monitor 60

potee

how do the monitor 60,s sound compared to the tsi300,s? I'm thinking of replacing my bose 301,s with the 60,s.for fronts in my 5.1 setup. any one heard both of them? What think you? Thanks for any input Paul

Rodeo0530

I have not heard both of them, but I just bought a pair of Monitor 60's and find it hard to think that the TSI300's are a better purchase at all. I'm extremely new to all of this, but the M60's sound great with the CS2. The TSI300 is comparable to the Monitor 50, but will cost about as much as a Monitor 70 through Newegg.com.

cnh

Either one will sound better than the Bose 301! I've heard the entire series, I own M70s and TSI-300s. The M70s put out more sound and are a bit sweeter with appropriate amplification...they are more power hungry than the other two.

As for TSI-400s vs 300s I'd give the edge to the 400s, but with a good sub...it's not as easy to tell them apart! On there own M60s or 400s....but if you want to save money. Get a great SUB and buy M50s.

cnh

Rodeo0530

I'm actually surprised at how much bass the M60's have. By no means do I recommend going without a sub, but they are at least decent enough on the low end to make me happy. I think they have as much bass as my little 8" Polk sub from my htib purchase a number of years ago.

DanAckerman

I bought the TSi 400's after comparing them with the 300's at a BB. Not the most ideal location I know, but even there I thought there was a serious increase to the fullness of the sound with the 400's. Of course your mileage may vary. There were a few reasons, I didn't go for the Monitor line, but mostly they are personnel like not liking the 80's style of faux metal fronts behind the screens.

So if you don't mind the look of the M60's, I would go for them. They are the older model of the 400's which work well for me. If you have the power and the room the M70's have been going for some nice prices as well.

potee

Thanks for your inputs. I think I,m going to get them if there still there next week. Paul

motomech

<<<how do the monitor 60,s sound compared to the tsi300,s?>>>


I have inspected the TSi100/Monitor 30 and TSi200/Monitor 40 models down to the Nth. degree and, despite Polk's ad copy, I can assure you, that those models are the same. Same drivers, same X-overs and same boxes.
Only the cosmetic details are different.
I assume the same is true for the floorstanders as well.



So, are the TSi's worth extra 60$?

Maybe, now that the TSi models are discounted.
It's amazing how a piece of piano black changes the look, adds a touch of class.
If you are the type that like to look at the drivers with the grills off, the Monitors.
The TSi's look better with the grills on and if there is an element of WAF, the extra $60 dollars might be well spent.

vijayl

+1 for M70

comfortablycurt

motomech wrote: »

I have inspected the TSi100/Monitor 30 and TSi200/Monitor 40 models down to the Nth. degree and, despite Polk's ad copy, I can assure you, that those models are the same. Same drivers, same X-overs and same boxes.
Only the cosmetic details are different.
I assume the same is true for the floorstanders as well.

Umm...Actually there are several differences between them...In comparing the Monitor 40 to the TSi200, here are the differences.

The dimensions of the Monitor 40 are 15 3/4" high, 7" wide and 12" deep.

The dimensions of the TSi200 are 15 2/5 high, 8" wide and 11 3/4" deep.

The rated frequency response of the Monitor 40 is 47hz to 25khz, with a lower -3db limit of 57hz.

The rated frequency response of the TSi200 is 43hz to 25khz, with a lower -3db limit of 50hz.

The crossovers are also slightly different. They're both 2nd order crossovers, with the Monitor 40 crossed at 2300 hz and the TSi200 crossed at 2500 hz.

So, they have different sized cabinets and different crossovers. I believe the woofers are constructed of a slightly different material as well. The Monitor series woofers have a bi-laminate composite cone, and the TSi series woofers have a bi-laminate organic fiber cone. These could just be different names for the same material though. I can't confirm that.

These differences apply across the entire model line. The Monitor series floorstanders are also ported in the baffle, where as the TSi series floorstanders aren't. I believe the TSi's are ported in either the back of the bottom.

They are still very similar, but the differences are more than just cosmetic. You might want to inspect them to a point a little beyond the "Nth degree" you mentioned previously.;)

I've never compared them side by side, though I have heard both. I can't say which I prefer. I very much prefer the aesthetics of the TSi's though personally.

