Rti A1 versus Monitor 30

christo4

I just bought a pair of Rti4s from a fellow Polkie on Craigslist. I love 'em. In fact, I like them so much I'd consider myself a Polk convert.

I'm thinking I'd like another pair of Polks for another room, primarily for listening to music. I am thinking I would like the RTi A1s, since I like the RTi4s. However, I don't want to pay full price. I'm familiar with Polk's eBay store, but I'm rather partial to the cherry finish, which I haven't seen on eBay. However, I have seen the stellar deals on the Monitor line.

So, here's my question. How would the Monitor 30s sound compared to either the Rti4s I already have or the Rti A1s? Also, is there any hope holding out for cherry Rti A1s on the Polk eBay store?

I have read that some people feel the RTis are more for HT, while the Monitors are more for music. Would that hold true for the small bookshelfs in each line?

apphd

cristo, do you have some place you can hear some Mon 30's? What will you be driving them with, source?

Many are very pleased with the Mon 30 performance, and most will say it is definitely a different sound that the RTi line, a little laid back less bright sound. So if you have gear that is in your face bright it may not pair up with the RTi.

That being said the RTi-A1 is the newer version of the RTi4 which as you already know can be very pleasantly surprising in output. If you are going to be driving the A1s with the same amp as the RTi4s you like so much I say stick with it. But give the Mon 30's a listen first so you never have any second thoughts.

Cherry on Polk Direct....it's a crap shoot. I'm sure they will, when, and will you see them and get them before they are gone is the question. Try giving them a call (they may have some not listed yet) and keep your eye on the "For Sale" forum here.

Good Luck

cnh

I'd have to agree with apphd on this and check out nadams thread/post on 'gathering in Pa" and his review of the Rti-A1s.

M30s do sound nice and smooth with music for a small system...they lack the upper end detail you're going to get from the RTI-A tweeter though. They have their 'limitations' in terms of dealing with COMPLEX soundtracks...they tend to 'compress' the sound some.

But you should really listen and decide. They are quite pleasant at low to medium volumes on a good 1000+ dollar AVR and good CDP. But here I'm just proffering my 'experience' of them.

cnh

SivaNevets

not sure abt M30s but RTIa1 definetly sound great! even powered by a sub.

christo4

Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. I am using a small Yamaha for the Rti4s (75 Watts, stereo only), plus a PSW111. That setup will eventually go in an 11 X 11 room for cozy entertaining. The speakers I eventually get, whether RTi A1s or monitors will go upstairs in a living room/dining room area that's 11 X 24. I'm thinking about wall-mounting. I don't know what I'll be using to power them. I have a Bang and Olufsen piece that's about 30 years old with real style, though it's only about 25 watts. I thought I'd see if that will do, because it's a real conversation piece. But I'd consider buying another receiver or something (I was thinking of a Yamaha Rx-497). This would strictly be for music. Having said that, I do like the crisp highs and wide soundstage of the RTi4s. Any more thoughts?

Erik Tracy

christo4 wrote: »

Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. I am using a small Yamaha for the Rti4s (75 Watts, stereo only), plus a PSW111. That setup will eventually go in an 11 X 11 room for cozy entertaining. The speakers I eventually get, whether RTi A1s or monitors will go upstairs in a living room/dining room area that's 11 X 24. I'm thinking about wall-mounting. I don't know what I'll be using to power them. I have a Bang and Olufsen piece that's about 30 years old with real style, though it's only about 25 watts. I thought I'd see if that will do, because it's a real conversation piece. But I'd consider buying another receiver or something (I was thinking of a Yamaha Rx-497). This would strictly be for music. Having said that, I do like the crisp highs and wide soundstage of the RTi4s. Any more thoughts?

So - your plan is to have 2 rooms each with just a "stereo" system?

If it were me, I'd invest more in a single system of higher quality.

Not knocking the RTi4s - I started with those in my HT system...still have a pair as my surrounds, but 'upgraded' to the RTiA3 for my fronts.

The RTi4s are a *gem* of a speaker - imho - Polk really put together a very nice value package.

