New Hi-fi System

[Sprags]

Greetings all,

Not sure if I'm posting in the wrong area. I apologize if I am.

Anyways....I moved into a condo i'm renting in Cincinnati after starting a new job while I was waiting for things to happen with my house in Charlotte, NC. The house in Charlotte has been rented. I have about 80 boxes of items in the garage and my old Sony reciever was getting old so I decided to splurge and get a new Sony 7.2 receiever that can be connected to my TV. I also purchased some Polk Audio Ti300's that I intended on using as starter speakers. After getting that system connected to the TV I decided I really needed more speakers and luckily after opening just a few boxes in the garage I found the Bose speakers I originally had. So I set everything up so that the Ti300's are the main front speakers and the Bose speakers are the front and rear satellites. The Bose speakers I have are fairly old so they are non-powered subs. This system is fine for my TV.

However....after listening to a few CD's I also unpacked I started missing a decent sound system so.....I decided to splurge. I'm having a tube amp based on the old ST-70 being built and I'm getting a new tube preamp as well. The new amp is rated at 60 watts per channel so it really should be more than adequate for driving a good pair of tower speakers.

I'm limited as far as space goes so I'm considering the RTiA7's though the RTiA9's are also a consideration. that $1500 price point for speakers is my limit since the tube amp is setting me back about the same price.

My question is since I don't have a local place for listening is id the RTAi7's are adequate or are 9's really worth the extra $500? Advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thank you....Sprags

[DSkip]

Stay away from the A9's if space is limited. Those are massive speakers and will need to stick way into the room. Have you considered LSi9's, or even the LSiM 703's? At $1500, the 703's are an excellent performer, but you would need some stands for them. The LSi9's are a steal at their current prices and you could use the extra money for crossover mods and some nice stands.

What are you going to be using for cables?

[specd_out]

The polk RTi line while very good is designed for more HT in mind then music. The Lsi and Lsim line are designed more for music. I have lsi9 for music and Rtia5s for ht. While they both sound great the LSi is much much better at music. Nicely laid back and still very crisp and detailed.

[Sprags]

Thanks for the responses. It looks like the LSi9's are discontinued though.

[ratster]

Thanks for the responses. It looks like the LSi9's are discontinued though.

Don't be afraid of buying used.Especially,from someone on this forum. Have you checked Polks e-¡bay store?

[specd_out]

I got mine for a guy on CL. Never used, never even connected. They sat in his closet since 07. I paid $500. They are an amazing speakers.

9's pop up all the time in the Market Place. Nice thing about the LSI series is that they where price high enough that the people who paid that much for a speaker typically took care of them. Granted not everyone but even still.

[Sprags]

Not to complain but I just tried to see if I could find any deals on the forum sales section and it states I cannot even look at a post until i have 100 posts. I already have a pair of TSi300's and would like to purchase more at a good deal but i can't until long after I'm going to have made a purchase. I don't know about you but I have a life beyond computers and I most probably won't be living on the Polk Audio Forum.

[DSkip]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EA-LSiM703-C...item53f08379b2

[Sprags]

Thanks for the find. I know no one can say for certain but does anyone by chance know what it is that seems to usually be refurbished on these discounted speakers?

Are the LSiM703's 'better' than the LSi9's? Again I understand this may be a subjective question but can someone perhaps offer some input?

Thanks again....Sprags (a.k.a Blake)

[Sprags]

Realized Magnolia is a store within Best Buy and they just added it to the local Best Buy. I know everyone is telling me I should get the LSi9s or those 703s but Magnolia claims they have the RTAi7s so I figure a test listen couldn't hurt. I walked into the Magnolia section and saw all the nice high end equipment....except for the RTAi7s. The sales person looked it up on the computer and according to the computer they have them. To her every tower seemed to look the same to her even if one was 3 feet tall and the other was 5....even if it didn't say Polk Audio on it. She then realized it would have to be ordered. Oh well. I'd still like to hear before I buy.

[Upstatemax]

The Polk refurb stuff is like brand new.

For the price on those LSiM 703's I don't think they can be beat...

[math wizard]

Stay away from the A9's if space is limited. Those are massive speakers and will need to stick way into the room. Have you considered LSi9's, or even the LSiM 703's? At $1500, the 703's are an excellent performer, but you would need some stands for them. The LSi9's are a steal at their current prices and you could use the extra money for crossover mods and some nice stands.

What are you going to be using for cables?

I have the rti10's (same as the A7's). I agree with the above statement. That's why I'm in the market for a set of LSi towers for my 2-channel listening.

[nwohlford]

Thanks for the find. I know no one can say for certain but does anyone by chance know what it is that seems to usually be refurbished on these discounted speakers?

Are the LSiM703's 'better' than the LSi9's? Again I understand this may be a subjective question but can someone perhaps offer some input?

Thanks again....Sprags (a.k.a Blake)

The LSiMs are a more nuetral sounding speaker than the LSi9s. The LSi9s have an over emphasis in the bass which can make them sound fun or lively. I enjoy both speakers, but given the price difference right now, I think the LSi9s are a great deal. If the price difference is not a big deal I would get the LSiM703s.

[Bob in WI]

I bought refurb Monitor 70s from the Polk E bay site. They were new speakers, not refurb. I'd guess they just don't want to say "discounted to move excess inventory". My speakers were sitting in storage for years before I got them. The glue on the tape that holds the boxes closed was dried up & the tape was starting to deteriorate. That takes years. But the speakers are perfect. I would by refurb from Polk again in a heartbeat.

[Sprags]

I splurged and bought the 703s on Polk eBay. I hope this was a good decision.

[DSkip]

Congrats on the purchase! I don't see you regretting it in the least. Report back when you get them so you can thank us.

[Sprags]

Don't be afraid of buying used.Especially,from someone on this forum. Have you checked Polks e-¡bay store?

Not that I have an OCD but 'used' really bothers me....for just about everything ...unless its in incredible condition or its unbreakable. I bought a used Corvette once...4012 miles but it still had the plastic on the carpeting and the interior. The dealership owner drove it to and from work for two years without titling it. ...and revolvers are are usually ok used also