New Rti10's or new AVR???

[Ern Dog]

My long term goal is to upgrade all my speakers from the Monitor series to the Rti series (10's, Csi5, & Fxi3's). I also want to upgrade my Onkyo AVR to HK 435 & a 5-channel Amp, 200wpc. I dream about this system every night.

Here is my dilema... I'm gonna have to do this peice by peice over a long period of time. I'm wondering if I'd get better sound by getting the Rti10's first & power them with my current AVR OR if it would be better to start with the new HK AVR???

I'm swaying toward getting the AVR first because it would make my Monitor 70's sound a lot better, well the whole system will sound better. Any suggestions would be helpful about the best way to go.

[aaharvel]

upgrade the receiver first, then amp. Something tells me the H/K will breathe new life into your Monitors.
If you still don't like the sound, upgrade the speakers.

[Lowell_M]

aaharvel +1

[wingnut4772]

+2!!

[Andrew2112]

I'll say it depends. If you are planning on buying an HDTV with HDMI wait a while on the receiver until they come down in price with the HDMI connections.(there are only a handful of models). Otherwise the guys are right, get the new receiver .

[bertram]

The RTis are certainly worth dreaming about!

I looked at all the RTi floorstanders before settling on the 8s. They play flat down to 40Hz in my room and I didn't need more extension because below that I have the SVS. I prefer having a single-source (sub) for deep bass to minimize bass anomalies and cancellations that often result from having fullrange L/R speakers.

However if I'd gotten the 10s I think I'd have no regrets as it seems to be a particular favorite of the crowd here.


My long term goal is to upgrade all my speakers from the Monitor series to the Rti series (10's, Csi5, & Fxi3's). I also want to upgrade my Onkyo AVR to HK 435 & a 5-channel Amp, 200wpc. I dream about this system every night.

Here is my dilema... I'm gonna have to do this peice by peice over a long period of time. I'm wondering if I'd get better sound by getting the Rti10's first & power them with my current AVR OR if it would be better to start with the new HK AVR???

I'm swaying toward getting the AVR first because it would make my Monitor 70's sound a lot better, well the whole system will sound better. Any suggestions would be helpful about the best way to go.

[GATOR3000]

Rti series are very good choice. One suggestion, if your room is an average size (no larger than 20’x20’) you should consider Rti8’s instead of the 10’s. As Bertram said the 8’s play flat down to 40Hz and have a sub to do the rest. If you plan to give them 200wpc they will sound awesome for HT or music.

Also, the $$ you save on getting the 8’s instead of 10’s you could upgrade surrounds to Fxi5’s. This way you would match your drivers to 6 ½” all around.

Also, you might consider 3 channel amp 200wpc L/C/R and have the 435 power your surrounds. The 435 will give you 65wpc and I’m not sure if you can bi-amp with this receiver. Giving 200wpc to surround duty is a lot of power.

Just my opinion, looks like you’re having fun.

Gator :) :)

[cfrizz]

Get the receiver first.

[Willow]

I would vote on purchasing the AVR before anything else. As mentioned you may enjoy the sound of your speaks with the new AVR. You could then once the novelty wears buy the 8s and power them with the new AVR and add other speaks. Later on down the line pick up your amp. That is what I have done. Just waiting to buy my amp.

As others have said and what I chose was to buy the 8s and let my sub do the work below that 40hz.

[janmike]

Another AVR vote here.

[Ern Dog]

Glad to hear my instinct was right on this one.

Good suggestion about the Rti8 vs Rti10's. I will be giving them both a very thorough audition when I'm ready to buy.

The only comment I didn't fully understand was why I wouldn't want to power all 5 speakers with a 200wpc amp? Is it overkill to put that much juice into the rears? I'm using the system 75% music (multi-channel) & 25% HT and my living room is about average... I may move into something bigger in the future.

I have to admit that buying audio equipment is my favorite thing to spend my money on! :D

[steveinaz]

AVR. Your monitor series aren't even strutting their stuff yet...