But why two stereo systems? Why not one *really good* stereo system?

Or one stereo and one HT?

Just playing the devil's advocate here....;)

christo4

Thanks Erik,
I had a 5.1 surround system once (all Paradigm), and didn't like it--I was always too fussy with it and never simply enjoyed it. I mainly listen to music and need some tunes upstairs. In the basement, I'll be listening and watching movies, but don't want surround. Sure, a a nicer system would be great: I have my eyes on a pair of Quad speakers that are still under $1000. However 3 things prevent: new house, new baby, and school loans. Besides, I take great pleasure in simple things, and my house is pretty small. So, a pair of small bookshelves on both levels would be great. (I don't think I'd be into the "zone" thing, unless I had squeezebox or some such digital server.) So, not only do I need another pair of speakers, but I also need to figure out how to power them. I could see spending a little more for an integrated amp, like maybe from NAD, if I thought I would be able to tell a difference. But I'm curious whether people here think a lighter-weight receiver, such as the Yamaha, would be mostly just as good for my small needs, especially if I went for the A1s or the Monitor 30s.

Erik Tracy

christo4 wrote: »

Thanks Erik,
I had a 5.1 surround system once (all Paradigm), and didn't like it--I was always too fussy with it and never simply enjoyed it. I mainly listen to music and need some tunes upstairs. In the basement, I'll be listening and watching movies, but don't want surround. Sure, a a nicer system would be great: I have my eyes on a pair of Quad speakers that are still under $1000. However 3 things prevent: new house, new baby, and school loans. Besides, I take great pleasure in simple things, and my house is pretty small. So, a pair of small bookshelves on both levels would be great. (I don't think I'd be into the "zone" thing, unless I had squeezebox or some such digital server.) So, not only do I need another pair of speakers, but I also need to figure out how to power them. I could see spending a little more for an integrated amp, like maybe from NAD, if I thought I would be able to tell a difference. But I'm curious whether people here think a lighter-weight receiver, such as the Yamaha, would be mostly just as good for my small needs, especially if I went for the A1s or the Monitor 30s.

Well, from my experience, the RTi4s can be made to pump out some very decent sound with a good amp behind them. I have a Yamaha AVR rated at 120Watts/channel - and that did a very good job.

I had a Carver m1.0-t amp from my dedicated 2-channel system that I had upgraded and I use that to drive my RTIA3s. I'm of the opinion that power is your friend when it comes to driving a speaker.

But - if your plan and listening habits are to be modest in how hard you drive the A1s, then a lower powered receiver or int amp will do the job - the RTi/As are easy to drive.

However, if you are tempted to ever creep up the volume getting ever closer to 'reference levels' - you may find that a low powered amp will just not have the needed headroom to keep the sound properly relaxed and unstrained - not to mention getting close to clipping.

Maybe - to keep your options open, get a receiver with pre-outs so that you can add an external amp later.

I like the RTi/A series of bookshelves for music...and movies. With a good sub, you can get some nice spacious sparkle and soundstaging and a solid bottom end.

curved

IMO the monitors don't have the detail that the RTi line has. However, I think the RTi line is pretty bright....which is why I modded mine.

christo4

Okay, I'm curious about the 30s, but not curious enough I guess. I'm totally leaning toward the A1s now, after the feedback in this thread. Maybe others think they're "bright" but I definitely like the detail and the wide soundstage of the Rti4s. I have had "laid back" speakers, and I have to say that I like the RTi4s much better. I can appreciate nuance, and definitely don't want something coarse, but I suspect that's not really going to be a danger with the A1s (as it might be with other brands). So, for music, I think I'll go for the A1s. My only other question is whether a Yamaha receiver would be not the best choice. I like Yamahas precisely because they're a little brighter, but it may be a bad choice with bright speakers.

Anyway, I sent an email to ebay@polkaudio.com asking if they have any cherry ones that they're planning to post. I'll post back once I hear something.

apphd

What are you driving the RTi4's with now? Some find the Yamaha to be overly bright with RTi others don't. Only one way to tell on what is too bright for you.