RTA 11T's

domflane

I'm looking into my first pair of vintage Polks. There is a set of 11T's for $150, but they're about 4 hours away. I know they're very different, but how would these compare to my RTiA5s? The 11T's would replace them as my mains and be used about 50/50 for music and HT and I'd probably end up moving the A5's to the rear.

Also, I'd be driving them with a Harman Kardon AVR354 but I plan to get a good 3 or 5 channel amp as soon as I can afford it. Would the HK suffice for now?

I'm really not sure what to do here, my other option is to wait for the old tax return and spring for a pair of RTiA9's. I'm just kinda drawn to the older speakers though. It seems hard to pass up for a third of what I paid for the A5's . . . what do you guys think?

Thanks in advance,
Dominic

skrol

I drive my RTA11TL's with a Denon DRA-835R 2-ch receiver with no problem. The price sounds good.

ben62670

They are a different animal. The old Polk's have a very accurate warm sound. The newer speakers while nice are better used if your primary listening is HT.

domflane

Thanks Stan, I see you upgraded the tweeter and XO in your 11T's. How did that improve the sound and how much did it set you back, if you don't mind me asking.

domflane

I would have to integrate the 11T's with the A5's if I got them, because I don't have a dedicated 2 channel set up yet (its in the works) so the 11T's would get a lot of HT use. So sould I resist the impulse buy and focus on my finishing my RTiA home theater, or jump on these now and work them in however I can?

concealer404

Depends how into 2-channel you are.... i would imagine the 11Ts would sound better for music than the RTiA5s, but i'm unsure if it would be an improvement in HT.

everpress

I use my 11TL's for 2-channel and for my HT.
I have to say that I think they do a pretty good job, but I have nothing else to compare them to except the tiny RM2300's that Polk made a little while back.
One thing (and it might just be me) is that they seem pretty heavy in the bass department.
It's tricky (or it has been for me) to get a good balance set of where your sub should be set so that it's a smooth transition from what your 11's can handle and where your sub should pick up.

skrol

domflane wrote: »

Thanks Stan, I see you upgraded the tweeter and XO in your 11T's. How did that improve the sound and how much did it set you back, if you don't mind me asking.

I like the RDO-198 and XO upgrade much better than the originals. It is hard to say how much difference the RDO made as I only had them in for a short time before the XO upgrade and were not broken in yet. The combination was like magic though. Imaging is vastly improved and highs are silkier.

If I recall, the RDO-198 is $48 each from Polk if you mention that you are a Club Polk member. Otherwise, I believe they are double.

The RTA11T originally had the SL-2000 tweeter and is replaced by the RDO-194.

The RTA11TL originally had the SL-3000 tweeter and is replaced by the RDO-198.

At the model transition form T to TL, there were some late RTA11T's that came with the SL-3000. Therefore, when you get them you'll want to verify which you have. We can help if needed.
Stan

domflane

I'm really leaning towards getting them, waiting on a response from the seller. I wish the 354 had an A/B set up so I could alternate both as mains. I'd really hate to put either speaker in the rear. Seems like a waste . . .

everpress

domflane wrote: »

I'm really leaning towards getting them, waiting on a response from the seller. I wish the 354 had an A/B set up so I could alternate both as mains. I'd really hate to put either speaker in the rear. Seems like a waste . . .

There are some inexpensive switches out there... Not sure if they mess with the quality of the sound or not.

ben62670

Put the 11's up front and use the others for rears. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Ben

domflane

Thats what I wanted to hear. Thanks Ben

domflane

I found these on the Jacksonville CL, theres a couple more there too. RTA8TL's for $100. SDA CRS for $200 and what's listed as RTA11A's for $120. I don't think that model # is right, they must be either 11T's or Monitor 11A's. Still seems like a good deal. Im trying to find out more about those. Decisions decisions . . .

StevieB

Anyone know how the 8TL's hold up against 11t's? I have seen them on CL for a while. Jeez like I need any more speakers.

skrol

domflane wrote: »

I found these on the Jacksonville CL, theres a couple more there too. RTA8TL's for $100. SDA CRS for $200 and what's listed as RTA11A's for $120. I don't think that model # is right, they must be either 11T's or Monitor 11A's. Still seems like a good deal. Im trying to find out more about those. Decisions decisions . . .

The Model 11 was referred to as Model 11 Real Time Array Reference Monitor System (RTA11). Here are the specs.

Pauly

I use my 11T's for Fronts on my HT/2chnl rig and dont think i'll ever change back. They replaced my RTi70's with my matched FXi30's and CSi40.

