rti 4/6 vs monitor 40 vs r 50 vs sony ss series

[suppiluliumas]

I'm new here... somewhat of an aspiring audiophile, but not too refined yet.

I'm picking out some fronts/mains to replace some old warn out infinitys for my parents 2.1 system. Room is 10x12 with sony 100 watt sub.

Their limit is $200 (but preferably less). I was wondering about the quality cost benefit of the rti 4/6 vs the monitor 40 vs the r50 vs sony ss series (specifically ss-b3000 and ss-f5000). I know just about everybody will say rti, but these are mostly for movies and neither of my parents are audiophiles and not too picky... just good, sometimes powerful sound without distortion. They also would probably like smaller (20" or less) over the towers.

I know that everyone will say "whatever sounds good to you" but I have only listened the monitor series (mostly my m10s) so far.

One last question: Their sony digital receiver (dts, plII, 6.1) has a setting for the speakers to be large or small. The manual says to set it to large if the speakers can accurately reproduce bass frequencies. Which of these speakers listed can or cannot accurately reproduce bass frequencies.

I am eager to hear more experienced opinions.

[suppiluliumas]

Sorry, I forgot prices. The best I could find:
rti6 $250 @ amazon
rti4 $150 @onecall.com
m40 $189 @j&r
sony ss-b3000 $75 @circuitcity.com
sony ss-f5000 $130@amazon pair.

I hope this clarifies the cost-benefit considerations.

[suppiluliumas]

Sorry again. I forgot one
r50 @frys.com $59.99 each

[Keiko]

Welcome to CP suppiluliumas. From experience I have a similar size room and am currently running a pair of the RTi6's as my front/main and I just ordered the 4's from onecall to bring up the rear. For my choice of music (Classic Rock, Classic RnB, Light Jazz, Classical and Ambient) and HT these speakers really deliver for me. The monitors I've heard are abit brighter than the RTi's but are good to nonetheless. I chose the RTi's because they are finished with a real wood veneer that looks pretty sweet. The Sony's you mention I'm not too sure. It would be best to take the folks down and let them audition if this is at all possible. If not and if it were me, I'd consider the RTi6 or RTi4 first. Good luck.

[Keiko]

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Polk-RTI6-2-Way-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black_W0QQitemZ120200192234QQihZ002QQcategoryZ1499 1QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You can save a little coin on the 6's from this link.

[suppiluliumas]

Thanks for the affirmation of the RTi's. Is that seller a "full authorized Polk dealer". Another seller on Ebay says that there is no such thing as a "full authorized Polk dealer" on Ebay.

What's the deal?... who's right?

If that dealer is not "full authorized" is it worth it?

[suppiluliumas]

How much of a difference is there between the RTi6 and RTi4? It seems to me its basically the bass/mid drivers (6.5" vs 5.25"). Does the size of the drivers make a big difference if there is a sub?

[Keiko]

No affiliation. I bought my RTi's from e warehouse and had no issues however. As far as being an authorized dealer that is questionable. I'm just not sure. Here's the rundown tho...Say you buy some gear from an unauthorized dealer on the gray market online...Yes you can save some $$$ but on the other hand if there is an issue and the product fails, a manufacturer is not obligated to repair or replace under warranty because it was not purchased from an authorized dealer. So there is that element of risk. To the best of my knowledge, Polk Audio Direct is an authorized seller on ebay at this link...

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct_Home-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ153926419QQftidZ2QQtZ km

Regards,

Keiko

[suppiluliumas]

I know that the manufacturer is not responsible for any repairs. I meant how likely will the RTi's have problems/need repairs?

[suppiluliumas]

Where could I listen to RTi6/4? If I can't find anywhere should take everybody's word for it?

[Keiko]

How much of a difference is there between the RTi6 and RTi4? It seems to me its basically the bass/drivers (6.5" vs 5.25"). Does the size of the drivers make a big difference if there is a sub?

