RTi8 or TSi500?

[stlrkn@55]

Would like some informed advise, I currently own a pair of RTi8's and am thinking of purchasing a pair of TSi500's to replace them with. My question is am I going to improve my system with the 500's? I also have a CSi3 center channel speaker and PSW505 sub.

[Lietuvis91]

"Improvement" is hard to define. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

I think an RTi to Tsi swap is nearly a step back. But first you might want to figure out what it is you don't like about your RTi8s and see what speaker has that "feature" that you are missing. Maybe there is something you can do to make the RTi8 sound like you want?! Each speaker has a purpose, and they are all different. So first figure out what it is you are missing what what you are trying to accomplish. Then we might be able to give you some ideas. :wink:

[B Run]

I have Rti800's in my living room and had monitor 60's in my theater for a while before getting my Rti8's. I know the Tsi500's are better than the Monitor 60's, but I think you'll be disappointed. Your center would no longer match, you'd lose that high end sparkle and nice midrange. You might get more bass with proper power but i'd take better quality sound any day. Just my .02

What are you powering them with, how big is your room and what do you use them for? Do you feel like your're lacking with the Rti8's? It helps people get a better idea of what you want.

[nhhiep]

good move if you're into music more than HT. For HT, Rti series is the best you can get from Polk, even better than LSi.

[cnh]

It would make more sense to step up a model or two in the RTI or RTI-A line. At least to the 10s or the A7s.

If it were me, I'd save my pennies for a 'real' upgrade to the Rti-12s or Rti-A9s!

Moving to TSI-500s is, at best a lateral move--if that?

cnh

[jbooker82]

Larger speakers from a lower line up is not an upgrade. I would take a pair of RTI A3's over the TSI500.

[Joe08867]

I actually prefer the TSi line to the RTi lines. I feel the RTi's are way to bright sounding and best left to HT at the most.

The TSi line is much more musical IMHO.

LSi's would be a better move if you could swing it.

[Lietuvis91]

Again, I still think to give him advise you would have to know the intended purpose. If all he wants to do is bump to his favorite hip/hop station, then he should leave all those alone, and get bose 301s, as in my opinion they outperform even the lsi line of speakers, for that purpose.

[mufsoman]

Stlrkn - I had Rti8's before my current Rti12's and demo'ed the Tsi500. Side by side, the Rti8 were a better sounding speaker. In my opinion, the tsi500's seemed to lacked mid range. The Rti8's with a sub sound much more full. My set up is used 100% for HT. As others have suggested, I would stick with your Rti8's or if upgraditis is itching, then get the best speaker you can afford in the Rti line, 7, 10, 12 or 9. Of course then you can upgrade to a Csi A6, and then there's those surrounds.......

[MrGlobe]

I would keep the rti8's. I had the Monitor 70 which is pretty similar to the 500 and it was a nice speaker, but nothing amazing. Depending on what you are already running, I would put the money into a new amp/pre/dac