RT800i vs. RTi70

[PolkThug]

Are the differences between the RT800i and the RTi70 just cosmetic?

[RuSsMaN]

Different crossover, and different tweeter composition.

And yes, the obvious, the 800 looked COOL, the 70 is UGLY. ;)

Cheers,
Russ

[faster100]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
the obvious, the 800 looked COOL, the 70 is UGLY. ;)

Cheers,
Russ

HUH?

They look the same.. better finish outside.. better grill IMHO.. what gives

[Tour2ma]

I'm guessing Mr. Winky-Eye holds the answer to the last question..

[faster100]

Oh i see.. LOL

[RuSsMaN]

Actually Mr. Winky was there to keep the ass-hairs down.

Imo, the current (closeout) RTi line looks like hell. I much prefered the old 'velvin' or valvin (whatever they called it) material on the cabs. The grilles seemed a lot more sturdy back 'then' also.

Not a big fan of neodymium tweets either, vifa or not.

Cheers,
Russ

[HBombToo]

My 800i's are the best ever speaker in audio history! There is no way they can be beat in any shootout!!!!!!!!

:rolleyes:

HBomb:D

[Dr. Spec]

I'll have to agree with Russ, and not because I own them. The RT800i is a nicer looking speaker than the RTi70.

The cabinet finish on the RT800i is more natural looking and less glossy. And the new grille fabric on the RTi70 is cheesy looking.

And just this past weekend, I had tour2 and BDT and Russ over for a shoot-out and they brought the CA's and the DQ-10's and the SRS' and my lowly RT800i's smoked 'em all - hands down and I almost forgot, HBomb was there too as a witness...........and this one time, in band camp, I stuck a flute up my pussy........

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by Dr. Spec


And just this past weekend, I had tour2 and BDT and Russ over for a shoot-out and they brought the CA's and the DQ-10's and the SRS' and my lowly RT800i's smoked 'em all - hands down and I almost forgot, HBomb was there too as a witness...........and this one time, in band camp, I stuck a flute up my pussy........

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Good 1 Doc!:D

HBomb

[polkatese]

waaaaaa.....
that's great, Doc! never seen that Pie' side of your personality...

[faster100]

he's been in rare form.. its great!!!!!

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
and this one time, in band camp, I stuck a flute up my pussy........ ... and that cat never forgave him...

Anyway, I think Russ should be fined for misuse of Mr. Winky-eye...

[TroyD]

Lookit Doc.....

I don't like the black finish (I do like the cherry) and I don't like the shiny grill cloth. I also prefer the flat silver logo as opposed to the plastic bubble colored one.

BDT

[PolkThug]

I guess I'll just have to wait til they are available at CC and listen to them, then maybe use the CC upgrade plan, and trade in my old (by 2 months) RTi70's. I'm not a fan of that "bubble" they put in the middle of the 800's though.

[PolkThug]

Wait a sec! Now there is an "RTi8" which looks different yet. What the heck is going on here?

[jkratzer]

RTi70's rule!

[begbie]

The Rti70's and family look cheaper than the rt800i's line-up.

Polk seemed to "sacrifice" looks for a competitve market. Cheaper grill, bad veneer finish, cheaper price and I don't know why but they got rid of the bevel for their center channel and rear surrounds ?! I thought you were suppose to keep things sonically equal for all speakers ?!

Now with the new rt series coming soon- Polk seems to be going back to their roots. No cutting corners with finish, bolster the build quality, and give it a sexy look!

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Owning the RTi70.

I personally like the grill.

I also like the finish and build quality. Alot of my family members comment on the look of my speakers, which is usually a jaw drop and a half.

I have a RTxxxi grill infront of me, and a RTixxx grill infront of me. I tell ya, I think Polk made the RTixxx grill like that for sonic purposes. The RTixxx grill moves ALOT less than the RTxxxi grill. I mean alot less, which to me would make the sound come through the grills alot cleaner since the grills are not reverberating with the woofer. If that makes sense.

I also like the old RTxxxi look, with the plastic front and back. I like that look over the all wood. However, I like the newer wood over the older wood.

Now the sound, thats a different story for a different time.

Just my opinion, I am very picky with looks, and wouldn't own something that looooooooooooked completely terrible. I like both looks and sounds.

EDIT:

I will say this, by the end of it all, I might end up owning all generations of the RT line up. I may end up with another pair of RT35i or RT35 (I WILL NOT OWN THE RTI38....BLEH!!!!!!!!). I plan to purchase the CSi5 for my center channel, and I don't like the look of the CS400i, and I want cleaner midrange than the CSi40 for my center channel. Just MO.

