Polk RT-55i

2

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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    The RT-55is make a great rear channel speaker:D
    I was going to replace them,but I dont think so now.
    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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  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited June 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    The RT-55is make a great rear channel speaker:D
    I was going to replace them,but I dont think so now.

    Do you use them Surr backs in a 7.1 config? I use mine as centers, they sound awesome.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    polkie4life wrote: »
    Do you use them Surr backs in a 7.1 config? I use mine as centers, they sound awesome.

    YES, surround backs in a 7.1 system.The RT-55is put out lots
    of sound with a good amount of bass.For a bookshelf speaker
    the RT-55is have great Low-end:)
    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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  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited June 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    YES, surround backs in a 7.1 system.The RT-55is put out lots
    of sound with a good amount of bass.For a bookshelf speaker
    the RT-55is have great Low-end:)

    I agree. I think it's the reason they make such good centers, they bring a lot of depth to the mix.

    A friend has the same thing, (used as SB's), but has them sitting on subs. It's a big improvement over the 3000's IMO.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    polkie4life wrote: »
    I agree. I think it's the reason they make such good centers, they bring a lot of depth to the mix.

    A friend has the same thing, (used as SB's), but has them sitting on subs. It's a big improvement over the 3000's IMO.

    I would think as a center speaker it should sound very natural
    almost life-like.Its a great lil speaker:)
    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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  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited June 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    I would think as a center speaker it should sound very natural
    almost life-like.Its a great lil speaker:)

    The pair is even better!

    I remember getting them, (2nd hand), i was a floorstander man with no sub. I was truly shocked by their performance, power handling aswell. I added a sub, with the flexibility it added with the sub, i was happy for a long time. Great crossover speaker, and one of polks gems as far as conventional speakers are concerned. IMO of course.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    polkie4life wrote: »
    The pair is even better!

    I remember getting them, (2nd hand), i was a floorstander man with no sub. I was truly shocked by their performance, power handling aswell. I added a sub, with the flexibility it added with the sub, i was happy for a long time. Great crossover speaker, and one of polks gems as far as conventional speakers are concerned. IMO of course.

    Wow, youre running a pair of 55is for the center-Sweet: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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  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited June 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    Wow, youre running a pair of 55is for the center-Sweet:D

    I went from a cs250 - cs350 - cs400i with 55i's for mains (i really liked this combo). Male voices actually sound like male voices now, and they'll happily run at 0.0db, so i found out the other night with music dvds...
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    polkie4life wrote: »
    I went from a cs250 - cs350 - cs400i with 55i's for mains (i really liked this combo). Male voices actually sound like male voices now, and they'll happily run at 0.0db, so i found out the other night with music dvds...

    They can play loud without stress,youre making want a pair for
    my side speakers:p
    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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  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited June 2009
    FX1000's work well to fill the gap as sides. They compliment the 55i's really well. I'd like some for rears to replace my 500i's. I only have a 5.1 set up due to room size, one day maybe.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    polkie4life wrote: »
    FX1000's work well to fill the gap as sides. They compliment the 55i's really well. I'd like some for rears to replace my 500i's. I only have a 5.1 set up due to room size, one day maybe.

    I think I will wait for a mint pair of 55is:)
    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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  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited June 2009
    Good things come to those who wait they say. All the new polks i bought in the past... Funny now, i've never been happier with all my 2nd hand speakers. LOL
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    polkie4life wrote: »
    Good things come to those who wait they say. All the new polks i bought in the past... Funny now, i've never been happier with all my 2nd hand speakers. LOL

    Yep, its nothing like finding a good speaker at a great price.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    There's a mint pair of RT55is for sale now at the Flea Market!
    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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  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited June 2009
    I stack my RT55's on top of my RT800i's for my mains in my HT. I thought the RT800i's needed a boost. The RT55's combined with the RT800i's blew me away. They give my LSI series speakers a run for the money. My center is the cs400i. It is a sweet combination. The RT's are truly a forgotten gem in the Polk speakers series.
    Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
    Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.

    Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp

    Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9
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  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited June 2009
    bluecomet wrote: »
    I stack my RT55's on top of my RT800i's for my mains in my HT. I thought the RT800i's needed a boost. The RT55's combined with the RT800i's blew me away. They give my LSI series speakers a run for the money. My center is the cs400i. It is a sweet combination. The RT's are truly a forgotten gem in the Polk speakers series.

    Holy smoke bluecomet, that's quite the collection you got there!!!

    I agree with you re the 55/i's. They really are great bang for the buck. I never even considered them in their day due to them being bookshelves. It taught me a valuable lesson, never underestimate bookshelves...
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    polkie4life wrote: »
    Holy smoke bluecomet, that's quite the collection you got there!!!

    I agree with you re the 55/i's. They really are great bang for the buck. I never even considered them in their day due to them being bookshelves. It taught me a valuable lesson, never underestimate bookshelves...

