted unless they are run on large. And running the 150's on large opens up a whole other can of worms like is your amp up to the task (probably not), and can your sub do bass better and deeper than the 150s, and what kind of acoustic and standing wave problems will you cause by introducing more than one source of low bass in a relatively small room.

TonyPTX · February 2003

faster100 & stevew14 - Thanks for the break-down on the terminal setup for the speaks....

Doc - Your comments enforce some thoughts that I had about my future configuration. About an hour before I read your posting, I had finnally decided to go with the RTi70s (set to small) and let my sub pick up the rest. It's really the wisest choice when comparing price to performance. The RM6700 sats weren't bad, but after hooking up a pair of RTi35's as mains w/sub, it just blew the 6700's out the water!!! W/ the money saved from not getting the 150's, I'll look into getting a bigger/better sub.

To all who have participated in this thread, I really want to thank each and every one of you (you know who you are). I think I've finally made a decision and will be "upgrading" to the following speaker setup:

Mains: RTi70
Center: CSi40
Rears: RTi35

Those poor 6700's didn't even last 2 months....

To Buy or Not to Buy....That is the Question

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