Going from Monitor line to RTis gain?

mutelight
mutelight Posts: 1,054
edited February 2010 in Speakers
I was recently promoted at work and was thinking of treating myself with some upgrades. Was thinking of replacing my speakers on my main setup with two RTi10s, CSi5 center, and FXi6 surrounds. These would be powered by my Pioneer SC-25 and to be honest that AVR has brought new life to the Monitors but I was wondering how much performance gain the RTis would bring to my system and if it is a worthy upgrade or if I should go higher. Any input would be much appreciated!
// Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
// Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
// Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2010
    Music, HT, or both?

    I really don't like the RTI 10's but think the RTi a9's are better if the budget allows.
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited February 2010
    Mostly movies and games but casual music listening as well.
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2010
    RTI's are great for HT. Go for it.


    Congrats on the promotion !!!!!!!
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited February 2010
    Thanks so much for the help and the congats, I really appreciate it!
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • GTB
    GTB Posts: 87
    edited February 2010
    Me luv RTis! HooYeah!!
    Home Theater
    Polk RTi8
    Polk Monitor 40
    Polk CSi5
    Polk MicroPro 2000
    Visio 42 LCD
    Denon AVR 790
    Samsung BD 1600

    Two Channel
    Polk SDA 2B
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  • lmacmil
    lmacmil Posts: 122
    edited February 2010
    mutelight wrote: »
    . Was thinking of replacing my speakers on my main setup with two RTi10s, CSi5 center, and FXi6 surrounds. These would be powered by my Pioneer SC-25 and ... I was wondering how much performance gain the RTis would bring to my system and if it is a worthy upgrade or if I should go higher.

    You are the only one who can answer this question since your ears are different from everyone else's. I will offer a few observations:

    1) If you spend a big chunk of change on this (or any other upgrade), you will think it's worth while even if you can't do an A/B blind comparison. That's human nature. Very few people will admit that they spent a bunch of money and didn't get the improvement they were expecting.

    2) The RTi system will sound different than the Monitor system. Whether or not it's "better" is purely subjective.

    3) The HT hobby is one of a never ending and unachievable quest for the perfect system. No matter what you have, there's always something "better" out there and some retailer more than happy to take your money for the next upgrade.

    Good luck.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2010
    I love my RTi10s! I've heard the "RTis are great for HT, not so much for music" statement quite a bit, and while I understand where that comes from, I've taken some steps to significantly improve their performance for music listening - in particular 2-channel music. Of course, I realize that they're not the greatest out there, but I'm becoming much more satisfied with them in this area. Plenty of external amplification and better ICs have made a huge difference for me and my ears. The RTi tweeters were initially rather harsh to my ears (and many others if you've read a lot about them), but these upgrades have tamed these tweeters to the point that I think I've achieved greater balance across the entire frequency range.

    All that said, I agree with lmacmil - only you can decide if this upgrade is really worth it... I'm thinking there's a lot you can do with the Monitor series. Lots of people love 'em, too!
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    Did you change the X-overs?
    No. I was researching that, but decided to try different ICs first. After 2 days with my current configuration, I'm pleased. We'll see after some time if I stay that way, or if I feel the need to refine further. Considering that I now have 7 RTi speakers, I'd feel compelled to mod all of them... Not sure I want to get into that! :p
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    I have a pair of RTi12's, several pairs of RTi8's, CSi3's, CSi5's and CSiA6's.
    I'm interested in easy mods to tame the tweeters. Thanks.

    I highly recommend it. After several hundred hours of burn-in time, they sound fantastic.
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • mutelight
    mutelight Posts: 1,054
    edited February 2010
    Everyones' input is greatly appreciated, thank you so much, gentlemen!

    To be honest, the only time I think about replacing my Monitors is when I am away from them, not listening to them. Tonight I sat down for a while, listened to so music, watched a movie on one of the movie channels and really felt content.

    After the session I really felt like my next upgrade could go to something better, that being a dedicated DAC and headphone amp for my headphones. My Digirack is not doing the job with those power hungry buggers.
    // Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
    // Polk Audio FXi A6 // SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer // Logitech Harmony Ultimate // Pro-Ject Debut III //
    // Oppo BDP-103 // Microsoft Xbox One Day One Edition // Sony Playstation 4 1TB SSHD // Nintendo Wii U //
    Photo Gallery
    Movie and Game Collection
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited February 2010
    mutelight wrote: »
    Everyones' input is greatly appreciated, thank you so much, gentlemen!

    To be honest, the only time I think about replacing my Monitors is when I am away from them, not listening to them. Tonight I sat down for a while, listened to so music, watched a movie on one of the movie channels and really felt content.

    After the session I really felt like my next upgrade could go to something better, that being a dedicated DAC and headphone amp for my headphones. My Digirack is not doing the job with those power hungry buggers.

    Honestly, I have to agree with your logic. I have the Monitor 70's and am tickled with their performance, esp. for HT. Granted they may not be as good as the RTi's at HT, for the money they are hard to beat. Put that money towards a good DAC, it will be money well spent.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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