Monitor 70 / RTi A7 / RTi 10

[sirjonsnow]

I've tried to find out what I can, but I'm having a hard time seeing the difference between some Polks I'm looking to get for new fronts. I know preference is subjective, but what are the main differences between:

Monitor 70 / RTi A7 / RTi 10

I'm just looking to see if X is "brighter" or Y is better in the midrange, etc.

I haven't been able to find any of these locally, though I'm going to two other shops tonight. My father has the 70's, but I didn't give them a workout the last time I visited and the soonest I could hear them again might not be until November.

Also, would a CS2 work as a center for any of them, or would something else be better?

[leroyjr1]

What are you using them for music or home theater? The RTI series is a step up from the monitor series and the RTI A7's is the new version of the RTI 10's. All are on the bright side.

Deals can be had on all three but I would go with the RTI A7's

Hope this helps and welcome

[BjornB17]

From best to worst (or least best), would be:

RTi A7
RTi10
Monitor 70

RTi A7 and RTi10 are almost the same You can probably find a good deal on them since they seem to be on clerance everywhere. You can probably find a pair on these boards for around $400 + shipping. I just upgraded from Monitor 70s to RTi10 and I'm extremely happy with my new speakers.

[NewHTguy]

Sirjon, I have the Rti 10s and a CS2. The Cs2 is the ideal match for the Monitor series. However, mine sounds pretty good with the 10s and I certainly don't feel the "need" to upgrade the center. However, I have posed this question previously and most people here have pushed me toward the Csi5, which is the ideal match for my 10s. So I would say that if you have a CS2, don't let that influence your purchase of fronts since when you're listening to 2 or 2.1 stereo it won't matter. On the other hand, if you're starting fresh, then by all means choose the correct center (Cs2 for the monitor 70s, or Csi5 for the Rti 10s) since the price isn't that different.

Few other quick comments: The 10s and A7's like more power (check other threads for this discussion). The 10's come with carpet spikes, not good if you have hardwood. The 10s can be found much cheaper because Polk is replacing them with the A7.

[sirjonsnow]

More home theater and gaming, but some music. How disappointed am I that Pink Floyd's Pulse DVD isn't widescreen :( The main idea is they would replace my current fronts - the current fronts will eventually become rears in a 7.1 setup.

Bjorn - what differences did you see going from the 70's to RTi 10's ? $400+ shipping would be within my price range.

I also saw some thread here about putting a resistor or something inline with the tweeter to make it less bright? Is that just a matter of opening the speaker somewhere and soldering the part in? I have some soldering experience, but that was over 10 years ago.

Also, what center should I look at to go with these speakers?

FYI, my current setup is a Boston Micro 80x setup (9+ years old), Boston VRS Micro sides/rears.

[sirjonsnow]

NewHTGuy - I don't have a CS2 yet, but I had been looking at them to go with the Monitor 70's. I was wondering if it would be better to go with something else if I went with one of the RTi models instead. Thanks!

[leroyjr1]

Sijonsnow- The rti series are great for HT and gaming but listening to music at mid to high volumes is when the brightness comes into play. Also for a $400-$500 budget polk lsi 7s and 9's are very good as well.

[BjornB17]

More home theater and gaming, but some music. How disappointed am I that Pink Floyd's Pulse DVD isn't widescreen :( The main idea is they would replace my current fronts - the current fronts will eventually become rears in a 7.1 setup.

Bjorn - what differences did you see going from the 70's to RTi 10's ? $400+ shipping would be within my price range.

I also saw some thread here about putting a resistor or something inline with the tweeter to make it less bright? Is that just a matter of opening the speaker somewhere and soldering the part in? I have some soldering experience, but that was over 10 years ago.

Also, what center should I look at to go with these speakers?

FYI, my current setup is a Boston Micro 80x setup (9+ years old), Boston VRS Micro sides/rears.

Basically everything about the RTi line is a notch about the Monitor line. The cabinets are made better (use real wood veneer instead of vinyl, for example, and have better bracing), they look nicer (silver accents where the Monitors have a more simple design, and the grills have a nicer shape), better drivers (they weigh more and sound better).

The RTi10's sound a little brighter than the monitors, but also much more precise. It's actually a good thing. Even though they are brighter, they have less sibilance. Also the woofers and midrage and more accurate and less boomy.

An RTi10 is the same size as a Monitor 70 (i had them size by side for a few days), but each one weights about 20 lbs more.

Monitors are good but RTi10s are great!