If not Polk, then...

[idealty]

Hey guys. I'm curious to know what other speaker brands you guys like for home theater. If you didn't have polk, what would you have? (At any price range)

[idealty]

Also, I'm looking for a pair of rti4s. The cheapest I've seen them is $259.99 for the pair. Anyone know of anywhere i may find them cheaper??

[venomclan]

Hi,
I now use B&W. I love their air and precision. At any price... the best speakers I have heard to date are the Sonus Fabre Cremonas ($8000/pair) driven by a Krell 5 channel 125 watt amp and Home Theater Standard. Smoothest I have ever heard.
Best Regards,
Jeremy

[VR3]

For theatre........ONLY, no music?

Def Tech, without a doubt. (built in subs in about ALL their speakers, bipolar (huge soundstage), basically built for HT - yet still sound good for music)

For music and theatre -- hmm, not sure?

Axiom possibly, Athena?

[F1nut]

I'll second the Sonus Faber Cremona's, but for 2 channel. A total waste for HT, IMHO.

[shack]

For STRICTLY home theater I would second the B&W line. The 300 series with their new DM309 floorstander, the DM303 for sides/rears and the LCR3 would make a very good, reasonably priced HT setup. A step-up to the 600 series would also make a nice HT setup. The forward and very detailed sound of the B&Ws (the qualities that I don't care for in a music system) would make an excellent HT system IMO.

[Zero]

To me, it just doesnt get much better than Polk for theater. It has spice, can handle volume well, clear, dynamic, powerfulll.....

The only runner up in the price range I would consider for THEATER only would be Klipsch Reference (I tread lightly there, as I havent heard it for myself).

[Dr. Spec]

Klipsch Reference - killer for theater.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Klipsch Reference - but only if you dig the sound. Klipsch has a very aprticular sound to it, you either like it or hate it. It that's your thing, the Reference series is awesome for HT...a bit too fatiguing for music IMO...

[idealty]

Thanks for the responses. So far most of you like B&W. How would you compare Polk to brands like Definitive, paradigm, mirage, and energy???

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Originally posted by idealty
How would you compare Polk to brands like Definitive, paradigm, mirage, and energy???
Ummm....better.

I looked at several brands when I bought my Polks and decided this way. I didn't like the Definitive or Paradigm, but didn't listen to Mirage or Energy...

That was a while back though, my conclusions today may be different...

[VR3]

I personally like Def Tech...

Better than Polk? Well I dunno - I havnt spent to much time with Def Tech, but would most definetely take Def Tech's TOTL for a HT...

11hz!! muahaha

[Shizelbs]

I have yet to get a good listen to Def Techs, but B&W has impressed me so far.

[mantis]

I like Sonance,Def Tech,Klipsch Inwall,Dynaudio,Triad,Alantic Technology,M&K.

thats my short list.There are many great sounding theater speakers.

I perfer Bi polar or Di polar rears on the sides and monos for surround back.Sometimes I perfer wall mounted mains over floor standing.

[tonyv1]

I'd go with the Magnepan MMG-W ($299 a pair) for the front and back and a MMG-C ($299) for the center. A Hsu Research VTF-3 Mk II subwoofer ($699). Great dispersion with dipoles all around. Of course I'd want 5 Parasound JC-1 driving the Maggies!

[HBombToo]

Bose:eek:

[LuSh]

Depends where you live really. If in Canada, PSB, Paradigm, Energy will really put most of Polks stuff to shame on a dollar for dollar basis. If in the United states this isn't always the case. Because of duty, taxes etc.

The most memorable experience I've had was listening to an old Pro Logic setup years ago, powered by an EAD amp with a Pioneer Laser Disc player and a set of Mirage M3's (HUGE speakers) with Mirage surrounds. The movie was Apocalypse Now. To my ears it still sounded better in Pro Logic in that setup then any Dolby Digital setup I've heard since. Including a Totem based system (Totem Mani 2's, Model 1's and Mirage Sub) with a Sim Audio Celeste 5 Channel Amp and a Celeste Processor.

