Need to Have Suggestions Before The RTi12 Return Day is Up: Help?!

Mike LoManaco

Okay 'All.

Here's the situation. I'm having reservations now about whether or not I should return the 12's I just bought due to their sheer size, balancing the possibility that these are probably way too much of a demand on my Onkyo 605, current-wise. Couple that with the fact that I am having a hard time swallowing the almost $1K price for these, now that delivery charges were added into the mix, and I am feeling I should begin looking elsewhere in Polk's lineup...

So, let me address the criteria, again: I realize I have been tipped to change up my CSi30 center to something different, so I could have a more modern match for the center channel, but I would really like to keep it for now. Given that, what tower in Polk's line would be a good sonic match for the CSi? I know the RTi/RTi-A's have been established as the good pairing, but I simply cannot see paying $800+ for the entry-level RTi-A5's, and I cannot go beyond these in the A lineup.

What if I dropped down to the series below the RTi's, like, say, the TSi's, or possibly a pair of Monitors (as was suggested by Capri once before)? I understand that these would be a step down especially since I have been chewing on the idea of RTi's or RTi-A's, but I think these would be better suited to my budget and current demands of my present AVR...

Would the TSi's or Monitors match with my CSi center, decently enough? Would there be a big discrepency in soundstage cohesiveness between these series?

If someone could offer any suggestions before I need to cancel the delivery on the 12's (before Thursday) I would appreciate it, so I know I made the right decision.

Thank you all.

comfortablycurt

Every single one of these questions has already been answered in your other thread.;)

The ONLY speaker series that is going to be a timbre match to your center channel, is the RTi series. That's the nature of timbre matching...speakers of the same series, using the same drivers.

Basically any other Polk speaker is going to have a much different sonic signature. Any speaker will work. It's not as if two speakers will refuse to work together if they're not timbre matched. The point is, that two timbre matched speakers are going to mesh better than two non-timbre matched speakers. Aside from the RTi/RTiA's, the only other timbre matched speakers would be older RTi series speakers. Those you wouldn't be able to get new, of course.


As far as your 605 powering them? You're absolutely fine. You're using them in a HT setting, crossed at 80hz with a sub taking care of the rest. They'll be putting essentially the same amount of strain on your AVR as a pair of RTiA5's would. The larger TSi/Monitor series towers would be putting essentially the same strain on it as a pair of 12's would as well.

As far as the budget goes, only you can make that choice.

You're always going to be wondering "what if", if you decide to go with something lesser.

As far as the center channel matching...

Would an upgraded center channel make an improvement? Yes, absolutely.

Will your CSi30 work absolutely wonderfully with the RTi12's, and provide a nearly seamless sonic signature across your entire front soundstage? Yes, absolutely.

Now quit worrying about this so much, and just get the 12's!! Unless you don't think you can handle that manly of a speaker.;):p

Mike LoManaco

'Curt,

I thank you VERY much for this response and for your thoughts; I didn't mean to wrinkle any feathers here...I just wanted to make sure I don't run into clipping or other issues with the 605 powering the 12's...

The ONLY speaker series that is going to be a timbre match to your center channel, is the RTi series. That's the nature of timbre matching...speakers of the same series, using the same drivers.

Okay. I just wanted to be sure I couldn't go with a TSi or perhaps Monitor..

Basically any other Polk speaker is going to have a much different sonic signature. Any speaker will work. It's not as if two speakers will refuse to work together if they're not timbre matched. The point is, that two timbre matched speakers are going to mesh better than two non-timbre matched speakers. Aside from the RTi/RTiA's, the only other timbre matched speakers would be older RTi series speakers. Those you wouldn't be able to get new, of course.

By "older" RTi's, do you mean a series even OLDER than the 12's I purchased now? Because you say I couldn't get them "new," but the 12's I bought were new (in their boxes)...

As far as your 605 powering them? You're absolutely fine. You're using them in a HT setting, crossed at 80hz with a sub taking care of the rest. They'll be putting essentially the same amount of strain on your AVR as a pair of RTiA5's would. The larger TSi/Monitor series towers would be putting essentially the same strain on it as a pair of 12's would as well.

