TSi200 or TSi300

mkshul

Hey everyone, I am new to the forum and brand new to the HT world. I just got started this past weekend by picking up a PSW110 for 125 bucks at BB!!! I am trying to upgrade from a basic Yamaha 5.1 surround sound bought some time ago.

I am trying to build a home theater on somewhat of a budget. I noticed that the TSi200/300 have the same amount of speakers but in a different cabinet(bookshelf vs. floorstanding). What is the difference between the two? Does one pump out more bass than the other? Keep in mind that they will be used as my front speakers. Which would you recomend?

kawizx9r

I would assume it does, given the extra space inside the enclosure...most likely more output as well as deeper bass.

Whatever you go with whether they're towers or bookshelves make sure that the tweeter sits at about ear-level from your sitting position.

If you're really wanting to save money, I'd say check out the comparable (not by my ears, no experience) Monitor-series over at NewEgg. They always happen to have some sort of sale and alot of members here have picked them up from there or Polk's ebay store. If you're in the Chicago area, there's a mint pair of Monitor 60's for only $200.

Btw, welcome to CP!

-Freddy

mkshul

Did some more snooping around on the internet and found that Newegg has the Polk Monitor 70 for around less than what the TSi300 costs!!! Think I might be making an impulse buy pretty soon! Does anyone have experience with the Monitor 70's? They seem like a great deal, a lot of speaker for the price!

kawizx9r

Alot of people here like them for both music and movies. Having said that, they also seem pretty easy to drive with a wide variety of receivers.

mkshul

The receiver i'll be hooking them up to is a Denon AVR-1609. The more I look at the Monitor 70's the more I want to buy them!

kawizx9r

mkshul wrote: »

The receiver i'll be hooking them up to is a Denon AVR-1609. The more I look at the Monitor 70's the more I want to buy them!

Like I said, alot of happy owners here on the forum! Heck, with the money you're saving there you'll be able to grab some Monitor 30's or 40's and a pair of stands and a CS20 and you're all set for your HT.

packetjones

I agree on the fact that the monitor series is the way to go for budget friendly speakers. I would go as large as i could afford and spend as much as i can on the fronts. If that means getting a center and rears later to allow you to get the 70's i would do that.

The 60's for fronts are no slouch either and would be great if you wanted to get the surrounds and center all at once.

welcome and enjoy.

mkshul

For now i'm just going to stick with just the M70's paired with a PSW110 that I recently picked up. Slowly later down the road i'll get the surrounds to match. Im real excited that I found out about the M70's basically an older model of the TSi500(correct me if im wrong).

wutadumsn23

You are correct mk, the Monitor 70's and TSi 500's are similar on paper, but as for sound wise I hear that the 500's may have a slight edge, however, not that much of an edge to justify the difference in price. I have the Monitor 70's in my humble HT and let me tell you, for the price they can be had for today, IMHO they can't be beat for what they cost. They sound absolutely great and I have been nothing but pleased by their performance. I would get the Monitor 70's and not look back. You will be very happy with your decision, get your hands on a CS2 and a couple of Monitor 30/40's and you are in business. Welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

cnh

Personally I don't think the TSI-500s have the edge...I have not heard them but I have heard the 300s and the 400s and I prefer my M70s and I cannot imagine the tweeter in the 500s sounding that different than the same one in the 300 and 400 and the crossover is the same in all three series.

What is yet to be CLARIFIED is whether or not the 500s have a cascade crossover? Anyone care to answer that question....because that is ONE thing that puts the M70s in a class of their own over the 60s and 50s. Secondly, the TSI-500s have lighter cabinet but larger? Thirdly, the MSRP for the 500s is actually LESS than the original MSRP for the M70s...this indicates either cheaper construction or more advanced construction tech....or cheaper overseas labor....or.....what....

I think that the 500s and the M70s probably have a slightly different sound and that the 500s are more geared/tweaked for Home Theater..the M70s for MUSIC....

Now, I can't verify this opinion until Jeff gets to do the Demo....

As for the recent comments about the TSI-500s.....most of the guys who were exposed to the new 500s have NOT heard a set of M70s.

I am NOT saying that one is better than the other but that I think I would prefer the M70s for Music..

cnh

cnh

Regarding the original question TSI-300s vs. M70s. I own both and while I like the 300s--the are no M70s! I've run both on Onkyo and Denon receivers and on Kenwood and Adcom integrated and power amps and in every instance I chose the sound of the M70s and actually preferred its tweeter.

