Monitor40's to RtiA3 upgrade, worth it? No need to worry that RTiA3 isn't MTM?

DataOrb

Hi guys,

I got a good deal on upgrading my current setup (Polk Monitor 40 fronts, CS1 center) to an a new RTiA3 + CSiA4 setup. My usage is 80% HT/Gaming and about 20% music listening.

Will the upgrade truly feel like an upgrade to me?

I'm actually a bit worried that replacing an MTM speaker with two midwoofers (Monitor 40) with a single midwoofer speaker (RTiA3), even one with a larger woofer, will downgrade the bass response of the fronts and may also impact the soundstage / power of the fronts. I'm worried that while music may improve in clarity, the home cinema experience compared to the Monitor40's might suffer.

Any opinions on this? What do you think?

Thanks!

MrGlobe

Well, I was always really impressed with the low end response of the monitor 40s. When compared A/B with my Monitor 60s, the tossup often goes to the 40s, especially when it comes to hip hop

Erik Tracy

DataOrb wrote: »

Hi guys,

I got a good deal on upgrading my current setup (Polk Monitor 40 fronts, CS1 center) to an a new RTiA3 + CSiA4 setup. My usage is 80% HT/Gaming and about 20% music listening.

Will the upgrade truly feel like an upgrade to me?

I'm actually a bit worried that replacing an MTM speaker with two midwoofers (Monitor 40) with a single midwoofer speaker (RTiA3), even one with a larger woofer, will downgrade the bass response of the fronts and may also impact the soundstage / power of the fronts. I'm worried that while music may improve in clarity, the home cinema experience compared to the Monitor40's might suffer.

Any opinions on this? What do you think?

Thanks!

What do you have driving your speakers now? Will that be upgraded, too?

I run RTiA3s for mains, CSi3 as a center, and an Epik Valor for my sub. The RTiA3s are generously fed whatever power they need with a modified Carver amp - and I can *rock* the house for HT with some hard chest thumping LFE with a single sub and a big spacious soundstage with great dynamics and clarity with the RTiA3s.

Depending on your setup you can also move the RTiA3s closer to the wall so that you get more bass re-inforcement via the rear firing power port if you want more bass.

I'd say you are going to hear a noticable upgrade in sound!

mystik610

DataOrb wrote: »

Hi guys,

I got a good deal on upgrading my current setup (Polk Monitor 40 fronts, CS1 center) to an a new RTiA3 + CSiA4 setup. My usage is 80% HT/Gaming and about 20% music listening.

Will the upgrade truly feel like an upgrade to me?

I'm actually a bit worried that replacing an MTM speaker with two midwoofers (Monitor 40) with a single midwoofer speaker (RTiA3), even one with a larger woofer, will downgrade the bass response of the fronts and may also impact the soundstage / power of the fronts. I'm worried that while music may improve in clarity, the home cinema experience compared to the Monitor40's might suffer.

Any opinions on this? What do you think?

Thanks!

The RTi-A line are a different league from the Monitor Line. Far more detailed, better imaging, and downright pristine clarity. They may be a little bright for music, but for HT/Gaming, they'll bring out audio details that you were missing with the Monitor 40's.

DataOrb

My complete setup, currenty:

Monitor 40s in the front.
CS1 as the center ( a bit dissapointed with it, it doesn't dominate the soundstage enough for me compared to my Monitor 40s - the main reason why I want to upgrade to the CSi4 and along the way the RTiA3 as well).
Polk PSW100 Subwoofer.
Morel LI-1 MK1 satellites as rears.

Driving my setup is a YAMAHA RX-V663 (my 40s are bi-amped by the reciever).

I'm sure the RTiA3 are superior when it comes to clarity and imagning, no doubt.

I'm just wondering what am I going to loose by going with a single-woofer speaker (RTi) compared to a two-woofer speaker (40s)? Something in the sound has to go , right? Even while the cabinet and elemnets are way better in the RTi, doesn't the second midwoofer in the 40 add additional punch to the sound? Has anyone heared the two side-by-side?