Is this really so? The strain would be the same as on the other speakers you mentioned here? How can that technically be if the 12's can handle so much juice compared to the others?

As far as the budget goes, only you can make that choice.

You're always going to be wondering "what if", if you decide to go with something lesser.

As far as the center channel matching...

Would an upgraded center channel make an improvement? Yes, absolutely.

Will your CSi30 work absolutely wonderfully with the RTi12's, and provide a nearly seamless sonic signature across your entire front soundstage? Yes, absolutely.

Now quit worrying about this so much, and just get the 12's!! Unless you don't think you can handle that manly of a speaker.;):p

Thank you, once again, for your thoughts here; your input is appreciated and is being taken into serious consideration.

wutadumsn23

+1 on what Curt said. Your 605 will do just fine, and you have to stop second guessing yourself Mike and pull the trigger already, lol. Just messin with ya, but like Curt said you will always wonder "what if" if you don't get the speakers you really want.

-Jeff

cnh

Mike...just hook the speakers up to the 605 and 'listen' to them, already....Curt is spot on right. You don't have to drive the Rti-12s to their peak performance...in fact just set them to small if you have too? This is a LONG TERM investment, just BITE the bullet!

cnh

comfortablycurt

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

'Curt,

I thank you VERY much for this response and for your thoughts; I didn't mean to wrinkle any feathers here...I just wanted to make sure I don't run into clipping or other issues with the 605 powering the 12's...

No wrinkled feathers here.:)

Okay. I just wanted to be sure I couldn't go with a TSi or perhaps Monitor..

Like I said before, you could use something from the TSi or Monitor series, and you very well could be completely satisfied with it. I've run HT systems that weren't timbre matched before, and they can still sound fantastic.

A timbre matched setup is going to provide the most seamless soundstage though.

By "older" RTi's, do you mean a series even OLDER than the 12's I purchased now? Because you say I couldn't get them "new," but the 12's I bought were new (in their boxes)...

Yes, I'm referring to the even older RTi's, such as the RT600i's and RT800i's. You wouldn't be able to get those ones new anywhere anymore though.

Is this really so? The strain would be the same as on the other speakers you mentioned here? How can that technically be if the 12's can handle so much juice compared to the others?

Take those power ratings with a grain of salt. The 12's are rated for a "max" of 500 watts IIRC. You could take a 500 watt amp and hook it up to a pair of RTiA5's though, with absolutely no drawbacks at all. There is no such thing as being able to "handle all that juice", when it comes to loudspeakers. It's more of an issue of an amplifier not being able to "handle all that loudspeaker", if it's anything. You're looking way too far into this.

You're going to be absolutely fine powering the 12's with your AVR. Bass is what creates the most demand on an amplifier, since woofers require more movement. All of your low bass information is going to be going to your subwoofer, thus drastically decreasing the load on your AVR. Running the 12's crossed at 80 hz, will be presenting a load that's essentially the same as an A5's load to your AVR.

As myself, and others, have said before. If you were looking for a pair of speakers to do 2 channel listening with on your 605, I wouldn't be recommending the 12's. From what I've gathered though, your rig usage is almost exclusively HT. HT is nowhere near as demanding of audio gear as 2 channel is(generally speaking). The constant dynamic swing of music makes an amp work much harder than a movie, which is generally full of quieter scenes which put next to no strain on your amp, with brief dynamic bursts in between. This obviously isn't true of all movies, of course.

Thank you, once again, for your thoughts here; your input is appreciated and is being taken into serious consideration.

I'm always glad to help whenever I can.:)

Ricardo

Mikey, I would return those 12's just because I think you paid too much for them. Be patient and get a pair of RTi8's or RTiA5's from Polk Ebay when they are available. You'll save some money (specially if you go for the 8's) that you can put on something else.

wutadumsn23

Here ya go Mike, buy these!! 7.1 with RTi12's, RTi6's, RTi4's, CSi3 and a PSW12. All for $1,000!!!! I'm sure it is nowhere near you, but ya can't beat this deal.