Correct...The driver size in the 6 is larger. These bookshelves don't put out alot of bass but in my case and musical preferences I'm very pleased with their performance. IMO the RTi's have a nice, well balanced sound to them specific to what I like to listen to. Since the folks have a sub already and if they prefer a lil more thump, either the 4 or preferably the 6 with a sub should be just fine in a 10X12 room.

[Keiko]

Where could I listen to RTi6/4? If I can't find anywhere should take everybody's word for it?
CircuitCity maybe??? Try checking with your local retailers. If not, your welcome to a demo here at my place. :)

Seriously, if not, you could make a buying decision based upon reviews. I did and that was based upon several pairs of speakers I never heard. Kef, Axiom, JBL, etc. I went with the polks without even hearing them first. I did my homework just based upon reviews and pricing. The deciding factor for me was the real wood veneer used in constructing the RTi's. IMHO, ya can't beat em for the price, build and sound quality. Polk won me over as a customer. I don't regret my purchase and haven't looked back. Great products that I'd recommend to a friend without a doubt.

[suppiluliumas]

I'm in about the same situation. Polk seems to have the quality & style (I'm kind of on the plain/old fashioned/handsome side of style) for the best price. I don't mean to make anybody mad around hear by saying that they seem to be the best, but I just haven't listened to them.

[Kex]

... To the best of my knowledge, Polk Audio Direct is an authorized seller on ebay at this link...

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct_Home-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ153926419QQftidZ2QQtZ km ...
You are right, Keiko. It has been confirmed by the forum administrator (Justin) that this is a new e-Bay site run directly by Polk Audio (did you notice all the items are shipping from San Diego?).

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60444&highlight=ebay

[Kex]

I know that the manufacturer is not responsible for any repairs. I meant how likely will the RTi's have problems/need repairs?
Not very likely if they are working properly in the first place when you buy them. If they do need repair, the most common problem would be a blown tweeter (from trying to play too loud with a receiver that does not have enough power) and tweeters can be purchased from Customer Service as replacements (probably somewhere in the $50-90 range, depending on the speaker).

Repairs should not be a big deal, unless you buy used and discover several problems at once that may equal or exceed the new cost of the speaker to repair (tweeters, drivers, grilles, broken binding posts). Damaged cabinets would possibly be the hardest thing to replace (I'm not even sure if Polk Audio ship these to customers as replacements).

[suppiluliumas]

How much power is enough for the RTi4/6?

[suppiluliumas]

Kex said: "If they do need repair, the most common problem would be a blown tweeter (from trying to play too loud with a receiver that does not have enough power)"


How much power is enough for RTi4/6?

sorry about the 2x post

[ben62670]

I just checked out the Ebay store, and those R30 are a steal.
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/individual/floorstanding/r30/
I have never heard them, but $100 BIN a pair:eek:
Thats 400% off retail from Polk
I would start another post if the R30s are to your taste. $140 with shipping anywhere US via fedex ground is cheap!
Silk tweeters:)

[suppiluliumas]

What about the r50s? They are $60 each with $12 each shipping (shipping is cheaper inividually) @ Frys.com

[Kex]

How much power is enough for the RTi4/6?
Any decent AVR, (h/k, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz) will have enough power for these. Just don't push them so hard that:

1) You are within 25dB clicks, or less, of their maximum (maximum varies from 0dB, to +8dB, to +18dB, to 80 (not dB), etc. ...).
2) You can hear distortion (more noise, less melody).
3) You can read more than 85dB on a SPL meter, excluding occasional (not constant) spikes.

I would expect that if you follow those amateurish guidelines, you should be fine. Most AVRs will not damage your tweeters unless you push them past playing loud (sustained conversation with music playing takes effort) to playing noisy (conversation almost impossible, requires shouting, with music playing).

[GSRBOB]

Ageed.

[suppiluliumas]

Most AVRs will not damage your tweeters unless you push them past playing loud (sustained conversation with music playing takes effort) to playing noisy (conversation almost impossible, requires shouting, with music playing).

I like to play music at loud levels not infrequently and sometimes almost noisy levels. Is a sony AVR adequate?

[ben62670]

An HK is so much more musical. I had one (AVR-235), and for what they are, and what they can be had for they are a great deal. They also make a great budget receiver/prepro with the line outs.