EDIT #2:
SInce I have seen the new black oak veneers. I will say the RT800i and RTi70 don't own junk to that wood right there. That is some NICE wood they used. Very nice!

EDIT #3:
The grills on the RTi70, I have had them for about a month or so now. I must say, my room is prone to dust and these grills have ZERO dust, hairs, dirt, grime, you name it on them. They are spotlessly clean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now the RT35i needs a cleaning like no other. I think I will go do that now.

- SiD

[hamzahsh]

I love my RT800i too. They are pretty looking speakers. They use Tri-laminate tweeter as opposed to RTi70's Silk Dome tweeter.

In my opinion Tri-laminate sounds better than silk dome. Silk dome is more for HT than Music.

800i's have no harshness. The sound is warm, clear, crisp, bright, clean depends on the type of A/V Receiver or Pre/Pro Amp you use. They are balanced for both HT and Music.

The old RTi line wins hands down!:D

[mjk91383]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
I want cleaner midrange than the CSi40 for my center channel.


What makes you think that the CSi5 will have "cleaner midrange" than the 40?

[TroyD]

Originally posted by mjk91383
What makes you think that the CSi5 will have "cleaner midrange" than the 40?

Good question, actually. I didn't know Sid owned the CSi40. I'm also perplexed in that I'm pretty sure that the drivers in the CSi40 and the RTi70 are the same and the RTi70 seems to be the cat's meow. :rolleyes:

I'd actually say that the grills on the RTi and RT series that I've had actually had sturdier grills than the LSi's (I don't know about the new RTi's) that I have now.

BDT

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Originally posted by mjk91383
What makes you think that the CSi5 will have "cleaner midrange" than the 40?

Because I've heard it ;), and is my opinion. Not a fact.

EDIT: Thing about the CSi5 that the CSi40 took the floor with was the bass. The 40 had much more bass in my op. The CSi5 took the floor in the mids and highs.

Just MO. I have heard the 40 also, of course in CC. So opinions may vary. I heard the CSi5 in Polk Audio HQ in Baltimore.

[TroyD]

RUCY! you got some 'splainin' to do.

Ok, by what I can read, as far as you are concerned, the RTi70 leaves nothing to be desired. Now, take the same drivers, drop 'em into a center channel and now the midrange is muddy?

BDT

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Troy,
You obviously have a low comprehenion skills. I will not comply and shall ignore upon my own request. You obviously did not follow my threads and obviously do not know what I like and dislike in this moment in time.

I personally feel the RTi70 has MUCH to be desired for, where as the stacked combo has much less to be desired for. The entire speaker sound is altered. The brightness of the 70 is smoothed out between the different drivers. The sound is much cleaner and more natural. I also made a post about the RTi Driver Materials in this part of the forum. To me the ixxx series has a very enclosed sound, with a ton of slam, which to me has its own appeal. Where as the RTxxxi line was more open and detailed, with a crisper sound, but not as smoother in some respects to the ixxx line.

I personally would have taken the RT800i over the RTi70 anyday of the week if the 800i came with a full 5 year warranty.

[TroyD]

No, I think my reading comprehension is just fine and I seem to be able to keep my story straight.....

I refer you to this thread in which it seemed like a pretty ringing endorsement of the the RTi70:

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11618&highlight=RTi70


Best of the RTi line? No mention or suggestion of midrange muddiness? Are we talking about the same speaker?

But, what the hell would I know compared to a 14yr old, eh? Oh, and I suggest you ditch the attitude, son. I'm just asking questions about the obvious disparities in your stories. If you don't like it or can't deal with it, don't let the door hit you in the ass.


Troy

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

No need to explain myself. I am writing an updated review later on this month, will make sure to keep you posted oh so mighty Troy.

My replacement RT35i tweeter is here. Goodbye

[TroyD]

I didn't realize that so much had changed in, what, two whole weeks?

Hey, you are the one that's laying all this stuff out there, I'm just asking for some clarification is all.

Troy

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

It's been over a month, and yes. Things can change in a month.

I'm gone, if you need to talk to me - Screen name is listed in profile. I see your online.

- SiD

To me the ixxx series has a very enclosed sound, with a ton of slam, which to me has its own appeal. Where as the RTxxxi line was more open and detailed, with a crisper sound, but not as smoother in some respects to the ixxx line.

