RT5 Arrived

[VR3]

Hello All,
The Fedex man, after much anticipation finally arrived to our door step. To much adue, I received the package and eagerly opened it with a gracious butter knife. Cutting the box that was named Panasonic Home Theater In A Box, to see a bunch of popcorn. To remove the speakers from their bubble wrap cases, we come to find that this mans definetion falls very short of *mint*. There were many problem physichally, I have no idea sonically, as I have to wait till tommorow night till I can plug them up. Back to the case, the top of the speaker had this sticky material, that of an old sticker, this came off with ease. It was the bottum scratches on the speaker that made me sigh. It was time to pull out the sharpie. That was fixed.
So then I take off the grills, to my findings - a dirty looking woofer and tweeter. Nothing Amor-all won't fix. Shineing like crazy. Then I comensed forwards to clean the cabinets, and now they to have a high textured black shine.
Overall, they now, look mint. All is good, and I can't wait to place them on their surround shelves and give them a whirl.

Will keep you guys posted.

- Trey

[organ]

Sounds super Trey. The RT5's are awesome speakers. I hooked up my pair in my parents bedroom and my mom loves them. My dad doesn't give a f#ck about speakers and is always giving me **** for buying them.

Don't place them on the "surround shelfs" yet. Give them a good listen in 2ch music. You might really like their sound quality. They sound warmer and more pleasing to my ears than the 35i. They have more body in the mids and great highs that sparkle. They make music sound very enjoyable. Can't wait to see what you think about them.

Maurice

[VR3]

Maurice,
I don't run the RT35i alone in 2 channel, so the RT5 will be stacked on top of the RTi70. Trust me, this idea was all in my mind when I thought these speakers were mint. I was tired of looking at the places where the rubber feet use to be on the RT35i. Yet, the speakers arrived with scratches all over them, that only a sharpie could barely hide...and I do mean...barely.

I will definetely give the RT5 a shootout with the RTi70 and alone before they go on their shelves, and chances are...they sound better than the RT35i, but due to damage that would drive me insane....they will have to go on shelves.

Will keep you posted, should have results by tonight. Yeah, it will only be a quick demo, no longer than 30 minutes...lol

[VR3]

Pics

[VR3]

RT35i VS. RT5 Short Review

Ran on Flat (O Treble, 0 Bass), No Sub, Out of 5

RT35i ----
Highs - Overall: 4.3
Smoothness: 3.5
Clarity: 4.5
Detail: 5.0
Mids - Overall: 3.6
Clarity: 3.5 (Needs 2 (Mid-bass Drivers))
Soundstage: 3.5 (dosn't fill in the sides well, does center very nicely)
Smoothness: 4.0 (Has an ok blend with tweeter for overall performance)
Bass: 4.0

Overall Performance: 4 Out of 5

RT5 ----
Highs - Overall: 4.5
Smoothness: 5.0
Clarity: 4.0
Detail: 4.5
Mids - Overall:
Clarity: 4.0 (very open for a bookshelf, was surprised)
Soundstage: 3.5 (Dosn't fill up the sides well, does center nicely)
Smoothness: 4.5 (Very well balanced, nothing over bareing)
Bass: 3.0 (Not alot of bass in comparison of the RT35I)

Overall Performance: 4.1

Overall: The RT5 is slightly better in the highs, it's basically a tie with me in the mids, the bass is better in the RT35i. However, I lean more towards the RT5 alone than the RT35i, although due to cosmetics - the RT5 will remain on shelves, for now.

[organ]

Very nice comparison there. I see that you enjoy the smoothness and highs the RT5's provide. Those and its warmth is what I really like about them.
If the vinyl finish is really bothering you, try some of those wood finish that you paste on yourself. It's been discussed here before and you can order them online in different colors.
You have a pair of excellent bookshelf speakers there. Enjoy.

Maurice

[VR3]

I didn't even know they were vynl.....thanks for telling me, I'm returning them now ;)

Really I didn't, I was talking about the scratched up bottum of the speakers.....

[brettw22]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Highs - Overall: 4.3
Mids - Overall: 3.6

I'm just curious, and I'm sure you'll take this as me bitching, but exactly what differentiates a speaker from being a 4.2 or a 4.4 in this scale of yours? Is it possible that you're trying *too* hard? I'm all for rating a speaker, but there's not a chance in hell I'm personally going to pin it down to a tenths of a point......that's just me though. Anyway, I'd be curious as to what itemization you have on the various tenths.......

Congrats on the speakers.......they're from a great line.

[RuSsMaN]

Great speakers Trey.

I'm curious too, it may help if you have a 'reference' speaker noted. For instance (in my case), the best <$300 (retail) bookshelf speaker I have heard is the Kef Cresta 2. That is my one speaker by which all others are judged.

Might help if you make a point of YOUR reference, that's all - in other words - what is your 5 of 5?

Cheers,
Russ

[VR3]

the 4.3 was all added together then divided by in this case, 3.

Im not answering my conclusions, it was just based on my opinion, in this case......

Jensen being 1

And How I think it should sound being 5

all I am going to explain myself....

[TroyD]

I've not HEARD the RT5 but am intimately familiar with the vererable RT7 which is my favorite Polk bookshelf (that I've heard). Pretty sure the cabs weren't vinyl though.

Good find Sid.

BDT

[VR3]

Thank ya,
I would swear to my never that that cabinet is wood too, It just feels to solid to be vinyl.

[RuSsMaN]

Trey, you were so cute back then. That's how far you've come. ;)

[Vette C6.r]

I have had the RT5's as my surround speakers. They have served me well through the years.

I did have them in a 3 channel rig briefly. Rather surprised by them.

[Vette C6.r]

BTW did you get them on e-bay???? I was bidding on them for my rears in my 7.1 setup

[VR3]

Wow. What an old thread. LOL

I did purchase these on Ebay back in 2003. I do not remember how long I had these speakers. I do remember they had an excellent top end and almost zero soundstaging capabilities.

What is funnier about this thread is reading my "ratings" on these speakers.

Thanks for the reminder of how silly I was Russ!