Best match for CSi5 - 2.2kz crossover

[jerryk]

I am trying to figure out if I should buy the RTi8 or RTi12 for my home theatre configuration. Here is my configuration:

Denon 2105
RTi6 surround
CSi5 center
R15 surround rear
Velodyne DPS12 sub

The RTi8 and CSi5 have the same crossover at 2.2khz, which means they should sound the same as they transition to the the same 6.5" drivers.

RTi12 has a crossover at 1.8khz which is not in sync with the CSi5. And the RTi12 has 5.25" drivers instead of the 6.5" like the CSi5.

My Denon sub crossover is set to 80hz. The RTi12's low crossover is set to 120hz. This mean that the three 7" drivers are only used for 80-120 hz, basically wasting the 7" drives.

I confirmed this by listening to RTi8 and RTi12 at my audio store with only these components and set it to stereo with a sub and no center:
- RTi8 and 12 main (large)
- Velodyne DPS12 (80hz crossover on the receiver, I think it was a Yamaha)

The RTi8s sounded much fuller at the mid range, you would expect this since they use 6.5" drivers instead of 5.25". The RTi12's 7" were useless since they only handled 80-120hz range as the Velodyne handled everything under 80Hz.

Are my observations correct? Logic says buy the RTi8's but my budget says buy the RTi12s. What should I do?

Jerry

[PolkThug]

Satisfy your logic and your budget, go with the Rti8's and upgrade to an SVS sub.

[KrazyMofo24]

If it was me i'd pick the speaker with the best mids. The highs will sound good from either the 8's or 12's.

[Willow]

go for the 8's and as PT mentioned, get a really good sub. and don't look back. In the same breath I can say that the csi3 that I use as my front sounds very good with the 8s.

[marker]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the CSi3 might actually be a better match for the RTi12 than the CSi5?

As for the CSi5 and RTi8, they are no doubt a very fine match.

[aaharvel]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that the CSi3 might actually be a better match for the RTi12 than the CSi5?

As for the CSi5 and RTi8, they are no doubt a very fine match.

i've thought that too. honestly, i know the csi5 is a NICE speaker with 2powerports and biwire capability and all- but seriously is it worth TWICE the price of a csi3? I mean geez...

[jerryk]

so it's not my imagination...the RTi8s do sound better than RTi12s when paired with the CSi5s in a HT configuration.

Thanks for your comments.