[mjk91383]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
To me the ixxx series has a very enclosed sound, with a ton of slam, which to me has its own appeal.
Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
The RTi70 is a more wide spread speaker, as it can easily fill my entire room with sound.

Enclosed? Widespread?

Wow, sounds like a lot can change over the course of a month or so.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

You don't understand. Have you ever heard a RTxxxi speaker? I know every owner of them that switched over to the newer line knows what I am talking about that thinks something is missing.

I have a RTxxxi speaker sitting directly on top of my RTi70. I will say this in the most un-harmful fashion I can manage. The RTi70 has gotta have the driest sounding midrange, along with EVERY RTixxx line. You hear reviewers saying "Far away, dull, forgotten, not exactly with you." When reviewing the RTi150, thats because that one mid-bass has gotta be the most enclosed sounding, blanket-covered sounding mid-bass I have heard. The RTi70 has a very forward sounding mid-bass, and also at the same time has that muffled sound. However I will say this, the soundstage is mostly on the outside of the speaker, IE: More side based that center based unlike the RTxxxi speaker. The soundstage is not as pin point, however I did describe it as pin point accurate, which it is in vocals. Just when I pulled the RT35i out on top of it (Yes, being one only) the soundstage was so much more center based even with one on, the opposite type of soundstage follows the RT35i though. Very center based, and not so outter based.

The overal tonal quality of the RT35i over the RTi70 is tremendous! I mean huge! If you could just hear how much cleaner, cirsper, open the RT35i woofer sounds than the RTi70. Although, at the same time, with the dual mid-bass they both gain the same clearness to an exstent, however still has that same overall quality of enclosure.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the RTi70 sound, I still do. It has its own appeal as I said. I just like the way the RTxxxi and RTixxx compliment each other while working together. The results to me are fabulous!

I'm sorry to say, why do you think the RTixxx line didn't last long? Wouldn't Polk change the line because it didn't sell. I mean really, 1.5 years? From seeing what I saw at their HQ, they must have went straight into R&D on the line coming out right now, as soon as they released the RTixxx line, or soon after. That just tells me something that they didn't like how something went.

The above post may make people mad. I don't care, I honestly don't. I've made fewer and fewer post on this forum each day, and today is an exception to absence.

I like the sound of both lines, but they each succeed where the other falters.

Now, I made this post trying to make it the most unholing post, that is complete in hopes that Troy will just get off my back. It is my opinion, nothing more. If you feel different, great.

[organ]

Sid,
If you find the mids too "dry" sounding, a change in amp or pre amp can really juice them up. I started listening to my 800i again using the ASL pre and NAD amp. Now they sound much better than before when I tried using them with a NAD pre and amp.

Maurice

[RuSsMaN]

Blah blah, blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah.

[bigsexy1]

Uhhhhhh, OK. Whatever you say.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

No way I can switch my amps out. You wanna talk about a pocket drainer...lol

The Adcoms are very powerful sounding, known for crisp clear mids and highs...no? I found them that way with the RTxxxi line, possibly not with the newer line. BS seems to like the Adcom on his RTi150. I dont know, that might be the problem. I would borrow some other amps, but the only amps around me in availibility are Adcoms. Dad owns 3, I own 3. he owns a 50 pound Yamaha with 300 watts of power. That might just eat my speaker alive right there! lol!

Thanks for the suggestion, will have to look into. I plan to buy a Rotel integrated from a forum member here around summer time. Will test it out on the Polks to see how it sounds on them also.

[RuSsMaN]

You slated to bag ATC's broke-dick Rotel? Good luck, he's had TONS with it.

Can't wait for your updated, yet inconsistent NEXT review. Keep us posted.

Oh, and BLAH BLAH BLAH, blah blah.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Havn't bought it yet, but I plan to. It will run the Advents perfectly for what I use them for.

Russ,

There is no next review. Don't worry.

Was't it you that said the RTixxx line sounded like dog sh**? Im about sure it was you on messenger that did, because I talked to you about what speaker to chose. Yep, seems your opinion has changed also eh?

[organ]

The Adcoms are great amps. You might want to take a look at the source or pre amp. All the amp is going to do is amplify the signal you feed it. Feed it some nice, warm and juicy sound from a pre and it's going to amplify warm and juicy sound.

Maurice

[RuSsMaN]

Where did I say my opinion changed? I don't like the current RT line *at all*, dogshit? Well I've never crammed speaker wire into a fresh turd and listened, so I don't know. Is it the 'old' RT sound? No.

