difference between R20's and R30's?

PhantomOG · August 2003

right now I can get a good deal on some R30's but I don't know if they are worth the effort. I currently have R20's as my front mains and from looking at the specs, the R30's don't seem like a worthwhile upgrade.

i'm really tempted to because its a great deal on the R30's but will I actually notice a difference between the two?

RuSsMaN · August 2003

Go listen to them, report back.

VR3 · August 2003

I heard the R20......I hope the R30 is better. All I can say.:cool:

Loud & Clear · August 2003

I heard the R20......I hope the R30 is better. All I can say.

~~ They probably sound a hell of lot better than some blown out RT35i's. Show the gentleman some respect, young man.

VR3 · August 2003

He asked, I shared. I was not impressed with the R20. Although for the bottum dollar. I preferred them over any other bookshelf.

My RT35i, is not totally blown out. Only 1 tweeter.

R series is for the bass head and the dude that wants good sound on a budget. I have never listened to the Towers. But they are loud as el.

Hey Dude, IMO all da way. Watch EBay for a Monitor 7, Monitor 5. They go for like 100-150. Same as the R20. Much better. IMO.

The R30 will sound better, play louder, and have more impact. Why? Because it has double the cabinet space. if you can get a good deal. Jump on it...

but my 2 cents and a half, get the Monitor series on EBay. Much better and goes for about the same price. Before Russ pipes in, I have never heard or seen the Monitor series. Going basically on recomendations. The R30 looks to be a good speaker, can you get a good deal on the R50? Hope this helps...

RuSsMaN · August 2003

Ok, let me get this straight.

You are recommending speakers you have never heard, and not recommending a speaker you haven't heard either?

You haven't listened to the towers, but the are loud as *hell*?

Why did you post again? What exactly did you 'share'? (other than a big bag of nothin)

dorokusai · August 2003

I will presume that you are thinking new and not vintage. The R30 is a nice entry level tower. You will get more out of the R30 than you do with the R20, period.

The R50 is an even better choice if you are able to get the same type deal. The R50 will make you even happier, more bass, fuller sound.

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

ken brydson · August 2003

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Ok, let me get this straight.

You are recommending speakers you have never heard, and not recommending a speaker you haven't heard either?

Why did you post again? What exactly did you 'share'? (other than a big bag of nothin)

And you're suprised because......................?:rolleyes:

PhantomOG · August 2003

thanks everyone for your advice... didn't mean to start a war.

i do not know much about speakers so i was merely asking for advice.

i want to stick with polk, i have a Csi30 center, R20's mains, and surounds/center surrund ripped from a Polk home-theater in a box. i know this isn't the greatest system in the world and i never claimed it to be (i choose to spend money in on other things).

so anyways, I can get a pair of R30s for about 100 bucks right now, and was just wondering if i bought them and moved my R20's to the rear surrounds would i notice much of a difference. the place i'm buying from doesn't have R20's in stock so i can't listen to them side by side without actually buying them first so that's why i'm asking for opinions.

i would much rather have r50's but the price jumps up to 400 for the pair and i'm not quite ready to spend that much on speakers

well, thanks again for any advice.

VR3 · August 2003

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Ok, let me get this straight.

You are recommending speakers you have never heard, and not recommending a speaker you haven't heard either?

You haven't listened to the towers, but the are loud as *hell*?

Why did you post again? What exactly did you 'share'? (other than a big bag of nothin)

*********R SERIES OWNERS BEWARE********

I have heard the R20. Can you not read? I heard it, and I do NOT want to hear anymore R series. I heard them, I clearly wanted to put a Jensen grill on it. It had NO highs. Sounded like a hollowed out tree stump with a 3 inch Bose subwoofer built in. It played loud as hell and sounded like literal crap! I hated them and never would purchase them or anything. I heard the R20 and never thought to listen to the towers. I recomended the R30 to be nice, and if you wish to get me for that. Go eff off. The RTi38 costing less is a better choice. IMO again. The R series sucks, but beats most in that price range. Although that isn't saying to much. The comparable RT15i can whip the R20. IMO again.

********R SERIES OWNERS MAY READ NOW******

I was posting mainly because I am bored. I shared my ensight. The Polk monitor series are highly praised, so i recomended them. For the same price they can rule the R series. IMO again. Goodbye!

RuSsMaN · August 2003

Phantom, $100 for a pair of 30's? That's pretty much a no-brainer. At that price, you should be able to un-**** them fairly quick if they don't blow your skirt up. (you might even make a couple bucks)

How do you like the sound of the CSi30? Do you like the RT series at all? Another option would be to go listen to the RTi's, pick a model you like, and watch the prices drop - then jump before they are gone.

