RTI Line - 8vs10

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Hi guys,
Thanks for the recent help on my amplifier's power question.

I'm looking to upgrade my Monitor 50 (FL FR) and CS1 for something a step up.

I've been reading up on the RTI8 and RTI10. The RTI12s are a bit out of my range.

For $400/pair the RTI8s seem like a good buy. This upgrade will be used for movies and TV. Probably 80% movies/tv and 20% music/gaming.

I will most likely purchase an SVS PB1000 (the 2000 is too big in the room).

Room size is 19x10x9. I sit about 8' from the towers/center.

Any advise or personal experience would help. Which is the better option for movies/tv?

EndersShadow · December 2014

First no such thing as "too big for the room". If it was me the SVS 2000 would be what I get. You can always turn down the gain on the sub if its too much.

And TBH without knowing what your running reciever wise, the BEST bet for me would b the RTi8's like you said. They will be MORE than capable of handling the frequencies you need them to (down to ~80hz) where your sub can take over.

The 10's are nice, but for mostly HT the 8's do exactly what you need and save you some dough (so you can get the SVS 2000).

Make sure to go with the CSi5 center as well. You want the BIGGEST BADDEST center in the line so thats the CSi5.

For surrounds at a later time I'd move to the FXi surrounds as they will be good, but matching surrounds (while important) isnt nearly as big a deal as making sure your front 3 speakers are all from the same line.

Happy hunting

PS check the Polk eBay site, they tend to have those pop up quite often and they are cheaper (since they are refurbs) BUT still have a one year warranty (v 3 years new).

Plus I "think" if your a Club Polk member you might get a discount but I dont know that as gospel, but it would be something to ask about.

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Hi thanks.

Sorry I forgot to add:
Receiver - Pioneer SC-1523-K

When I said too big, I mean physically too big. I'll double-check the dimensions though.

I plan on the CSi5 too.

Will the 8s have better clarity than my Monitor 50 towers?

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Also the price difference between the 8s and 10s are only $100 for the pair.

Currently on Polk's eBay store:
RTI8 = $399/pair
RTI10 = $499/pair

I've read that the mids on the 8s are better than the 10s... Which is important for movies.

But if I'm going to set a crossover of 80hz... does it make a difference?

I'd prefer to have the SVS take over.

EndersShadow · December 2014

cowboydude99 wrote: »

When I said too big, I mean physically too big. I'll double-check the dimensions though.

Gotcha.... you can put the sub in just about any corner, your not really locked into one location.... and if thats a problem look at their cylinder subs (PC-2000 link here). Take up less width and depth just a LOT taller... Their are some older models out there too you could likely find as well if the PC-2000 isnt your cup of tea

cowboydude99 wrote: »

Will the 8s have better clarity than my Monitor 50 towers?

Yes

cowboydude99 wrote: »

Also the price difference between the 8s and 10s are only $100 for the pair.

Currently on Polk's eBay store:
RTI8 = $399/pair
RTI10 = $499/pair

I've read that the mids on the 8s are better than the 10s... Which is important for movies.

But if I'm going to set a crossover of 80hz... does it make a difference?

I'd prefer to have the SVS take over.

Honestly if the price diff is 100 bucks it wouldn't hurt to go with the 10's, but honestly I'd save the money and go with the 8's. The 8's are going to be easily powered by your AVR, the 10's start to get into the you may want to buy a 2 channel dedicated amp territory.

When you set your crossover at 80hz what that means is that at that frequency your AVR starts dropping the power of the signal by 12db (dont quote me on that figure) at that point, your speakers will still play sounds below 80hz, just less and less the farther down you go.

I think the 8's will save you a bit of cash which is never a bad thing, but if you are going to wonder "what if" later on, the 10's should be able to get quite loud on your reciever as well.

Neither is a bad choice its more of preference. I would prefer to go with the 8's and spend any extra on making sure I got a big bad sub, and maybe looking at replacing your surrounds at the same time if your 5.1, or adding another set to go 7.1, etc...

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Yeah that's the thing I'm confused about.

I don't want to just get the 8s and then wonder if I should have gotten the 10s... however then I read that for movies/tv the 8s are better in the mids.

Hard to say, since I can't audition them.

All my wiring is in wall... so I'm somewhat limited to placement for the sub.

Before wiring the sub cable in wall I did a placement test and determined it to be the best place.

MADGSF · December 2014

I would go with the 8's and a good sub. For what you are doing in that size room they will work great.

EndersShadow · December 2014

cowboydude99 wrote: »

All my wiring is in wall... so I'm somewhat limited to placement for the sub.

Before wiring the sub cable in wall I did a placement test and determined it to be the best place.

Gotcha. Look and see if the cylinder subs from SVS might work better. They are around 16" in diameter

I'd agree the 8's are likely the better bet for your room size. But again for 100 bucks you make that call, either will be VERY good.

If you can do it, I'd go with the biggest baddest sub you can. If you can do the PC-2000 awesome, and if you can do the PC 12 Plus I'd do that too (but its quite a bit more).

The PC-2000 is a good fit for your room if you have the height to get away with it.

jeremymarcinko · December 2014

Most of the Rti's on Polks eBay store are new not refurbished and they have the full warranty.

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Yes I noticed they are new.

I think the 8s are the way to go. Can anyone confirm if the 8's mids are better than the 10s?

Since the 10s have more low end, this won't really be an issue since the sub will take over.

