RT16 versus RT7 + sub
rooftop59
Posts: 8,121
Hey guys,
Quick question: I have a very modest home theater that is used mostly for 2.1 channel music and directv hd and the occasional Blu-ray. I recently started running my speakers through my sub (Cadence Xsub-12) so that I could engage the sub in pure direct mode (yamaha rx-v1500). I also plugged the port and feel like the bass tightened up a lot and is fairly well-integrated with the mains, although the bass is still a little localized (can't move the sub do to domestic tranquility). I really do like this setup for the money (very cheap), but I am trying to get the best 2 channel setup. Would I be better off trading the rt7s and the xsub-12 for the rt16s? would the bass be better integrated but still strong? The xsub goes down to 25, but probably not at +/- 3dl (sorry no spl meter). I realize that the rt16s would not dig quite as deep, but I would rather have tight and well-integrated bass.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Quick question: I have a very modest home theater that is used mostly for 2.1 channel music and directv hd and the occasional Blu-ray. I recently started running my speakers through my sub (Cadence Xsub-12) so that I could engage the sub in pure direct mode (yamaha rx-v1500). I also plugged the port and feel like the bass tightened up a lot and is fairly well-integrated with the mains, although the bass is still a little localized (can't move the sub do to domestic tranquility). I really do like this setup for the money (very cheap), but I am trying to get the best 2 channel setup. Would I be better off trading the rt7s and the xsub-12 for the rt16s? would the bass be better integrated but still strong? The xsub goes down to 25, but probably not at +/- 3dl (sorry no spl meter). I realize that the rt16s would not dig quite as deep, but I would rather have tight and well-integrated bass.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
Post edited by rooftop59 on
Comments
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I have 24 hours to jump on this. Any help?
Russman have you heard the RT16s?Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
Sounds like you have a local trade deal or something. Give them a listen first if possible. For sure, you will get a "bigger" sound because of the increased radiating surface area. Looks like the only Polk technology present in the RT7 but missing in the RT16 is the ARC. But the RT7 won't have the Power Port.
If it was me, I'd go for the towers. -
I'd pick up the rt-16's as mains, and transfer the 7's to rears. Try that setup for a month or two, and if unhappy, resell the 16's. Nothing to lose."They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.
"The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
messiah, November 23rd, 2010 -
I think he's trading.
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Oh, sorry I missed that!! If that's the case I'd hang on to the 7's, but that's just me. You can always try a different sub."They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.
"The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
messiah, November 23rd, 2010 -
thanks for the replies.
I am not actually trading, but I wouldn't be keeping everything. It is one setup or the other due to space, money, and marital peace. I love the imaging on the rt7s, so would the rt16s be harder to place and get similar results? I am in a small-medium size rectangular room with hard wood floors, which of course is not ideal.Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
So did you decide yet?
You could place them in the exact same spots you have the 7's, if that's where the 7's sound their best and start playing around from there. IMO, good towers can image just as good as bookshelfs. Sounds like you'll be with both sets before selling, try them out man. Sell the set you don't like. -
I kept the current setup since it was 100 bucks to have the rt16s shipped, so selling them really wasn't an option once I got them (plus I am in a pretty small market, so it would be hard to recoup my money locally). I really like my current setup, and I am pretty sure the wife would HATE the towers, so all things considered I decided to stick with what I've got for now.
But the problem is that now a local deal came up and I may be able to snag a pair of rti-10s for as low as $250 (plus gas and a six hour drive roundtrip). I have to say that that is REALLY tempting...Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
lol:D. Now that is an excellent price especially if they're in great-mint condition. Man those kind of audio choices keeps me up at night. Are you checking your local craigslist as well?