-Jeff

http://austin.craigslist.org/ele/1623721790.html

Todd Lee

Mike, if you buy the 12's you might regret it. Or, you might not. Only YOU know what kind of person you are. Are you the type of person that always wants bigger better? If so, then go for the 12's. Or, you could wait another year, and wait for the A9's to get marked down.

I purchased the A5's a year ago, found them for a good deal from an authorized dealer. 12 months later (now) I've been sweating an upgrade. I've been looking at the 12's, which I've wanted since I first saw them 3 years ago. Had I not bought the 5's a year ago, I'd have 12's flanking my T.V. right now! I would have purchased an external amp later, I have a Pioneer 1018 right now. It would have done ok with the 12's, but I'm a "bigger, better" guy. When I visit my local dealer, they never have external amps driving their speakers. The 10's and 12's sound great, even with less power. It's more a matter of "check out what these speakers can do" when you add more power.

Now, for me, the main reason I haven't pulled the trigger on 12's lately is that my wife likes to say "you've got great speakers already". This is true, the 5's are fantastic for HT, no joke, I love them! I've got a good sub to go along with them, so really, the 12's would be a waste for me HT wise. I just can't see spending the money now just to upgrade my music listening. (which wouldn't be too much of an upgrade) The 5's have great high's and mid-range. The sub takes care of the rest.

My point is, if the 12's are your holy grail, then keep em. If not, then be patient. There's always good deals popping up here and there, and every few years speakers get closed out resulting in saved $$$ on an excellent pair of speakers. Right now it's the monitor 70's and the RTi12's. 18 months ago it was the RTi8's. etc....

Hawkeye

Sounds like a severe case of buyers remorse! I think people get it to one degree or another. I know I had terrible when I upgraded to my present speakers. I went back and forth for 6 months. One day yes, the next no. One day, I guess my wife got tired of listening to me and called the dealer. She asked for the salesman and said "Gordon wants those speakers that look identical to the ones we already have" and hands me the phone.

I'm glad she did, still had a bit of remorse but it was over once I plugged them up. Now there was no doubt in my mind I did (she did) the right thing.

Gordon

rcrook317

Hawkeye wrote: »

"Gordon wants those speakers that look identical to the ones we already have" and hands me the phone.




Gordon

thats hysterical!My wife said same thing when i got my amp....."u already have an amp"they just dont get it.
Then when said amp arrived,she looked at it and said "where are all the buttons"I just rolled my eyes!

Back to topic......the rti12s are great speakers for both ht and music.Ive had mine for 2 yrs and i listen tro them everyday,for the money,i couldnt be happier.But its your wallet so only u can make decision

Ron Temple

Hook them up and listen to them. If you don't like, return them. If you like, keep them. It's pretty simple.

comfortablycurt

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

Here ya go Mike, buy these!! 7.1 with RTi12's, RTi6's, RTi4's, CSi3 and a PSW12. All for $1,000!!!! I'm sure it is nowhere near you, but ya can't beat this deal.

-Jeff

http://austin.craigslist.org/ele/1623721790.html

That's an absolutely killer deal. Someone needs to jump on that.

Then use some of the money you've saved, and sell the CSi3 to get a CSi5, then you'll be good to go. Jump on it Mike!! Location permitting of course.


That being said...

This...

Ron Temple wrote: »

Hook them up and listen to them. If you don't like, return them. If you like, keep them. It's pretty simple.

Is basically the best advice that can be given on the subject. Only you're going to be able to decide if you like them or not.

kuntasensei

He has me on ignore, but I'll say it anyway... How long until you think he makes a fourth thread on this same issue? This is the third, right? Or have I already lost count?

I don't think I stressed that much when I dropped $1,200 on my SVS rig! Of course, my buyer's remorse went away the minute I heard it in action. Maybe his will too.

mdaudioguy

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

Okay 'All.

