Am I Crazy? Going back in time... TSi series to RT Series

[jemrey81]

So I currently use a CS10 for my center and a pair of TSi100's for my fronts and a psw505 sub... no rears (3.1 system).

I just bought some RT16's from a garage sale and am now picking up a CS400 this weekend to match the RT's.... this setup will actually end up costing a lot less then the set up above. am I crazy doing this? am I going backwards? I feel like it should have better sound quality in the end, but I am starting to have a hard time getting rid of the CS10 and TSi100's. I know once I get the CS400 home I will know if I am making the right decision, but I don't want to be making the wrong decision and not find out until later... if that makes sense.

Everything I have read says that the CS400 is an amazing center channel and that the RT16's are great too.... but most of that info is from years ago.

Any thoughts on keeping the TSi 100's and trying to use them for rears? My living room layout is not an easy one for rears, but I might be able to figure something out...

[falconcry72]

You're not crazy. The RT-16's were, and still are, an excellent speaker. Those 16's and 400 should sound better than your TSI's and 10.

As for the surrounds, I'd try to find a pair of the original LS/FX's that were made to match the RT's, but in the interim you could certainly use the 100's.


Get the 400 home, and then see what sounds better to your ears.



Cheers, and congrats. Those 16's are sweet.!:cheesygrin:

[cfrizz]

All that matters is how it sounds to YOUR ears. If you like the older setup better than that is what is right for you.

[falconcry72]

and it's not really even a fair comparison.. the rt-16's retailed for close to a grand, and that was 15 some odd years ago.

[nhhiep]

for HT, I am not surprised with your move at all. Did you know what RT stands for Reference Theater?

[cnh]

No, you're not going "crazy"...remember, TSI-100s are Polks "entry" level speaker today. The RT-16s were "far" from "entry" level in their day. Besides the 100s are merely a 10+ pound two way bookshelf vs. a 56 pound three driver floorstanding speaker--not a fair comparison. You're good!

cnh

[VR3]

If the RT16 didnt wipe the floor with the TSi400 I would be a little upset...

[DSkip]

If the over abundance of SDA's and Monitors owned by our members don't put your mind at ease, I don't know what will. Newer doesn't always equate to better.

[drselect]

If you are looking for some rear speakers might want to check into these LS/FX
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?132119-LS-FX-INFINITY-EMIT-R-s-RT-FX-parts-XLO.........
(not affiliated)
I am running the RT16 with a cs350sl and LS/FX for rears in my HT.

[jemrey81]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys!! it really makes me feel a little more comfortable :)

drselect - thanks for the link! I just scoped out my living room area trying my hardest to find a spot to either wall mount or put some rears on stands and I just can't work them into the room :(


While I was looking around, I noticed that the CS400 won't fit where my CS10 is currently at..... is there any reason I shouldn't place my tv directly on top of the CS400? The base of my LCD is just a pinch smaller than the CS400, so I know it will fit on there just fine - I am just unsure as to if this will affect the sound or the picture quality in any way. I can put some rubber pads on the bottom of the CS400 and on the bottom of the tv base so there is some "cushion". What are your thoughts on this?

[ravaneli]

no, you Are crazy!

[rooftop59]

Depends on how heavy the tv is. My older LCD is kinda heavy, but a lot of the newer ones are super light. I certainly wouldn't place a 50+ lb tv on it. But it's a big speaker with dual rear firing ports that benefits from having room to breathe, so if setting it under the tv gets it out of a smaller space it actually might some better.

[rooftop59]

And seriously, the tsis look cooler, but other than that your new older speakers are superior in every way.

[tonyb]

Don't put the tv on the speaker, you can make a small stand to fit over the speaker with basic wood and hardware from Home depot. We have a thread somewhere on center speaker stands, do a search and take a look see.

[jemrey81]

Thanks guys... the TV is closer to the 30 pound range, but I will do a search on the topic and see what I can find about center channel stands (sucks the one I have won't work).