[cfrizz]

By all means get a 5 channel amp & be done with it! And as you said you will be in a perfect place to go to all separates when it comes time!:D


Glad to hear my instinct was right on this one.

Good suggestion about the Rti8 vs Rti10's. I will be giving them both a very thorough audition when I'm ready to buy.

The only comment I didn't fully understand was why I wouldn't want to power all 5 speakers with a 200wpc amp? Is it overkill to put that much juice into the rears? I'm using the system 75% music (multi-channel) & 25% HT and my living room is about average... I may move into something bigger in the future.

I have to admit that buying audio equipment is my favorite thing to spend my money on! :D

[Toxis]

I say speakers. The receiver is already being replaced by the new 445 and even then you'll want to reupgrade when the next line comes out with Dolby & DTS HD for the new formats. The speakers will still sound better over the 70's. I would say get an amp but your current AVR doesn't give you the necessary preouts.

[EricBurg]

Do you plan on purchasing HD-DVD or Blue Ray DVD in the next few years? If you are then I would wait for the new recievers that will accept 1080p HDMI inputs or at the very least, the ones that will decode the HD audio streams, especially if you are going to drop a lot of money on a reciever.

One option that you might think about is to buy a cheaper, refurbished or used reciever and then buy a nice amplifier. That way you won't be out a ton of money if you want to upgrade to the new formats that are right around the corner. The nice thing about seperate amps is that you won't need to upgrade really any time soon, it is a wiser investment right now.

Just something to think about.

Eric

[Ern Dog]

I went to Circuit City to browse and found an open box HK 635 for $520. My instincts kicked in and I jumped on the opportunity.

This AVR kicks ass!!! It sounds a lot warmer than my Onkyo and provides a fuller presentation. So far my only qualm is that it doesn't include the set up mic to use the auto set-up feature. I did a manual set up which was pretty easy anyway. So far I like the Logic 7 mode the best.

I think I need a second job to support this habit. :D

[Toxis]

wow, you have to be the first person I know (other than HK reps) who actually likes the Logic 7 mode. Glad you're enjoying the new deck though!

[KrazyMofo24]

yeah good deals on the 635 right now its beeing discontinued, saw an open box one at Fry's for $500

[aaharvel]

wow, you have to be the first person I know (other than HK reps) who actually likes the Logic 7 mode. Glad you're enjoying the new deck though!

aside from being a little too bass-heavy, what exactly is wrong with it? The steering accuracy is just as or almost as accurate as DPL II to my ears, and still better than anything from DTS Neo:6.

[Toxis]

Bass heavy yes. No sound quality at all. It seems to completely compress the sound to low MP3 status to me. There's no imaging or depth anymore and there seems to be a complete loss of low midrange (almost midbass-ish). Sounds like it was literally put into an MP3 file.

[aaharvel]

Bass heavy yes. No sound quality at all. It seems to completely compress the sound to low MP3 status to me. There's no imaging or depth anymore and there seems to be a complete loss of low midrange (almost midbass-ish). Sounds like it was literally put into an MP3 file.

well the bass characteristics you describe regarding Logic7 sound about right, but I still feel after countless A/B'ing that Logic7 gives me more of a cohesive and fluid soundfield. DPLII and ESPECIALLY Neo:6 simply sound like DSP modes, and not very good ones at that.

[gregure]

Another problem with surround modes is that, while giving you the illusion of a wider soundfield, they actually diminish the experience for several reasons:
1. Most surround sound receivers have a slightly better power output in 2-channel mode simply because they're only being asked to drive two-speakers. 2. Imaging is really a wonderful thing if you ever spend any time just sitting in front of your speakers and listening. Surround modes ruin this feature that can really help make you feel like the music is happening live in your living room.
3. The signal from CD to speaker is further distorted by processing, which varies in quality, and adds to the noise floor of your music presentation.

From another room surround mode is fine. For critical listening, it's unlistenable.

Congrats on the receiver. For the money it's a great piece.
Too bad, though, as I'm still looking for someone to buy my RTi 10's, only 2 years old and in great shape.