The TSI-300s are a nice speaker to be sure but size DOES matter here.

cnh

wutadumsn23

I agree 100% with cnh. I personally don't think the 500's are better per say than the 70's, I was only refering to what I had heard from limited reviews between the two models. Also, I am supposed to be next in line for the 500's, and should have them in a couple of weeks (knocks on wood) Then I can settle this debate once and for all, atleast in my mind anyway, lol. I love my 70's, and even if the 500's did have a slight edge, the difference in price would not justify an "upgrade"

-Jeff

mkshul

Definetly made up my mind that I will be going with the 70's, found a discount through bing.com that I can pick up a pair from newegg around 350 bucks. Probably wont buy them closer till the end of the month, need the bank account to settle first.

Now I have been doing some more looking, and have been eyeballing the PSW505 sub. Right now I am running a PSW110(still in the box, waiting on the new Denon receiver). But im thinking about returning the 110 and getting the 505, although I live in an apartment so I dont know if the 505 is going to be a good idea or not.

dorokusai

I prefer the TSi series over the Monitor but a good deal is a good deal.

sk1939

mkshul wrote: »

Definetly made up my mind that I will be going with the 70's, found a discount through bing.com that I can pick up a pair from newegg around 350 bucks. Probably wont buy them closer till the end of the month, need the bank account to settle first.

Now I have been doing some more looking, and have been eyeballing the PSW505 sub. Right now I am running a PSW110(still in the box, waiting on the new Denon receiver). But im thinking about returning the 110 and getting the 505, although I live in an apartment so I dont know if the 505 is going to be a good idea or not.

In an apartment, really any subwoofer is a bad idea, because the louder it is, the more it vibrates stuff. In addition, sometimes the sound bleeds through the floor. If you do decide to get a sub, watch the power rating, and watch the volume knob, because you can't really crank it and not expect complaints from the neighbors.

concealer404

Depends on the apartment and if you like your home setup to sound like a ghetto blaster Caprice.

MrGlobe

sk1939 wrote: »

In an apartment, really any subwoofer is a bad idea, because the louder it is, the more it vibrates stuff. In addition, sometimes the sound bleeds through the floor. If you do decide to get a sub, watch the power rating, and watch the volume knob, because you can't really crank it and not expect complaints from the neighbors.

I disagree. Obviously its not a good idea to have a huge sub pounding away in an apt building, but luckily there is a volume knob on them, so you can turn it down. I'm not sure why you would want to limit yourself in the future by purchasing a sub specifically for an apartment now.

The PSW505 should peform much better than the 110, and it is on sale currently for $230 from newegg.

Another vote for the 70s as well. Since I own the 70s, 60s and 40s, I can tell you the 70s are a big upgrade from either. Also, go with a CS2 for a center when you get the chance, the CS20 is matched to the TSI line not the Monitor line

sk1939

concealer404 wrote: »

Depends on the apartment and if you like your home setup to sound like a ghetto blaster Caprice.

True. I still think that a good 2 channel setup shouldn't need a subwoofer...*I miss my L100's*.....as far as sub choice, I would stay with the PSW 110, as the 505 may be too much sub for your setup, especially if your not careful about setup, the crossover, and volume because it will certainly drown out the TSi's if your not careful.

MrGlobe

sk1939 wrote: »

True. I still think that a good 2 channel setup shouldn't need a subwoofer...*I miss my L100's*.....as far as sub choice, I would stay with the PSW 110, as the 505 may be too much sub for your setup, especially if your not careful about setup, the crossover, and volume because it will certainly drown out the TSi's if your not careful.

Why? The PSW110 is listed for $249 at BB, so you're saying he should keep the more expensive, worse sub because the other one might be too good?

sk1939

MrGlobe wrote: »

I disagree. Obviously its not a good idea to have a huge sub pounding away in an apt building, but luckily there is a volume knob on them, so you can turn it down. I'm not sure why you would want to limit yourself in the future by purchasing a sub specifically for an apartment now.

The PSW505 should peform much better than the 110, and it is on sale currently for $230 from newegg.

Another vote for the 70s as well. Since I own the 70s, 60s and 40s, I can tell you the 70s are a big upgrade from either. Also, go with a CS2 for a center when you get the chance, the CS20 is matched to the TSI line not the Monitor line

If you read his post, he already bought the PSW 110 for $125. He'd be spending an extra $125 for the PSW505.