[cnh]

Seriously. Even "I" could fashion a center shelf, 3 pieces of wood, some stain and braces? And I got a D in wood shop one semester. Of course that did not effect my 4.0 GPA because it didn't count! I was just "bored" with shop classes. But most guys here got the As there!

cnh

[jemrey81]

I'll see what I can do... I don't own any wood working tools, but I know some guys that do ;)

[Slinger182]

Get something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Wood-Technology-Adjustable-Component-TVRISER-2/dp/B004B39OEA/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336670010&sr=1-9

I've definitely seen them around for a lot cheaper than that one though.

[steveinaz]

All that matters is how it sounds to YOUR ears. If you like the older setup better than that is what is right for you.

+10. perception IS reality.

[ravaneli]

I still insist that your are crazy!

[jemrey81]

I still insist that your are crazy!

Well, then let's hear your side.... I don't mind :)

[falconcry72]

...I noticed that the CS400 won't fit where my CS10 is currently at...

Have you bought the cs400 yet??? If not, you should seriously consider the the cs-350ls, like drselect mentioned above, if it will fit.

It's shorter than the cs400, but wider. It measures 25 x 11 x 6.5.

It's a great center, and it matches those rt16's perfectly.


I might even have an extra one laying around...:wink:

[ravaneli]

Well, then let's hear your side.... I don't mind :)

oh, no, you are right about the speakers; i just got that feeling when I read your post : )

[jemrey81]

oh, no, you are right about the speakers; i just got that feeling when I read your post : )

Touche ;)

[jemrey81]

Have you bought the cs400 yet??? If not, you should seriously consider the the cs-350ls, like drselect mentioned above, if it will fit.

It's shorter than the cs400, but wider. It measures 25 x 11 x 6.5.

It's a great center, and it matches those rt16's perfectly.


I might even have an extra one laying around...:wink:

Keep talkin Falcon.... I was under the impression that the CS400 was the matching center - is that incorrect? I haven't purchased the CS400 yet. Is that your CS350ls on ebay?

[tonyb]

The cs400 will match fine, and in my opinion is a step up from the 350. Not that the 350 is bad, just that I always liked the 400 better. Just my opinion on it is all. Either one will work out fine for ya. Incidently, a good thumbs up on going the route you are over the tsi's. Not a big fan of that series if you can tell. Keep trying new things, you'll discover a world of sound available to you that many never care to seek out.

[falconcry72]

They both match. I've never heard the 400. Some who have heard both like the 350 better, some like the 400 better. My 350 is not listed anywhere.

[jemrey81]

Thanks Tony and Falcon! I will keep an eye out for the CS350LS, but I doubt I will find one locally before Saturday when I will be checking out the CS400. If you have one and want to send it to a good home you can pm me with the details ;-)

For what it's worth, I would have to change my current TV riser with either one.... so that's not really a deciding factor.

[jemrey81]

Ugh.... sad news. I did some more testing with the RT16's and another one of the woofers is going bad - scratchy at lower volume.

I returned them to the previous owner - he told me when I bought them that if there was any issue with them to return them to him.... he hasn't had them plugged in for a few years.

I really appreciate all your help and advise, and I am SUPER bummed that I had to return them..... But I bought other speakers - to be cont. in another thread :)

[ctransj]

I still have an extra woofer that I bought the whole set from member here.
let me know if you need one but I need to find it first.
I have two pairs of RT16 and I am still struggling why I spent money on the new Lsi15.

[tonyb]

I have two pairs of RT16 and I am still struggling why I spent money on the new Lsi15.

The RT16 and the LSI 15 are in two different classes. If your not tickled pink with the 15's over the RT's, then we have to ask what gear your driving them with.

[falconcry72]

The RT16 and the LSI 15 are in two different classes. If your not tickled pink with the 15's over the RT's, then we have to ask what gear your driving them with.

Owned both, and I agree 100%.

[jemrey81]

I still have an extra woofer that I bought the whole set from member here.
let me know if you need one but I need to find it first.
I have two pairs of RT16 and I am still struggling why I spent money on the new Lsi15.

Thanks for the offer, but I already got rid of the RT16's.... I couldn't justify putting that kind of money into them not knowing how long they would last and the condition of the cabinets was pretty poor.