RTi38's seem somewhat lacking...

**hertzlbl** · 05-20-2003 11:13 PM

I am currently in the process of building a home theater. My existing "stereo" speakers are Polk Monitor 10B's, which I have thoroughly loved for the past 16 years. In preparation for my home theater, I purchased the following additional components:

FXi30 - Surrounds
PSW404 - Subwoofer
CSi40 - Center Channel

Yamaha RX-V1300 amp (100 watt/channel)

I've been using this setup for the past couple of months with no complaints other than a slight difference in timbre between the Monitor's and the rest of the system.

I am now preparing to setup my hometheater in the basement, so I need an additional pair of main speakers. (I am planning on keeping the Monitor 10B's upstairs in the living room for music listening only. I prefer to keep the new front speakers small, or at least narrow, so I can maximize the wall space for my theater screen.) Based on the "Build a System" feature on the Polk Web site, I purchased a pair of RTi38's to match my existing home theater components (excluding the Monitor 10B's of course). When I set up the speakers this evening to play some "challenging" music, I must say I was somewhat disappointed. (I always play Yes's "Yours is no Disgrace" whenever I am evaluating and comparing musical components. Been using the same song for 17 years!) The midrange/bass was sluggish and lacked punch. It actually seemed to warble a little bit at one point. I then came to the realization that the pair of RTi38's cost about one half the price that I paid for the Monitor 10B's 16 years ago! What did I expect?

Basically I would like to upgrade the RTi38's (i.e. return them to Circuit City), but I'm concerned that if I go with the LSi series, the 4 ohm difference in impedence (8 ohm vs. 4 ohm) will adversely effect the dynamics of the 5.1 system when watching movies. I really can't justify starting over with all new surrround sound components (Center, rears, and sub). Any suggestions out there?

Thanks

Ben

**VR3** · 05-20-2003 11:20 PM

The RT35i is a speaker, a real mind boggler. However as I have found, seperates are the only way to make Polk sing. Im not exactly sure what Yamaha you have, but my Old yamaha was pretty muddy, and I agree the RTi38 woofer is kinda behind, but I love the new tweet. I suggest walk into seperates and dont look back. The RTi70, or RTi150 will match the rest of your system. Adcom, AMC, Rotel, NAD are all seperates that are really good, Rotel is pretty expensive. NAD, AMC, and Adcom are good on da cheap! Well good luck with your system!

**jkratzer** · 05-20-2003 11:22 PM

If you are not happy with the RTi38's you could exchange them for RTi70 towers if you can acommodate towers. They would match just a well with your center channel and surrounds. I love my RTi38's though but I'm using a Denon 3803 receiver which matches well with the RTi series.

You are right about the 4 ohm LSi's which usually require separates. Unless your receiver is specifically rated for 4 ohm loads, you are better off staying with the RTi line. I've also heard that the LSiC center channel is kind of thin sounding for home theater.

Keep us posted on what you end up doing.

**dorokusai** · 05-20-2003 11:34 PM

I run RTi38's no problems, after some mount/location tweaking that is, with a Sony ES receiver. The location or mounting area of the RTi38 will influence the sound greatly. They are a very nice speaker, but have to be set-up correctly. They are bookshelves, so to scompare them to M10b's is just not fair. I've owned both also.

The LSi is the hard-on favorite, but your Yamaha won't be able to run them efficiently. You need some hardcore, clean, high headroom power for the LSi, and most HT's don't include that, because there isn't a huge need to do so.

**Frank Z** · 05-21-2003 12:06 AM

Originally posted by jkratzer
I've also heard that the LSiC center channel is kind of thin sounding for home theater.

No offense but you heard wrong, I had a cs400 before upgrading to the Lsi series, a great speaker to be sure but the LsiC is even better (INMHO).

**fireshoes** · 05-21-2003 12:33 AM

I also strongly agree about the LSiC being very good. I wasn't expecting as big of a difference as it was. I did tweak the positioning of mine a bit, angling it down to get more of a direct shot at ear level. I am completely satisfied with it. When I had my RM7600 I always felt the center channel was reproducing everything it should, but no such feelings with the LSiC.

**jkratzer** · 05-21-2003 10:57 AM

Sorry Fireshoes and Frank Z. Thanks for keeping me straight on that LSiC. :)

It is good to know that the LSiC is a step up over the CSi40/CS400i center for home theater so that I have a future upgrade path.

**hertzlbl** · 05-21-2003 11:11 PM

Vr3MxStyler2k3 and jkratzer ,

Thanks for your advice. I went back to Circuit City and traded the RSi38's for the RT70's. I absolutely love the RT70's. The Midrange and tweeter sounds every bit as good as the Monitor 10B's! Now I'm ready to Rock in Surround sound!

**VR3** · 05-21-2003 11:21 PM

congrats, rock on and enjoy da speakers!

**jkratzer** · 05-21-2003 11:36 PM

Originally posted by hertzlbl
Vr3MxStyler2k3 and jkratzer ,

Thanks for your advice. I went back to Circuit City and traded the RSi38's for the RT70's. I absolutely love the RT70's. The Midrange and tweeter sounds every bit as good as the Monitor 10B's! Now I'm ready to Rock in Surround sound!

