How do I build a HT with vintage polk speakers?

Pycroft

Hi all...

This has come up because I've been looking around at some vintage polks. It started at looking at a local pair of Monitor 7's, which someone said would do well as fronts in a HT (I use my system for 75%HT, 25% Music). I just got a message from a friend that said he has some RTA 11TL's. These all look like fine speakers, and an upgrade on the starter system I have, but I'm not sure how to pick a center channel speaker for speakers that were around before Home Theatre. If you have specific suggestions, and why, based on the two speakers listed above, taht would be handy. Also, just some general guidelines of what I'm looking for. I know people always talk about the same size, material, etc. I'm relatively new to all of this, so teach me

Thanks,

Pycroft

kcoc321

IF you can get the RTA-11TL's for a good price from your friend, I would go that route, since your primary listening is HT.

IF you live near Raligh, NC, you could pick up this set and sell of what you don't need and probably still break even or come out ahead.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88246
Has a CSi3or5(?) for a center.
I have a CSi5 with my Mon7's & RTA-8TL's and I love em.

kawizx9r

http://www.polkaudio.com/education/showanswer.php?question_num=63

Enjoy!

kcoc321

FYI, in the link kawizx9r posted, the CSi5=CSiA6. Same speaker, different veneers. The CSiA6 is just a newer model. Also the CSi3 = CSiA4

jimbo1421

Here is an older version of that vintage matching page that kawizx9r posted:

Ron Temple

A closer match for a center with 11TLs is a CS400i or a CS350. Not perfect, but at least features a trilam tweet rather than the silk domes on the CSi/RTi series.

kawizx9r

Ron Temple wrote: »

A closer match for a center with 11TLs is a CS400i or a CS350. Not perfect, but at least features a trilam tweet rather than the silk domes on the CSi/RTi series.

+1
Same goes for the SDA's that aren't running RD0's or other vintage speakers. I definitely love my CS350 and it's a cc speaker to have if you can find one used and get a deal on it

Pycroft

Okay...next question...does anyone on here actually use a home theatre AVR to power teh 11TL's? I have a very modest, Onkyo 606, which I believe is somewhere around 85-90 watts per channel. If I purchase these, will it be pointless because my receiver can't make them shine? If I purchase these, it's already clear that I need a new center channel. If I need a whole new reciever too, I'm not sure it's worth it Please let me know your opinions, and thanks everyone for the info so far!

Pycroft

Ron Temple

Pycroft wrote: »

Okay...next question...does anyone on here actually use a home theatre AVR to power teh 11TL's? I have a very modest, Onkyo 606, which I believe is somewhere around 85-90 watts per channel. If I purchase these, will it be pointless because my receiver can't make them shine? If I purchase these, it's already clear that I need a new center channel. If I need a whole new reciever too, I'm not sure it's worth it Please let me know your opinions, and thanks everyone for the info so far!

Pycroft

It depends on the price you're paying, but 11TLs sold for about a grand new and would probably go north of 2 grand today with modern parts. So there value ratio is very high. Also, they are 94db sensitive...very easy to drive. That said, your receiver will sound great, but better amplification will nearly always improve sound quality. You don't have to upgrade everything at once. Take your time to find an appropriate center, then pre/amp combo later. Many of us start out with mismatched HTs and build them out over time. Get some quality fronts like the 11TLs and go from there.