Then you could move your 20's to rear duty. I've seen the RT600i (will also mate well with your CSi30) going for $200/pair or so every now and then on the slightly used market.

Don't be afraid to jump at the deal in front of you though, but do it if you really want them, not just to band-aid your audio sores for a short time. I'm a firm believer that you can have *anything* you want, as long as you are willing to wait.

Cheers,
Russ

dorokusai · August 2003

Yea I agree, for $100 bones, its just principle that should make you buy them.

Russ is dead-on, since you have the CSi30, make sure theres nothing laying around in the RTi series. It will match up very nicely with your center. The R/ RTi lines are really displaying some nice prices.

Shizelbs · August 2003

Well, I would like to defend the R series just a tad. True, they are not that great of speakers compared to the RTi series. But, also true, they are great for the money, especially if you can get a good deal on them. For the price, I recommend them. If you have more money to spend, awesome, and get some better speakers.

Why do I have them? Well, I had some money after a birthday, and decided that I have always loved music, and always will. So why not get some decent speakers I thought. Compared to what I had, have had, and what my friends have, the R series are awesome. I still really like them. And until I get out of school and land a job that pays some money, I will continue to like them and have the best sound system of anyone that I really know.

Had I known how much I like having HT, I would have saved my money and gone better. Do I consider getting the R's a mistake? No, but, if I had to do it over again, I would be saving my money like crazy to do better. Furthermore, its hard to justify paying graduate tuition with this HT hobby.

So, yes, the R's do suck, compared to obviously better speakers. But, for entry level buyers, like I was, I think anyone would be really happy with them.

jkratzer · August 2003

I've heard the R20's & R30's in the CC listening room. The R20's sounded like the sound was coming out of a box with the lid closed. The R30's sound more full. Then I listened to the RTi28 and there was no comparison. The little RTi's blew the R's away in sound quality.

Since you have a CSi30 already, how about getting a pair of RTi28's for mains. The system will sound better and be timbre matched. Put the R20's into rear duty.

fireshoes · August 2003

I like the R series also. I don't think you can really do better for the money....especially at $100 for a pair of R30's!

malikarshad · August 2003

I have heard R30, R50 and had a chance to get home a try it out. R50 are much better than R30. But for 100 bucks i would jump on R30. But if you have a chance to get any Rti series speaker for a little more than buy that as they will match with your Csi30.
Good luck & welcome to the forum

faster100 · August 2003

I had r15's and they sounded great to me, The 20 im sure is even better.. the 30 Tower would be a great upgrade for you..

gotta keep things in perspective, If someone is just getting into the audio thing, The R series is a nice starting point.. everyone gave some nice suggetions.. at $100 bucks can't be beat..

Move those 20's to the surrounds and the towers (30's) upfront and have a nice setup.. the Csi30 is a nice mid center... only thing better is the csi40 center which is very nice and i have owed both..

Eastern · August 2003

I used to have R30s in the front powered by a Panasonic receiver, I was more satisfied with it than RTi70s. The reason being that the RTi are more power hungry that the Panny just can't give, the RTi is less forgiving. With the R30, the panny is always cool to touch, not with the RTi70.

In anycase when I had the R30s a year ago (for 150) I was happier than a hog in mud. For 100, it's a no brainer. Maybe get a few more pairs and sell them to us on this board

PhantomOG · August 2003

Originally posted by Eastern
I used to have R30s in the front powered by a Panasonic receiver, I was more satisfied with it than RTi70s. The reason being that the RTi are more power hungry that the Panny just can't give, the RTi is less forgiving. With the R30, the panny is always cool to touch, not with the RTi70.

In anycase when I had the R30s a year ago (for 150) I was happier than a hog in mud. For 100, it's a no brainer. Maybe get a few more pairs and sell them to us on this board

really?? i had actually just convinced myself to not buy the R30's and wait and get some RTi70's. now i wonder if my receiver is stong enough to power RTi70's? i have an onkyo TX-SR600.

faster100 · August 2003

That receiver has plenty of power, just about "any" Updated receiver should push the 70's.. aside from some componet "all in one cheapo's" They take power but not that much of it to make them work and sound good... Regardless of the Receiver at lower volumes(on a cheap receiver) the 70's should out shine the R30's 10 fold!!

