Polk RT55i vs Current Polk Class

[sleeby]

I bought my fronts and center about two years ago and am finally adding in the surrounds - just bought a house.

I have an Onkyo TX-SR600 receiver
Polk RT55i fronts
Polk CS400i center

I have been very happy with all three speakers but may decide to upgrade the two fronts at this time and move them to the rear - or not.

Can anyone give me a rough estimate as to where in the current crop of Polk bookshelf speakers the RT55i speakers would best compare? It seems as though the RTi6 is at the price point to be the replacement for 2002's 55i BUT it only has one 6.5" woofer and the 55i's had two.

In fact, until you start looking at the LSi9 pair there are no Polk bookshelfs with dual 6.5" woofers - and the LSi9's are about $900 per pair and so about twice the cost of the 55i pair I have.

Would the single 6.5" driver RTi6 be an actual upgrade from the dual 6.5" driver RTi55?

Hell, moving up the ladder even further to $700 per pair would the LSi7 be an upgrade from RT55i? It would appear so from the price tag as the RT55i set were around $450 per pair IIRC. This would mean moving my dual 6.5" drivers to the rear in favor of a single 5.25" driver. . .doesn't add up to me.

Help?


Thanks for your time either way.

[Zero]

Sleeby,

If you have a local CC nearby, check to see if they have a pair of Rti-6 bookshelf speakers available to demo.

For theater, the Rt55i may be difficult to beat. The LSi-7 is meant for quality over quantity. Its a completely different type of sound, demanding higher-end electronics.

[disneyjoe7]

Are you looking for just bookshelf speakers? If not I think the RTi70's would be a sweet match for what you have.

[PolkWannabie]

Sleeby,

If you go to the LSi's for the fronts then you'll want to get a new center as well so that your front sound stage is timbre matched.

How 'bout either another pair of 55's or a pair of floor standing RT800i's both of which show up on eBay from time to time (The 55's more frequently).

[spyderman]

If you're comparing RT55i's to the new line of RTi's, I think you will be quite disappointed. I wouldn't change a thing about your setup. I truly love the 55's... If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

IMHO, the new line or RTi's is too bright until you get up the RTi12's. Now there's a speaker I'd love to have in my setup! Otherwise, I don't know what Polk was thinking when they were developing the new RTi series... Those 8's why oh why?

Put your money where you will see the best improvement, like a new reciever. Your 600, while a good reciever, doesn't have Pro Logic 2... Depending on your budget, you can p/u a Onkyo 601 for about 350 on eBay. The newer recievers are spectacular... This alone will be a huge improvement. (This is my next upgrade... Along with an overhead projector by Sony or Infocus... They do HD and look spectacular!)

If you do anything, I'd definately recommend adding some rear surrounds, i.e., FX500i. Also a sub too... They like the SVS here... Again, most improvement for your home theater.

Regards,
Spyder

-----------------------------

RTi70 - Front
Csi40 - Center
Rti38 - Rear
PSW650 - Sub
Sony STR-DE 1075

[tonkovich]

I've actually read that the new RTi series is less bright than the previous line. For example, a pair of RTi8s should sound more like RT800is than RTi70s. I haven't auditioned them yet so I'm basing this only on what I've read. Also, some people have said that the new center (CSi5) is more clear sounding than the older center.

[sleeby]

Thanks for all of the advice so far. The Onkyo SR600 is a newer model (2002) and does support PL2. I am kinda house-poor now and have no surrounds nor Sub so the receiver is not on my to-do list. The sub is scheduled for late Summer or Fall so I’m not looking at that this go-round either.

It looks like my options right now are:

1) Spend ~$700 or more on a pair of newer model Polk Towers (ie: RTi8 or Rti70) and move the RT55i pair to the rear.

2) Get a used pair of matching towers for my set such as the RT800i and move the RT55i to the rear (I dunno - $500?).

3) Pick up a second pair of RT55i used from Ebay for the surrounds - ~$400?

4) Get a pair of current model dipole/bipole surround speakers such as the FXi5 for ~$500 a pair.

5) Get a pair of Rti6 for the rear and leave the front as is: ~$375.

I forget anything?

At a glance I may be leaning toward option #4.