cnh

Curt is right,

Except to add that the TSI floorstanders are BOTTOM ported. I'm not sure if this helps or hinders. As it definitely adds a bit more base to the TSI-300s than the M50s, but I feel placement to be a bit more sensitive because of that bottom port. TSI cabinets, again for floorstanders have a bit more volume, but the M70 actually weighs a couple pounds more than the TSI-500? All TSIs are crossed over at a standardized 2.5Khz, whereas the Ms vary from 2300-2600. The other thing that is missing from the TSI-500 info is whether or not it retains the 2.5 cascade crossover of the M70s--this is a feature of the M70s that really give them a slightly distinctive sound from the models below them and make for a more musical speaker and better imaging on those (IMHO). If I'm not mistaken some higher model Polks also utilize a 2.5 cascade crossover. So I'm wondering aloud. Did the TSI-500s do away with that and are they now, simply a 2 way speaker. One tweeter and 4 mid-woofers all playing the same thing?

cnh

Oblique

Im also looking at the monitor 40s and 60s, for fronts, Im definitely getting the 30s for the rears because not too much sound comes from thoughs from what I understand (atleast for movies) so its a toss up.

wutadumsn23

If you go with the 60's for the fronts I would suggest using the 40's for surround duty. You would be surprised by how much sound come out of your surrounds, and what you will be missing by using the 30's as you surrounds IMO. I have the 40's as my surrounds and love them, but I am using the Monitor 70's for my fronts. The 40's can be had on the cheap right now too Newegg has them right now for $149.99 with free shipping. I have enclosed a link for your veiwing pleasure.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290010&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Home+Audio+Speakers-_-Polk+Audio-_-82290010

P.S. Where are you at in Ct.? I am originally from there myself.

Rodeo0530

There's also a code through the Newegg weekly email that makes the Monitor 40's $129.99 with free shipping. I'm ordering them in the next day or two to go with my M60's.

Oblique

Yea I've been up on newegg.com for a couple weeks I know all the deals lol. Im also looking to get the 40's in the next week or 2 my only dilemma is around 2 months ago I figured i'd save some money and buy the maple 50's from newegg because they were $99 for the longest, but before I did that i bought the maple cs1 and maple monitor 30s but I waited too long for the 50s then they sold out and it seems I'm not going to find them for that price for a while again if ever.

But then after I thought about it I decided that I didn't like the maple and that the black monitor setup would go better in my living room so now i want to sell my maple monitor 30s and cs1, and get them in black. i know it sounds dumb because its just color but I guess I'm weird. I put them up on craigslist in Connecticut and reposted them a number of times and I didn't get not 1 email, I have pictures and there new in the box both sets. When I get more posts I wanna try to sell them here but I want to do it fast because with the wife I need to sale these before I get the others lol so hopefully that sale on the 40s well be around for another 2 weeks I hope.

BTW. im from the west haven area wutadumsn23

wutadumsn23

I'm sure the 40's will be around for awhile (knocks on wood) I bought mine in September of last year and that was when they were $250. They are still going strong on many websites so hopefully you won't have much trouble getting your hands on them when you have the cash. I was born in Rockville and grew up in Tolland, but lived all over. Manchester, New Britain, Vernon. My sister still lives in Ellington and my brother and parents still live in Tolland.

lightman1

potee wrote: »

how do the monitor 60,s sound compared to the tsi300,s? I'm thinking of replacing my bose 301,s with the 60,s.for fronts in my 5.1 setup. any one heard both of them? What think you? Thanks for any input Paul

There are only three things that can make that decision for you, Paul. You and your ears. Trust what you hear and form your own conclusions.
Welcome to the journey.

wutadumsn23

You should pony up a few more bucks and get the Monitor 70's lol. I love mine, but by the time you are ready to buy they will probably be sold out, I just saw them on J&R for $200 a piece!!

Oblique

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

I'm sure the 40's will be around for awhile (knocks on wood) I bought mine in September of last year and that was when they were $250. They are still going strong on many websites so hopefully you won't have much trouble getting your hands on them when you have the cash. I was born in Rockville and grew up in Tolland, but lived all over. Manchester, New Britain, Vernon. My sister still lives in Ellington and my brother and parents still live in Tolland.

It's funny I've lived in the New Haven Area pretty much my whole life and have been to new britain probably twice, but I have never even heard of Tollan or Ellington lol. I do believe they exist though.

Yea I checked out jr.com for those 70's those seem like a good price, the only reason I was considering the 40s for the front is thatmy entertainment center can only really go one way and where its at now, a floorspeaker will be like 2 feet from my bottom steps to go upstairs, I could push it down a bit but then the other speaker will be blocked by my couch. but the 40's can rest on top or in the middle of my entertainment center, so that's my only toss up right now, because the 60's are actually out of stock at newegg but says theyll be back on the 29th of may. So I have time plus as already mentioned I need to get rid of those maple speakers lol.

potee

When I get my new back speakers would it be better t go with 60,s like the front or step down to the 40,s or 30,s? My sub is a sony active super woofer. Do you think I'll need to upgrade that real quick or not. Then we'll talk of the center Thanks Paul

wutadumsn23

Yeah Tolland and Ellington are more north, pretty close to the Mass. border.

potee

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

Yeah Tolland and Ellington are more north, pretty close to the Mass. border.

