rti7's, rti5's vs rti10's, rti8's, and Csi a6 vs Csi5

jerjon7
jerjon7 Posts: 41
edited November 2009 in Speakers
hey guys, i am looking to setup my first home theatre, but i am on a budget and want to get the best bang for my buck, how does the older rti series compare to the current one, if i can save a few hundred dollars getting them is it worth it? i'll probably pair it with a new sub though, maybe the micropro 3000 or is the 1000 enough, also maybe the 600 pro? and maybe some rti a1's for rear? how does this sound?
Post edited by jerjon7 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2009
    What's your budget?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • superjunior
    superjunior Posts: 1,632
    edited November 2009
    and how big is your room?
    panasonic th-50pz85u
    pioneer elite vsx-92txh
    pioneer elite bdp-05fd
    emotiva xpa-3
    monster power hdp 2550
    sa 8300 hd dvr
    sda 2b's
    fronts - rti a9's
    center - csi a6
    surrounds - fxi a6's
    sub - polk dsw pro 600
    harmony one
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jerjon7
    jerjon7 Posts: 41
    edited November 2009
    15X15 and 1000-1200 for speakers, all your help is appreciated
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jerjon7
    jerjon7 Posts: 41
    edited November 2009
    i am fine with refurbs as well
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LandShark
    LandShark Posts: 130
    edited November 2009
    Ebay-Polk Direct is awesome...Bought most of my speakers on there and they are basically brand new. If I had it to do over again I would go with the RTi A9, CSi A6 and FXi A6 surrounds with an SVS sub. Thing is I have never heard any of these but with the reviews all of these get I don't think you or I could go wrong.

    TV: Samsung LN40A550
    Mains: Polk Monitor 70's
    Center: Polk CS2
    Surrounds: Polk OWM3's
    Receiver: Onkyo TX sr705
    BDP: Sony S350
    Subs: Velodyne VRP1200 and VRP1000
    Monster Power Conditioner EP IR 2450
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jerjon7
    jerjon7 Posts: 41
    edited November 2009
    is there a big difference between lets say the rti8's and the rtia5's?

    and the big question is, is there a big difference between the CSi5 and the Csi A6?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited November 2009
    For the most part...no. I've heard both, but I've never compared them side by side. The A5's are perhaps a tad warmer...but that may have been my imagination. Like I said, I haven't compared them side by side.

    The aesthetics of the RTiA's are much better IMO. I like the curved cabinet design a lot.

    Essentially, they're the same speaker though.

    The same goes for the CSi5/CSiA6.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jerjon7
    jerjon7 Posts: 41
    edited November 2009
    thanks i appreciate your opinion
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SivaNevets
    SivaNevets Posts: 303
    edited November 2009
    i have RTI6 front with CSIa4 centre.. they sound pretty much the same, but the new series (RTIa, CSIa) look much nicer with the grill off.
    Front: Martinlogan ESL
    Center: Martinlogan Stage
    Rear: Martinlogan Motion 4
    Sub: Martinlogan Grotto-I
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC 1523K

    PC 2 Channel: Polk LSI7
    Headset: Grado RS2 + Grado RA1 amp
    Mic: Neumann KMS605

    Car Audio
    2002 MB C240 Sedan
    MM6501 components
    MM840 sub
    MB Quart Onyx 4.60 (1/2 to components, 3/4 bridged to sub)
    Pioneer 8200BT HU
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited November 2009
    I agree with Curt, have the RTi-10, demo'd the RTi-A5 in home for a month. The A5's are a bit warmer, had more midrange and IMO are much better looking. However you can get some smokin deals on the older series if you are patient and I am happy with mine. I think you will be happy with either set of series.
    AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
    Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
    Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
    Mains: RTi-10
    Center: CSi-5
    Rear: Boston DSi460
    Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
    TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
    DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited November 2009
    MADGSF wrote: »
    I agree with Curt, have the RTi-10, demo'd the RTi-A5 in home for a month. The A5's are a bit warmer, had more midrange and IMO are much better looking. However you can get some smokin deals on the older series if you are patient and I am happy with mine. I think you will be happy with either set of series.

    That's not really a fair comparison IMO. The RTi8's are warmer than the RTi10's, just as the A5's are warmer than the A7's. It's due to having two midrange drivers. FWIW, IMO the 10's/A7's have kind of a withdrawn mid-range anyway...they're also a touch brighter in my experience.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nebborjk
    nebborjk Posts: 425
    edited November 2009
    I've noticed the apparent lack of mid-range on the RTi10s as well. I believe this is mainly the result of inferior amplification. They were being driven by an AVR in the store. I could only imagine that with a separate amp these speakers will open up in the mid range.

    To the OP, what do you plan on using for amplification?
    Proud SOPA Member since 2005!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jerjon7
    jerjon7 Posts: 41
    edited November 2009
    just my receiver for now, pioneer elite vsx-21txh, maybe a amp later, any suggestions on that?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter