I miss my RT400's:-(

[bobsauto49]

A couple months ago,the voice coil ripped on 1 of my old RT400's! So i parted the other 1 out,and ventured into new territories! I was using them as surrounds at the time,and figured something new would easily replace them.
Well i was wrong I've tried RT600i's,M3II's,and most recently Brand new Monitor 70's! None of these speakers even come close to the wonderful sound the RT400's put out! And yes,i did let the 70's break in for about a month! For movies,or 5.0 music listening the RT400's were just plain better!
So I am possibly on the lookout for another good working set of RT400's. Or,if any of the Guru's around here can steer me in the way of something equal,that would be great! I dont care if they are floorstanders,or bookshelf's,but they need to be black! All other speakers i've tried,just dont seem to have that warm envoloping sound! So any suggestion would be heavily appieciated! Thanx!

[bobsauto49]

Isn't anybody here an old fashion RT lover? With some good advice?

[VR3]

I have always felt the RT series has been a parallel exchange of superior looks for the past 10 years...

The Monitor series is a drastic downgrade from the RT series, IMO.

[bobsauto49]

TY VR3! What can i look for in replacements? Anything in The RTi/RTia series,something old,something new? How bout a different brand? Something that fills the room,instead of throwing out a poor,weak sound? ty for your response!

[cnh]

What about those KEFs? Surely you are "not" saying that a pair of RT 400s are better than a set of KEFQ900s?

cnh

[DSkip]

You could consider my FX300i's

They won't be as big, but they are of the same series and use the same tweeter.

[tonyb]

Buy a pair of Kef surrounds since you like them up front. Why haven't you gone that route ?

[bobsauto49]

No,the KEF's are quite near perfect for my ears! The RT400 was more laid back,which i really like for surrounds! The Q900 is much more detailed,and life like,with nice tight bass!(for my taste) I suppose i coul try the Kef Q surrounds,however they are $600+. I dont mind spending the $600,however ,i feel that i may want more room filling sound,like perhaps a set of RT55i's?
And then there's the "how many time are u gonna swap those rear speakers out in the back of the room?" from the better half! So i'd like to make an informed decision! Thanx for the advice fella's!

[VR3]

I really like my Q300 -

I hate buying specific purpose speakers like surrounds and centers.

Try the Q300.

[rooftop59]

It will be hard to find that exact model, but any of the older rt speakers with the black dome tweeter will have a very similar sound. Rt3, rt5, rt25, rt35 all are bookies with same tweeter. Rt10 and rt12 are older towers with same tweeter, but harder to find some they are uneconomical to ship. Good luck!

[tonyb]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/2870235474.html

RTI38's for a hundie....as a surround speaker, not bad at all.

[Kex]

I'm a bit surprised you didn't like the RT600i, otherwise I would recommend RT55 (either with the "i" or not) in no uncertain terms. There are hardly any differences to none between the RTxx(x) and RTxx(x)(i) range from that series, other than blue colored drivers and real wood veneer instead of vinyl imitation wood veneer. I ran a whole HT system for a while with only RT55 and a CS400. The RT55 is a whopping beast of overkill for surround, but I loved them. I still have two, and a couple of RT800. The CS400(i) is highly recommended also, but only for those with matching fronts.

Tonyb's suggestion for the RT38i would seem a perfect replacement option for surround, but I'm still wondering why you didn't like the RT600i. Did you recalibrate your system properly after adding the RT600i? Were they even working properly? Were the tweeters at the correct height?

[Kex]

After some searching, I think it might be the tweeter on the RT600i that you didn't like. It's the tri-laminate tweeter than some found too strident, tinny or harsh (I don't, BTW). I don't know the specifications of the RT400, but from the archived product page, it doesn't have a tri-laminate tweeter. That might be what rooftop59 was referring to when he made his suggestions above.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p.../recent/rt400/

[bobsauto49]

Thats spot on Kex! The Rt600i was too bright for me! I tried them up front,and in rear surround! The Rt400 wasn't as bright,and much easier on the ears! For those of u that haven't heard a pair of RT400's,if u get the chance,don't pass it up! They will suprise u!
I think i'm going to go with VR3's advice,and try the KEF Q300. That will make a full 5.0 set of the Q series! Then go on from there! The journey carries on