Here's the situation. I'm having reservations now about whether or not I should return the 12's I just bought due to their sheer size, balancing the possibility that these are probably way too much of a demand on my Onkyo 605, current-wise. Couple that with the fact that I am having a hard time swallowing the almost $1K price for these, now that delivery charges were added into the mix, and I am feeling I should begin looking elsewhere in Polk's lineup...

Hmm, and I was questioned for mentioning the size of them before you ordered... :rolleyes:

I'm assuming you don't have them yet? Once you get them, you'll have to eat shipping costs in order to return them, right? Is that your dilemma?

I'm not so sure you didn't just buy what everybody else said you should buy, rather than what you wanted and what you were comfortable spending your money on. If you can, I'd recommend canceling. You need to make a purchase that you're comfortable with.

Regarding your center, it's not that you can't use something from a different line, it's that Polk and others are saying the RTi line is the best match based on what's out there now. However, nobody said it's going to be a perfect match anyhow. Considering your concerns with price, I'd suggest you consider the Monitor series. It's not like they would be complete and utter discord with your center, and with the money you save, you'd be able to match that center up sooner. Just my two cents, as I see you're still struggling with this deal. Good luck.

By all accounts, the Monitor 70s are wonderful speakers, dollar for dollar.

wutadumsn23

comfortablycurt wrote: »

That's an absolutely killer deal. Someone needs to jump on that.

Just to add fuel to the fire, I guess when he first listed it, it was $500!!!! Guess he found out what he really had and doubled the price overnight, lol. Still for a cool G, it is a killer deal.

-Jeff

Mike LoManaco

Guys,

I appreciate all the input and replies. I think I will do what everyone here has suggested and mentioned -- that is, get them and listen to them with the 605, maybe review a couple of DVDs and Blu-rays, and then see if I need to return them from there. They are being delivered on Thursday. Thank you all for getting back to me before this return day (if I decided to cancel the order) as requested; I appreciate that very much.

What concerns me though is that here is the kind of thing I am hearing from folks over on different forums:

Don't even think about the RTi12's unless you have a better receiver or amp. they are power hogs. Your 605 would not be adequate.

Either step down to the TSI 300's or go back online for the RTi8's. Which can be found at One Call for the price you where paying plus shipping. You could even get the matching center to the RTi8's for 249. So for about 700 to 750 plus shipping. You could get 3 new front speakers that are matched. A little more than you wanted to spend. But in the end you will probably save money and have a completely matched front stage.

...can you see how all this can add to the utter confusion?

THEN, I received THIS from Polk support:

The RTi12’s do look imposing with their high power handling capability and multiple drivers, however they are not a particularly difficult load to drive. They are not low impedance, nor low efficiency- which are both factors which make a speaker difficult to drive or “power hungry”. That being said, usually around 100 watts per channel is enough to satisfy most listeners unless you really like to play the system loud.

What do you make of that?

wutadumsn23

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

The RTi12’s do look imposing with their high power handling capability and multiple drivers, however they are not a particularly difficult load to drive. They are not low impedance, nor low efficiency- which are both factors which make a speaker difficult to drive or “power hungry”. That being said, usually around 100 watts per channel is enough to satisfy most listeners unless you really like to play the system loud.

What do you make of that?

+1,000 Mike, you will be fine. Could the 12's use a little more power, yes they could, are they going to be just fine with the 605, yes they will. Get them all set up, listen to them and then down the road if you want, get a better AVR and an external amp and call it good.

-Jeff

Mike LoManaco

Hawkeye wrote: »

Sounds like a severe case of buyers remorse! I think people get it to one degree or another. I know I had terrible when I upgraded to my present speakers. I went back and forth for 6 months. One day yes, the next no. One day, I guess my wife got tired of listening to me and called the dealer. She asked for the salesman and said "Gordon wants those speakers that look identical to the ones we already have" and hands me the phone.

I'm glad she did, still had a bit of remorse but it was over once I plugged them up. Now there was no doubt in my mind I did (she did) the right thing.

Gordon

Yes, Gordon. This is what I am going through, in some ways; I am glad you understand.

Mike LoManaco

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

+1,000 Mike, you will be fine. Could the 12's use a little more power, yes they could, are they going to be just fine with the 605, yes they will. Get them all set up, listen to them and then down the road if you want, get a better AVR and an external amp and call it good.

