need some help with choosing speakers

[rlchap]

I currently have no set-up at all. I decided for Christmas this year I was going to treat myself to a decent set-up for music. I want to be able to plug up my video for movies, but just as an after thought...music is the main purpose for this. I decided I wanted polk speakers based on reviews I have read and numerous friends that have owned polk for years. I see all these sales going on right now and seems I am looking at a good time. I am considering the RTi8, RTi 10, and Monitor 60 or 70. I have read the RTi serious is much better than the monitor, but there is a substatial price difference too. For music, how much difference will I see? Also, I have a small sub I could hook up, but I don't have anything else yet. I want to decide on speakers and then decide how to power them. I am really only going to want to spend 300 or so on the power, but I don't mind buying used and I won't need 5.1 or anything since I am concerned mainly with music so I am thinking 300 should be enough to get enough power for the speakers. Can anyone give me some suggestions about which speakers might be best for music and will the RTi's sound so much better to make up the difference in price?

[cfrizz]

Welcome to CP.

The best thing would be to go & listen to both series of speakers. So go to a store, or see if you can go to your friends houses & listen to their setups. Most have said that the RTI series is much better than the Monitor series.

It doesn't sound like you are taking any future considerations into account, which I think is a mistake. It is always better to get more than what you think you want now, rather than spending twice when you decide to upgrade further down the line.

[Frank Z]

Grab a pair of LSi9's and an Outlaw 2150 2 channel receiver.

[rlchap]

you said I am not thinking about the future...? I appreciate your reply, I just don't understand what you mean. Should I be thinking more about how I am going to power them? Someone mentioned to me that I should get a nice receiver with 5.1 or 7.1 because I will probably want it in the future and a good receiver will last for years. What are your thoughts? I wanted to keep my budget in the 1100 dollar range, but if I spend 700 on the RTi10's on amazon.com, then that doesn't leave but about 400 bucks for a receiver and amp. (I assume I'll need both based on the other posts I have read) Is this even going to be possible with the amount I am wanting to spend?

[ohskigod]

if your on a limited budget, I would go with a 2 channel set up. it will ekep costs down, and you can use your budget for sound quality over channel quantity.

Frank Z's reccomendation is nt that bad a reccomendation. (although I might say go LSi7 instead of 9)

[rlchap]

I just started reading about Frank Z's recomendation. I never really considered bookshelf speakers as I didn't think I would get good sound quality for music, but what I am reading says otherwise. Sounds like I would have to invest some money in a really good amp for those though...of course maybe I am going to have to with the 10's too. I never realized how complicated this was going to be. I used to be in touch with electronics but apparently I am very much over my head here. (bi-amping, cross overs, 5.1 versus 7.1...I'm going crazy!!! ha ha)

[cfrizz]

It does get confusing doesn't it?

If you are sure that you are only going to listen in 2 channel & never are going to upgrade to HT, then follow Frank Z's advice.

However, if there is a possibility that you will want a HT setup, then you will need a HT receiver. It should have all the bells & whistles you want it to have, as well as preamp outputs to add external amplification to further down the road. (receivers never give you the power they say they do)

Don't worry about bi-amping, or cross-overs. Most receivers are now 7.1, but you don't have to use all of them, it's just nice to have the option.

[rlchap]

It seems, with the prices I am seeing, that buying RTi10 or 8 or any of the discontinuing models is actually going to be cheaper than Frank Z's suggestion. I am seeing the LSi9's at about 900 for the pair where the others are from 400 to 700 for the pair. I really got interested in the idea of having bookshelf speakers after researching today (simply for looks as they are smaller but seem to have good sounds) but I have a hard time justifying in my mind spending more for bookshelf versus big floorstanding. Is this just in my head? Other than looks, can anyone tell me if there is an advantage I am not considering in the bookshelf? I really appreciate everyone's comments. I am excited by the prospect of hearing my music in a way I have never heard it before, but I want to make the best decision I can because I don't want to spend 1000 (at an absolute minimum it appears) and then feel like it was a bad investment...know what I mean? I don't have a great place to listen to the different speakers in a store so all the different posts I am reading and these comments are really helping.

[Frank Z]

The LSi9's outperform the RTi series. There's no comparison. The 9's a speaker that will blow your mind. You believe the sound quality, imaging, detail, and clarity that they produce.

The Outlaw is conservatively rated at 160 watts per channel, 20 Hz - 20kHz,<0.03% THD, both channels driven into 4 ohms . It's got enough muscle to make the 9's sing rather sweetly.

[rlchap]

Ok...sounds like I will be spending more than I thought. Oh well...what's a Christmas bonus for anyway? I just saw a Hk 7300 7.1 Receiver in the for sale section. Any thoughts on how this would sound with the LSi9's? I am sure it's best to hear it, but they are asking the same price as the outlaw so I thought I would just ask if anyone had any thoughts. If not, everything I have read about the outlaw Frank Z recommended has been VERY positive.

[Frank Z]

Is it rated to drive a 4 ohm load?

[rlchap]

nope...thanks...that answers that.

[treitz3]

I currently have no set-up at all. I decided for Christmas this year I was going to treat myself to a decent set-up for music. I want to be able to plug up my video for movies, but just as an after thought...music is the main purpose for this.

This, to me is the most important part of your decision. If your preference is music, then stick with it and concentrate on 2 channel. If HT is an afterthought, then I would suggest not thinking about that route until you are at the point in your life to where you can afford it.

I'm saying this because if you keep changing your mind, you will end up spending more than you think you are going to right now in the long haul.

Based upon this statement alone, discounting the rest of your post it seems as if a 2-channel system is the way to go. Don't let anybody know, but 2 channel properly executed can blow your mind.

