Help with new front speakers, many questions (and a story)

[Deliriou5]

Well, it's been a while since I've been here, and I'm not sure if this is my first post or not. I've been reading through the forum and have some questions, but first some background.

I began the Polk journy back in June of 98 with my first speaker purchase, RM3300, which was just two RM2000IIs and a PSW50. I had never heard of Polk before, but found them to be very nice - definitly enough for my dorm room at the time. They were powered by a JVC RX-884VBK, which can do 100 watts/channel RMS for all 5 of the 5.1. In the dorm, I was only running it in a 2.1 setup.

Fast forward to December 2002, I was setting up my HT configuration, so I moved my RM2000II to the rear, and added two RTi38s and a CSi30 to my front. Ah, that is nice, and I am happy. The primary use of this is movies/Xbox and TV (sometimes). And everything is good.

OK, it is now October 2005, and I now have an issue with my RM2000II rears. My kids some how figured out how to take off their grills and "pushed in the button". Needless to say, they are no longer working :( So now I am left with some options.

I'm rearanging things in the HT area and am wanting to get rid of the book shelf that the RTi38s are on. My thinking was to move the RTi38s to the rear (hang) to replace my dead RM2000IIs and then get a pair of floor standing speakers to replace them up front. I'm looking to get some Polks that will balance out this configuration, and that is where the questions come in:

1) Well, cost is the first thing. I have $400ish to spend. I can go higher, but that's the ball park. Can I do it in that range?

2) I've been reading about the Monitor 50s and the R50s. Are they compareable? Seems that the R50 is the "old" model on its way out, while the Monitor 50 is the new one. For instance, I don't see the R50s and CC, but do on EBay, while the Monitor 50s are at CC.

3) Anyone with young kids tried to put bookshelf speakers on stands, and not had them topple over? If so, I might go with new bookshelf mains, but am not too confident. I guess I'd rather had the heft/weight of floor speakers because of them (kids).

4) Given the budget above, are there other fronts that I should look at/for instead? I primarily want to have a "balanced" setup. I guess they do not have to be this model year, since the rest of my setup isn't ;)

5) Any sugestions about places to get Polk speakers that are not CC? I'm thinking that most retail places (B&M) will be similar in cost, but any luck with online places? I know EBay has some Polk, but any other used/creative places to look for some?

Wow, that was kind of a long post. THanks for reading through it all :D From what I've read in this forum, you guys have alot of great sugestions and I'm looksing forward to you insights.

-Dave

[jwienand]

As much as it pains me to think I may be helping anyone from Cleveland :p I'll still put in my 2 cents. I have Monitor 50's, a CS1 Center, RT15's for rears and a PSW12 (first to get upgraded). I am very happy with the sound for both movies and music with the exception of some port noise from the sub which is why I say first to upgrade. My reciever is Kenwood about 5 years old(second to upgrade) and is rated for 100w per channel which probably isn't true in full 5.1 surround. Bottom line is if you look around and want the fronts and center to be matched you could probably get the Monitors and a CS1 for around $400. If your ever in Pittsburgh before you make a decision your more than welcome to check mine out.

-EDIT I forgot you already had a CSi30 when I was writing, you could use the extra money to get Monitor 60's :D

[Deliriou5]

jwienand - Well, I actually grew up in Butler, PA to your north, so hopefully I'm not too much off :D. If you were serious about the Monitor 60's for around $400, where would I find that? Every one seems to be pushing them for $560ish a pair...

-Dave

[okiepolkie]

The best match for the system you have would be the RTi70's. They come up for sale with some regularity on ebay and this forum. They can be had anywhere from $200-$400, depending on the condition, color, and location.
The Rti8's would be the next best floorstanding choice to match your existing setup. They utilize a silk dome tweeter similar to the Rti series that you have.

As far as bookshelf speakers go, there are some viable options that do provide good sound and stability. A good stand can be filled with metal shot and/or sand to bring the heft up comparable to that of a floorstanding speaker. You can also use sticky tack, like the stuff you use to hang posters on the wall, to secure the speakers to the stand. The substance doesn't take any of the vinyl off the speakers and any residue usually comes off with relative ease.

The monitor series would probably be a step down from the RTi's. They are good, but the Rti's are better "overall" speakers.

I hope this has been of some help.

Zach

[fireshoes]

How's about giving Ken from Polk Customer Service a call, dropping some new drivers in the 2000's, and cranking it?

[jwienand]

I just saw that you said 400+ ballpark, I don't know of anywhere. You may want to keep your eye open for the european version I think they are T90's, practically the same as 60's. Circuit City let me use some Monitor 70's and ended up replacing my old speakers with 50's. I miss the 70's so bad, just couldn't afford the upgrade price they offered right now. I was just thinking if you can stretch it the 60's may be worth it. Don't get me wrong I like the 50's it's just after having the 70's in my set up the 50's are not nearly as full sounding, I wouldn't even know what I was missing if I never had them here. :rolleyes:

[Deliriou5]

So, would the RTi8's be a good choice? I see them for $550 on ebay. That's kind of higher than I was hoping for... What would be a good price for those?

[okiepolkie]

If you watch for them, you can get the RTi8's for $450 or below. My brother picked some up locally in OKC a couple of weeks ago for $360 in good shape, so they can be found.

[Deliriou5]

fireshoes - So the 2000's aren't that far out of date/under poweres compared to the rest of the system?

[fireshoes]

Aw crap, I was thinking RT2000's. Commence burial!