-Jeff

Thanks Jeff.

But what about what this guy I provided the quote from said about this setup?

comfortablycurt

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

Guys,

I appreciate all the input and replies. I think I will do what everyone here has suggested and mentioned -- that is, get them and listen to them with the 605, maybe review a couple of DVDs and Blu-rays, and then see if I need to return them from there. They are being delivered on Thursday. Thank you all for getting back to me before this return day (if I decided to cancel the order) as requested; I appreciate that very much.

What concerns me though is that here is the kind of thing I am hearing from folks over on different forums:

Don't even think about the RTi12's unless you have a better receiver or amp. they are power hogs. Your 605 would not be adequate.

Either step down to the TSI 300's or go back online for the RTi8's. Which can be found at One Call for the price you where paying plus shipping. You could even get the matching center to the RTi8's for 249. So for about 700 to 750 plus shipping. You could get 3 new front speakers that are matched. A little more than you wanted to spend. But in the end you will probably save money and have a completely matched front stage.

...can you see how all this can add to the utter confusion?

THEN, I received THIS from Polk support:

The RTi12’s do look imposing with their high power handling capability and multiple drivers, however they are not a particularly difficult load to drive. They are not low impedance, nor low efficiency- which are both factors which make a speaker difficult to drive or “power hungry”. That being said, usually around 100 watts per channel is enough to satisfy most listeners unless you really like to play the system loud.

What do you make of that?

What do we make of that?

Let me see if I can put this more clearly...


YOU'LL BE JUST FINE RUNNING A PAIR OF POLK AUDIO RTi12 FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS OFF OF YOUR ONKYO TX-SR605 AUDIO/VIDEO/RECEIVER!!!!!!!


Sorry...I had to do it.;) Seriously...I can understand being hesitant about what you're buying, but these questions have been answered for you multiple times, by several people, in 4 different threads. You are absolutely, positively, without a single, tiny little doubt in mind, completely fine driving RTi12's off of your 605. Quit worrying about it so much, get the speakers, hook them up, and decide if you like them...lol


Don't worry about the fact that some random guy on another message board said it wouldn't be ok. Many of us here have firsthand experience with running 12's off of an AVR(myself included), and you're just fine.

wutadumsn23

LOL Curt, well said.

-Jeff

wutadumsn23

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

But what about what this guy I provided the quote from said about this setup?

Don't sweat it Mike, there are bound to be different opinions on any subject. The only way you are going to settle this debate is to get your ears on them and decide for yourself.

-Jeff

Mike LoManaco

Thanks. I'll report back with results when I'm in the new house.

It's not that I am "worried" about what some "random guy" on a forum has said, it's just that he seemed pretty sure that the 12's are such power hogs that they simply wouldn't be able to be driven by this amp -- he made it rather clear.

I am just wondering why members in here, such as Curt himself, who say they have first hand experience with 12's and AVR's and others who claim they know first hand that the 605 absolutely cannot drive these speakers have such polarizing opinions about this. Furthermore, Curt didn't specify that he has experience driving the 12's with a 605, but with AVR's in general -- unless I didn't read this right? A high powered AVR would be different from a 605, would it not?

Can't you see how this can make someone indecisive, in that way?

comfortablycurt

Mike LoManaco wrote: »

Thanks. I'll report back with results when I'm in the new house.

It's not that I am "worried" about what some "random guy" on a forum has said, it's just that he seemed pretty sure that the 12's are such power hogs that they simply wouldn't be able to be driven by this amp -- he made it rather clear.

I am just wondering why members in here, such as yourself, who say they have first hand experience with 12's and AVR's and others who claim they know first hand that the 605 absolutely cannot drive these speakers have such polarizing opinions about this.

Can't you see how this can make someone indecisive, in that way?

Because some people think that nothing can be driven by anything.

As I, and others, have mentioned here before...if you were using these in a 2 channel setup, being powered by your 605...they would be grossly underpowered. Home theater is NOT very demanding of an amplifier. There are generally long stretches of quieter conversation/discussion etc, followed by brief dynamic bursts.

