"RTi38 + PSW303" vs "R50 + PSW202"

[ncw]

Hi,

How do they compare?

Here is my impression:
RTi38 is rated better than R50 on the Polk web site but the PSW202 is rated better than the PSW303. Thus:

Choice A:
RTi38 ++
PSW303 +
Total = 3 pluses

Choice B:
R50 +
PSW202 ++

Total = 3 pluses

What do you think?

[Zero]

Go with what you feel is best.

Here is my take, the RTi38 bookshelves are great speakers. However - they are bookshelves and will sound like them. Unless you plan on plasing them on top of something - keep in mind the investment of speaker stands. That will cost you roughly 30-50 bucks if you go with Sanus.

The psw303 is a decent sub - would blend very well with the RTi38's. I feel that the RTi38/psw303 system would have a bit more finese, and sound better for music applications. A good modest two-channel rig, if you will.

The R50's contain some great sound for the price. Good for music -better for movies. The R50 /202 combination will cover the frequency range better, however, it may not sound as "clean".

If you can't decide, just say to hell with it and get em both! :D

[Shizelbs]

If you are thinking that you may at any point do the whole home theater thing, all I can say is that I started with a pair of R40's, and now I have a whole R series system and I am in love with it. Its incredible. It could be better for music, but it rules for movies. I would want to know what you think you will be using it more for; music or movies?

[ncw]

I'll be using it more for music. I'll be buying the center channel as well. I'll just use my S4 for the rears.

[Shizelbs]

Then I'd say, go to the store, where ever, bring in some music you know really well, and listen like crazy, even over a couple 3, 4 days if need be, and get whatever sounds best to you.

[Zero]

Yep - You gotta get your listen on.

It will souly depend on your ears - and the type of music you enjoy.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I have the 35i's. These speakers rock. ESPECIALLY WITH A SEPERATE AMP! They totally open up and sound more like a 2-channel rig. I would say go with the RTi38's and the 303. IMO IMO IMO

[ncw]

Okay, it's nice to receive all of your excellent suggestions. What about musical accuracy? Polk appears to focus more on low distortion speaker transducer designs than accuracy. Polk speakers I believe are accurate as well, as seen from Stereophile's review of RTi25. But I dare not make an over- generalization. Since then I noticed that they have redesigned the high frequency driver on the new RTi28. I suspect that the RTi38 has a new HF driver too. So if RTi25 is short of "dynamic bloom" in the low frequency region, what about RTi38? Is the RTi38 really that much better than the RTi28? Or would the R50 provide the "dynamic bloom" described in Stereophile? So is the two LF driver design inherently better than the one LF driver design?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Originally posted by ncw
Okay, it's nice to receive all of your excellent suggestions. What about musical accuracy? Polk appears to focus more on low distortion speaker transducer designs than accuracy. Polk speakers I believe are accurate as well, as seen from Stereophile's review of RTi25. But I dare not make an over- generalization. Since then I noticed that they have redesigned the high frequency driver on the new RTi28. I suspect that the RTi38 has a new HF driver too. So if RTi25 is short of "dynamic bloom" in the low frequency region, what about RTi38? Is the RTi38 really that much better than the RTi28? Or would the R50 provide the "dynamic bloom" described in Stereophile? So is the two LF driver design inherently better than the one LF driver design?

I have the RT25i and the RT35i. I have the RT25i's hooked up to a receiver and the 35i's hooked up to an Adcom GFA-545II. The difference in openness is amazing. Theres no comparison. With the RT series hooked up to a receiver I have noticed they sound....sound.....dry. They arnt really real to life. The highs are sketchy and the midrange is muddy. With a seperate amp the highs are exstended to 25hz (their full response). They sound more real to life and open the soundstage *WAY* *WAY* *WAY* more. The midrange opens up considerably. They go from sorda muddy to lifelike. Other than that, they produce a considerable amount of bass and are VERY good speakers and well worth the money. To answer your other question, I would use the i38 as mains. The bigger driver will do better for music source.

[Zero]

Ncw,

As you most likely know already - the speakers we are dealing with here are whats commonly refered to as "budget" speakers. Generally in this bracket you will be hard pressed to find anything which can cover the musical envelope with finese. Musical accuracy is also another one of those subjective terms. What may sound pleasent to you may sound horrible to another, and visa versa. As previously stated many times above - the only way to know for sure is to listen for yourself.

Here is what I feel about the Polk line of speakers. The "R" series is an incredible value, offering excellent sound for an equally impressive price. I feel the "R" series excells with cinema. It can do music, and do it well, but if you thirst for musical clarity, you may have to take it up a notch or two.

We then got the flagship speakers from Polk, the LSi's. Like the R series, they offer a phenominal price/performance value thats hard to over-look. If you have a descrete ear, a loning for incredible sound but cannot afford the "big dogs", the LSi's are the speaker for you. Providing of course, you have the equipment to drive them.