With ATC's Rotel clipping, and checking out early / dropping a channel on the SDA 2b's, and blowing a midbass on the LSi9's, what the hell do you plan to do with it on Original Advents? Please say 'use it as a pre-amp only, with a Hafler 500 for an amp'.

You crackpot.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Yeah,
Only problem with that is preamps are expensive to. Only thing I can upgrade this year and the years to come are speakers. Very soon I am going to have to worry about insurance and gas.

My upgrades are looking to be this right now...

1) Pay off Dad
2) SVS PCi 20-39 (M&K is sold) - IXOS wire for left main
3) RT35i or RT35 for surrounds
4) (If needed) CSi5 with another Adcom GFA-545 II to power it.
5) IXOS wire for center channel
6) Depends when I get it all, and what my funds are. If I am doing good, then I may get a preamp. Will let you know.

Thanks for the suggestions. After selling off most of my audio gear, I am trying to slowly build it back.

Russ,
If your opinion hasnt changed, then stop messing with mine.

If the Rotel can't mingle with the advents, I have an adcom I can run with them that my Dad isn't using. We have Adcoms everywhere. Don't worry.

BTW- EDIT: The Advents are hardly ran over 40db. I think the Rotel can manage that...no?

[bigsexy1]

Sid, my Adcoms are the newer generation than yours, and a lot of people (myself included) feel that the older generation was "brighter" then the newer ones. I also have an old 535. The newer ones do seem to run hotter, even when driving highly efficient Klipschs. However, they will give my 150s the kick in the ass that they need.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

The newer versions are alot more expensive. With the price half the newer version, I'll stick to the old ones. Unless you know of some killer deal that I don't know about. The newer Adcom amps, the 50 watt amp went for the price of the 545.

[walk]

I think if you can even see the speakers at all, the lighting in your viewing room sucks! :)

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

That, and the camera has a terrible flash.

[TroyD]

OK Sid, I'm going to take this step by step to try and make you understand WHY we think what we do and why your posts are viewed is inconsistent.

You don't understand. Have you ever heard a RTxxxi speaker? I know every owner of them that switched over to the newer line knows what I am talking about that thinks something is missing

I don't see this as the 'AVERAGE' opinion. It might be yours but don't find it to be the 'norm'.

The RTi70 has gotta have the driest sounding midrange, along with EVERY RTixxx line.

Then we have...

To me the ixxx series has a very enclosed sound, with a ton of slam, which to me has its own appeal. Where as the RTxxxi line was more open and detailed, with a crisper sound, but not as smoother in some respects to the ixxx line.

Maybe it's the way I read it, but it sounds like you are contradicting yourself.


The overal tonal quality of the RT35i over the RTi70 is tremendous! I mean huge! If you could just hear how much cleaner, cirsper, open the RT35i woofer sounds than the RTi70. Although, at the same time, with the dual mid-bass they both gain the same clearness to an exstent, however still has that same overall quality of enclosure

and from another post:

The RT35i sounded kinda trapped within the box when doing male, or female vocals. The RT35i did male vocals kinda like listening to a singer with major alergies. Male vocals are also where the Infinity fails. Anyway, back to the Polk. The Rti70 does the vocals with a high sense of force. IE: In your face and all over the place. At times, I was tempted to pull out a measuring tape and measure the vocal height and then go to the bands website and see if the height was right. Because that is just how pin point accurate the RTi70 is in the sweet spot. The RTi70 just really lays it down infront of you and lets your ears mingle with it

Ok, so which is it? Again, sounds to me like you are contradicting yourself again. Sure opinons change but we are talking complete 180 turns here.

I'm sorry to say, why do you think the RTixxx line didn't last long? Wouldn't Polk change the line because it didn't sell. I mean really, 1.5 years? From seeing what I saw at their HQ, they must have went straight into R&D on the line coming out right now, as soon as they released the RTixxx line, or soon after. That just tells me something that they didn't like how something went

That's just normal business....the original RT line was out about 2 rs, then the RTi line was out a while....it's natural progression. It's just the way the system works.

The above post may make people mad. I don't care, I honestly don't. I've made fewer and fewer post on this forum each day, and today is an exception to absence

Obviously you do care. I understand you are 14 BUT this is a board inhabited by adults, that's just the way it is. It's not Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood. You want to post your opinions, be prepared to support and explain your positions. Otherwise, don't post.

Now, I made this post trying to make it the most unholing post, that is complete in hopes that Troy will just get off my back. It is my opinion, nothing more. If you feel different, great.

