Rt800 or Rt800i

harp2u
harp2u Posts: 1
edited June 2009 in Speakers
Can someone tell me if there is a difference between the rt800s and rt800i. I have both pairs and have been using 1 set for rears. I would like to upgrade to some Polk surrounds for the rear and need info on which set to keep.
Thanks.
Post edited by harp2u on
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited June 2009
    Not much.

    The i's have real wood cabinets, two grills, different color driver. There might be something different to the crossover also. but not positive.

    I have owned both and preferred the 800i's... I would say it would be the better speaker but its a toss up really. If it were me I would match everything up to the 800i's..



    Nick
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,219
    edited June 2009
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    ... I would say it would be the better speaker but its a toss up really. If it were me I would match everything up to the 800i's. ...
    Nikolas said everything. Real wood vs. good quality vinyl oak finish. Blue colored drivers vs. dark grey. I think there may have been an obscure modification to the crossover discussed somewhere in the archives, intended to attenuate some latent brightness, but it does not modify the official (printed) specifications of the RT800 compared to the RT800i product page (if it's even true, or just rumor), and these are not what I would consider bright speakers ... more to the "laid back" side of natural IMO.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/recent/rt800i/

    I own the RT800, and do NOT like the "felt" finish on the lower part of the cabinet front (attracts dust, you need to be careful about rubs, looks kinda 1970's wide tie bell bottom cheesy IMO), where the RT800i have an extension of the top grille. If it were a purchase decision, I would say "buy whichever is cheaper, unless you have a definite preference", but since you already own both and want to keep only one, I would also keep the RT800i rather than the RT800.

    They are both likely to fetch about the same price used. In either case, you won't make a mistake. They're really a quite excellent HT speaker IMO, especially with the right amplification or receiver to drive them to their limits. Worthy performers for music too, unless you really stray into the audiophile realm, perhaps.

    Besides, since you are new here, you probably are unaware that Nikolas is always, always, always right (there is a persistent rumor that he is actually related to God himself), so you should definitely listen to him if you want to get to heaven!

    Welcome to Club Polk!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited June 2009
    Nobody seems to like the felt like stuff on them.....:confused:




    I guess I just have a soft spot for them. They were the speakers that started it all for me. The original RT800's...


    Or poor taste.:o







    Nick
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,219
    edited June 2009
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    Nobody seems to like the felt like stuff on them.....:confused:




    I guess I just have a soft spot for them. They were the speakers that started it all for me. The original RT800's...


    Or poor taste.:o







    Nick
    Stop fishing for compliments! I find it cheesy and inconvient, but I still have mine, so it's not that bad.

    You're also mistaken: the broken RT600 started it all for you ... remember those, and the UPS saga?!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited June 2009
    Kex wrote: »
    Stop fishing for compliments! I find it cheesy and inconvient, but I still have mine, so it's not that bad.

    You're also mistaken: the broken RT600 started it all for you ... remember those, and the UPS saga?!



    Yes and

    Nope.


    I seen the RT800 when they first came out in Ovation. I was 14-15 I think. And I fell in love with them.

    I finally bought them when I was 24. My first ever Polk Audio speaker.

    I then bought a pair of RT600's that were damaged in shipping. After getting the Insurance money. I found a Pair of RT800i's.


    And its been going and going and going ever since. I now have the Cat Daddy of Polk Audio speakers.:cool:




    Nick
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