The "RTi"'s seems to be "in-between". They are not as harsh as the R series, yet not as accurate as the LSi's. Much like the "R" series, I feel the RTi's excell with cinema applications. However, they are better musical performers than the R series. That of course, is just my opinion.

As for the RTi38's versus the RTi28's, I have never taken the time to sit down and give both an extensive listen. I only demo'd both at Circuit City (and we all know how that can be). I felt that the RTi38's had a bit more deph and weight. That however, is to be expected from a speaker which can cover a greater octave range. The primary difference is the bass. Personally - I feel they are both simular enough that I cannot justify spending the extra cash on the 38's. Again -thats just me.

The R50 covers an even greater dynamic range than the Rti38. However, this is to be expected from a floor standing speaker. What it comes down to - again - is the sound you desire.

There are only few other speaker companies that I know of (or shall I say, heard for myself), that can rival the quality of Polk in the price/performance ratio. All of which cannot be found in large local retail stores. If there is one company I feels that can indeed Rival Polk's R and Rti series, it would be Paradigms Monitor series.

Good luck, and happy hunting.

Sean

[Zero]

edit: I am not sure why that angry face is in my title - but its there. Justin, can this board detect when someone has had a less than desirable day? ;)

[gshisme]

Hey Venom,

Sorry for straying from the original subject but I'm curious whether the H/K AVR 320 receiver can handle the LSi speakers or not. It seems to have a hard enough time pushing my R series speakers. I really need Polks that will sound as good with music as home theatre.

[fireshoes]

Short answer is no. Long answer is if you listen only at low level volumes, you could get by, but if you like it loud, you need an amp or flagship level receiver.

[ncw]

Originally posted by ATCVenom
Ncw,

The R50 covers an even greater dynamic range than the Rti38. However, this is to be expected from a floor standing speaker. What it comes down to - again - is the sound you desire.

Sean


Ahh... The sound I desire. That is the most often said phrase. At the time I went to CC last week, they were able to turn on the Polk R50, Infinity Entra Three, Entra One, and others except the RTi38. The excuse was "sorry I'm a PC sales guy". I'll be sure to find a CC that can turn on the RTi38 - there are three within 25 miles in my town.

I don't like boomy base. The R50 has very good & controlled base but I think it is partly due to the music the sales guy was demo'ing. In comparison, the Infinity is very clear and slightly airy but I noticed that the sales guy was playing a different song. I just let him do whatever he led me to hear. Time being limited, I did not insist on playing the same music on all speakers.

Does anyone have the frequency response curve for the Polk R50 and the RTi38 too? Anyone who works at Polk? I have not seen a review that included frequency response curves like Stereophile did for the RTi25.

[ncw]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
I have the 35i's. These speakers rock. ESPECIALLY WITH A SEPERATE AMP! They totally open up and sound more like a 2-channel rig. I would say go with the RTi38's and the 303. IMO IMO IMO

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll take a serious look at separate amplifiers when I upgrade.

[ncw]

Originally posted by gshisme
Hey Venom,

Sorry for straying from the original subject but I'm curious whether the H/K AVR 320 receiver can handle the LSi speakers or not. It seems to have a hard enough time pushing my R series speakers. I really need Polks that will sound as good with music as home theatre.

The human ears adapt to a louder level whenver the sound volume is increased. When that happens, it always sound better to turn the volume up another notch. Eventually, your amplifiers will start to clip, and your speakers will distort the sound. So if you turn down the volume, it will not sound good immediately. However if you listen at a moderate level for 15-30 minutes, you will discover that the music will sound better, from my experience.

[Zero]

Gshine,

The habits of volume ncw speaks of is true -

Fireshoes is also right on.... to drive the LSi's well - you need one hell of a reciever - or seperates. The HK avr 320 is bearly capable to drive the LSi's at modest volumes comfortably.

[gshisme]

Thanks guys. You have confirmed what I dreaded. New speakers=new amp or seperates. Well it looks like another visit to the loan officer and the local A/V dealers... but I need my music crisp and solid and LOUD! Hope I can find an AVR 7200 to listen to just to satisfy my curiosity. Just trying to find the best of both worlds without remortgaging my house. Although the thought has crossed my mind.

[dorokusai]

I own the RTi38's and I agree with Venom. I love them, they are very nice musically but they are not the greatest at high end extension. Full bass, decent midrange, but nothing high end like the Kef's that I used to own.

I would certainly choose the 38's over the 28's, just due to the range available, as stated previously.

The LSi is a demanding speaker and requires a "Man's" amp or receiver.

[ncw]

I happen to be near a store that sells floorstanding speakers. I listened to Boston Acoustics and Klipsch. Time being limited, I was not able to decide which one I like. One piece of music on A/B comparison is not going to do it for me. I'll go back to CC when I get some spare time to listen to the Polk. It will be hard to do A/B comparison of Polk and other speakers. One thing I wish is the cherry color for the Polk R50. Wife does not like black finish. That could mean picking Boston Acoustics or RTi70 on sale.