RT400's for a new guy... ?

[John in NC]

Hi Folks, new to the site, new to audio of reasonable quality.

Ran across some RT400's that are for sale. I'm looking for some speakers for a non surround, stand alone system mostly for the Ipod and vinyl. I've read great reviews about these speakers- they seem to have a rabid following among budget buyers.

What would be a reasonable price to pay? They're asking $100.
What do I look for when testing, they're hooked up to a stereo currently. I assume I should run each independently and check for buzzing/ cracking/ hissing, make sure the tweeter is working on both? Look for crushed corners on the cabinets, obvious defects in the drivers?

Hope this pic works:

Are these the RT400?

I have some old school JBL Lancer 99's (S99's) as well with the Walnut cabinets, they were my Grand-Dad's from way back when.
I found this pic on the web, they look about the same:

I'm embarrassed to say I tried desperately to sell these about 5 years ago for the royal sum of $30 and contemplated taking them to Goodwill. Didn't realize what I had, plus the sentimental value... now I hope to use them in a vintage setup at some point in the future.

Any thoughts on the RT400's would be greatly appreciated.

I'm considering 6.5 inch Polk replacement speakers for my SUV as well, but that's another story.
Thanks!

[John in NC]

There's also a pair of RTA-12C's for sale for $300. Don't know which series/ serial number range if that's important.

[DSkip]

There's a set of RT400's local to me that haven't moved off CL in 9 months with a $60 asking price. Needless to say, I'd pass. RTA-12's are much nicer speakers but $300 seems a tad high to me. Where you located?

Have you thought about the NewEgg deal? 2 Monitor 60's for $198 delivered seems to be in your budget and they'd come w/ a 5 year warranty.

[bobsauto49]

I have the rt400's and have used them up front! They are a suprisingly great sounding speaker! I now use them in surround and have gotten rid of more expensive speakers in favor of them! See if u can get them for $80,and i'd say it would be money well spent! As long as they are in good working order. Take a leap! I love mine!

[John in NC]

Thanks a bunch for the replies! My budget is self imposed- I am frugal when it comes to electronics/ speakers so the thought of some nice speakers for a bargain intrigues me and reviews made the RT400's sound like 'living legends'.

I also don't think I'd want to get into a whole system with amps and all that at this point (I know once the bug bites I might want to upgrade and will probably wish I'd gotten better components). So some speakers that will have great sound without needing an amp or two is what I'm after. A powerful receiver, turntable, I-pod plus a couple of mean speakers is what I have in mind. This is not for the surround system (at this time at least).

I'm in Southeastern NC. I thought about offering $60 for the RT400's that way if I upgraded I could sell them for about the same. I also saw an ad for 2 RT2000P Tower Speakers and CS350 Center Channel speaker for $500, from 1999.

DSkip is this the speaker you are referring to?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290207
If so the deal you mentioned may be over, says $149 per speaker. I see they were on sale at one point for $109 each. 2 for $198 shipped would be an incredible deal.
Do you think these would vastly outperform the RT400's in the setup I mentioned (without a separate amp)?

Really appreciate the input, I'm a total beginner to quality audio and I probably sound like a bottom feeder ($$) at this point, just learning as I go.
Thanks!

[DSkip]

Those would be them. They are essentially the same as the TSi400, the current line from polk. At $99 each, you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal, new or used. They Monitor 70's have been going on sale for $149 each, but all I've read suggest the 60's perform better on modest systems. The 70's need juice to shine.

I personally just wouldn't even contemplate the 400's. They are probably decent at HT, but they won't do as well as others for music. One series to look at would be the first generation LS series. They are some fine sounding speakers and if you can find some LS50/70, they should do fairly well on modest gear while giving you the opportunity to grow into them with nicer components. The 90's might run into the same power issues the 70's have, but I could be wrong on that.

[John in NC]

Newegg has that deal again on the Monitor 60's. $149 each with a $50 off promo code.