What is he using it for again? Is it for HT? I thought he said PSW111....the other thing about getting a cheaper sub though, is it means you have more money to upgrade things later. The problem I see with the 505 though is that even at 250 watts, it's loud, and if you turn it down, whats the point in having a more powerful sub, even at 100 Watts he'll probably have to tone it down? I don't think that they're that different tonally.

But yeah, you also have to take in the fact that you are limiting yourself a bit with the PSW110, if you move into a large house (and respectively sized rooms) it won't be powerful enough, but it should be good for a small-medium sized house. As for people like me who live in the city, it's unlikely that I can ever afford a house (the brownstone accross the street just sold for almost $1.1 million).

As far as speakers go, the TSi's do sound different from the Monitors (I've heard both). To me their a bit brighter, but between a TSi 500 and a Monitor 70, the 70 wins because it's not enough of a difference (to me) to justify the extra $200. I don't know what kind of sound you like, (if you like really bright sounds, maybe Kiplisch Icons would be better), but for me, my listening tests were for music so I can't really chime in about how they sound with explosions, although vocals come out well.

MrGlobe

Fair enough, I forgot he got it on sale. In any event, the 505 is only $100 more and having read quite a few reviews for both, I feel the 505 would be a better investment. Granted I do not own either

WastidLeprechau

I have the Monitor 70s. I love them. I do not have a sub yet and I have been looking for one. I was looking into psw505 or dsw pro 600 or micro pro 1000. Check out this thread. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92298

mkshul

My setup is going to be a 50/50 split between HT and music. Im thinking about keeping the psw110 until I get my 70's and see how they sound together. If need be I can always return the 110 and get a 505. Im just afraid the 110 isn't going to have the "tightness" I want out of it for music. People have been saying that the 110 is best for HT.

MrGlobe

I vote you take your time and use all 30 days (unless its the 14 day item) to test the 110 to decide if you want it before returning it. Remember that it might take a little to break in too

domflane

the Polks subs are pretty good, I love my PSW650, but look around on craigslist for a used high powered sub from svs, sunfire, velodyne too. You might find a much more powerful sub for close to the same price. Especially this time of year, everyone is trying to dump their unsued gear to get ready for the holiday. There's a sunfire true sub mkII in Florida for only $300. If it was me, I would buy the baddest sub I could now, so you're not tempted to upgrade in the future. As for the apartment, thats what volume knobs are for.

cnh

PSW505 would be fine...

Let's bottom line this....M70s,60s,etc...seem to be available in great abundance...They've been replaced by the TSI series which looks much nicer and I agree is a little brighter but not much....

So let's SELL OUT ALL THE Ms so we can just recommend TSis and not be tempted by all this 'discounting' because it's really not GOOD for Polk.

Think about it...M70s retailed for over 900 dollars a pair....how much can you actually make selling them for 350 a pair? This is a no brainer....

Polk should just have ONE monstrous Clearance sale and get rid of ALL the Ms then the TSIs would sell much much better and we wouldn't have to debate whether one is better than the other...

As we all know a lot of people here prefer SDAs (15-20 year old tech) to the LSI current line up. So new doesn't always mean 'better'.

I guess what I'm saying is get the Ms off the MARKET and I'll be more than glad to recommend TSis till the cows come home!

cnh

MrGlobe

I think the Monitor line is a steal for the price we're buying at, and I will gladly recommend them to anyone.

It seems like polk has probably been through this exact scenario quite a few times, you know... releasing new speakers and having to discount the old ones. I'm sure they have the process figured out

mkshul

I have already figured out that I am eventually going to purchase the Monitor 70's. My only question is the receiver I want to power them from going to be enough? Its a Denon AVR-1609.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AV1609/Denon-AVR-1609.html?search=denon+avr1609&ssi=0

cnh

Any Denon will drive M70s. They're high current AVRs. But you'd be better off with the 2809 if you can swing it because it has Pre-outs! And those are a must for future POWER upgrades and speaker upgrades.

I've also found that the fairly neutral but slightly warm sound of most Denons make them a good choice as an AVR pre-amp!

cnh

mkshul

The Denon 2809 is way out of my price range! I want to stay around the $300 mark, wouldn't mind paying a little more if it will make a big difference.

wutadumsn23

I think that cnh was just trying to "future proof" your system a bit and recommend an AVR that has pre-outs. You may not know it now, but you want pre-outs, lol. It will allow you to add an external amp down the road, and really take advantage of those 70's. If the budget doesn't allow, then plan on upgrading your AVR in a few years (if that) to one that has pre-outs for adding an external amp. The 1609 will power the 70's just fine if that is the one you choose too.

-Jeff