Okay, I Have a Problem: The RTi8's Were Canceled...

Mike LoManaco
Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
edited March 2010 in Speakers
Unfortunately, and I don't know why, the RTi8's I ordered in black oak were canceled and my card wasn't charged; now, this leaves me with starting over...

Should I now go with the new RTi A5, try and find the RTi A8 again or go with something better, like a 10 or 12, as has been suggested to me?
Post edited by Mike LoManaco on
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    I found a good deal on the RTi10's for $250 a piece from J&R; should I pull the trigger on them, or will my Onkyo 605 not be able to power these things sufficiently?

    This price for the 10's is less than what I paid initially for the RTi8's...

    At this point, I simply can't afford any of the new RTi A series models, even the A5's...we just can't do it, so I'm forced to find an older generation RTi model that will match with my CSi30 center.
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    Okay. Here's what I think I want to do...

    After careful consideration, we're just going to bite the bullet -- instead of dealing with these online ordering nightmares -- and buy a pair of new RTi A5's from a local Frys vendor; it's a great deal more than we wanted to spend, but at least we can just get it to the house and be done with it. Plus, they'll at least be from the new lineup...

    My question is now, before I buy these, will the RTi A5's be a good match for my older CSi30 center? Will these work, or do I HAVE to get an older RTi model?
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  • Menasor
    Menasor Posts: 283
    edited February 2010
    Mike LoManaco wrote: »
    Okay. Here's what I think I want to do...

    After careful consideration, we're just going to bite the bullet -- instead of dealing with these online ordering nightmares -- and buy a pair of new RTi A5's from a local Frys vendor; it's a great deal more than we wanted to spend, but at least we can just get it to the house and be done with it. Plus, they'll at least be from the new lineup...

    My question is now, before I buy these, will the RTi A5's be a good match for my older CSi30 center? Will these work, or do I HAVE to get an older RTi model?

    If the RTi8's match the CSi30 pretty well, then the RTi A5 will match as well. The RTi8 and RTi A5 are quite similar. I think it's a waste of your money to pay msrp AND tax for the RTi A5's. Honestly you have much better options if you want to spend that kind of money. I would go with the A5's over the RTi8, but would be more patient and try to get the best deal possible. You might regret paying so much for them later. My two cents

    Fronts: Energy RC-70
    Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Surrounds: Energy Veritas 1.0CM
    Subwoofer: SVS PC12-NSD
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR705
    Amplifier: Denon POA-2200 w/ Ben's ICs


    Pics of my setup (click me)
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2010
    I think the RTi10 is really the highest you'll want to go with that receiver, it's really not going to handle the 12s very well. I know it will handle the 10s because I've heard that setup and it sounded great.

    I would go with the RTi10
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    I think the RTi10 is really the highest you'll want to go with that receiver, it's really not going to handle the 12s very well. I know it will handle the 10s because I've heard that setup and it sounded great.

    I would go with the RTi10
    +1 on that! Be a little more patient - don't "bite the bullet" for the sake of having them today. Trust us, you won't regret waiting a bit.
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  • zeppage2
    zeppage2 Posts: 196
    edited February 2010
    The Frys website indicates the RTi8's are available for in-store pickup at selected Frys locations for $199.99.
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    zeppage2 wrote: »
    The Frys website indicates the RTi8's are available for in-store pickup at selected Frys locations for $199.99.

    The store closest to us (the only one in the state actually) does not have it available at all.
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    That sounds like a good choice from a cost/performance perspective from Mike's original deal that fell through.

    Since Mike is on a restricted budget, the RTi10's that are on sale for $250 each look to be his best bet if he is absolutely set on keeping his Onkyo 605.

    Where are they on sale for $250...at Frys?
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    The RTi10's are available at http://www.jr.com/polk-audio/pe/POK_RTI10_hy_BK/

    Depending on location, shipping is quite expensive.
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    Yes Guys,

    The shipping from J&R's place in New York (where I bought my first surround system, including the R20s!) is way too expensive to where we live; that's what's stopping me from ordering from them...

    Here's what I am getting ready to do today. We'll go over to the Frys near us, and see if they have any RTi A5's to look at, or see if they have any back-stocked RTi8's or 10's. I won't buy; I will just look and report back.