    Yep, the 55is are a super bookshelf.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    I think I will wait for a mint pair of 55is:)

    Looks like that mint pair of RT55is are for sale,somebody stop me from
    buying them:rolleyes:
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited July 2009
    Im crossing the RT55is over at 80hz for Movies,and they still put out lots
    of bass.They make great rear channel speakers: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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  • ky_polkie
    ky_polkie Posts: 48
    edited July 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    Im crossing the RT55is over at 80hz for Movies,and they still put out lots
    of bass.They make great rear channel speakers:D

    Audyssey had me cross mine over at 40hz.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited July 2009
    ky_polkie wrote: »
    Audyssey had me cross mine over at 40hz.

    I use 40hz for multi-channel music,for Movies I prefer 80hz THX crossover.
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited July 2009
    The RT55is in the rear work great for the Blu-Ray Hi-rez audio formats:)
    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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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    bluecomet wrote: »
    The RT's are truly a forgotten gem in the Polk speakers series.

    +1
    I've loved my RT1000's all the time I've owned them and I'll agree that the rt55 is no pushover. Though after several years spent with them I think it's time to move on and sell them...my SDA's should be filling in the void my RT1k's leave. I would move the RT's as rear surrounds but due to space, and the fact that I don't want to haul 2 pairs of tower speakers once I move will force me to part with them. :(
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited August 2009
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    +1
    I've loved my RT1000's all the time I've owned them and I'll agree that the rt55 is no pushover. Though after several years spent with them I think it's time to move on and sell them...my SDA's should be filling in the void my RT1k's leave. I would move the RT's as rear surrounds but due to space, and the fact that I don't want to haul 2 pairs of tower speakers once I move will force me to part with them. :(

    The SDA's are awesome much more musical. Maybe you can find a pair
    of RT55is for the rears: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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited August 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    The SDA's are awesome much more musical. Maybe you can find a pair
    of RT55is for the rears:D

    May have my RT55is for sale;) as soon as I find another pair
    on Linn speakers.
    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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  • 2112
    2112 Posts: 2
    edited October 2009
    I have to agree that the rt55i are a bit stiff and perhaps brittle in the upper-mids...to me it's a "crunch" or a harshness. Respectfully, I would submit that changing the crossover is a bit too much work and will change the impedance, although, I don't suspect it would be that bad of a thing. It also takes too long and I question "Audio memory" of humans to really detect an improvement during the componet swap-out unless you leave on speaker in it's nominal state.

    My solution is to bi-amp them and use a parametric EQ on the tweets; i know it might be more gear than most would want to use, but the journey is alot of the fun; and I do this for a living...I'm running a yamaha O1V96 digital mixer at 96kHz and powering the the tweets with 70Wrms (of course no where near that during program); the Yamaha has 4-band parametric EQ on every output....I have 500Wrms on each mid/woofer and 750Wrms on each of my home-made monster subs. Each of the three frequency bands (and individual drivers) has it's own parametric eq. With this setup you can easily isolate the tweeters and go nutty EQing them to find your personal favorite curve.

    I have been vascillating with an Fc of 2.00kHz, a Q of 4-6 and a gain reduction in that range of 3-4dB....To me it sounds more pleasant but that is very subjective.

    I boost the 50-60Hz region a bit on the 55s to give what I call a more integrated connection with my subs as I doi not like a "disconnected" sound...the subs just give me punch in the chest and annoy my neighborhood.

    If you really wanna dial these guys in, I think a setup like this works well; I have had decent success with it so far after a week.
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  • 2112
    2112 Posts: 2
    edited October 2009
    Another very helpful tool is an RTA setup, like SMAART, to understand where the peaks are in the room, then dial them out with the EQ. You can also jam the RTA mic right at the tweeter at various differences to see where there might be some "nasties"....I am trying to tune my to ADAM A7 ribbon tweeter-like sound that I love.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited October 2009
    2112 wrote: »
    Another very helpful tool is an RTA setup, like SMAART, to understand where the peaks are in the room, then dial them out with the EQ. You can also jam the RTA mic right at the tweeter at various differences to see where there might be some "nasties"....I am trying to tune my to ADAM A7 ribbon tweeter-like sound that I love.

    Welcome to the Club!
    Great info-Thanks
    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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  • dubradio
    dubradio Posts: 181
    edited December 2009
    Back from the Dead....

    I would like to comment, I own the RT55 and 55i, as alot of you know they can be a we bit harsh on the top end, but are indeed a rare jewel in the polk lines. I saw comments made reguarding modifying the crossovers.

    I will vouch for this, I replaced all the caps with Solen 250v Metallized Polys and removed the .47uF bypass cap...

    1 word.... WOW , If you thought these speakers were nice to begin with I (being a polk employee and hearing just about every speaker we have made) was thoughouly impressed, the cleanlyness and transients just shine, the harshness has diminished significantly.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited December 2009
    KyleShufelt wrote: »
    Back from the Dead....

    I would like to comment, I own the RT55 and 55i, as alot of you know they can be a we bit harsh on the top end, but are indeed a rare jewel in the polk lines. I saw comments made reguarding modifying the crossovers.

    I will vouch for this, I replaced all the caps with Solen 250v Metallized Polys and removed the .47uF bypass cap...

    1 word.... WOW , If you thought these speakers were nice to begin with I (being a polk employee and hearing just about every speaker we have made) was thoughouly impressed, the cleanlyness and transients just shine, the harshness has diminished significantly.

    Kyle,

    Thanks buddy, I will consider modding my RT55is if I dont sale them:(
    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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