Now, the first part I don't understand but I'm not on your back. I just made some comments and asked some questions. I do that a lot. If I find something inconsistent, I ask. If you feel persecuted, that's not the intent. HOWEVER, I was not rude or did I ridicule your intelligence. YOU are the one who starts out with the attitude and challenged my reading comprehension skills. Apparently, there are a few others who feel the same way about your posts.

Troy

[TroyD]

I'd also (after reading F1's comment somewhere else) like to add that I do think Sid is a nice kid and has a lot on the ball. I'd really like to think what I'm offering here is some constructive criticisim. I don't want to run him off or piss him off, I just think if he slowed down a little and put more thought into his posts....

BDT

[bigsexy1]

"The RTi70 has gotta have the driest sounding midrange, along with EVERY RTixxx line. You hear reviewers saying "Far away, dull, forgotten, not exactly with you." The RTi70 has a very forward sounding mid-bass, and also at the same time has that muffled sound. However I will say this, the soundstage is mostly on the outside of the speaker, IE: More side based that center based unlike the RTxxxi speaker. The soundstage is not as pin point, however I did describe it as pin point accurate, which it is in vocals. Just when I pulled the RT35i out on top of it (Yes, being one only) the soundstage was so much more center based even with one on, the opposite type of soundstage follows the RT35i though. Very center based, and not so outter based.

The overal tonal quality of the RT35i over the RTi70 is tremendous! I mean huge! If you could just hear how much cleaner, cirsper, open the RT35i woofer sounds than the RTi70"






I thought the 70 was supposed to be just the greatest speaker ever in the history of the world by anybody, ESPECIALLY on midrange. What's up with that?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Troy,
All your posts are taken in with care.

BS,
Your post are read with an attitude of your name initials. Pure BS.

Now back to Troy,
I will post back with my direct comparison, I will take direct notes, infact - I will scan them of what I think each sounds like. I will spend 1 week listening to the RT35i, 1 week with the RTi70, and 2 weeks with the stacked combo. Not in any particular order. I will try my best to describe exactly what I am talking about. My opinions change often, I think I found the combination I like though. The RTi70 and RT35i mixed is a great sounding setup. To me.

BS,
The 70 is not the greatest speaker in the world. The greatest sounding speaker I have heard is the SRT and the Wilson Audio X-1.

Troy,
I understand why you want answers to my opinions, and I will definetely try to answer them. Right now it is hard to explain, so I will try my best when I get my review on. Also, I am sorry for all things that I have said the past couple of days. It has not been a good week for me. Please forgive me.

Will keep ya'll posted.

[wlrandall]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
My opinions change often

That, my friends, is the absolute fault in subjective ratings. We have battled this for years with what we refer to as "jury tests" where up to four people sit in a car and give their ratings for NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Peoples ratings can change drastically for the silliest of reasons. Mood swings, big meals, Friday afternoon, hangovers, you name it. All these things and more affect what we think sounds good or bad when the truth is nothing has changed. We have gone as far on numerous occasions to not make any changes to a vehicle at all; perform one test in the morning and repeat it in the afternoon. Guess what?? Totally different results just because they thought it should be different and therefore it must be when in reality nothing changed at all. Silly humans...

Wally

[SteveH]

Audio opinions are notoriously subjective. Blind tests have usually shown people to greatly overestimate their ability to discern differences accurately.

The Classic ABX tests:
http://www.pcavtech.com/abx/abx_data.htm
Hard to say those cables opened up the soundstage when you really can't tell the difference.
I also remember a Stereo Review test which showed trained listeners could not tell the difference between amplifiers. Created quite a ruckus-needless to say that isn't done much anymore since the manufacturers pay for ads.
Or when Consumer Reports did a double blind test and downrated Bose and got sued.

Certainly speakers sound different, but which is more correct? How do you know? Your opinions change because you change. You may prefer certain colorations. All speakers butcher the sound pretty badly compared with amps, cables, etc. Its very difficult to choose. Even comparing side by side with level matching is suspect due to knowledge of the choice. That's why pharmaceuticals are double blind tested. I personally find reviews of audio equipment to be pretty much worthless-almost everything is somehow very highly rated-more so if it is very expensive.

[dan t]

Blind tests have usually shown people to greatly overestimate their ability to discern differences accurately.

No kidding. I replaced my Toslink interconnect (between the Sony DVD <-->Sony TA-E9000ES) for a Belden 89259 with Eichmann Bullet Plug's only to find the Toslink revield more Bass.
Maybe the coax needs a 'burn in' time or maybe I should listen "thinking" the 89259 should sound better.

Dan