    Meanwhile, I suppose we've simmered it down to these three possibilities:

    RTi A5 (can't go higher in this line, budget wise)
    RTi8
    RTi10

    Thanks for all your help so far, everyone. :)
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    The RTi10's are available at http://www.jr.com/polk-audio/pe/POK_RTI10_hy_BK/

    I was looking at possibly getting them from One Call, dependent on their shipping expense:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000TU7IQ/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267386862&sr=1-1&condition=new

    It would either be J&R or One Call for these; but as we discussed above, the shipping from J&R is VERY expensive -- it adds on a little over 100 bucks to where we are, when I computed it in their system. :eek:
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    The RTi8's and the RTiA5's are basically the same speakers. If the 8's would have matched up well with your CSi30, the A5's will match up equally well. They use the same drivers...just slightly different cabinet architechture. I would consider eventually upgrading to a CSiA6 though. Your CSi30 should blend very nicely with them until then though.

    FWIW, I think going with the 8/A5's is a better choice than the 10/A7's. I've always found the A7's to be a little bit more sterile sounding, with less mid-range bloom. The brightness of the tweeters makes itself a lot more apparent due to this as well. All IMO, of course.


    External amps? Your rig gets used almost exclusively for HT, correct? I wouldn't get too caught up in the idea of "needing" external amps. Will it provide benefits? Of course...but not to the extent that externals will affect the musicality of a rig. HT is MUCH less demanding on a rig than music is.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    I think the RTi10 is really the highest you'll want to go with that receiver, it's really not going to handle the 12s very well. I know it will handle the 10s because I've heard that setup and it sounded great.

    I would go with the RTi10

    Thanks Assimilated; I will top out at the 10's for the older series. It's what I thought, initially, regarding my 605's current capabilities. ;)
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    The RTi8's and the RTiA5's are basically the same speakers. If the 8's would have matched up well with your CSi30, the A5's will match up equally well. They use the same drivers...just slightly different cabinet architechture. I would consider eventually upgrading to a CSiA6 though. Your CSi30 should blend very nicely with them until then though.

    FWIW, I think going with the 8/A5's is a better choice than the 10/A7's. I've always found the A7's to be a little bit more sterile sounding, with less mid-range bloom. The brightness of the tweeters makes itself a lot more apparent due to this as well. All IMO, of course.


    External amps? Your rig gets used almost exclusively for HT, correct? I wouldn't get too caught up in the idea of "needing" external amps. Will it provide benefits? Of course...but not to the extent that externals will affect the musicality of a rig. HT is MUCH less demanding on a rig than music is.

    Thanks Curt.

    I'll take this into consideration; at this point, as I said, I am considering the A5, RTi8 or possibly RTi10. When I get back from Frys, I will report on what they had and for what price.

    With regard to the A7's, this is simply out of budget; anything over the A5's would be.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2010
    Mike LoManaco wrote: »
    Thanks Curt.

    I'll take this into consideration; at this point, as I said, I am considering the A5, RTi8 or possibly RTi10. When I get back from Frys, I will report on what they had and for what price.

    With regard to the A7's, this is simply out of budget; anything over the A5's would be.

    All of my comments about the A7's apply equally as much to the RTi10's...just FYI. As with the 8's/A5's...the 10's and A7's are essentially the same speakers.




    Also...FWIW, I really think that aside from the RTi12's/A9's...the real gems of the RTi series are the RTi6's/A3's. I recently got done selling off an all RTi HT setup. The RTi8's that I had were sold quite some time ago...but I held onto the 6's until just a few weeks ago. I didn't even really want to sell them because they sounded so good. I could never even really use my RTi8's in my 2 channel rig, because they were too bright sounding...but when it came time to go make the sale for my 6's...I didn't want to pull them out of my 2 channel. I've also got some serious sellers remorse over those 6's...and will likely get another pair of them eventually(or possibly some A3's). The RTi8's? Haven't spared a moments thought towards missing them since I got rid of them...lol Great HT speakers...but that's not really my forte.

    So, I guess what it comes down to...is don't rule out the bookshelf speakers because of their size. With a decent sub, there is essentially no difference between a bookshelf and a floorstander in a HT rig.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited February 2010
    spend your major investment in speakers......rti12s.
    upgrade bit by bit later...we all do it (cept for the doctors and lawyers)
    speakers are (imo) most important....avr and amp later
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    Okay Everyone,

    Just got back from Frys. Here's the deal, and the issue...

    They had the full line of RTi A's -- from the 5's to the 9's. The 5's were what they normally are everywhere; $449 a piece or so. It seemed too high for me for an entry level speaker in that family...

    However, they DID have back-stocked RTi12's for $399 each -- I was going to buy them and then stopped when I was getting ready to shell out over 800 bucks for this pair....

    Do you think I should go back and get the 12's? I want to look around for the best prices on these things right now, so I am thinking maybe continue looking for RTi10's for mid-$200's online...does anyone have any links to any vendor selling RTi10's or 12's, or maybe even 8's?