[sleeby]

Between my above options #4 and #5 (or all of them really), music is a big concern. I don't know how often I would care to listen to music with more than the left/right fronts but in case I do like it I would like for the surrounds to be along for the ride. . .

Would option 5 therefore be better than option 6 for me or would the FXi5 pair work just as well with music?

[spyderman]

You're right... the 600 does have PLII. My bad... Always double check those sources...

Anyway, the problem you're getting into with options 4 & 5 is with the timber matching issues. The tweeters in your 55's don't match the new tweeters in the new RTi series found in Circuit City.

I like your idea of 70's in the front and 55's in the rear. I almost did that myself, but I got a spectaular deal on the 38's... You can score a pair of 70's on eBay for about $350-450 + shipping.

But in fact, the 800' are a better match. I'm sure you could get away with the 70's. Some people claim the 55's are even better than either 70's or 800's. It's a preference thing.

If you go to Polk's "Recent Products Library" you will find surrounds that will match your 55i's, i.e., F/X500i or F/X300i.
http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?recent=1&category=6

Good luck and enjoy your purchase! It's like Christmas in spring time!!

[Loud & Clear]

My opinion is to keep the 55i's right where they are, I think they sound better than the 800i's or any of the RT(i) towers that I've heard. Pick up some RT35i's or f/x500i's for your surround or rear speakers. Just my opinion.

[PolkWannabie]

Although I thought you had originally stated that you wanted to move the 55's back and get new mains, when I reread your original post I'd have to say that L&C's suggestion sounds the best to me.

[sleeby]

Cool. I'm almost at a decision - thanks everyone for helping me get this far. For a system being used equally between HT and music and with

Polk RT55i mains
Polk CS400i center

up front - would you:

A) Add another pair of 55i to the rear

or

B) get a pair of dedicated surounds such as the f/x500i or FXi5?

[Zero]

When you go, go all out - I would add some 55i's to the rear. So long as your room can manage directional speakers, you should be good!

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by sleeby


B) get a pair of dedicated surounds such as the f/x500i or FXi5?

I wish I could answer this now but I'll have to waite a few weeks... Soon I'll be able to comment between the 500i's and my 55i's but at this point I will say my 55i's have never let me down in surround or main duty and the only reason I'm purchasing the 500i's is I want to compare.

HBomb

[SONYTHEATER]

Sleeby, IMO you should hang onto those 55's. I myself am useing RT55i's all the way around with the CS400i center & couldent be happier with them. I would hunt down another pair if you could for your rears, or mabey a pair of 35i's or FX500's.
Just IMO & not trying to get anyone P'd off, I think the build quality alone of the older lines are much nicer than that of the current models. I like the look & the sound of the newest line RT models but I just dont think there put together quite as nice.

[fgr41]

I'm going to go with the majority here as well. Keep the 55's and find either a pair of 800i's for up front or a pair of 35i's in the rear. Stay with the same line if you can.

[sleeby]

Thanks again everyone for the advice. I lost an Ebay auction for a pair of 55i at 4:00 this morning. . .oh well, there'll be a next time.

Last question - if I got a pair of RT800i floor standers would I be a freak for putting those in the rear and leaving the RT55i as my mains?

[SONYTHEATER]

About the only differance you might notice is the 800i's will play a bit lower than the 55i's. I really dont think you would ever really notice much at all if you done it that way, unless you had you mains set to large. If that was the case I would put the 800i's up front without a doubt.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I'm sure this has been mentioned, but why not get a pair of 35s for the rear, may be a cheaper solution and sound really good...

[VR3]

The 800i has been said to have 'boomier' bass than the 55i

I would keep the 55i, and get the 35i as the surrounds. The 35i is a beast all on its own in 2 channel...amazing lil speaker!

For what you can pick up the 35i for against the 800i........I would go for the 35i

[disneyjoe7]

I have my RT800i for my back surrounds :p

But I have bigger fronts RTi150's. Love it.

So I say ok, RT55i for 2 channels then the RT800i for HT rears. Say give it a shot you may like that.




>>Last question - if I got a pair of RT800i floor standers would I be a freak for putting those in the rear and leaving the RT55i as my mains?<<


:p