[jimmy77433]

I have the RTi6, CSi3, FXi3 speakers and absolutely love them.
Crutchfields was having a good close-out on the RTi 4/6 when I ordered mine last month, plus a free PSW-10 subwoofer if the order totaled over $400.00.
No sales tax & free shipping too.
Shipped same day and arrived in 4 business days.
very pleased with Crutchfields service.

Happy Holidays,
Jim

[suppiluliumas]

I will keep my eye out for an HK AVR. Thanks for the tip.

[suppiluliumas]

Crutchfield's deal isn't the best right now, but onecall.com has the RTi4s for just $150 (but $30 shipping).

And Merry Christmas to You too,

King of the Hittite Empire

[Kex]

An HK is so much more musical. I had one (AVR-235), and for what they are, and what they can be had for they are a great deal. They also make a great budget receiver/prepro with the line outs.
One think about h/k is that they rate their receivers "all channels driven", not just one or two like most others. For example, a Sony rated 110w/ch x7 is actually only rated to be able to output 110w into any one of the 7 channels, not all channels simultaneously. This means that a harman/kardon rated 50w/ch x7 will probably have significantly more power than the Sony.

The Sony you have in mind will probably be fine, but if its really loud (and you aren't able to buy or borrow a SPL meter to check how loud), you could well be risking damage. Many insufficiently powered receivers actually sound louder than they are in reality because of the distortion! Distorted noise always sounds louder than clean melodious music. Any receiver, almost without exception (even $1,000+ receivers), will distort and potentially cause damage if played at or beyond 75% of its capacity (rough estimate).

[suppiluliumas]

So if a receiver has a max volume of 75, it should not be played any higher than 55 or 60?

[Kex]

So if a receiver has a max volume of 75, it should not be played any higher than 55 or 60?
If that was the scale and it was my equipment, I would prefer not to play above 50 ... ever. I would expect normal listening levels to be achieved somewhere around 35-40.

[suppiluliumas]

35-40 is good "normal listening volume" but somewhat lacking for movies. It might the sensitivity of the current speakers (12 year infinitys). I don't it's sensitivity rating.

Could it be the Sony receiver's fault?

[mjwilliams45]

I've have the monitor 40's and the 6's, which were run through an lpa-1 amp and you'll be happier with the 6's. The 40's sound nice, but for a little bit more the 6's are worth it, but if your interested in the 40's I have them and a CS1 FS.

[jfeinman]

I run the TV/Home Audio department at my Circuit City, and have those Sonys, and Monitor Series Polks on display, nearly side by side running through a Denon DRA-37 Stereo Receiver on a speaker switch. At home, I own both the RTi-6s and the 4s. Circuit City doesn't sell the RTi Series, but I get a special accomidation through polk which allowed me to pick them up at some killer prices (which I'm not allowed to mention unfortunately).

The midbass is much better on the RTi6s than the 4s, a lot more articulate and deeper. These speakers are pretty large when compared to the basic consumer line bookshelf speakers. It does matter even if you have a subwoofer to have bigger fronts and surrounds. Its why people still use tower speakers instead of trading their stuff all in for subwoofer-satellite systems. The 4s still sound very very good though.

The RTi bookshelfs are amazing, for the money. They can take a shitload of power, and like it. The monitor series sounds ok; in their price class they are some of the best. In terms of Sony? My recommendation is to never buy anything Sony makes for sound equipment. Their ES line receivers that go for 1000 or more sound about as good as a 300 dollar Onkyo, Denon, or Yamaha. As for the speakers you mention, they aren't very clean, but they do have extended frequency response to around 50khz. Even so, they still sound like shit. Great for a restaurant, or a garage, or a first system for a teenager, but thats about it.

[Kex]

35-40 is good "normal listening volume" but somewhat lacking for movies. It might the sensitivity of the current speakers (12 year infinitys). I don't it's sensitivity rating.

Could it be the Sony receiver's fault?
That would be my guess, but I don't know what speakers you're using right now (old Infinity?) and they might not be helping either.