    Are the 12's worth $399 a piece, do you think? The total price just seemed a bit overwhelming; like $860 something when all said and done...:eek:
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    All of my comments about the A7's apply equally as much to the RTi10's...just FYI. As with the 8's/A5's...the 10's and A7's are essentially the same speakers.

    I understand.
    So, I guess what it comes down to...is don't rule out the bookshelf speakers because of their size. With a decent sub, there is essentially no difference between a bookshelf and a floorstander in a HT rig.

    I don't want to go back to bookshelves; dealing with the stands has just been a nightmare. I can't tell you what kind of a pain in the **** the Sanus stands have been for the ones we bought for the R20's I have now...one is ready to collapse it's leaning so badly and I just don't want to go through it again with stands.

    My quest is definitely for a nice pair of floorstanders...but I appreciate your opinions and thoughts. :)
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,475
    edited February 2010
    ...where do you live Mike...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    ...where do you live Mike...

    West Coast
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2010
    Again, don't rush the purchase. Spend time listening to the speakers to make sure oyu like them. You are approaching pricing of used pair of LSi15's. You can get an inexpensive to drive them. Your center won't match but you may end up appreciating the sound a lot more than RTi's. Your ears are the best judge.

    Again, try to get some listening in before you buy.
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    Mike,
    Get the RTi12's while you can! You'll be kicking yourself if you don't.
    They are awesome speakers. I have them and love them compared to the RTi8's which are disconnected and stored in one of my spare bedrooms.
    If you could only hear the "Beachboys Pet Sounds" on vinyl on them, you would snap them up in a nanosecond!

    Thanks Capri...I just cannot justify upwards of $800 right now for these...

    Can you suggest another RTi model that would be more affordable, and from which vendor?
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    I doubt Mike will want to spend $500 for a LSiC center. The RTi12's can be beautifully driven by a Pioneer SC-07. The LSi's really need an external amp rated for 4 ohm output.

    Yes, indeed Capri; I appreciate Maximillian's input, but I don't want to buy used nor do I want to get a new center right now, so I am forced to stay in the RTi area...I'm thinking the 10's but I can't really get a good deal on them now WITH shipping...
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,475
    edited February 2010
    I would hold off and get a set of SDA 1c's for much less coin...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    I would hold off and get a set of SDA 1c's for much less coin...

    What? I've already decided it must be from Polk's "RTi" family...:confused:
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,475
    edited February 2010
    are you in or near SoCal?

    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ele/1615809614.html
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    Okay...

    So it seems to have come down to going with the almost-out-of-stock RTi12's from Frys, which comes to over $800 for the pair, or go with some RTi10's for around mid-$600's from One Call...

    The J&R shipping costs were absolutely ridiculous; they wanted $200 or something for the pair when you were done -- just for the shipping.

    And you know something else? Looking at the RTi A5's today in the store, those speakers really aren't that big or impressive looking for the price; so I would rather look towards RTi10's or 12's at this point, more likely 10's for the price. The A5's didn't look like they'd really be good for upgrading the amplification down the road.
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    are you in or near SoCal?

    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ele/1615809614.html

    Thanks for the lead, 'John; I appreciate that. I would rather buy new, but in my price range, which I'm trying to work out now.

    Thanks again though; let me know if you find a vendor who's selling these new, or any other RTi model...
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,475
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    The LSi25's are absolutely awesome. I own two pairs. You need a good amp with them.

    ...so when are you going to get a good amp:confused:;)


    j/k::) xcapri
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Mike LoManaco
    Mike LoManaco Posts: 974
    edited February 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    Mike, if you were willing to pay $600 for a pair of RTi8's or RTiA5's, then the RT12's for $860 are well worth it. Trust me on this one.

    Now if you want to move up to "the big leagues" get yourself a pair of LSi25's which are available on Polk Direct right now for $1,499.00 including shipping.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/LS-i-i-i-25-Ebony-L-R-Loudspeakers-pair_W0QQitemZ390155450787QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item5ad713b9a3

    The LSi25's are absolutely awesome. I own two pairs. You need a good amp with them.

    Capri,

    I absolutely cannot move up to the LSi's no matter how awesome they are -- and I understand and believe that they are; if I am having a very hard time justifying the 12's for $860 so how can I even consider the LSi's?

    Still, I'm at a crossroads here; I know you say go for the 12's, but I do still have the Onkyo 605 don't forget and will have it for awhile longer. I am not sure this is an amp match for the RTi12's; these are demanding speakers.

    Do you think I should just spend the $200 something extra and get the 12's over the $600 something RTi10's?
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