Some people think that you absolutely have to use external amplification in a HT setup. In my experience, it is nowhere even approaching necessary. Does it have advantages? Yes...but not as much as an advantage that an external amp would make in a 2 channel rig.

I have a friend that owns a pair of RTi12's and a PSW505 sub. He's running the 12's with an old absolutely piece of garbage Sony receiver. It probably puts out less power than your Onkyo.

They sound fantastic too. He also likes to crank music(which is much more demanding than HT) with his rig...at very high volumes. I've yet to hear even a little hiccup from them at high volumes.

As far as different powered AVR's? Generally speaking, if you're driving them with an AVR, you're driving them with an AVR. An 80 watt per channel AVR is going to sound nearly identical to a 120 watt per channel AVR. Unless you're moving up to something like a Pioneer Elite with ICE amps...there is going to be very little to no difference in the internal amps of any AVR.

If you're that freakin worried about it...I'll pull my 606 out of my HT setup, and bring it over to my friends house to hook up to his 12's. Then I'll put on the most dynamically demanding track I can think of and crank the living hell out of it. I'll record it all on video so that you can be sure that nothing will start on fire.:p



I've made every point I can think of to possibly make on this topic, and I feel like I'm just repeating myself here. If you've got any more questions, just start at the beginning of this thread and read through it again...lol

wutadumsn23

LOL, good point Curt. I'm done too Mike, not trying to be a di$# but there are only so many times we can beat a dead horse here. Just to recap.....


YOU WILL BE FINE!!


-Jeff

Mike LoManaco

I hear you all, and I will say this again solely in the interest of recognizing that the statement seems to be doing exactly this: I am not trying to ruffle any feathers or get under anyone's skin here; yet, there are those of you who are getting frustrated to the point that you're saying "I'm done" and "I don't want to be a d!@k but I'm out..." when in a previous reply, you mention "no ruffled feathers here..." so there seems to be a problem. Please, let's just try and work the issue, can we? The goal is not to get upset or frustrated; I am just looking for the right direction, ultimately, and where I would spend the money most wisely -- this is absolutely not liquid spending because as I have said, I just bought a house and we have a lot tied up in it right now. Please try and understand that factor -- the purchase of these speakers is a very big deal to me, and I want to be sure I got it right. I am just asking for a bit of patience; please.

Now, that said, I understand most of you have been saying that the purchase of the RTi12's was adequate even for being matched to my Onkyo 605. I understand you are comfortable recommending this combination. However, I have to say this: The speakers were $399 each, and then I had to pay a delivery fee because they were too big to pick up from the store. This has brought the price to approaching the $1K mark, and I'm simply not comfortable with that. Here's the direction I'm being guided in from people on another forum:

This begs the question. Why buy such a huge floorstanding speaker for your home theater when you are going to probably cross them over at 80hz. You might want to consider 60hz. Even then the RTi12's are more designed for full range output.

Did you look at One Call. They have the RTi8s and matching center for great prices. You could have purchased all three of these and had a new front stage for less than the RTi12's. You could have then sold the older center to help offset the costs even further. In fact you would have saved 100 maybe even 200 and had a much better set up.

This had me very concerned. Does he have a point? Should I, at this point, return the 12's and start looking in a new direction? In the case of value, I'm beginning to think I should just scrap the CSi30 center and start over with a complete matching front stage...

So, I could keep the 12's and see how they sound...or...

-Look towards RTi8's, keeping the CSi30
-Look towards RTi8's, plus getting a new matching center (but this doesn't even make sense, does it? The RTi8, being from an old series, would be fine with my CSi30, right?)
-Scrapping the whole thing and starting over with perhaps a pair of more affordable TSi300's and a new center, OR going with a TSi300 and my current CSi30 center, hoping they'll work together...

At this point, I don't know which to choose; I'm thinking, again, that the 12's are just too much speaker for my setup/needs right now. If I could step down to something that would match my amp and budget a bit better, wouldn't it make more sense to not spend the nearly $1K for the 12's with delivery?

