RM8 or OWM3?

mltk53

Which speaker is better as the rear surround sound? Im planning to add these to a 5.1 system with Polk TSi100s(F) and a Polk CS10(C) from a 105watt/ch receiver.

RM8:

Midrange: 2 - 2-1/2" Diameter (6.35cm)
Dynamic Balance Composite Cone Driver
Tweeter: 1 - 3/4" Diameter (1.91cm)
Overall Frequency Response: 95Hz-24kHz
Lower -3dB Limit: 130Hz dB
Upper -3dB Limit: 20kHz dB
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power: 20-125 w/channel
Efficiency: 89 dB



OWM3:

Mid/Woofer: 1 - 4-1/2" Diameter (11.43cm)
Polypropylene Cone
Tweeter: 1 - 1" Diameter (2.54cm)
Silk Dome Dynamic Balance
Overall Frequency Response: 80-25KHz
Lower -3dB Limit: 100Hz dB
Upper -3dB Limit: 20KHz dB
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power:20-100 w/channel
Efficiency: 89 dB
Crossover: 2500 Hz
Inputs: 5 way binding posts

mltk53

By the way, my uses are an even split of tv, movie, game, and music

vincent vega

I recently got the OWM3s and love them. I had narrowed down the choice between them and the RM8s also and am glad that I went with the OWM3s.
I am running them with my RTi8s and they have kept up with them perfectly.
The clarity is excellent and they provide a wide sound field.
BTW, Newegg has them on sale in black for $129. You can't beat that.

Elite Pro-FHD1

My 7.1 set up includes a pair of OWM3s as L&R Surrounds.

Left & Right - RTi8
Center - CS10
L & R Surrounds - OWM3
L & R Back Surr. - Atrium 45

OWM3s used to be the backs, but I soon realized I preferred them to the Atriums and switched them up. Great surround speakers imho.

My set up is powered by a Pioneer Elite VSX 91TXH receiver, at 130 watts per. No issues thus far.

kaku42

vincent vega wrote: »

I recently got the OWM3s and love them. I had narrowed down the choice between them and the RM8s also and am glad that I went with the OWM3s.
I am running them with my RTi8s and they have kept up with them perfectly.
The clarity is excellent and they provide a wide sound field.
BTW, Newegg has them on sale in black for $129. You can't beat that.

what is your setting with this combination. I dont get a good sound from OWM3 with Rti8. How did you balance the volume and crossovers?

vincent vega

kaku42 wrote: »

what is your setting with this combination. I dont get a good sound from OWM3 with Rti8. How did you balance the volume and crossovers?

I have my crossovers set at 80 Hz for the fronts and 110 Hz for the surrounds. What are you not liking about the sound?

kaku42

vincent vega wrote: »

I have my crossovers set at 80 Hz for the fronts and 110 Hz for the surrounds. What are you not liking about the sound?

I also have fronts at 80hz and surrounds at 110hz.
I hardly get any distinct sound out of the surrounds. It doesnt produce the desired effect. Even though I have set it to +8db above my fronts, I have to start right at the spot of its direction to make out any sound. This is in contrast to my RM7200 set up in a different room where watching football or a movie is a lot more fun with a more balanced sound out of all speakers
It appears that OWM3 is being completely dominated by the fronts
btw, I have AVR147 from Harman Kardon and I have also tried the EZSet calibration

dorokusai

The OWM series is a real winner to me. However, the RM8 is probably the best Sub/Sat monitor they have made since the Polk Cheese Wedge.

rallyshark

I don't have the 3, but I do have the 5, and it's working quite well for me. The RM8 is very surprising little speaker to. I don't believe any better sound can be achieved in a sat speaker that small. I had some RM8s for a bit(RM85 pack), and was shocked that they worked as well as they did.Back the OWMs, I'm running the OWM5 for fronts in my HT set up. They are doing a good job for me. It doesn't hurt that they timbre match the TSi line either. They are even tolerable for music, although I usually use the 11Ts for that job. Sometimes I don't feel like changing settings, so I use them for music sometimes. I have them crossed over at 100hz, and let the MP1Ks handle everything below that:D I guess it comes down to mounting/preference etc. The RM8 is a sexy little speaker, and has the dual mids that would probably work well for surround duty. The OWM has a lot of mounting options though. FYI, watch Polk Direct on ebay, and you'll likely beat the Newegg prices. I won my OWM 5s on there for a VERY good price:)