RTi38's or RT35i's

scubalab

WTB - pair of RTi38's or RT35i's for around $100 plus or minus.

Now, a little about me since I'm new to the forum... I have visited the site often over the past several years for specs, advice, pointers, etc., but just officially registered today. I'm not up to speed on the etiquette, so please forgive my ignorance on shorthand, abbreviations, 'lingo', etc.

I got hooked on Polk Audio Speakers way back in college (pushing 20 years now!!) when I bought a pair of S6's on a blood money payment plan. (Literally! - I donated plasma every week, then walked the money over to the electronics store.) They lasted many moves, but ultimately, one was killed when the dog knocked if off the stand a couple years ago. (Almost killed the dog, but I like him ALMOST as much as I liked the Polks...) I also had a pair of the old M series (look like wedges) for rears and an old Center (don't remember the model - maybe CS250??) for a "pro-logic" 5.1 setup. The surviving S6 and the CS were sold on ebay about a year or two ago. The M's are now outdoor speakers and still going strong!!

If anyone's still reading, my current project (started over 2 years ago) is a home theater being built a little at a time. I have been buying 'vintage' polks - I guess that's what they are since they are all out of production by several years. (Plus, I could not buy into the newer plastic-looking models that a now-defunct big box store carried, so I resorted to buying vintage/used Polks.) I want to complete a 7.1 setup with RTi-38's for the rear speakers. I currently have RT800i's for the fronts, an RTi40 center, FXi50's for the surrounds, and a Paradigm sub all driven by a Denon AVR-988. It's starting to sound pretty awesome paired with the BIG screen video from the Sharp XR10X multimedia projector being thrown onto an unfinished piece of drywall. It's not top of the line 'audiophile' stuff, but our kids LOVE our "movie theater", and it still impresses me!!

I see the RTi38's every now and then on ebay but haven't been ready to buy until now (i.e. - didn't have permission from the wife...). Of course, now, I can't find any! I did just miss an auction a couple weeks ago while away on vacation. They went for $102 plus shipping (I think around $25), and my max bid was $100 - my bad... (freakin' two dollars...)

SOOOOOO, anyone looking to offload any RTi38's or RT35i's to a newbie to the forum? I'm open to suggestions/advice on the best/safest/most secure way to proceed. Since I'm new, I don't know how the private messages work, or if it's considered ok to share phone numbers/email addresses.

Thanks for listening!

classic carl

I just bought a pair of RTi38's on Audiogon around Christmas. I also was looking for RT35i's. Be patient. They show up for sale now and then.
I also have a pair of RT800i's as my mains. Nice setup. There is currently a pair of the older RT35's for sale on Audiogon. No affiliation. Good luck with your quest.

classic carl

Polkie rxmike posted that he has a pair of RT35i's in another thread (3 threads actually). When I asked him for photos, I never heard from him again. Maybe a PM is in order. I'm no longer looking for a pair.

scubalab

Carl - thanks for the heads-up. I'm not familiar with Audiogon, but will look into! I'm not in any extreme hurry, just anxious to get all 7.1 speakers going. You're right, I've seen many over the past months/years - mostly on ebay, but now that I'm ready to buy, it seems like I haven't seen many. I'll be patient. I'd like to find a good condition pair, for around $100 give or take (which seems in line to past auctions I watched).

Quick question, I've noticed that there seem to be 'twin' style speakers - nearly identical specs - in the RTi series. Were the RT800i's, the FX500i's, the CS400i, and the RT35i's of the same 'generation' and the RTi70's, the FXi50's, the CSi40, and the RTi38's another 'generation'? Specs/MSRP seem nearly identical on the respective speakers. I had always assumed that they were the same, just different model years or something... The only difference (other than the power rating) between the RTi38's and the RT35i's that I can see is the slightly smaller cabinet size on the 35's. They may actually work better for me (don't want to get too large - want to mount these on the back wall of the theater).

Love this forum - I'm getting addicted! Super folks helping others with similar interests.

classic carl

The RT35's came first, then the RT35i's and then the RTi38's. They are all very close in size and specs. Go to the Products pulldown on this website and click "Recent and Vintage Models". You will be able to download spec. sheets for each model to compare. I bought my RT800i's new in late 2000. The RT35i's were available at that time also. The cabinet finish and the POLK logo on the RTi38's are slightly different from the RT35i's.

scubalab

Bump... still looking :-)

Todd Lee

There's a local listing here in Salt Lake City, but I don't know if the seller is willing to ship. They are listed at $150, but if they're still available, maybe you can work something out with them.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=9629937&cat=&lpid=2

And no, I'm not the seller.

I do have a pair though, but one of mine has some cosmetic damage. I'd be willing to sell, but with the damage, I don't know if it would be worth the shipping.

scubalab

Todd - thanks for the heads-up on the RT35i's. I'll keep in mind, but shipping from Utah may put them out of my price range. Out of curiosity, what type of 'cosmetic' damage does yours have. May consider if not too bad and the right price...

Thanks again!

Todd Lee

1 of the speakers was dropped by the previous owner. ( would never do that to a speaker) The grill has a crack, and underneath the grill the cabinet has a good size ding. Also, the black baffle (the larger odd shaped plastic part) is cracked pretty good. I got a good deal on them, once I got them home, removed the plastic baffle to make sure that everything is ok internally. They seem to be, and they sound great.

I'm not pushing real hard to sell them, but If someone was dying to have them, I'd give them up. I'll post a picture some time this week.

concealer404

Here's a set of RT35is for $100.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1615883177.html

If you want to contact the seller and work out the details, i'm more than willing to pick them up and ship them out to you.

scubalab

Todd - thanks for the info. Yeah, I retired my first set of Polks (S6's) when our lab (then a puppy) knocked one off the stand and destroyed the cabinet and the passive radiator. I cried...:( I'll probably pass on the damaged set of yours, but thanks for the offer!!

concealer404 wrote: »

Here's a set of RT35is for $100.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1615883177.html

If you want to contact the seller and work out the details, i'm more than willing to pick them up and ship them out to you.

Concealer - DANG - that posting has been deleted! Thanks for the offer though. Polkies are so freakin' generous and willing to lend a hand.

I've got a couple other irons in the fire on leads. Hopefully one pans out soon.

scubalab

scubalab wrote: »

I've got a couple other irons in the fire on leads. Hopefully one pans out soon.

Landed myself a pair of RT35i's on ebay last night for $120 shipped...:D I think... (I say I think until I have them in my hands.) Now the 7.1 will be complete, although I now wonder if the 5.1 was good enough... Ahh, you can never have too many Polks, right?

Here's the HT:

- Denon AVR-988 Receiver
- Sharp XR-10X Projector
- Sharp Blu-Ray Player
- RT800i Fronts
- CSi40 Center
- FXi50 Surrounds
- RT35i Rears (coming soon)
- Paradigm PSW-1000 Sub
- Plain 'Ole Sheet of Drywall Screen
- 2 head soda fountain
- Yuengling Lager on tap
- Kids (& DAD) want a popcorn machine... hmmm, Paragon?

Thanks to ALL for the help and advice. CP has been a great experience and I'm now hooked!

-Al

Todd Lee

Good news that you found something you like!