R50 vs Rti4

[mmcculloch]

Hello All,

Please excuse a dumb question; I'm not much of an audiophile.

I have a pair of Rti4 as my main speakers, and a Csi3 as my center. These serve me fine. However I do want to go to a 5.1 system, and I see that R50s are very cheap when on sale at Fry's (much less than my Rti4's were). Would it make sense if I bought a pair of R50's and used them as my main front speakers and put the Rti4's at the rear, or would this be be downgrading my mains? I don't want to downgrade my mains.

My RX is an Onkyo TX-SR502.

Thanks!
Murray

[daleykd]

Aren't the RTi4's pretty freakin' kick ass? I don't think the R50s are a step up in any form or fashion. (I'll trade you! :D )

From what I gather, the RTi series do better with an amp? The audiophiles here can verify.

Do you have rear L/Rs?

[mmcculloch]

Hi daley,

What does L/Rs mean?

See what I mean - I don't know a lot about them :) I just know that the cost difference has me wondering if I'd be downgrading.

I'm looking to add a pair of rear speakers and a sub to my system, while sticking to a pretty stingy budget. But if the R50's are a step down from the Rti4's then I won't go that route.

Murray

[ABX]

Buy what you can afford

[McLoki]

I would say you would be much better served getting a pair of RTi6's and moving the 4's to the back as surrounds.

I do not think the 50's would be a step up or even to the side....

Michael

[daleykd]

Hi daley,

What does L/Rs mean?

Left/Right

Buy what you can afford

Like ABX said, buy what you can afford. If you can afford a lot, get RTi6s for the fronts, then put the RTi4s in the rear. If not, and you just need/want something for your rears, get something you can afford (R150s, R50s, etc.) I don't know how having something such as the R series would sound with the RTi4s in the front, but you'd have something in the rear.

Disclaimer: I am in NO way an audiophile and the only info I give is a regurgitation of what I've learned from forums.

[Ern Dog]

The Rti4's are a good start for your HT 5.1 system. The rears don't get a lot of action, so I would recommend getting a sub first then the rears. You will get a bigger bang for your money this way and notice a big improvement. The Rti4's aren't designed for low end bass so you are missing a lot of information and the UUMMPPHH that a sub will provide.

If you insist on getting the rears first then here would be my order of preference:

1- as mentioned above, get the Rti6's.
2- get another set of Rti4's.
3- get Monitor 30's
4- the R series

[Poee7R]

You already have 2/3's of a nice little RTi setup. I would say go with a pair of rti6's for your fronts, scoot the rti4's to the rear, then down the road find a good sub and you're golden.

If money is a bit tight i would recommend looking for a good used pair. I would guess somewhere between 150-200 for a decent set.

You could go with the R50's but if you are anything like the rest of us they wont satisfy you, knowing you could have matched em all up. So save yourself the headache and the prolonged upgrade and finish off your set.


Dave

PS Ern is correct in saying a new sub will have the most effect for movie's. But i would advise waiting until you have a couple bucks saved up and get a sub you think would be overkill. HSU, SVS (can get a bit pricey) and i think Elemental Designs are making some good kick for the money. But save until you can do right in the sub area.

[Kex]

Have you noticed the current prices on RTi4 and RTi6? The new RTi A 2008 range is coming so you will get great prices on these. I am not sure you need to go looking for R50s to get a good deal at the moment. Check prices on amazon.com and then see what else you can get if you don't want to buy from amazon.com. They have been fluctuating quite a bit recently.

[mmcculloch]

Thanks everyone for all that great advice. Very very helpful. I'm glad I didn't grab those R50s. Sometimes I just get suckered by the price (they are $70ea + shipping at Frys).

I agree that getting a sub first makes sense, so let me ask, are Polk subs good? I do like to listen to music too, especially classical, so this would not be a pure HT sub. I really can't spend a lot, so I would be limited to the $200 - $400 range.

I will keep my eyes open for a pair of RTi6 that I can afford.

Thanks all,
Murray

[mmcculloch]

Left/Right

If you mean amps, then no, I just have the single Onkyo receiver.

Murray

[Ern Dog]

You are in Luck. There is a used SVS PB10 sitting at Audiogon for $350 obo! Check it out: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ubw&1196206150

[vonnie123]

a couple of the big retailers JR, FRYS (in store and online) have these at greatly reduced prices. you should be able to pick up a new pair around $200-$250. I just bought some tonight as accent speakers.

[mmcculloch]

Hi Vonnie,

Yes, I noticed that after I'd replied about the RTi6's. Much more affordable than I had imagined. In fact, for some reason Frys has them for less than RTi4's! Amazon and Crutchfield also have them cheap with free shipping.

However, I've learned a lot in the last few days and I have come to the realization that my room is really too large for 4's or 6's as mains. So I have decided to seek out a pair of used 8's.

Thanks for your input,
Murray