RTi100's & CSi40

[slacker76]

Just bought a pair of 100's and the 40 for a center channel. Not planning on a rear channel or seperate sub at the moment---its all I could do to get these approved by the wife.

My concern is that I should of got the 70's from all that I have read here.

Just looking for great sound when I watch a dvd or listen to a cd. I am not an audiophile by any means. Just want something that sounds pretty good without spending a small fortune.

What does everyone think did I make the right choice? Thanks for your feedback.

[jdhdiggs]

Without a sub that looks to be the right move. If you went with the 70's you would have a little benifit in the mid bass region, but you would IMHO be missing almost all the lower end <70 hz.

I realize the specs say that there is only 4Hz difference between the two on the low end but the 70's would struggle to produce that bass on a standard type reciever where the 100's can use their own power giving better performance overall.

Sum it up: No sub, keep the 100's. Sub in the near future, pick up the 70's.

[kingtut]

Prior to purchasing the 70, I listened 3x (about 1/2-45 min each time) at CC, and I preferred the 70 over the 100 because the mid is clearer. The 100 has more bass, although it's not very tight. A separate sub has better bass than the 100. I have a sub, so I chose to go with the 70. I agree w/ jdhdiggs; if you don't plan to get a sub, go w/the 100.

[dcarlson]

The 100 has more bass, although it's not very tight.

I have the RT1000i which is the model before the 100s. Same speaker really. Give them some quality power and the bass isn't sloppy at all. They may get overwhelmed if you watch movies at higher volumes. For music, alone they are a great speaker and I'd take them over the 70s and a sub. For movies, I'd go with the 70s and add a sub.

The way I have mine set up. For music, just the 1000i's no sub. For movies, I set the 1000i's to small add the sub. Keep in mind, I listen to music much more than I watch movies. So I'm willing to compromise on the movies, which still sound awesome.

The 1000s and 100s get a bad rap from crap assed auditions in a bad room at the big box stores run on receivers that don't feed them properly.

What's your ratio of music vs. movies? If you watch more movies, the 70s and a sub would probably have been a better choice. If you listen to more music, you did fine. If you do both about the same amount, it's a toss up either way.

[slacker76]

Thanks for your feedback, I do watch more movies than I listen to music. I am just really trying to get something that sounds good if I want to turn it up a little---nothing more.

Thanks for the feedback

[dcarlson]

You're definetly fine then. ;) Enjoy and don't think twice.

[kingtut]

dcarlson, I demo the 100 & the 70 at two different CCs. Granted, CC has some of the worst demo rooms around, but the first CC had an H/K 525 and the 2nd CC had the Onkyo 900 driving the 100 and the 70. Both the H/K and the Onkyo are decent receivers.

[dcarlson]

Decent for receivers, sure. I'm not saying you didn't hear a difference. I'm saying if the 100s are run on an amp that'll grab them by the balls and take control, they'll shine.

I've had my RT1000i's for about a year and half. Every upgrade I've done, to my surprise they've kept up and still surprising me. The best thing I've done was get a higher powered integrated amp that does take control of them.

For 2 channel, I'd take the 100s. For HT I'd take the 70s and add a sub. Neither is better, just different.

I'm just more of a 2 channel guy. ;)

[kingtut]

What amp are you using? I'm using the Audiosource Amp3, very good amp for the $.

[dcarlson]

I have a Musical Fidelity A3 integrated. It's rated at a conservative 85w/ch.

[jmanolinsky]

Slacker,

I have 4 RTi100's that I use for fronts along with a CSi40 center and I love them. I have 4 RTi38's that I use for surrounds and rear surrounds. Movies and music both are pretty impressive. I especially like the way 7 channel stereo sounds through my system.

Hope this helps,
Jman

[dcorrea]

Slacker,

You did not go wrong by any means with the 100's. Like you after I purchased them I read all the statements here about them being poor when compared to the 70's. Like you I started to consider taking them back but I told myself to disregard the opinions of others and listen to them for myself. I couldnt be happier. They are a great speaker, and if properly calibrated they are awesome for both HT and music. I have a seperate sub and I disconnected it from my system because the 100's put out plenty of bass.
Bottom line is you really need to try the speakers out for a while and make a decision that you'll be happy with. If it sounds good to you then that is all that matters.

[dcorrea]

One thing to make sure of when hooking these up is to keep the binding plate installed and run your speaker wire to the top inputs. I tried multiple ways of hooking these up such as the sub off of my AVR preouts and even running it from the lfe out of my receiver. These are what got me questioning my decision in the first place. For some reason with the binding plate removed and running the sub from my preouts the sound just didnt stike me as anything to be happy about. The highs are great but the lows were weak. Keeping the binding plate installed truly brings out the best from these speakers.

[dcarlson]

You can also replace the strap jumper with speaker wire as well. I've read here that it makes a difference, I've done it but just never tried and A/B test.

You should run the 100s large in your receiver with the jumpers in. Let the speakers handle the bass management.

[TheMaster]

Slacker,

I just sold (almost gave it away ) my RTi100 to a friend just to help him to get started with HT. I would have never sold it rather, just help him find a good deal from our local store(oh well). I am confident that you will enjoy the 100s, just don't forget to use it with a decent amp. Hook these babies up accordingly, calibrate the speakers, play a dvd or cd and enjoy them.
Do your self a favor, if you are not planning to be an audiophiler, don't even think of tweaking or playing with your systems after you had set them up (it has this deep hole that is impossible to get out from once you have fallen down:D )

g man