What have YOU heard vs. Polk RTi's and which was better?

[Nostalgic]

Hey all.

I'm very close to getting some RTi8's with a CSi5 center and some Rti4 rears. I may also wait til the RTiA's come out.

Anyway, my question is this: For roughly the same amount of money (within about 500-1000 either way), what have you heard and did you feel the RTi's were better or worse.

I know it's opinion but I want to hear it none-the-less.

Thanks!

(example: If you have heard some AV123 x-ls system and felt it was better than the Polk RTi's).


EDIT: (To answer questions from Post #2)

-Powered from my Harman Kardon AVR 435
-I will use them for 85% HT and 15% Music
-My great room is 20' x 17' x 9' and opens to the kitchen

Even with the info above, I'm just curious as to what other speaker brands people have heard in a similar price range as the Polks and if they feel they offer better sound quality.

Also, I didn't find the RTi's too bright for my taste (the Klipsch were though!).

Thanks for your insights so far guys!

[ben62670]

What are you using for power?
What is it going to be used for? Are you a music lover or get HT?
What size area are they going to be placed in?
I'm into older speakers so I won't be much help, but the guys are going to need this info.

Welcome to Club Polk

Ben

[pblanc]

Used LSi15s, used LSic, used LSi7s or LSi9s, if you have equipment that can handle a 4 ohm load. If not, used RT55is, used Cs400i, used RT25is.
The RT55is or RT55s come up for sale frequently, the RT25is or RT25s even more frequently, and the Cs400i occasionally. I have purchased all of the above on ebay over the last 12 months to assemble a system for my daughter.

I realize most people want new and want it now, but to my ears the RTi series is a bit too bright. I think the RT25, RT35, RT55 and the corresponding "i" versions were some of the best dollar value speakers ever made anywhere, by anybody.

[VSchneider]

For roughly the same amount of money (within about 500-1000 either way), what have you heard and did you feel the RTi's were better or worse

Before I ended up in the RTi paradise I am now, some other speakers I listened to and concidered (with the exceptoin of Bose, which I just listened to :-D) were:
Infinity Primus
- good value, but Polk has Monitor for that
- butt-uggly - YMMV)
Infinity Beta 20, 10
- nice sound
- RTi sounded and looked cleaner to me
B&W 6xx
- excellent detailed and balanced sound, too, but for more money
- auditioned on $$$$$ of gear, so may not be a fair comparison
Klipsch - Quintet II, Synergy
- very clear
- a tad too bright for my taste
Bose - 201, 301, Acoustimass, etc.
- yeah, right...
- are you kidding me??
- maybe a good choice for somebody, but not me

Unfortunately, unless you bring some speakers home and listen to on your gear and in your room, it's hard to find a direct comparison.

- Val

[Refefer]

It's really hard to beat out the Rti series in home theater. I'd say the Lsi theater in the used mart might be a worthy upgrade, so long as you don't mind the amp ;)

I like the reference line of klipsch for hometheater, but find their stuff for music just too bright to enjoy for anything longer than a couple of minutes. I also like vintage Advent Large speakers for hometheater, which they do surprisingly very well and rock for audio.

I've heard loads of HTiBs which are pretty horrendous, no surprise there.

Oh, I've heard a set of Meridian's set up which sound fantastic, just out of your price range by around $30 Grand. ;)

Honestly, I'd wait till the sexy new RtiA's come out, with the curved cabinets. Yum, so good... and bound to sound a bit better as well!