Monitor 50 or the RTi10

[cindy100]

Hi! I purchased a set of the Monitor 50 a couple of nights ago. I was fortunate enough to get a very nice discount on them of close to 50% off. I now wonder if I should take them back and get the RTi10's. I would appreciate any opinions you can give as to whether I should stick with the ones I have or trade up.

I just want these for music; at one time we had everything set up for surround sound but my husband lost interest and I've never liked to listen to TV loud which is one reason I don't go to the movies! I do love music and tend to listen to it loud. I also have an older pair of Polk S 10's which have been fine; like I said, I have the opportunity to get these at a discount and the offer won't last long! Thanks so much for your help and/or opinions, again!

Cindy

[XJRGUY]

The RTi10 is a better speaker, but you may need external amplification depending on the equipment you are currently using.

[cindy100]

XJRGUY,

Hi! Thanks so much for the reply! As I put in the other post from yesterday, I don't know a whole lot about stereo equipment. I can put a link below that will show the receiver I have. Hopefully whoever sees it will understand it and be able to tell me if I need an amp (which I currently don't have) if I decide to take the RTi10's. If I understand the other messages I've gotten, I don't need an amp if I stay with the Monitor 50's.

I'm on a pretty tight budget right now but like I said, I can get these at a discount and hate to pass it up. Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Cindy

http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/Specs/?gAVR00010RX-V690

[ronnie]

with that reciever your gonna need a seperate amp to do the 10's any justice. so unless you wanna go for it all, i would stay with the 50's. they are a great speaker in it self

[cindy100]

Ronnie,

If I decide to go with the 10's, can you recommend an amp? Again, I know nothing about them and would like to be able to walk in the store with some knowledge so as not to be sold something I don't need. Thanks so much.

Cindy

[EricBurg]

The Rti10's really do need some good amplification. The nice thing about them is that they aren't really a hard load to drive. I would look for a 2 channel amp that is capable of somewhere close to 200 wpc. I originally was running my Rti10's off of a Rotel 1075, which was putting out around 120 wpc, but recently added a Rotel 1080 to my system and they really sing with the added watts. Now, those amps both run around $1k, so they are by no means a cheap or budget solution.

You could look at the outlaw monoblock amps m2200. They put out 200 watts into a single channel, but they run about $300 each, so you would be looking around $600. These would probably give you the best bang for your money.

Or, you could always look used online or at your local dealers.

Take some of your favorite music with you to a polk dealer and listen to the speakers and compare. Make sure you like the 10's well enough to go through the trouble.

Eric

[ronnie]

i own the rti 12's and a more powerful reciever and the reciever alone really did nothing for the 12's. i added an adcom gfa 555 and bi-amped them and they came to life. but to be honest they need more power. i dont think the 10's would be much different, the only amp i have experience with is adcom, and there worth every penny in my opinion.adcom is a tried and true amp and have so many models to choose. the gfa 555,i think would be a perfect match for the 10's and you can get them for a deal on e-bay. i paid 330.00 plus shipping for mine and thats the cheapest i've seen. they usually go for around 400+. other members can guide you to other amps , but adcom is the only amp i have dealt with. the gfa puts out 200 watts each channel. 2 of them (which i also need another) would make the 10's rock like they should. one for the top and one for the bottom.

[cindy100]

Ronnie,

Hi! Are you saying you think the 10's would be okay if I buy the Adcom gfa 555? I finally found a copy of the owner's maual for the receiver I have; if I am understanding what I read, it only have 80w for the front & center, 25w for the rear. Not much, huh? Would I be better off just getting a better/new receiver or just add an amp? This has turned out to be more to deal with than I thought! Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from someone, again!

Cindy

[ronnie]

not sure of your budget, but i mainly listen to music also and the 10's will rock, with great accuracy. if you get the 10's you will definetly need an external amp whether it be adcom or another. even if you get the 50's i would still suggest a amp, just so you get all you can out of your speakers,and 80w is nothing for either of these speakers.

[351stang]

Comparing the Monitor 50's to the RTi10's is not really an apples to apples comparison price wise. The RTi10's are twice as expensive as the 50's, so I would hope they'd sound much better.

I was comparing the Monitor 60's to the RTi8's when I just bought my system. The RTi8's were about $100 more for the pair, but I preferred the sound of the 60's. I bought a pair of 50's for my rears. As always....your mileage may vary. :)

[XJRGUY]

Don't forget Ebay for deals on Amps.

I recommend the Adcom's mentioned. They are good, solid pieces of kit that will last you a long time.

Try to find a 555MkII if you can.

XJRGUY

[cindy100]

XJRGUY - I've been watching eBay and Audiogon for the Adcom. I do have a question though; is the 555II the same as the one you mentioned? I notice some members here have Rotel so I've been trying to find some info on them. They may not be what I need and also out of my price range. It's going to be awhile before I can get one period but I do want to get my act together ahead of time.

Cindy

[XJRGUY]

Cindy,

Yes that designation means its a Mark II model of amplifier.

XJRGUY