Want Floorstanding Speakers for HT

[poofyhairguy]

Hello Everyone!

I currently have 4 RTi4 speakers with a CSi3 center that I bought last year with my Onkyo 607 receiver. My sub is the PSW110.

I really want to upgrade two of the RTi4s to floorstanding speakers and I am looking for suggestions.

I use this setup nearly 100% for HT, so please don't give any consideration for music quality. Mostly I watch movies, but some tv. Very little gaming.

My budget has me looking mostly at two models: the new Monitor 2 60s, and the TSi300.

Of these two (or older similarly priced models) what would you all recommend?

[leroyjr1]

Rti a5's or Rti 8's would do the job.

[poofyhairguy]

I have been looking at RTi a5s, although they stretch my budget a lot. The RTI 8's seem to be too good of a deal, as I can't find them for sale anywhere.

With that said, I have read on the forum that the RTi floor speakers shine with lots of power, and my receiver only puts out 90w per channel. Is that enough? I have been mostly considering Monitors for that reason and price.

But I won't rule out RTi A5s if that is all that will work, and my receiver can power them adequately. I will just turn into a ebay vulture I guess....

[packetjones]

I was going to recommend the A5's as well. I have them and they sound great. They are a pretty big jump in price though. If you can locate a pair of RTi8's though I would get those. Between the 60's and the 300's, I would go with the 60's for sure. I would say it is not even close between them.

Welcome to the CP.

[mystik610]

Hello Everyone!

I currently have 4 RTi4 speakers with a CSi3 center that I bought last year with my Onkyo 607 receiver. My sub is the PSW110.

I really want to upgrade two of the RTi4s to floorstanding speakers and I am looking for suggestions.

I use this setup nearly 100% for HT, so please don't give any consideration for music quality. Mostly I watch movies, but some tv. Very little gaming.

My budget has me looking mostly at two models: the new Monitor 2 60s, and the TSi300.

Of these two (or older similarly priced models) what would you all recommend?

Going from the RTi's to the Monitors/TSi's is a step backwards IMO, even if you are jumping to towers. The tweeter and mid-range drivers on your RTi4's are much more detailed than the Monitors. You'll have a slightly better low frequency extension with the Monitor 60's, but at the expense of the clarity in the upper/mid frequencies.

Having gone from towers to bookshelves myself, I've realized that unless you're running a full-range tower for music, and have the amplification to back it up, a higher quality bookshelf is better than a lower quality tower.

[leroyjr1]

Where are you located?

[poofyhairguy]

Where are you located?

Midland Texas, which means I am hours of driving from the nearest decent store. That is partially why I bought Polks originally- it was the only brand I would blindly buy without hearing it. So far I have been pleased.

[poofyhairguy]

Going from the RTi's to the Monitors/TSi's is a step backwards IMO, even if you are jumping to towers. The tweeter and mid-range drivers on your RTi4's are much more detailed than the Monitors. You'll have a slightly better low frequency extension with the Monitor 60's, but at the expense of the clarity in the upper/mid frequencies.

That makes a lot of sense to me.

After looking the RTI A5s are way out of my budget for now. But I must admit that the RTI A3 are within my budget range.

Since I never listen to music, would the larger RTI A3's provide a noticeable difference?

I have read all over the forum that its best to match your center and your left an right speakers, so does a RTI A3 match? I know the perfect match is the RTI6's but those have left the stage with the RTI8s.

I am happy to give up on the floorspeakers idea if what I do end up with works great for HT. What do you all think?

[EDUBAG]

The rti a3 is pretty much the same as the rti6. In my opinion you will not see a big difference between the 4s and the 6s.

Be patient and try to buy rtia5 used or rtia8, the same but last generation.

The difference with the towers is that the rtia5 have two mid wofers which means that it brings out more details.

Be patient and look used to find what you want in your budget.

[polkfarmboy]

I have a pair of rti8 for sale.

I would upgrade the csi 3 to a csi 5 , its there your going to see a big diff but then you need the rti8 to pair with the csi 5

I had this setup with the onkyo 607 and it ripped up the floor .... awesome

Since then I have spent thousands on diff speakers and the improvements not worth the extra money in comparison

[wayne3burk]

I think the RTi12s look awesome....

I'd try to find a pair of those on CL or ebay for $400 or less :D

-- wayne --

[hearingimpared]

Hello Everyone!

I currently have 4 RTi4 speakers with a CSi3 center that I bought last year with my Onkyo 607 receiver. My sub is the PSW110.

I really want to upgrade two of the RTi4s to floorstanding speakers and I am looking for suggestions.

I use this setup nearly 100% for HT, so please don't give any consideration for music quality. Mostly I watch movies, but some tv. Very little gaming.

My budget has me looking mostly at two models: the new Monitor 2 60s, and the TSi300.

Of these two (or older similarly priced models) what would you all recommend?