There are products out there that can take an RCA jack and provide your video, keeping it separate from the audio aspect that can be had for 200 smackers or less. If you want to incorporate both, you may opt to go this route but for right now I would suggest with your priority being music, stick with 2 channel listening and good luck in your search.

[skipf]

The advice from several to get the LSi9's as your main speakers is very solid. I listened to many speakers when I got my 9's, and they absolutely blew away anything else in their price range. I promise you won't be disappointed in them. They also make excellent front or rear channel speakers when you get the bucks and inclination to put together a HT set-up. If it were me, I'd get the best quality 2 channel amp and preamp you can find. Used equipment is much more affordable and there are some great deals out there. Club Polk has folks that are serious about their equipment, and pass on their gear to others through the forum as they upgrade. By going with a 2 channel amp, you can add additional amps as your system grows into a full blown HT set-up. You can get a 5.1 or 7.1 HT processor to feed the amps. I have always been leery of integrated amps as they seem to be a compromise. Either the amp section is good, or the preamp section is good. This is speaking about integrated units in the price range you mentioned. There are some higher end units that are fine, but expensive.

[rlchap]

This has been such a great help so thank you all for your information and responses. I am sold on the LSi9. I plan on ordering them in the cherry. As far as power, I read about the outlaw 2150 and it has everything I thought I would want. I like the USB because I have a lot of music on my laptop and it has an outlet for my ipod and every seems to love theirs. The price is more than I wanted to spend, but it seems it is a good investment and will last for years. It sounds like the downside is that I may want to change my set-up to a HT at some point and then I have spent money on a 2 channel receiver. I think I am OK with this because if that ever happens, the outlaw 2150 would be a great game-room stereo so it will get used one way or another. I don't want to get cheap on the power if I am going to buy the LSi9's so does anyone have another suggestion on the receiver or pre/amp they would like to share? I have searched and seen some other models, but the outlaw just seems to be the best fit. If not, I think I am going to pull the trigger on Friday. Next step...researching a good CD player to use...hope it is a little easier than this has been...ha ha

[skipf]

You won't need a reciever to go to a HT set-up, just a HT processor and more amps. The Sunfire TGV processor is excellent and will control up to seven individual amps. For a CDP, I like my Oppo universal player. American made, cheap, works good, and plays any disc but blu-ray. It is not audiophile sound, but dang close. At 1/4 the cost of a good redbook player, you get more versitility and the sound isn't downgraded enough to bother my old ears. You may feel differently, but for the price they are hard to beat.

[john22614]

You guys have given richap very good advice....I've had my 9's for a couple years now and can't believe how much I love 'em.....especially with a solid amp and processor.

[rlchap]

Ok...pulled the trigger on the LSi9's...should be here in a week. Next is the Outlaw and then...who knows but I am sure this story isn't over yet. Thanks again for all the help and getting me started on my way.

[Frank Z]

Updates?

[Lowell_M]

Ok...pulled the trigger on the LSi9's...should be here in a week. Next is the Outlaw and then...who knows but I am sure this story isn't over yet. Thanks again for all the help and getting me started on my way.

Welcome to the dark side.... You are right...the story isn't over yet. You are going to get hooked on this hobby once you hear the 9's and relate what you hear to what you have read on the forum. ..Then you'll try something else, and then again...and again.... It never ends and it sure is fun. :D

[bugner]

Ok...pulled the trigger on the LSi9's...should be here in a week. Next is the Outlaw and then...who knows but I am sure this story isn't over yet. Thanks again for all the help and getting me started on my way.

My good man, I have exactly that combo (except my 9's are in ebony). They mate beautifully with the 2150. Check the Outlaw site for B-stock, you might be able to save a few bucks.

As for the 9's, after buying a big TV, I finally arranged my speakers on either side, closer together than they have ever been before, and it made a world of difference. I have not felt the need to turn on my sub once. Not once, even during action films and so forth. Now I'm not playing anything *too* loudly, but the bass from the 9's is truly incredible.

[ruf993turbo]

I would audition all the speakers and pick the ones that sounds best to your ears...speakers sound quality is all subjective, go with what you like.

[rlchap]

Ok...the 9's showed up and got the 2150 the day after christmas. I don't even know what to say. This sounds great! I was worried about bass as I had read some aren't happy with it...especially when watching movies. I haven't had that problem. Even at a very low volume, I still "feel" the bass. It sounds so clear and smooth. I don't think I could be happier...well, maybe I could as I am sure those of you who have been "into" this for years probably have some great systems, but this is perfect for me right now. Thank you to everyone who helped me out on this. I can't wait to spend a little time "playing" around with these in different positions and different settings. I should have thought about this before, but I need some speaker stands now. I can't find anything I feel comfortable with in the local Circuit City or Best Buy. I am thinking of just calling crutchfield and seeing what they say...thoughts? Again, thank you all very much...I am very excited!

[ruf993turbo]

check ebay for your speaker stands...that's where you'll get the best deals.

[Frank Z]

Saw-Wheat! Glad you're groovin'!!

[cfrizz]

Congrats enjoy!

[BaggedLancer]

www.rackandstands.com for speaker stands....they have ANYTHING you could possibly want/need and usually cheaper than ebay.

[rlchap]

I appreciate the suggestion for rackandstands.com but I have a question for anyone. the largest of the stands I see on this site...or anywhere for that matter, have a top plate of about 6 to 8 inches at most. The 9's are quite a bit bigger than this...does that matter? seems like the top plate should be big enough to hold the speakers but I am sure I just don't know what I am talking about. Is this an issue?