Which center and surround to match RTI12s?

virgil
virgil Posts: 3
edited July 2009 in Speakers
Hi
I currently have a pair of RTI12s and a PSW650 amp. My amp is a Harman Kardon AVR230 (I realize this will become my weak point, but want to finish my speaker system first).
I am looking for a Polk center and a pair of surrounds to round out my system. I mostly watch sports, classic and heavy rock concert DVDs and host loud late night Rock Band after bar parties. :)
I have premium cables and a conditioning power bar.
Since Polks are relatively affordable, I would say budget is not a problem - I just want the best match available.
I hope that is enough information.
Thanks very much for your input!
Post edited by virgil on
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  • SivaNevets
    SivaNevets Posts: 303
    edited July 2009
    CSIa6 center,
    FXi6/ RTia3 as rear.
    RTI12 works on your AVR230?
    Front: Martinlogan ESL
    Center: Martinlogan Stage
    Rear: Martinlogan Motion 4
    Sub: Martinlogan Grotto-I
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC 1523K

    PC 2 Channel: Polk LSI7
    Headset: Grado RS2 + Grado RA1 amp
    Mic: Neumann KMS605

    Car Audio
    2002 MB C240 Sedan
    MM6501 components
    MM840 sub
    MB Quart Onyx 4.60 (1/2 to components, 3/4 bridged to sub)
    Pioneer 8200BT HU
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  • virgil
    virgil Posts: 3
    edited July 2009
    Thanks for the quick reply! Those are the speakers I was hoping would match since they are available at Future Shop here in Canada.
    The RTI12s sound fanatastic. I am sure a better amp (or two?) would make them even better, but I am never disappointed.
    Just curious - what would be a good amplifier match for a decent budget - say $1500?

    p.s. - that would be a PSW650 sub, not amp in my first post (typo), but I am sure you guys figured that out anyway.
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  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited July 2009
    as long as you are happy with HK, that's all that matters...
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
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  • Lib0rat0r
    Lib0rat0r Posts: 28
    edited July 2009
    I have RTi12s and have them matched as originally designed by Polk. I love the system! The RTi12s were predecessors to the newer RTi A9s. If you want a perfect match, you can buy the other predecessors:

    Center: CSi5
    Side Surrounds: FXi3 or FXi5
    Rear Surrounds (For a 7.1 channel setup): RTi4 or RTi6

    Or you can go with the newer models as mentioned in the above post: Center CSi A6, Sides FXi A3 or A6, and RTi A1 or A3 for rears.

    As for amplifiers, I highly recommend Emotiva. They are very solid, well-constructed, and reliable amps which have been received excellent reviews from everyone I have talked to that own them. Not to mention, they are the most budget-friendly amps you will find that are brand new. Check them out at www.emotiva.com. I'm sure other forum members will share similar opinions
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  • SivaNevets
    SivaNevets Posts: 303
    edited July 2009
    maybe u want to wait for a better deal, i just picked up a pair of RTI6 for $200 CDN (after tax) and CSIa4 for $200 (after tax) about 10 days ago @futureshop as they went on sale.
    ur AVR doesnt have preout (so mine doesnt lol) that may be a problem
    im curious if its possible to biamp the front channel RTI12 (a9) with a seperate amp and receiver WITH NO PREOUTs?
    damn it would be awesome if i can upgrade to A9 somedays without throwing away my receiver.
    Front: Martinlogan ESL
    Center: Martinlogan Stage
    Rear: Martinlogan Motion 4
    Sub: Martinlogan Grotto-I
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC 1523K

    PC 2 Channel: Polk LSI7
    Headset: Grado RS2 + Grado RA1 amp
    Mic: Neumann KMS605

    Car Audio
    2002 MB C240 Sedan
    MM6501 components
    MM840 sub
    MB Quart Onyx 4.60 (1/2 to components, 3/4 bridged to sub)
    Pioneer 8200BT HU
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  • virgil
    virgil Posts: 3
    edited July 2009
    thanks for the help guys.
    I think I am going to go with a pair of FXiA6 for the surrounds and CSIa6 for the center as options in Canada are limited for buying older models, unless ebayers are willing to ship to Canada, which they usually don't.
    I will check ebay for the the RTI6 and CSI5 before heading to my Future Shop salesman. Thanks for the price input. He should be giving me a deal after buying a couple plasmas this week, plus I have a good idea of cost after buying the RTI12s and PSW650 direct from the Polk rep...
    either way can't wait to hear the finished system!
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited July 2009
    SivaNevets wrote: »
    Your AVR doesnt have preout (so mine doesnt lol) that may be a problem
    im curious if its possible to biamp the front channel RTI12 (a9) with a seperate amp and receiver WITH NO PREOUTs?
    damn it would be awesome if i can upgrade to A9 somedays without throwing away my receiver.