Eastern · August 2003

You have to understand that the Panasonic I have is a real POS. The highs will crackle when I have the volume slightly to the loud side. And there just isn't enough current to drive the lows. It wasn't a problem on the R30s because it is way less demanding.

When the volume is on the softer side, RTi sounded better than R30. Although the Panny still heats up. Now thinking back, my speaker loads have changed dramatically, so it might not be totally due to the RTi70s.

I had R30s in the front and dinky HTIB cubes for centre and surrounds.

Now I have Polks all round, Rti70 in front, R30 surrounds and CSi30 in centre. So it might be the loading on all channels causing the heating up.

Shizelbs · August 2003

Originally posted by PhantomOG
really?? i had actually just convinced myself to not buy the R30's and wait and get some RTi70's. now i wonder if my receiver is stong enough to power RTi70's? i have an onkyo TX-SR600.

If I remember correctly, there are at least a couple members here that have both the Onkyo 600 and the RTi70's. I believe that should be a fine setup.

phuz · August 2003

Can you say "bang for the buck"?

My first Polk speakers were R series, and I loved em. For the price, and for what they are, they can't be beat.

MX equating any Polk speaker to Bose? C'mon man. When you heard em were they hooked up to an Aiwa boom box or what? :P

VR3 · August 2003

Actually......

I think they were hooked up to a BOTL Sony.....

That could explain something

hljones821 · September 2003

I have 4 R30's with a Csi175 center driven by a Denon 1803. I have a Sony sw-WM40A Sub. My friends that have 5 times the cost invested are amazed that my system sounds better than theirs.

I don't think it is possible to beat R30's for the price, if you watch moves and listen to pop, rock, or smooth jazz, you'll be happy. Save up and evolve into RTi and LSI. Im evolving to an SVS sub soon.

kingtut · September 2003

The R50 was on sale about 1.5 month ago at Fry's for $200 per pair (3rd time on sale w/in the last 4 months). The R50 is a big improvement over the R30, for only $100 more when you catch it on sale. The RTI 70 is much better than the R50, but it costs substantial greater than $200. Phantom, if you're on a bugget, save your $ for the R50, and I'll inform you when it's on sale again at Fry's.

PhantomOG · September 2003

Originally posted by kingtut
The R50 was on sale about 1.5 month ago at Fry's for $200 per pair (3rd time on sale w/in the last 4 months). The R50 is a big improvement over the R30, for only $100 more when you catch it on sale. The RTI 70 is much better than the R50, but it costs substantial greater than $200. Phantom, if you're on a bugget, save your $ for the R50, and I'll inform you when it's on sale again at Fry's.

haven't updated anyone but thanks for the advice.

i've actually decided to wait and try to get a pair of RTi70's. I've been watching the sales at Fry's for the past several weeks and it seems like they've put every other Polk speaker on sale but the 70's here in Austin.

i almost caved in last night and bought a pair of RTi100's since they were so cheap at Circuit City. I could have gotten the display models for ~$340/pair. I didn't like the idea of buying the display models because of some minor cosmetic damage, no carpet spikes etc. But what really stopped me was listening to the RTi100's and RTi70's side by side. The 100's were definitely more "boomy" but the 70's just sounded so much cleaner and crisper in my opinion. Hopefully I can find some 70's at a decent price before they are all gone and the new line fills the stores. The sales guy at Fry's last weekend told me he was pretty sure they'd have the new Polks in "a couple weeks".

kingtut · September 2003

Phantom, the RTi 100 is on sale today at the Southern California Fry's for $500 per pair. Check out the Texas Fry's to see if they have the same sale.

PhantomOG · September 2003

already checked. only thing on sale in austin is the PSW202 for 129

oh well, maybe next weekend.

PhantomOG · September 2003

so i caved in to my desires and bought a pair of RTi70's this weekend. i listened again to the RTi70's and 100's next to each other at CC and prefered the 70's.

i'm really impressed with the improvement in sound of my R20's which are now relegated to surround duty.

how should I setup the RTi70's though? currently they are fed through my sub (small Polk sub that came in a home theater set) and my onkyo txsr600 is set to large speakers for the front.

what's the best way to setup my speakers? i have an onkyo txsr600, CSi30 center (set to large or small??), RTi70's (direct or from the sub?), R20 rears (again, large or small??).

faster100 · September 2003

Rti70's wired straight from the receiver with speaker wire and set to small, sub connected with a sub cable from sub out on the receiver, center set to small.. rears set to small.. front mains set to small with sub set to yes.. calibrate with a sound meter and internal test tones.. you should be good to go

difference between R20's and R30's?

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