For movies only, I'd go for speakers that have incredible dynamics and soundstage. Def Tech's and Mirage are two brands that come to mind. I personally don't like the shrill of the B&W speakers. And the RTi's to my ears have high sibliance and less warmth in the mid ranges. Even more so then Paradigms.

[PolkWannabie]

B&W's are among my fav's especially the Nautilus 801's which I have a fair amount of experience with and the 800's which I have a small amount of listening time with ...

However, they are NOT well driven by the run of the mill amp and as far as receivers are concerned we won't even go there.

[VR3]

I have heard the 801, paired with a 10,000 dollar Mcintosh amp and a 5,000 dollar mcintosh preamp with a 14,000 dollar (or was it 4,000?) Denon CD Player...

I can honestly say it was one of the more boring audio experiences I have heard -- but that is just my opinion.

Def Tech is one of my more favorite speakers...I hope to get a pair real soon to replace my polks -- well not really 'replace' - but mearly audition and see how they level out. Chances are I won't have to 'deal' with the RTi70 anymore (I hope)

[PolkThug]

Originally posted by idealty
Thanks for the responses. So far most of you like B&W. How would you compare Polk to brands like Definitive, paradigm, mirage, and energy???

I definitely like Polk better than Energy.

Regards,
PolkThug

[PolkWannabie]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
I can honestly say it was one of the more boring audio experiences I have heard -- but that is just my opinion. Yes ... boringly accurate ... Mc's aren't the best thing to drive B&W's with but they aren't horrible ...

[organ]

I just got back to HT and I love my Klipsch RF-35 for HT as much as I do for music. I'm planning to buy the RC-35 center and maybe the matching surrounds once their price drops to make room for upcoming models in the Reference series.

If I had the money I'd get a pair of RF-7 or La Scala.

I also like PSB speakers.

Maurice

[Toxis]

B&W. Incredible speakers for HT and music. Klipsch rip my ears apart and I would never personally own them, not saying they're bad speakers though! I have a huge hatred for powered towers so I'm not a fan of the bigger Def Tech's personally, not to mention I don't think they're very musical. Infinity Beta's are awful impressive for their price range but I'd still have to say Polk LSI's are the best for the money, of any brand.

[VR3]

Nah, the B&W just seemed bout like watching the news...

Although sometimes interesting...I'd rather not watch it

[wallstreet]

Paradigm Reference Series for me.

[cmy330go]

Wow what a wide open question.

So here are my opinions. As you may notice by my signature I am a big fan of the LSI line of polks. I work at a polk retailer and we also have the Rti and R line of polks. I feel that polk performs very strong when put up against anything else in the same category. I personaly feel that the RTi line would be more pleasing to most people in a home theater system. They just have a brighter and more lively sound than the rest of the polk line without being too harsh. Ok enough about that.

Now for other brands.

I have had the opportunity to listen to LOTS of other brands, but first I'll comment on brands we actually carry where I work.

Infinity - We only carry two series in infinity. The entry level Primus and the mid series Beta's. This is going to sound a little odd but I personally feel the Primus sound more rich and balanced then the Beta's. Either speaker is a fair performer for home theater but I can't say that I care for either with music. They tend to be to bright for my taste.

Klipsch - I'm going to blunt here. I can't stand the sound of klipsch speakers with music or movies!!!! They are a very bright harsh speakers IMO. My experience with them at work is that when I demo them for customer, if I compare them to a similar polk speaker and don't tell the customer anything about either, they are immediatly drawn to the klipsch due to there being brighter and louder of course due to their higher efficiency. But after extended listening it seems most customers start to experience a little fatigue due to the nature of the klipsch horns, and then begin to prefer the more natural sound of the polks. My recommendation here is that if you are interested in Klipsch, take a good long time to audition them. Maybe even take them home for a trial if you can.

