Which surrounds?

RSTERN

I am looking into getting a set of bipole/ dipole speakers for surrounds. Trying to match RT16 and a cs300. I thought about the fxi 50 or the fxi 30? Crutchfield still have the fx300i Which one would be the best match?

Rob Stern

dorokusai

I believe they use a very similar dynamic driver, but a slightly different tweeter. Yea, a silk/composite in the FXi30 and a silk in the FX300i. I personally don't know the sonic differences in those two.

If you have an older Polk speaker, vintage, then I would go with an older surround speaker. Simply for closer tolerance to your mains. If the newer is too bright, even in a surround speaker you may notice it.

IMO.

brettw22

Heya Rstern......

Welcome to the Forum. If you plan on running your system for a lot of HT, I would recommend the fxi50's. I matched my RT16's up with a pair of F/X1000's and have absolutely ZERO complaints. They blend VERY well to me. Personally, as far as the whole Timber Matching thing goes, I think that is mainly a big concern when it comes to the Front Soundstage, at least IMO. Then again, I didn't follow the guidelines on the front either, since I'm running a CS1000p, so who knows......

Good luck with your purchase. I don't know what kinda coin you're lookin to spend, but I wouldn't buy from Crutchfield. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but they charge pretty much full retail price, as well as shipping on top. If I'm going to do an online purchase, it'd better save me money, not cost me more.

Let us know what you decide on. I'm curious also what type of source you're running........

dorokusai

You couldn't get a better owner suggestion than Brett's.

Go with the older is my suggestion, and "older" is relative.

Again, the FXi30/50's may be a bit much, but the other should match up quite well. You are basically talking a small change in theory, with the two(2) speakers. Hey, if Brett says he hears what he hears, then he hears that in fact. He's an educated listener.

I agree, let us know what the drivers are, the power I mean.

brettw22

Rob,

First, how long have you had your RT16's, and don't ya love them? I liked mine so much that I bought another pair and eventually will be using them as my rear surrounds.

Polk recommends the f/x500i's to be the match(if you're looking for a bi/dipole type of surround), but you won't find them. They're few and far between at this point, with the f/xi50 being the newer version of that speaker.

I don't know if you've listened to both a direct radiating type of speaker (like an RT35i ) or that of the FXi50. You can ask people what they think, and everyone will give you a different answer as to what they like, with everyone being split between direct radiating and the difused sound of the f/x type of speaker. I've had dipole speakers for about 6 years. I did switch to a direct type of speaker for about a week and couldn't stand it. The sound was too localized for my liking. I presume that since you only asked about the f/x's that you've already decided whatcha like, so no need for me to keep rambling....

I don't know how much Crutchfield is charging for the i50's, but you can have them for about $340 HERE on Ebay (plus shipping, and with the 5 year warranty). You'll wanna ask them if warranty work is done through them or directly through Polk, which will depend on if they're an authorized retailer or not.

You might also want to consider at some point upgrading your center channel to the CSi40 (newer version of the CS400i that you won't likely find) to better match your RT16's. I'd consider not finding it more of a blessing than anything since the 400i is a VERY chunky looking center, as compared to the lower profile, sleeker looking CSi40.

Once ya start upgrading, it's pretty hard to stop......unless you have someone there to make you stop..... I don't and have gone absolutely over the edge the past year......oh well, I'm ok with it. Have fun.........

RSTERN

Brett,
Power is from a Yamaha r-v1103, 100w x 5. Sounds really good in HT but not as good in stereo. Right now it is ht 90% and music 10%. I am using rt55 for surrounds right now. The couch is right back against the back wall, so I was thinking of going with bi/di speaker for rear surrounds until I move up to 7.1. The yamaha will run 2 center speakers, so I would move the rt55 up front until a new 7.1 system arrived. But that will be later.

Rob Stern

RSTERN

Forgot to tell ya. Love the RT16, Wish I had more.

Rob Stern

MichaelJ

I have legacy Polk front speakers (RTA15t) and found the FXi50 surrounds and CSi40 center to be a good sonic match. The midrange drivers are all about the same size. I did read that the tweeter material is different in the newer speakers, but I cannot hear a difference.

har_navalta

Rob,

The best surround for your RT16 is the RT7, they are both
using SL6501 tweeters. Using the same tweeters for
timber match the results will be awesome... I got my RT7 for
$200.00 and it will be my surround backs for my 7.1 set-up.

Har

har_navalta

or do you want to part your RT16?

just kidding...:D

Har

brettw22

Originally posted by har_navalta
or do you want to part your RT16?

just kidding...:D

Har

Back off Har.........all 16's are MINE!!!!!!!!!! ALL MINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

RSTERN

My quest has ended, that's what the wife said. Brett picked up some fx 1000's and is shipping them to me. Thanks again Brett.
Thanks to all that help. Now for the waiting. I hate that. Oh well.

Har: the 16s are not for sale, maybe trade for some of those big SDA's you have? Naaaa I'll just keep my 16s. Thanks for asking.

Rob Stern