Sounds frekkin awsome.

Pauly

jax3822

Hi,
Just thought I would chime in here, since I have owned two pairs of Rta-11t's. To help you with market vallue, I paid 125 for mine in cherry a few weeks ago, and sold them to another club Polk member for 200. I invested the 98 bucks for the "upgraded" tweeters and sold them with both pairs for a loss of about 25 dollars. (not in this for profit, i guess). I loved them with the sl-2000 tweeters and hated them with the Rd0's. They lost that classic Polk sound. I also had a hard time with the fact that the new tweeters were from a lesser line of Polks.

As for the Rta11t's. get them for under 200 and it is a fair price. I also own a pair of Rta12b's. Ls70's and Monitor 70's for reference.

My first go around with them, I used them in a Ht setup, with the fronts set to large for stereo listening, with a Yamaha 90wpc receiver. The second go around was with a vintage JVC AX-Z911 digital integrated reference pure class-a 2 channel receiver at 100 watts per side, and the difference in sound was substantial. I also use this amp to power my ls-70's when I feel the need to switch speakers.

Hope this helps make up your mind.

Jim C

Ps. there is a pair of 8t's on south jersey craigslist that the seller told me he could sell for 95 bucks if anyone is interested.

mjcmt

I use unmodified RTA11T's powered by Cambridge Audio amplification in a 2 channel system. I will say that this combination is a match made in heaven for both music and movies. Movies don't have that bass thump that some may want, but the bass is all there and very tuneful. A sub would be a necessary addition for movies, provided you are a bass fanatic. With music a sub is not necessary, as the RTA-11T's have a balance top to bottom sound w/ modern high caliber amps like the sweet, clean, and tuneful sounding Cambridge Audio 640A V2.

Pycroft

I know this is an old thread that was just bumped...I'm sorry I missed it the first time.

I have 11TL's powered by the same exact receiver - HK AVR 354. It does a fine job! I now have it connected to an external amp, but I think the HK did a nice job powering them. If you haven't gotten these already, I think 150 is a fair price for mint condition speakers...I got mine for 150 in great condition. If they are less than perfect I would offer them less! Hopefully you were able to pick them up!

James

Pauly

Yeah did you pick em up?

kcoc321

Pauly wrote: »

I use my 11T's for Fronts on my HT/2chnl rig and dont think i'll ever change back. They replaced my RTi70's with my matched FXi30's and CSi40. Sounds frekkin awsome. Pauly

Pauly, what do you like the most regarding the RTA-11T's vs the RTi70's?
Was it the 2 channel SQ or do they sound better for HT also?
I am looking at buying some Rti70's for $200. Is that a good deal?

kcoc321

Pauly wrote: »

I use my 11T's for Fronts on my HT/2chnl rig and dont think i'll ever change back. They replaced my RTi70's with my matched FXi30's and CSi40. Sounds frekkin awsome. Pauly

Pauly, what do you like the most regarding the RTA-11T's vs thr RTi70's?
Was it the 2 channel SQ or do they sound better for HT also?
I am looking at buying some Rti70's for $200. Is that a good deal?

Pauly

kcoc321 wrote: »

Pauly, what do you like the most regarding the RTA-11T's vs the RTi70's?
Was it the 2 channel SQ or do they sound better for HT also?
I am looking at buying some Rti70's for $200. Is that a good deal?

Well i moved to apt and my SVS was overkill and could barely turn the thing on without pissing neighbors off. I sold the SVS moved the 11T's to my fronts and use as HT and 2 Chnl duty since they have more low end (on both aspects) vs the 70's. I think they match well with my CSi40 and Fxi30's when watching movies. 200 bucks isnt a bad price if they are in good condition. Mine are sitting in the closet but i wont sell because they are matched with my center and rears.

Pauly

domflane

No, unfortunately I didn't get them. Jacksonville is almost 4 hours from here and I was pretty strapped for cash at the time. I did pick up a pair of monitor 5 series 2 like two weekends ago in Orlando though. I'm pretty happy with them and they found their way into my bedroom rig. I think I'm going to hold off on purchases for a while now, until I can afford a CSiA6 for the living room.

heiney9

jax3822 wrote: »

I loved them with the sl-2000 tweeters and hated them with the Rd0's. They lost that classic Polk sound. I also had a hard time with the fact that the new tweeters were from a lesser line of Polks.

Who told you that?

skrol

That is what I was wondering.

cnh

They look nice and what a great price....Nice sound for 'music'...I have't heard the big boys only the RTA-8s. I can only imagine the low end those put out!

cnh