"Polk Audio Monitor60 Series II Floorstanding Loudspeaker (Black) Each
$50 off w/ promo code EMCJHJA48, ends 12/25"

Would the bookshelf speakers, the Monitor 40's hold a candle to these? They're $149 for a pair vs. $200 for the 60's- my only thought is they'd fit on the built in shelves where the 60's would be on the floor.

[John in NC]

PS with the Monitor 60's am I going to want to add a subwoofer to the mix or do you think they'll have adequate low end? Not trying to blow out the windows just want the most bang for the buck. I have a mental block about not having at least an 8" woofer in the speaker. Thanks!

[shack]

If the OP has not purchased the RT400s yet...he should do so now. They are worth every penny of $100 if they are in nice shape and good working order. If there was a pair around here for that price I would buy them immediately...just to make sure I always have a pair...I like them that much. I have heard the monitor 60's and a good pair of RT400s is better IMO.

dskip - just because they haven't sold for the $60 in your area doesn't mean they aren't worth it. Most people have no clue about how good these speakers are. You ought to pick them up for $60. You might be impressed.

[bobsauto49]

+1 Shack! I love my RT400's,and have 0 plans of ever getting rid of them! I have got rid of the LS50,and the RT600i in favor of the RT400's! They fill the room with a warm sound!

[John in NC]

UPDATE- I went to HHGregg and listened to the monitor 60's as well as a couple bookshelf speakers, and I was very disappointed in the low end. At first I thought "WOW" then I realized they had a 10 inch 100 watt Polk sub running as well, when they turned that off I was amazed at how bad the low end sounded. Can you get solid, deep, well reproduced bass out of a 5-6 inch woofer?
I might go check out the 400's after all.
The sub sounded great, the lows coming from the 60's did not.

[nadams]

I was fairly impressed by the Monitor 60's that I picked up for my brother. Perhaps the HHGregg showroom was not conducive to demos? And what kind of gear were they driving them with? I had them hooked up to an Adcom GFA-545.

[shack]

The bass that comes from the RT400s is one of their strong points. I use them in a 2 channel rig with no sub and have no complaints about the amount of bass. It is not muddy, thumping, party music bass...and if that is what you like these are not for you. But if you like tight, controled bass that covers 98% of what will ever be required in all but the most demanding music...the RT400s might work for you. The RT400s are one of those rare speakers that sound better than the sum of their parts indicate they should. At least IMO.

[John in NC]

They had them running off a surround receiver, not sure of the power it put out, but it was big. I just was beside myself when I left- let down. Maybe they had them set up wrong or underpowered? In my mind, I think I need at least an 8 or 10 inch woofer, don't really want to HAVE to run a sub to get good rounded out sound.

I'm definitely not wanting to blast out my neighbors, just want well reproduced sound and a little "Oomph" on the low end.
Waiting on an e-mail back on the RT-400's. Thanks!

[DSkip]

Agree to disagree Shack, but I am glad you love them. John, there were some RT55i's in your area for $200 IIRC. Saw them a few nights ago when I stumbled across that picture above. I'd entertain those a lot more than the RT400's, but that's just me. Good luck on whatever you decide (though it seems your mind is made up). Let us know how it goes.

[shack]

Agree to disagree Shack, but I am glad you love them. John, there were some RT55i's in your area for $200 IIRC. Saw them a few nights ago when I stumbled across that picture above. I'd entertain those a lot more than the RT400's, but that's just me.

That's fine. I actually have the RT55is in my HT rig. Those too are damn fine speakers...but different animals. I am not a fan of the tri-lams and swapped them out. I have moved both sets in and out of both rigs...and for my taste the RT400s are the speakers for a 2 channel rig. They definitely have more/better bass. To get the same low end results out of the 55is I have to pair them with a sub. The 55is may never leave my HT mated with a CS400i center and FX300i...it is an excellent setup. Either way he would be doing fine.