Let's break it down another way...

If I keep the CSi30 center, what will match? Definitely an RTi, we know that, or an RTi-A, right? But what about a TSi tower...these definitely wouldn't be a sonic match, at all, for the CSi? I know Curt and others have already told me that the RTi is the ONLY speaker that will timbre-match the CSi, but would the sound be that "off" by mating the CSi with a TSi, or Monitor?

How much of a "step down" is the TSi line from the RTi or RTi-A?

comfortablycurt

To quote myself...(I love being able to do that:p)

comfortablycurt wrote: »

I've made every point I can think of to possibly make on this topic, and I feel like I'm just repeating myself here. If you've got any more questions, just start at the beginning of this thread and read through it again...lol

Once again...every single one of the questions you've just asked, has already been answered for you. You might want to also read back on the three other threads you've posted on this very same topic.;)

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96930
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97404
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97605
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97734

There. I've posted links to all of your threads on this topic(including this very thread). I don't think there's much more I can do to advise you on this one.

Mike LoManaco

comfortablycurt wrote: »

To quote myself...(I love being able to do that:p)





Once again...every single one of the questions you've just asked, has already been answered for you. You might want to also read back on the three other threads you've posted on this very same topic.;)

I'm out.:)

Things have changed a bit, with the addition of this statement I received from someone; I will quote myself, and him, again:

This begs the question. Why buy such a huge floorstanding speaker for your home theater when you are going to probably cross them over at 80hz. You might want to consider 60hz. Even then the RTi12's are more designed for full range output.

Did you look at One Call. They have the RTi8s and matching center for great prices. You could have purchased all three of these and had a new front stage for less than the RTi12's. You could have then sold the older center to help offset the costs even further. In fact you would have saved 100 maybe even 200 and had a much better set up.

comfortablycurt

The RTi12’s do look imposing with their high power handling capability and multiple drivers, however they are not a particularly difficult load to drive. They are not low impedance, nor low efficiency- which are both factors which make a speaker difficult to drive or “power hungry”. That being said, usually around 100 watts per channel is enough to satisfy most listeners unless you really like to play the system loud.

Is that not the word that you got directly from Polk?

As far as the RTi8's with center being better/worse? Only you can decide that. The 12's are much better speakers than the 8's, and has been mentioned countless times, will match up perfectly fine with your current center channel. As far as the 8's with a CSi3/5 sounding better than the 12's with the CSi30? I seriously doubt that. I used to own RTi8's, and have compared them directly to my friends RTi12's. The 12's walk all over the 8's in every single feasible category IMO.

Wanna try the Monitors/TSi's? Go get your ears on them and decide if that's what you want. Will the Monitors sound "off" with your center channel? Yes. But you may not even notice, or may not be that bothered by it. Either way, center channels can be upgraded/changed.


Point is, you can get all the advice in the world from random people over the internet(myself being one of those random people), but only your ears are going to tell you what the best option is.

Now quit worrying so much about mundane details that don't matter, go listen to some speakers, buy some, and enjoy the freakin things!

Mike LoManaco

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Is that not the word that you got directly from Polk?

As far as the RTi8's with center being better/worse? Only you can decide that. The 12's are much better speakers than the 8's, and has been mentioned countless times, will match up perfectly fine with your current center channel. As far as the 8's with a CSi3/5 sounding better than the 12's with the CSi30? I seriously doubt that. I used to own RTi8's, and have compared them directly to my friends RTi12's. The 12's walk all over the 8's in every single feasible category IMO.

Wanna try the Monitors/TSi's? Go get your ears on them and decide if that's what you want. Will the Monitors sound "off" with your center channel? Yes. But you may not even notice, or may not be that bothered by it. Either way, center channels can be upgraded/changed.


Point is, you can get all the advice in the world from random people over the internet(myself being one of those random people), but only your ears are going to tell you what the best option is.

Now quit worrying so much about mundane details that don't matter, go listen to some speakers, buy some, and enjoy the freakin things!

Will do, Curt. Thanks.