Need advice on new fronts .. been away from Polk for a while

[CPUHog]

Hi all! First post, but been a long-time Polk fan since I bought a pair of 5B's while in college back in the mid-80s. Still running a pair of vintage 7C's, but getting the itch to upgrade my rig.

I haven't kept up with the Polk product lines over the years, so I'm trying to get my bearings. Looking around at prices vs. my budget, it seems I am needing to focus on the RTi or TSi lines, but I still need some guidance. Here's what I'm finding for prices (each) on the web:

RTi A9 - $849 (out of the question, sadly)
RTi A7 - $439
RTi A5 - $327
TSi 500 - $300 (at audiophileliquidators.net)
TSi 400 - $299
TSi 300 - $153 (these are listed as AM5205?)
Monitor 70 - $400 (getting hard to find).

I was in on an auction for a pair of 70s that ended up going to $300, but cash flow issues meant I couldn't quite make that price in time.

Alternatively, I am not averse to modding my 7C's as I've seen others do. Is it possible to bring those older units up to the performance of any of those speakers listed above? (I may do so anyway, and put them in the office with my Carver when I replace it...)

Anyway, looking at the above list, are these units priced relatively correctly vs their performance? Do you see anything under- or over-priced? The TSi 500 for $300 ea. sound like a great bargain ... do you agree?

I realize part of the answer depends on my plans. I do plan an entire end-to-end upgrade over time, but not immediately. I have my new display (Samsung 56" LED DLP), the Polk 7C's, and a Carver Receiver 900 (90 wpc 2 channel receiver). I'm not doing any surround or subwoofer yet. My plan is something like this:

- Blu-ray player (probably a PS3)
- mains (replace 7C's with something from above)
- receiver -- maybe replace with a Marantz SR4003. I'd like something I can later hook to an external amp, and the 4003 looks like the most affordable receiver that has all 7.1 preamp outs. I really like the Denon line, but nothing under $1000 looks like it has the preouts for external amplification)
- surrounds & center .. more Polk stuff
- sub .. hearing that Polk subs are perhaps a weaker part of the product line, will be looking at a smaller Hsu or SVS
- amp ... eventually, put in a 5.1 or 7.1 amp ... would LOVE to put in a Sunfire Cinema Grand (I'm also a Carver fanboy!), but would still probaly run my receiver into it because I can't afford the prices of a separate pre/pro.

So .. that's my plan. Any advice welcome.

[Erik Tracy]

What are primary interests...sonically?

Mostly interested in movies?

Do you listen to music, alot or just casually? Do you have a discriminating ear and want a detailed/accurate speaker arrangement, or are you just a casual listener who is more or less satisfied if the sound fills the room?

Is your HT area big or small?

More info means more 'expert advice' :D

[maximillian]

Welcome to club Polk. This is a wonderful place to hang out. Here is my advice...
1) Some people really like vintage Polks, even better than the speakers you list here. You could upgrade the tweeters on the 7C's and just use them. I haven't heard the 7C's personally, but I would think that the monitor line is no better than them. You will probably get an improvement if you went with the RTi or the LSi line though.
2) The Polk DSW sub line is supposed to be quite nice. The HSU and SVS subs are great too.
3) Personally I would go with either the RTi line (the best for HT) or the LSi line (HT or music) if you can afford it.
4) Have you considered used prices? You can get some good deals here or from PolkDirect on Ebay. Used amps from here or Ebay is also an easy way to save money if you need the amplification right away (like if you chose the LSi line). You can always upgrade later and sell the amp later. Good amps will hold their value if kept in good shape.

Just my $0.02. Others will surely offer different opinions. If you can try the speakers out first then I recommend you do so.

[leroyjr1]

Definately the RTI a line. Both the a7's and A5's are great speakers with the Rti a7's having better low end with the 2 7" woofers and the Rti a5's having better mids.

Also you should still mod your 7c's and use them in a 2 channel setup.

[CPUHog]

What are primary interests...sonically?

Mostly interested in movies?

Do you listen to music, alot or just casually? Do you have a discriminating ear and want a detailed/accurate speaker arrangement, or are you just a casual listener who is more or less satisfied if the sound fills the room?

Is your HT area big or small?

More info means more 'expert advice' :D

I am a casual listener for both music and HT. My musical tastes are classical, classic rock (Zeppelin, Floyd, Rush) and metal (Metallica, Judas Priest, Scorpions).

My HT room is probably 16 x 20. Although I have perfect pitch, I would not consider myself as having a "discriminating ear".

[CPUHog]

Welcome to club Polk. This is a wonderful place to hang out. Here is my advice...
1) Some people really like vintage Polks, even better than the speakers you list here. You could upgrade the tweeters on the 7C's and just use them. I haven't heard the 7C's personally, but I would think that the monitor line is no better than them. You will probably get an improvement if you went with the RTi or the LSi line though.
2) The Polk DSW sub line is supposed to be quite nice. The HSU and SVS subs are great too.
3) Personally I would go with either the RTi line (the best for HT) or the LSi line (HT or music) if you can afford it.
4) Have you considered used prices? You can get some good deals here or from PolkDirect on Ebay. Used amps from here or Ebay is also an easy way to save money if you need the amplification right away (like if you chose the LSi line). You can always upgrade later and sell the amp later. Good amps will hold their value if kept in good shape.

Just my $0.02. Others will surely offer different opinions. If you can try the speakers out first then I recommend you do so.

Thanks for the thoughts. Definitely, used equipment is a possibility (and likely the only way I'd ever be able to swing anything from Sunfire!).

I am on a fairly pedestrian budget. That's why the TSi 500 for $300 ea. looked so attractive. I do frequent eBay (including Polk Direct), audiogon, etc. I understand there is a CP discount through Polk Direct .. how does one obtain that discount?

[maximillian]

I understand there is a CP discount through Polk Direct .. how does one obtain that discount?

I believe the CP discount is only for replacement parts, not for Polk Direct. If you call Polk customer service looking for a part then you mention that you are a CP member and they give you a discount.

[Erik Tracy]

I am a casual listener for both music and HT. My musical tastes are classical, classic rock (Zeppelin, Floyd, Rush) and metal (Metallica, Judas Priest, Scorpions).

My HT room is probably 16 x 20. Although I have perfect pitch, I would not consider myself as having a "discriminating ear".

I'd go with the RTiA5s, then add in the other components for your 5.1/7.1 setup as you get your budget together.

If the TSi500s are in your reach at $300, then for just $27 more you can step 'up' to the RTiA series of speakers.

But - that's just my free internet armchair expert advice :p