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Also, FYI- Club Polk is for parts only. I just received an email with the info.

jeremymarcinko · December 2014

If you can't swing the 12's than I would get the 8's. The crossover point on the 10's for the two 7" woofers is 125hz leaving the single 6.5 to handle every thing from there clear to 2700hz. In addition the 8's, like the 12's and csi5, uses the "cascade tapered array" crossovers that improves the mid range response. If you are patient I have seen the 12's go on sale on the ebay store for $599 a pair, but no knowing when that will happen again.

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Great info. I'm just trying to confirm that the 8s will be better for my usage... Movies/TV...

With the RTI8s is there a recommended cross over? I would play around with it a bit, but obviously don't have them yet.

The SVS PB1000 is what SVS support recommended for me.

EndersShadow · December 2014

The recommended crossover for most movies/tv shows/gaming is going to be 80hz. You can go lower but with the SVS sub no point in doing so.

French_guy · December 2014

cowboydude99 wrote: »

Great info. I'm just trying to confirm that the 8s will be better for my usage... Movies/TV...

With the RTI8s is there a recommended cross over? I would play around with it a bit, but obviously don't have them yet.

The SVS PB1000 is what SVS support recommended for me.

You can't have 100% certitude anyway.....since you can't audition them and do a side by side, you have to go for 1 model and call it a day
Some will tell you they like their 10s, some will tell you the 8s are the best, and others will tell you it's better to get the 12s. And they will all be right, since it's their speakers and more importantly, their ears
The thing I've learned reading that forum though is that the 8s (or A5) are easy to drive, and a decent AVR will suffice. The 10(A7) or 12 (A9) are more power hungry
I was in the same boat 2 weeks ago, and i finally ordered the RTi A5 to replace my TSi300, without being able to audition them......(after asking a lot of questions

)

cowboydude99 · December 2014

How do you like the A5s?

French_guy · December 2014

Did not test them yet......They are stored in the basement, need to wait Christmas!!!!

cowboydude99 · December 2014

Haha something to look forward to! Nice.

koosimre70 · January 2015

Én az RTI 10 tudom ajánlani!

mrloren · January 2015

Do you have a Fry's close by? They carry the older RTi line in some stores.

A few weeks ago I had a long lunch and we went to the San Marcos store and kicked back and did a full review of the RTi8, 10's and 12, hooked to the same AVR and the sales guy who was having fun with us tossed in the TSX550t. On just AVR power and no sub all of us agreed that the 12's are best followed by the TSX550t. The TSX550t actually had a nice warmer sound than any of the RTi hooked into the Yamaha AVR. The 10's and 12's need more power.

Me, I like my RTi8's sweet spot for my crossover is 60hz with my HSU VTF2. Movies are great and music is awesome. Crossover setting depends a lot on room size and placement of the sub.

koosimre70 · January 2015

A házimozi rendszerem, nekem nagyon jók a Polk.

msg · January 2015

mrloren wrote: »

The TSX550t actually had a nice warmer sound than any of the RTi hooked into the Yamaha AVR. The 10's and 12's need more power..

Side note - nice. I always wondered what the TSX550's sounded like compared to the RTi10's and RTi12's.

I had a hard time driving my RTi10's to my satisfaction with testing with a few different current (as of last winter) higher power AVR's, but it was the music quality that was killing it for me. For tv/theater, I thought they did pretty well.

That said, if you haven't already made your purchase, I would agree with what Enders said and go with the RTi8's, the CSi5 (I had this with my 10's; it was great) and the best sub you can afford. the RTi10's can crank, but you'll need a lot of power to drive them properly and even that nice Pioneer AVR you have won't really run them to the level they're capable.

anonymouse · January 2015

I have the 10's. They do need a lot of juice. That said, when powered properly, they have a bone crushing theater effect. Sorry to confuse the issue here. If you intend to stay with that receiver for a while, the 8s and a good sub will be your better option. Actually, you could even do the RTi6's, which are some of my favorite bookies. The thing you will get with the 10s is the feeling like you got brand new speakers when you eventually upgrade to a beefier receiver/amp. They will open up.

seabeerob213 · January 2015

Get the 8s, and down the road move up to the 12s and 8s to surrounds

mr2686 · January 2015

I'll throw in on this one. I have the RTI8's and the CSI5 and did extensive listening tests at the local Fry's between them and the 550T and the RTI4 and RTI6. The 550's were definitely warmer, and initially very impressive, but after listening to multiple selections, they sounded more colored and showed some weaknesses that I didn't like (also I didn't feel they were worth the asking price, which was a lot more than the 8's). The 8's, to me, sound much more like a live performance every time I listen to them, which I really love. By the way, I really liked the RTI4 and 6 also, and decided to go with the 4's for my surrounds since they have a similar sound as the 8's, but just a little less detailed.

cowboydude99 · January 2015

Thanks for all the feedback.

I ended up getting the RTi8s and CSi5.

I'll be looking to upgrade my Monitor30 rear/sides for RTi6s later on, after I upgrade the sub. SVS-PB2000 or Rythmik LV12R.

mrloren · January 2015

cowboydude99 wrote: »

Thanks for all the feedback.

I ended up getting the RTi8s and CSi5..

Good speakers, I wish I did not have to sell my CSi5 but it wont fit in my TV stand. that is one big center speaker. They sound so sweet with a good sub.

voltz · January 2015

I know how you feel there mrLoren, I had to get the CsiA4 center over the 6 as it would have never fit into my system until I mount my TV on the Wall then I could put one on top of my stand.

RTI Line - 8vs10

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