    +1, if your AVR doesn't have pre-outs then you won't be able to add an external amp. While the 12's don't necessarilly need an amp, it would def. help bring them to life a bit more. The Emo is one option to help solve this problem, but with no pre-outs on your AV that will not be an option for you. I would recommend spending some of the cash you wanted to spend on an amp to upgrade your AVR, one with pre-outs for an amp will run you in the neighborhood of $500-$600. I would recommend the Onkyo TX-sr806, but I am a little biased to that unit since I own one, HK, Yamaha and Pioneer also make some affordable AVR's with pre-outs but I don't know enough about them to recommend them. The SC05/SC-07 (Pioneer) have been geetting rave reviews lately, but that one is more in the neighborhood of $800-$1,000 respectively or higher. Just my $.02, and welcome to Club Polk.
    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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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited July 2009
    The HK 230 will work fine as a pre/pro if you don't need the hi rez codecs. Emotiva is a good suggestion, but there are lots of used amps out there that will do the job.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • Lib0rat0r
    Lib0rat0r Posts: 28
    edited July 2009
    SivaNevets wrote: »
    maybe u want to wait for a better deal, i just picked up a pair of RTI6 for $200 CDN (after tax) and CSIa4 for $200 (after tax) about 10 days ago @futureshop as they went on sale.
    ur AVR doesnt have preout (so mine doesnt lol) that may be a problem
    im curious if its possible to biamp the front channel RTI12 (a9) with a seperate amp and receiver WITH NO PREOUTs?
    damn it would be awesome if i can upgrade to A9 somedays without throwing away my receiver.

    Don't forget you can sell your old AVR on Craiglist or Ebay or something of the sort.

    The most inexpensive receiver with pre-outs is going to be the Harman Kardon AVR 254, which can be had easily for $200 to $250. You can get one directly from Harman Kardon through their Ebay store...it is factory refurbished or remanufactured, but it's coming directly from Harman Kardon and carries the original factory warranty.

    Moving up from the AVR 254 will require you to spend more...but you also get more. There are a lot of solid Denon and Pioneer receivers out there. If you were to ask me what is the best DEAL right now...I'd say the Pioneer SC-05 which can be had for as low as $700 is an absolute steal given its ICEamp technology and features. It was $1800 MSRP...thats over 60% off. I picked one up myself and love it
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  • SivaNevets
    SivaNevets Posts: 303
    edited July 2009
    Lib0rat0r wrote: »
    Don't forget you can sell your old AVR on Craiglist or Ebay or something of the sort.

    The most inexpensive receiver with pre-outs is going to be the Harman Kardon AVR 254, which can be had easily for $200 to $250. You can get one directly from Harman Kardon through their Ebay store...it is factory refurbished or remanufactured, but it's coming directly from Harman Kardon and carries the original factory warranty.

    Moving up from the AVR 254 will require you to spend more...but you also get more. There are a lot of solid Denon and Pioneer receivers out there. If you were to ask me what is the best DEAL right now...I'd say the Pioneer SC-05 which can be had for as low as $700 is an absolute steal given its ICEamp technology and features. It was $1800 MSRP...thats over 60% off. I picked one up myself and love it

    thx for the great info, i still can return my denon to get the full money back before 19th. ill do some research on the Harmon Kardon AVR 254, how do they sound compare to Denon AVR 789 (advantage/ disadvantage)? I really like the Audyssey auto setup on Denon, should be really helpful for beginers like me.
    Front: Martinlogan ESL
    Center: Martinlogan Stage
    Rear: Martinlogan Motion 4
    Sub: Martinlogan Grotto-I
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC 1523K

    PC 2 Channel: Polk LSI7
    Headset: Grado RS2 + Grado RA1 amp
    Mic: Neumann KMS605

    Car Audio
    2002 MB C240 Sedan
    MM6501 components
    MM840 sub
    MB Quart Onyx 4.60 (1/2 to components, 3/4 bridged to sub)
    Pioneer 8200BT HU
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