Oh, and btw, any reason the RTiA1 are listed as having "dual 5-way binding posts" while the RTiA3 only said to have "5-way binding posts"? (no dual).

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/specs.php#bookshelf

I can Bi-Amp the RTiA3, right?

Erik Tracy

DataOrb wrote: »

My complete setup, currenty:

Monitor 40s in the front.
CS1 as the center ( a bit dissapointed with it, it doesn't dominate the soundstage enough for me compared to my Monitor 40s - the main reason why I want to upgrade to the CSi4 and along the way the RTiA3 as well).
Polk PSW100 Subwoofer.
Morel LI-1 MK1 satellites as rears.

Driving my setup is a YAMAHA RX-V663 (my 40s are bi-amped by the reciever).

I'm sure the RTiA3 are superior when it comes to clarity and imagning, no doubt.

I'm just wondering what am I going to loose by going with a single-woofer speaker (RTi) compared to a two-woofer speaker (40s)? Something in the sound has to go , right? Even while the cabinet and elemnets are way better in the RTi, doesn't the second midwoofer in the 40 add additional punch to the sound? Has anyone heared the two side-by-side?


Oh, and btw, any reason the RTiA1 are listed as having "dual 5-way binding posts" while the RTiA3 only said to have "5-way binding posts"? (no dual).

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/specs.php#bookshelf

I can Bi-Amp the RTiA3, right?

I don't think you will give up much, if anything, by going to the RTiA3.

Spec-wise, they reach lower than the Monitor 40s.

I've run my RTiA3s from my AVR in "Pure Direct" mode with no subwoofer at all - and I swear, several times I've gotten up to put my ear next to the subwoofer just to make sure nothing is coming out - cuz the bass still sounds full.

The spec sheet on the RTiA3 has a typo - yes they are 'dual' binding posts (+ and -) and yes you can bi-wire or bi-amp the RTiA3s.

cnh

I'm in agreement with most of the above...the main difference with the Rti bookshelves is that they have more detailed and sometimes overly bright tweeter..but that's very dependent on what you use to drive them.

Whereas you can get away with driving M40s with a Yamaha and they'll sound OK....the Rti-A3s will sound harsh with that AVR when played mid-loud volumes...that's not a good match....I would consider another AVR if you're going with Rtis!

Monitor speakers are more forgiving but less 'detailed' than Rtis....that may be an advantage for some people with brighter AVRs and amps?

cnh

DataOrb

Hi guys,

Took your advice and bought the RTiA3 + CSiA4. Can't wait to hook them up to my setup !

Many thanks!

Btw, if I'm already in the process of upgrading my system, would you recommend the RM8 rears to compliment the RTiA3 + CSiA4?

mystik610

DataOrb wrote: »

Hi guys,

Took your advice and bought the RTiA3 + CSiA4. Can't wait to hook them up to my setup !

Many thanks!

Btw, if I'm already in the process of upgrading my system, would you recommend the RM8 rears to compliment the RTiA3 + CSiA4?

Ideally you'd wanna get another set of RTi A3's or a pair of FXi A3's for the rears to keep everything voice-matched.

SivaNevets

RTIA3 is a awesome set of speakers! im so glad i bought them (RTI6). I have played them for 3 months now they sound better than ever.
I would get another set of RTIA3 for rears, because they went fairly low (im satisfied for 2 channel listening) so u can cross them at very low for rear use (i would say 40hz).

saleens7turb0

I was wondering if I should get monitor 40's or tsi200 or RTi4. I am looking for them as rear surround speakers. I am kinda budget in mind but will pay more for a much better speaker. I see on new egg you can get monitor 40's for 129.99. The tsi200 I can't find under 300. Is it worth over double the price?

packetjones

in my opinion they are not worth double the price. the TSI and monitors are very similar with the TSI's having a nicer cabinet and a piano gloss top. the specs on the speaker are very similar. A friend of mine has 40's for surrounds and they sound good and he loves them. Personally i would get the RTi4's. The only reason is that i like the matching surrounds and you already have the RTi line of speakers based on your sig.

saleens7turb0

Sweet, Thanks a lot for the help!