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    • Polk RT-55i

    Posts: 5,144
    edited April 2010 in Speakers
    Hello,

    Im putting together a second system,how are the RT55is?
    How would you characterize the sound?
    It looks like it has good Bass:D
    Linn AV5140 fronts
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    Post edited by danz1906 on
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    • Posts: 17,518
      edited March 2009
      HT or 2 channel? I have a pair i love them they are great for HT and music.
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
      HT or 2 channel? I have a pair i love them they are great for HT and music.

      Music for now,but HT real soon:D
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 905
      edited March 2009
      The high end is a bit harsh compared to the newer LSis. The crossover has a .47mf cap which is a bypass unit. Remove it to get a somewhat smoother top end. For the price, it was a decent speaker but nothing exceptional...
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      jon s wrote: »
      The high end is a bit harsh compared to the newer LSis. The crossover has a .47mf cap which is a bypass unit. Remove it to get a somewhat smoother top end. For the price, it was a decent speaker but nothing exceptional...

      Removing the .47mf cap,is that a easy process?:confused:
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 11,154
      edited March 2009
      jon s wrote:
      The high end is a bit harsh compared to the newer LSis. The crossover has a .47mf cap which is a bypass unit. Remove it to get a somewhat smoother top end. For the price, it was a decent speaker but nothing exceptional...

      I disagree. IMO they were one of the hidden gems of the late 90s and early 00s Polk line. Very good and tight bass and the Tri-Lam tweeters while not as smooth as the vifas in the LSis, they are not harsh. Between them and the RT25i you had Polk's best speakers of that particular era.
      "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

      "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

      "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      shack wrote: »
      I disagree. IMO they were one of the hidden gems of the late 90s and early 00s Polk line. Very good and tight bass and the Tri-Lam tweeters while not as smooth as the vifas in the LSis, they are not harsh. Between them and the RT25i you had Polk's best speakers of that particular era.

      Would you say that the RT55i tweeters are smoother than the new
      RTiA series?I prefer warmth over detail:o
      Linn AV5140 fronts
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    • Posts: 11,154
      edited March 2009
      danz1906 wrote:
      Would you say that the RT55i tweeters are smoother than the new
      RTiA series?I prefer warmth over detail:o

      No, probably not. The tri-lam may not be as warm as the silk in the RTiA series...but definitely not harsh or overly detailed. I'm listening to my RT55is right now...and have been for the last couple of hours. Nanci Griffith's voice sure sounds VERY smooth and nice as I type this.
      "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

      "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

      "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      shack wrote: »
      No, probably not. The tri-lam may not be as warm as the silk in the RTiA series...but definitely not harsh or overly detailed. I'm listening to my RT55is right now...and have been for the last couple of hours. Nanci Griffith's voice sure sounds VERY smooth and nice as I type this.

      Thanks, Im going to listen to the RT55i here local.
      If I like what I here,I will be an owner of RT55is:D:D:D
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 8,785
      edited March 2009
      Have you thought about SDA's
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    • Posts: 560
      edited March 2009
      Rt55is are awesome speakers.;)
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    • Posts: 905
      edited March 2009
      You can easily remove the bypass cap will no ill effects. It is the reddish brown cap shown here.... The cap is glued rather well to the PCB.


      The speaker will sound marginally more detailed. After extensive listening, my opinion is that the RT55is have a slight coloration. Pianos and strings do not sound quite right. It's close, but something is different. Listening to the more expensive LSi15 is smoother and more accurate.
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    • Unknown
      Unknown
      edited March 2009
      This content has been removed.
    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      I picked up a pair of RT55is today for $150.00:D:D:D
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 11,154
      edited March 2009
      danz1906 wrote:
      I picked up a pair of RT55is today for $150.00:D:D:D

      Nice deal. I know I wouldn't sell mine for that. I hope you enjoy them.
      "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

      "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

      "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      shack wrote: »
      Nice deal. I know I wouldn't sell mine for that. I hope you enjoy them.

      Im using the RT55i for the rear channel for now,they seem to go just
      as low or lower than the A5s.The RT55i also seem warmer thru the
      midrange:cool:
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      Here's the RT55is:D:D:D
      022.jpg 516.1K
      Linn AV5140 fronts
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      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 1,313
      edited March 2009
      I've a pair of RT55i with the vinyl coming off the edges sitting in the basement. It has been a while since I've listened to them. Think I'll try them in the 2 channel rig this week. Maybe respark that old Polk magic I may be missing!

      Gordon
      2 Channel -
      Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
      McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
      WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
      Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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    • Posts: 905
      edited March 2009
      what got me t ostart this thread was I had picked up a pair for $75. The grilles are shot but the rest of the speaker is fine... i am planning to upgrade the crossovers to see what improvements can be made.
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      jon s wrote: »
      what got me t ostart this thread was I had picked up a pair for $75. The grilles are shot but the rest of the speaker is fine... i am planning to upgrade the crossovers to see what improvements can be made.

      Let me know how they come out,you can make a good thing better:cool:
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Unknown
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      edited March 2009
      This content has been removed.
    • Unknown
      Unknown
      edited March 2009
      This content has been removed.
    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      Hawkeye wrote: »
      I've a pair of RT55i with the vinyl coming off the edges sitting in the basement. It has been a while since I've listened to them. Think I'll try them in the 2 channel rig this week. Maybe respark that old Polk magic I may be missing!

      Gordon

      Martin Logan & Mac-SWEET:D:D:D
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 15,722
      edited March 2009
      jon s wrote: »
      The high end is a bit harsh compared to the newer LSis. The crossover has a .47mf cap which is a bypass unit. Remove it to get a somewhat smoother top end. For the price, it was a decent speaker but nothing exceptional...

      you can't do a fair comparison between an old RT55i series speaker and a newer more refined LSi tweeter.... different animals. totally different.

      I still use the RTXXXi series of speakers in my home theater.. they are much better for home theater than they are for music IMHO.
      PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
      Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      danger boy wrote: »
      you can't do a fair comparison between an old RT55i series speaker and a newer more refined LSi tweeter.... different animals. totally different.

      I still use the RTXXXi series of speakers in my home theater.. they are much better for home theater than they are for music IMHO.

      I agree Polk speakers are Awesome on Home theater:D
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      After living with the Rt55is for a couple days-Not Bad-Me Likes:D
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited March 2009
      Hawkeye wrote: »
      I've a pair of RT55i with the vinyl coming off the edges sitting in the basement. It has been a while since I've listened to them. Think I'll try them in the 2 channel rig this week. Maybe respark that old Polk magic I may be missing!

      Gordon

      Did you hook those RT55i yet????
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited April 2009
      My RT-55i speakers may be for sale soon;)
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited April 2009
      Are the RT-55is and the top monitors of the RT3000p the same?
      Linn AV5140 fronts
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      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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    • Posts: 231
      edited April 2009
      danz1906 wrote: »
      Are the RT-55is and the top monitors of the RT3000p the same?

      No. They have different crossovers and dimension wise the 3000 sat is a smaller enclosure too.
      In terms of audio, i truly feel sorry for the visually impaired. How can they know what they like if they cant read google?


      http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=86838
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    • Posts: 5,144
      edited April 2009
      polkie4life wrote: »
      No. They have different crossovers and dimension wise the 3000 sat is a smaller enclosure too.

      Thanks for the info.
      Linn AV5140 fronts
      Linn AV5120 Center
      Linn AV5140 Rears
      M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
      Odyssey Mono-Blocs
      SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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