RT25I worth repairing?

scott_ins

I have recently acquired a pair of RT25I bookshelves from a neighbor, they were free because one of the drivers has been blown (the other speaker is working fine).

I just wanted any opinions on whether it is worth spending $70 for the replacement driver (mw5532 from Polk) to get it back into working condition? How do they measure up to some newer entry-level speakers like Monitor 30's? Or should I just save the money and use it towards some new bookshelves (perhaps Monitor 30's/40's or I might stretch the budget to RTi4's). I'm afraid I don't have a large budget, about $150, but obviously would be happier to spend $70 if the RT25I is worth repairing.

I will be driving them with a yamaha v465 that I also got for free (for helping the neighbor move house). I listen to mostly music (pretty eclectic) in a small/medium size room (12x18).

Any opinions would be welcome. Many thanks from a newbie.

bluecomet

You could find a nice used pair RT25i's for forty bucks. Maybe a cheap driver will turn up for you. For seventy bucks it may not be worth the investment. I would sit tight.

heiney9

Where can one find a pair of RT25i's for $40? I'll take 2 pairs please!

H9

DollarDave

Call Polk CS and mention that you are a Club Polk member and you will receive a discount (and maybe free shipping). They are certainly worth the investment in a discounted driver.

kcoc321

I don't know what if any difference there is between the MW5530 and the MW5532, Maybe someone else does, or Polk CS could tell you, but Mavin (eBay reseller) has a pair for $45 + $11.40 shipping. You could always sell off the extra one, IF you wanted to & if they were the same specs ect. May or may not work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Major-Brand-MW5530-Woofers-5-1-4-4-ohms-New-Pair_W0QQitemZ250555454428QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Speakers?hash=item3a5644d3dc

bluecomet

I saw a pair on ebay just the other day cheap. If these RT25i's are in mint shape, go for it. I think the whole RT line is very under rated. There are some good deals out there for some great RT speakers if you look for them and stay patient.

scott_ins

Thanks for all the info and advice.

I've called Polk CS and with Club Polk member discount the price is $60.40 with free shipping, not bad but still not cheap. Also asked about the MW5530 that Kcoc321 mentioned and that driver has a different impedance and sensitivity.

Guess I'll think about it, the fact that they are just sitting on my bedroom floor is quite tempting.

heiney9

Perhaps this will answer the question if they are worth it, IMO, YES!

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/417/#

heiney9

The Polk RT25i has set a new benchmark for what an entry-level speaker can accomplish in many areas. Given its price and diminutive size, its few weaknesses are forgivable. It is far superior to any speaker I've heard for less than $500/pair, and has become my favorite speaker for under $1000/pair. I plan to purchase this pair for use as monitors in my home computer recording studio.

I recommend the Polk RT25i to anyone considering buying a speaker of moderate price and size. I recommend it even to audiophiles used to more expensive wares, just so they can see how much speaker 320 of today's bucks can buy. I've never been more impressed by an inexpensive loudspeaker.

The final paragraph from Stereophile

cmy330go

heiney9 wrote: »

Perhaps this will answer the question if they are worth it, IMO, YES!

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/417/#

+1

I have two pairs. One pair for a small kitchen system, and the others get pretty regular play in my 2ch rig. They are amazing for their size and price.

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to spend the $60.

adam2434

$60 total investment for a pair of 25i's - definitely worth it, assuming the they are in good condition otherwise.

Since a mid-woof was blown, I would make 100% sure both tweeters are OK too, before investing in the mid-woof. The tweeters are not available any longer.

shack

bluecomet wrote:

You could find a nice used pair RT25i's for forty bucks.

I would not sell mine for twice that amount.

kcoc321

scott_ins wrote: »

Thanks for all the info and advice.

I've called Polk CS and with Club Polk member discount the price is $60.40 with free shipping,

At $60 it is a no brainer to me...You could always sell them for that or more easily, if you wanted to. They will be a great rear channel or desktop speakers.

VSchneider

Another "worth it" vote here! Mine are used in a small home office 2-ch right now.

A little more economical option (if you are willing to wait a bit) is to pick another pair or single RT25i's from 'Bay or CraigsList. They can be pretty beat up, but as long as you get the driver that you need, you can sell the extra parts. As was already mentioned, the tweeters for this series are no longer available new.

$40 is a bit extreme for a good condition pair, but $75-100 is fair.

bluecomet

There is a single RT25i speaker on ebay right now for forty dollars if you want to go that way. You can take the driver or just use this other speaker and keep the speaker that is not working for parts. This way you will have another tweeter if one goes bad. I would go this way if I were you. Just do a search on ebay for Polk RT's and you will see it. Good luck.

scott_ins

thanks everyone for all the advice, I am pretty convinced to stay with these speakers and try and get them back into working order again. In regards to the ebay listing, I could only find a listing for an RT25 (without the 'i')

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Single-Shelf-Speaker-RT-25_W0QQitemZ140376834298QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item20af1c80fa

Is this the one you saw bluecomet?
I'm not sure how much difference there was between the RT25 and RT25i (apart from the 'real wood' housing for the RT25i as opposed to the RT25's vinyl). The only visible difference I can see is the driver is black on the RT25 whereas the driver on the RT25i is blue. I'm unaware how much difference this actually means between the spec's and if I can just pair this speaker with the working Rt25i I have, or swap out the working RT25 driver for the faulty one in the RT25i.

Any suggestions?

bluecomet

I don't think there is a difference beside the color. The specs are the same. You can use that speaker with your good RT25i and they will soncially match. If you really wanted to, I bet you could swap drivers and they would work out. For the money it is a good deal. I bet no one bids on it since it's a single speaker. It might be just what the doctor ordered.

VSchneider

I am sorry, I would not use that RT25. The drivers are not exactly the same, and with shipping (mine from FL to MD was quoted at $28 :eek:) it would be actually more expensive than buying a direct replacement.