You lucky son-of-a-gun! I'd do the same if it wasn't for the "wife factor". :)

Enjoy.

**jkratzer** · 06-01-2003 06:53 PM

Went to CC...
Saw RTi70's on sale...
Listened to RTi38's...
Listened to RTi70's...
Liked RTi70's better...
Forced wife to listen also...
Wife liked what she heard...
Bought RTi70's...
Traded RTi38's...
Hooked up RTi70's...
Home theater nirvana arrived!

**dorokusai** · 06-01-2003 07:14 PM

Congrats on the new towers!

Of course you have more bass, its a tower silly! :D

**GuitarheadCA** · 06-01-2003 08:10 PM

The 70's are such a great speaker. I love mine- congrats on your new purchase:D

**Tour2ma** · 06-02-2003 03:42 AM

jk,
So much for the "wife factor", huh?

**faster100** · 06-02-2003 10:54 AM

Originally posted by jkratzer
I'd do the same if it wasn't for the "wife factor". :)
.

I'm glad i don't have a wife factor :D I have a wife but she loves the audio thing and she helps pick speakers and stuff.. she says she will never tell me no about stuff i'm into ie: audio, my coke collection and such, Until it cost thousands then we have to dicuss it. Like the jet boats we just got interested in after a boat tour over the weekend

**dorokusai** · 06-02-2003 11:04 AM

My wife supports me also, but for some strange reason, not the Russian wife thing.....I don't know what was wrong with her that day....

**jkratzer** · 06-02-2003 11:29 AM

Those of us with supportive wives are lucky.

She was more supportive than I would have thought. Although she preferred the smaller size of the bookshelves, all it took was a short listening session and then she said "When do we upgrade?". With the RTi70's on sale for $100 off per pair, plus wife support, I knew those speakers had to be mine. :)

In the past month I've upgraded my CSi30 to the CSi40 and now RTi38's to RTi70's. CC gave me my full purchase price and ate the depreciation. I'm just wondering what CC does with the used speakers.

**weavercr** · 06-02-2003 12:03 PM

OPEN BOX sale

**jkratzer** · 06-02-2003 01:05 PM

Originally posted by weavercr
OPEN BOX sale

That explains it. Thanks.

**jkratzer** · 06-02-2003 01:08 PM

Originally posted by faster100
I'm glad i don't have a wife factor :D I have a wife but she loves the audio thing and she helps pick speakers and stuff.. she says she will never tell me no about stuff i'm into ie: audio, my coke collection and such, Until it cost thousands then we have to dicuss it. Like the jet boats we just got interested in after a boat tour over the weekend

faster100,

Tell us more about this "coke" collection. ;) LOL. BTW, your wife sounds cool.

**faster100** · 06-02-2003 01:39 PM

Well i have collected coca cola items for 10 years now, Some old and some new, Recently we almost decided to sell it all.. even posted some stuff on the board, Then i came to my senses and decided to keep it.. I sold a few small items before i realised you can't give up a 10 year collection because you don't have enough room in the house, you put some away and wait to ya buy a larger house, that's next in a few years..kids and play rooms take first for now.. I still have a Coke room, but it just has kids toys in it also :) .......

**TonyPTX** · 06-02-2003 01:53 PM

Originally posted by jkratzer
In the past month I've upgraded my CSi30 to the CSi40 and now RTi38's to RTi70's. CC gave me my full purchase price and ate the depreciation. I'm just wondering what CC does with the used speakers.

Yeah, it's the nice thing about CC. Too bad they don't carry LSi's as I'd be all over 'em. I bought a pair of Polk RM6700's in December w/a PSW404 and just wasn't happy with 'em. I brought them back (the 6700's) and picked up a pair of 70's and a CSi40. Man, those combined with a pair of RT35i's for the rear and I have a great HT system. Matter of fact, I had to upgrade my reciever after since it was sub par to the speakers. I'm running with the Rotel crowd now.

Congrats on the new purchase. Sorry I missed this thread. I would have recommended the 70's as well.

**faster100** · 06-02-2003 02:08 PM

I love my rti70's.. Even more now i have changed from black to cherry.. look sweet and changed to monster 14-4 bi-wire from old crap i had.. I plan to keep these for some time.. rears will be the rti38s, and compliments of the new child tax credit if it comes through with the $400 a kid check they promise, i will also be getting the SV pb1 subwoofer in a few months.. :):)

**STUFFMD** · 06-02-2003 02:27 PM

Hey Ben,
In my opinion your not comparing your apples with similar apples. I have always said that I love the RT series for HT but find them in HT setup/playing CD's to be lacking. But no matter what the ad says, the Rt was born to play DVD audio. I think if you could put the 38's in a Surround situation in DVD audio..you might see them in a new light.....
Like some have said in their posts as well, I have found that every tweek you do, cable, positioning, toeing all those things change the charachteristics of the Rt line noticeably.
My 2 Stuff

**jkratzer** · 06-02-2003 07:52 PM

Just noticed that Crutchfield just lowered their price for RTi70's again to $599.98/pair. That is a great price for fantastic towers so you hold-outs need to jump on this deal.

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