It looks like your in the AF. I did 27 years retired in 85. It was a good life. spent my time as a fighter mech. and about 10 years as crew chief and flight mech for a major air command commander. I'm a bit of a rookie on this stuff but I'm learning. Paul

wutadumsn23

Good to meet you Paul, and you are correct I am in the Active Duty Air Force. Been stationed at Fairchild AFB for 10 years now and I too am a Crew Chief, but I work on heavies (KC-135 to be exact) I enjoy it as well, it is tough sometimes, but hey what job isn't right? You have come to the right place for advice, there are some very smart guys/girls here that give great advice. They have always given me sound advice, even if I didn't want to hear it, lol. I knew very little about HT stuff when I joined here last September and I have gained a lot of knowledge here. How is your system coming along, did you ever buy the 60's? As for your surrounds I would recommend the 40's, that's what I have and they work great. Also, I would plan on upgrading your sub in the near future as well, but depending on your budget this will be your most expensive upgrade so you may want to buy the center first. I would recommend the CS2 (Monitor series, but hard to find these days) or the CS20 (TSi line, but other than the gloss paint finish, pretty much the exact same speaker as the CS2) Thank you for your service to our great contry and any more questions feel free to ask.

potee

Today was the day I was going to pull the trigger on the 70,s or 60,s Then I got those are way too big. Now i'm looking for bookshelfs. Lets hear it monitor 40 RTi3 TSi 200. most of the time its action movies like hellboy 2 blue ray. Have yammie 663.will decide on the other speakers later most likely will match everything. Thanks Paul

wutadumsn23

Yeah I know how you feel, I thought I was going to get that reaction when I bought my 70's, but surprisingly I was given the thumbs up, lol. I personally would recommend the Monitor 40's since they are the only speaker in your list that I have actually heard. I use the 40's as surrounds in my humble little setup and they wrok very well. There are a few people in the forum that have used the 40's as their mains, but I don't remember any feedback on how they worked out. The TSi200's are pretty much the same speaker as the 40's they just have a glossy finish, according to the specs though they are pretty much the same. Not to mention you can get the Monitor 40's for $150 shipped from Newegg, while the 200's cost $300 shipped from the same site. Just my $.02, I'm sure you will get more advise from the real experts.

apphd

Usually a pretty good price difference between the RTi line and the Mon/TSi line. If the $$ is there for the RTi3 I would say go with those every time. But keep in mind you would then want to stick with the RTi line for your center at least, and consider them for surrounds as well, so more $$. But I think most here would say it is money well spent. The RTi3's with RTi1 surrounds and CSiA6 center and a GOOD sub IMHO would make a slamming set up. Although many feel the RTi with the Yam 663 are on the bright side. Your ears would have to make that call.

cnh

All I have to say is towers, towers, towers....you won't regret it....! Too Big....try some SDAs if you think those speakers are BIG! Don't wimp out.

Look at some M50s...that's a really small footprint there!

Just my opinion..It is your decision like Russ states above!

cnh

cnh

apphd wrote: »

Usually a pretty good price difference between the RTi line and the Mon/TSi line. If the $$ is there for the RTi3 I would say go with those every time. But keep in mind you would then want to stick with the RTi line for your center at least, and consider them for surrounds as well, so more $$. But I think most here would say it is money well spent. The RTi3's with RTi1 surrounds and CSiA6 center and a GOOD sub IMHO would make a slamming set up. Although many feel the RTi with the Yam 663 are on the bright side. Your ears would have to make that call.

That's why I'd stay with M towers on this. You want Rtis get another receiver, and H/K or Pioneer ICE.

cnh

DanAckerman

I have TSi200's for surrounds. They are quite nice speakers on their own and if you watch, most weekends you can get them for $199 a pair at NewEgg. A big part of the decision between the Monitor40's and the TSi200's is the styling. Show them to your wife and see what she likes. If she prefers one then go with it.

potee

Okey got her too agree that the M60's will be okey in size after seeing the TSi300. So my plan is to go with M60's M40's CS2. Unless you think the CS1 would be okey. will do it at newegg tonight

potee

I just ordered the M60's from new egg $300.00 for the pair. They were out of the CS1 but should be in on the 27th. Have a bid in on the 40's from ebay if I don't get them I'll order from new egg tomorrow

potee

my M60's just got here still in the box. When I hook them up do I leave the connectors on and which posts do I use top or bottoms? I hope the M40's get here tomorrow. I also ordered new speaker wire 14 ga. from monoprice. I'm a little excited