There was just a pair of RT2000Ps for sale on one of the sites audiogon or craigslist for $300. I use them for my HT rig and they are really great speakers. I'm saddened by the low price though but you may be able to find a pair cheap if you look around and are patient.

[poofyhairguy]

I would upgrade the csi 3 to a csi 5 , its there your going to see a big diff but then you need the rti8 to pair with the csi 5

Currently I am in a very small space (think small apartment) so the CSi3 "fits." When I move up to a larger environment I plan to get a CSi5 or better, but for now my CSi3 really fits my life.

I have seen the CSi5 instead of CSi3 suggestion a lot on the forum, and I have been scared that a CSi3 isn't enough if you pair it with floor speakers. That is a big reason why I started the thread....

[leroyjr1]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/ele/1947046086.html

[polkfarmboy]

Yep .....I had a listen to the csi 3 with the rti8 and it sounded horrible but pair up a csi 3 with some rti6 and its awesome . You get a truly seemless soundstage

Mufsoman is selling a pair of black rti6 here on the forum for $170 ......... snag them!!!!

[stereo01]

I purchased a pair of TSI400 floor-standing speakers a couple weeks ago. I was listening to a Chris Botti DVD "Live in Boston' and the sound was so natural to me. The vocalists and trumpet sounded excellent, and the cymbals sounded clear. I'm not sure how a better tweeter could make the vocalists sound better. I was considering the RTI series but went with the TSI400's because I have a pair of TSI100's bookshelf speakers that I use for rears. I liked their clarity and figured the TSI400 would be a good match because they use the same tweeter. The TSI400 is very musical and has a good overall blend. Anyway, I would also consider the TSI400 because they are an excellent speaker for the money.

[poofyhairguy]

In my small place the rti6 seems tempting. That is the direction I will try to go. Thanks, everyone!

[StSin]

Re: stereo01

As I'm in the same situation as the OP I have to say thanks for backing up what I've been able to dig up. I was originally looking at magneplanar MMGs due to liking instrumental stuff, but sadly don't have the room for them (have to be 2-3 feet from walls, etc). So I found myself looking at polk towers and got sucked in. As I'm going the powered sub route (when I actually want bass, not too frequently as I am not a huge bass person more high and mids hence the MMG consideration) I thought the tsi400 would be a better deal / choice than the tsi500 and was planning on pairing it with a pair of tsi100s, a PSW10, and a cs10 center channel. These days I'm roughly 40/60 music / video. And for the money this seems like the best bang for the buck when coupled with my current receiver (Marantz SR8002). Can anyone think of something I was missing in the ~$1100 (or less ;) ) range? I also considered the monitor 50s as they are down < $100, but I'm not sure they'd be clear enough for my music tastes (but the price keeps popping them into my head along with the thoughts that $400 savings on a system isn't something to snort at...)

Right, 1 am and I'm still slightly working myself in circles, time to sleep on it. Everyone please feel free to spout out to nudge me as the OP already made his choice ;)

[StSin]

Stereo was right on the money, am quite happy with my tsi400 choice for the setup, they fit in the room and the sound is awesome! Especially for 2k including the receiver. So for the next person looking, definitely give the tsi400s a listen.

[mystik610]

From a value perspective, the outgoing Monitor line is a better choice than the TSi's....identical drivers and tweeters, with minor differences in cabinet design. The TSi400's (equivalent to the Monitor 60) cost twice as much as the Monitor 70's right now.

For HT (which is what the OP was primarily interested in), I'd take a bookshelf from the RTi or RTi-A line over anything in the Monitor or TSi line (including the tower models).

For two channel music, I'd take the Monitor 70 over the RTi's, with exception to the RTi A9 / RTi 12.

[StSin]

sure, NOW you reply after I've already boguht the 400s ;) For my choice (wood not black) the 400s were at the time ~$100 less each than the 70s. Regardless, quite like how they sound during my usual theatre test run (matrix bullets and casings flying everywhere lobby scene, the sound of the casings is clear as heck.) so while I could have done better with the 70s for a little more (in wood trim) I'm quite happy, but your words of warning will serve the next more patient person well :)

[Lietuvis91]

I've got m70 & m60s, and can say that for HT front channels it's m70's all the way.... however, they are a GARGANTUAN speaker!

[poofyhairguy]

I bought Mufsoman's RTi6s and they are absolutely perfect in my setup. They have a depth that was never present with the RTi4s alone. The RTi4s move to the back, and my wife and I are very happy. Thanks!

[flyfisher]

I bought Mufsoman's RTi6s and they are absolutely perfect in my setup. They have a depth that was never present with the RTi4s alone. The RTi4s move to the back, and my wife and I are very happy. Thanks!

Congrats and enjoy.I bought his RTi8's in March and been happy with them since.

[xcapri79]

Glad it worked out for you.