OLD speakers with NEW

pamnyc2008 · November 2007

Hi,

I currently have the RT3 speakers that I'm using as front left and right, and CS center speaker.

What I wish to do is to extend this to a 7.1 architecture. What is the best speakers that I can purchase for the rear sides and rear left & right to compliment the existing setup. Since my current speakers are discontinued, I'm assumming I'll have to select the surround speakers from an existing line. But which ones? I'll be mounting the rear sides on the wall using brackets (not in the wall) and the rear left & right on speaker stands (behind my couch). As a result, I don't want to use speakers that might be too big. Preferably those that are less than 9" in height.

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Must purchase them today..

ohskigod · November 2007

small monitor series will work, but I'd try for the rti4 or 6. new line coming out so alot of rti's are on clearance.

or maybe get RTi towers (RTi8) and use the RT3 for surrounds, then get the upgraded center (CSi5). will be 5.1, but might be a better route sound quality wise.

pamnyc2008 · November 2007

Would the Polk Audio RM101 Satellite Speakers work? They appear to be small enough to mount onto the wall (for rear sides) and fit into standard speaker stands (for rear left and right). The description says they're intended for the RM series but does that mean it's bad for any other polk speakers?

Also, would you recommend Atrium 45s? They're intended for both outdoor and indoor of course I only need them for indoor use. However, most posting show users putting them up outdoors.

If more people can help, I would really appreicate it..

ohskigod · November 2007

the RM's might work (never heard them), but might be too small to balance out with the rest. Also, with the clearance prices on the RTi's I;ve seen posted, you might actually get the RTi line for the same price.

if size is such a big factor, the RM's will work, but might struggle to keep up with your mains at the higher volumes (again, might, not 100 percent sure)
I will say that the RTi line will be closest to your RT line in terms of timbre matching, although will certainly not be spot on.

the RTi4's seem to fit the size requirements, and mounting them on the wall should be a cakewalk.

what are you driving all this with?

pamnyc2008 · November 2007

I'll be driving this with an Onkyo TX-SR505B. I agree that the RTi's might be on sale at the moment but they don't fit the size requirements for the rear sides which need to go near the top, tilted downwards towards the couch and as a result need to be no more than 7 inches in height. The rear left & right could work but this will disturb the visual setting and I would like to keep all surround speakers the same if possible. One other note, I don't intend to blast my speakers to the max. The Onkyo provides 75 watts per channel. I was using a 1200 watt Kenwood receiver before this and never needed all that power (My reason for switching is that although it is a great receiver, it is outdated as it only supports Dolby surround!). With respect to the sound falling off on the RM101, don't most receivers allow you to set the volume of all speakers individually if desired?

I even looked at other brands but am discovering that it's very difficult to find speakers small enough to fit my requirement unless you buy the whole theater system, which of course I don't need.

Finally, do you know the best (cheapest) place to purchases speakers? Amazon has it on sale right now for $78.37 each w/ free shipping.

OLD speakers with NEW

Comments