Ok I'll make the rest of this short.

Here are some brands that I think are worth taking a good look at. Paradigm, B&W, NHT, Energy, Sonus Faber, Athena. I have had a chance to listen to all of these brands but just limited with the Sonus. I feel all of these speaker have a lot of good traits, and a few traits that I don't care for, but that doesn't mean you will feel the same way.

I hope this helps at least some. Just take your time and enjoy the auditioning.

Happy listening!
Dave

[organ]

Originally posted by cmy330go

Klipsch - I'm going to blunt here. I can't stand the sound of klipsch speakers with music or movies!!!! They are a very bright harsh speakers IMO. My experience with them at work is that when I demo them for customer, if I compare them to a similar polk speaker and don't tell the customer anything about either, they are immediatly drawn to the klipsch due to there being brighter and louder of course due to their higher efficiency. But after extended listening it seems most customers start to experience a little fatigue due to the nature of the klipsch horns, and then begin to prefer the more natural sound of the polks. My recommendation here is that if you are interested in Klipsch, take a good long time to audition them. Maybe even take them home for a trial if you can.

Ouch! Do you guys carry the Synergy or Reference line? What are they connected to? I find my RF-35 a little bright with Rotel but sounds great with NAD.

But if you're going tubes, you won't find better speakers than horns. My Klipsch on tubes can run circles around my 800i and LSi9. The Polks can't even come close.

Maurice

[MadMilkman]

For HT-- Genelec if there is no price limit. Atlantic Technology if there is.

For music-- Vandersteen 5A. I have yet to hear a better speaker.

[ch47d]

I can't believe no one mentioned Onix Rockets. The RS250 and up use Vifa ring tweeters. Check them out at av123.com

[cmy330go]

Originally posted by organ
Ouch! Do you guys carry the Synergy or Reference line? What are they connected to? I find my RF-35 a little bright with Rotel but sounds great with NAD.

But if you're going tubes, you won't find better speakers than horns. My Klipsch on tubes can run circles around my 800i and LSi9. The Polks can't even come close.

Maurice

We no longer carry the synergy we have gone entirely reference. We carry everything from the RB15 to the RF7. I have only seriously listened to them on mostly higher end receivers such as Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Harman Kardon. The only Hi-fi listening I have done with klipsch is a set of RB15s on my Halo System. My Halo setup has a pretty mellow sound and I must admit that these speakers are much more tollerable on my setup than on a normal system, and I can see how they would sound even better on tubes. However no matter how I here them I just can't seem to get past the "horn" sound. I really don't care for how the vocals sound like they are coming out of a megaphone. To some extent I think my ears are just extra sensative to that type of sound. For example often when some of my co-workers are doing a HT demo fairly loud I sometimes have to walk away because I can't take the sound. However most of my co-workers don't mind the sound. They don't particularly care for the sound but it doesn't seem to bother them the way it does me.

Well I don't know if this clears things up any, but I guess to me it's just another case of, To Each His Own.

Later
Dave

[organ]

Dave,
That's awesome. I hope to own a pair of RF-7 or La Scala one day. Have you tried the RB/RF-35? While auditioning, I found the RF-25 to have a brighter sound and it didn't sound as natural as the RF-35. It seemed like the 35's are more 'relaxed'. I was actually surprised when I heard the 35 for the first time because I wasn't able to tell they were horns. I believe the 15, 25 and 35 have dfferent size compression drivers.

I've never heard the 'horn' and 'megaphone' sound but this could be a placemet problem. I find them to sound best when spread out nicely with quite a bit of toe in.

If you can't find satisfaction with your 15's no matter what you do and decide to get rid of them, let me know. But if you're going to go tubes in the future, keep them.

Maurice

[vtec11]

anyone have any experience with the paradigm signature series? I didn't even know they came out with something higher than the reference line. :D