Polk R300 - Good Tower Speakers for Fronts?

TShand
TShand Posts: 32
edited April 2009 in Speakers
Hi there!

I currently have the RM85 series of speakers for surround sound (using two RM8s for the fronts, and two RM7s for the rears).

I have been looking for a good set of tower speakers to swap out for my fronts - and then I'll move the RM8s to the rear so I can go 7.1.

Question is - are the R300s going to give me better front sound than the RM8s? They are on sale for $188. I do already have a PSW125 for low end stuff - I'm just looking for something that is a little better in the mid-range (the high end sounds on the RM8s are good, but the mids are weak).

Any thoughts? I don't want to spend a fortune on new fronts - just wondering if these would be a good option.

Thanks!
Travis
Post edited by TShand on
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    I should also note there are a pair of TSi300s for $440... Would these be a better choice?

    Travis
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    Hi Travis,

    What are R300s, I don't see those listed anywhere.

    Also regarding the TSI-300...nice entry speaker with strong mids! But I would suggest saving some dollars and getting the predecessor M50s now selling for 260 a pair plus shipping from www.jr.com supplies are limited. That will add the mids you're looking for at a budget price. Also check the link above for Polk's Direct Ebay site for value speakers.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    I think the R300s are an older speaker that are on a clearout price...

    I would look into the whole online thing - but I am in Canada... And the online stuff is a bit of a pain for us Canucks once you factor in the dollar difference and shipping... I'll keep my eyes peeled for some M50's though... There were some M20's for sale locally as well.
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    HEre's the link to the R300s on sale...

    http://visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?menuId=368&categoryId=159&productId=4408
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    Yeah shipping across the border a problem for sure, sometimes.

    The M50s are pretty much the TSI-300s with a front port rather than a down-firing port and updated cabinetry. They're a speaker a lot of people here probably cut their teeth on as a first Polk buy. You'll still need a sub of course, but they're clean and can play quite LOUD. And they're discontinued so you're bound to get a better price on them if you can find a pair. The should compliment what you have quite well.

    The M50s, I'd say are better than the M20's.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    My mistake,

    The R300s are, indeed, newer versions, probably of the M20s--they're still in production, I just wasn't familiar with them. Yeah I'd still consider the M50s or TSI-300 over them.

    Also are your prices of 440 for the TSI in Canadian dollars because I'd have to convert that to see if that's a good price. 440 U.S. is too much.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    Yeah - the 440 is Canadian... They aren't really as "on sale" as much as they could be.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    I'd say 365 or less Canadian would be a 'nice' price...at 440 they are a bit below the normal U.S. MSRP though.

    Among other things I own, I have a pair of TSI-300s and they are a nice speaker for HT...

    Good Luck,

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited April 2009
    Just Close your eyes and order R300, very high value for what you pay, if you close your eyes and listen you will assume you are listening to a very high end speaker, but need to be complemented with a Sub. Save the extra what you save for a good sub.
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    I already have a PSW125 Subwoofer - would that pair well with the R300s? And will the R300s sound better than the RM8s I am currently using?

    The good thing about the R300's would be I'd be able to upgrade my center to something better too...
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  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited April 2009
    That will be perfect and R300 will be much more better than RM8, I gifted a pair for my brother and its just amazing how it bemeans some of the competing brands which are priced twice or thrice.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77134&highlight=diy+r300
    have a look at the link
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    The RM8s are satellites, right? Then yeah the R300s will sound a lot better. They're a good speaker...(The tweeters on the M50s/TSIs though are a bit better). PSW125 works well with either speaker.

    You don't have to worry about matching a sub to speakers as a rule. And the 125 is good enough for filling in the low end for either the R300s or the TSIs...

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    YEah, the RM8's are the sattelites... So right now I have the RM8's in the front, and the RM7's as the rears... And then the RM8 Center.

    If I upgrade to the R300's (which are $188 for the pair) , and pick up a CS10 Center (right now it's $202... Would it hurt to wait for it to go cheaper?), and then move my RM8's as surrounds - would that make for a fairly decent 7.1 system?

    Thanks for all the help on this, by the way.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    I think you'd be Ok with that, the satellites will work well with the R300s, probably similar tweeters, etc. And the sub will fill in nicely...you can upgrade later, when you're ready. But you should be happier with this configuration.

    BTW did you mention what's powering the system?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    I did not mention that... Everything is hooked up to a Yamaha HTR-6080... Running a Ps3 fro Blu-Ray via HDMI, and a HD Satellite Box via HDMI.... As well as a 360 via component and optical cable.

    The RM8's do sound great - but I guess I'm just looking for a little bit more oomph.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    That's a pretty good receiver and the R300s might be a good choice for that because Yammies can be a little 'bright' sounding! Certainly good power and lost of DSPs. You sound good for now.....

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited April 2009
    Wow no ones telling him to talk to fry's about shipping the r50's ?

    http://shop1.frys.com/catreq/-10260

    In cherry but 167 canadian....could not be more than 100 to ship.
    Retired Onkyo 520 (returned broken HK 247)
    Now a Pioneer 1018
    CSi3
    2- RTI10's
    2- R50's
    2- Fxi3's
    Onkyo 250W Sub
    Polk psw-10

    "Inch by inch lifes a cinch, yard by yard life is hard"
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  • TShand
    TShand Posts: 32
    edited April 2009
    The deal at Fry's is good... But they won't ship them to Canada. Not those ones that are on sale, at least.

    Ended up passing on the R300s for now... Going to keep my eyes peeled on the R50's for a while, see if they come down in price.

    Thanks for the feedback everyone!
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