Thank You all for your comments and suggestions in advance.

We are building a house and I am putting together a nice entertainment area in the basement. I just put in an order for an Epik sub based on all your suggestions. The area is large probably about 22' x 26'. I am looking for some nice floor standing speakers at a great price. The two that keep on coming up are the Polk Rti10 and the KEF iQ90. They are being clearanced out because both companies have new models. Since speaker technology really has not changed that much, I love clearance. So, I am looking for suggestions between the Polk Rti10 and the KEF iQ9. I have no place close that sells KEF, so I can not listen to them in person. I always thought KEF was cheap, but from comments I read, that is not true.

I listened to the Polk and to some Klipsch floor speakers. I liked the Klipsch because it seemed to envelope you but was not very bright. I liked the Polk because it seemed more bright but did not have the open feeling. So, I was going to purchase the Polk because they are much cheaper than the Klipsch. Now, I have done some research and am interested in KEF's. The KEF iQ90 and the Polk RTi are both around the same price with the centers, KEF costing about $150 more than the polk.

I know I should listen to both and buy on my personal taste. However, that is not possible. So, as hard as it is, What would your comments and suggestions be?

Thanks again!

Good question.

I have been impressed by the XQ series and would take them over the RTi.

My original question stated that I was comparing the KEF iQ90 vs. the Polk Audio Rti10. The KEF iQ90 is the new model, I am actually looking at the old model on sale, iQ9.

My mistake. I am considering the KEF iQ9 vs. the Polk Rti10.

Thanks!

Thanks Spectrum,

Is that KEF XQ sound similiar to the iQ? I know they are much more expensivie, but do they compare?

Thanks!

Not sure about the IQ, but I have a set of older KEFs and I'd take them over Polk any day.

The two that keep on coming up are the Polk Rti10 and the KEF iQ90. They are being clearanced out because both companies have new models. Since speaker technology really has not changed that much, I love clearance.

Polk is a 4 letter word on these forums, both literally and figuratively. They are "speakers for the masses" in a forum of folks that want to be exclusive. I doubt many have heard the iQ and Rti's next to each other. You'd be best off finding a place that has them and driving there for a listen. If you can't, IMO, you'd be quite happy with either of your choices.

Thanks Spectrum,

Is that KEF XQ sound similiar to the iQ? I know they are much more expensivie, but do they compare?

Thanks!

I am interested in finding how the iQ compares to the XQ series.
Sometimes the gap between lines is not so big, but sometimes it is.
XQ > RTi (so, is the price difference)
iQ ??? RTi => I want to know myself :)

I am interested in finding how the iQ compares to the XQ series.
Sometimes the gap between lines is not so big, but sometimes it is.
XQ > RTi (so, is the price difference)
iQ ??? RTi => I want to know myself :)I don't know that I'd say the iQs are necessarily better than RTis. They're different speakers. The main thing you get with the KEFs is the UniQ driver. KEF has spent a great deal of effort in perfecting it (and still are). The design is not that easy to execute properly. It is very complicated, actually. You can read about it and see an exploded view at the KEF site. And it DOES do what it is supposed to do relative to non-coincidentally arrayed drivers.

With my series XQs, the difference between them and the Qs (what iQs used to be called) was easy. The XQs had the Hypertweeter. But even then, it was my understanding that the UniQ driver unit was identical.

I do not think that the UniQ unit on the current XQs and the iQs is identical anymore. I could be wrong, though. The new iQs do have a different UniQ unit than the previous iQs which didn't have the "tangerine" waveguide that the current XQs do have. The low frequency drivers on the new iQs are different than both the older iQs and the current XQs. Whether the crossovers are of different quality would be important to know as this would probably affect their relative performance more than anything.

The cabinets on the XQs are obviously different. Probably much more substantial and available with some gorgeous polished wood veneers.

Honestly, I do not know that the difference between the XQs and iQs is worth the difference in price. The only reason I upgraded from Qs to XQs a few years back was because I got them for 55% of cost and I happened to have money to burn (boy, times have sure changed). The presence of the Hypertweeters was/is definitely noticable. They are crossed in at 15kHz. The current XQs and REFs supposedly now feature a tweeter, although different between the two series, that can extend and perform as well as the older tweeter/Hypertweeter combo could. In terms of the whole UniQ philisophy, it was advantageous to get rid of the Hypertweeter.

IMO (and I think most would agree), no matter which series, KEFs are a finessy speaker. They are not really what I'd recommend for someone looking to rock out. For me, they are great for the music I most commonly listen to - namely jazz, bluegrass, acoustic music, etc.. - and, except for with my everyday TV watching, is what I use them for 90% of the time. I just do not watch that many movies (movie watching seems to come in spurts for me). So, I do not really know what "the word" is as far as their HT performance is concerned.

Polk is a 4 letter word on these forums, both literally and figuratively. They are "speakers for the masses" in a forum of folks that want to be exclusive.Well, I think you are being rough on the forums (or Polks?). I do not see THAT much negative stuff about Polks and they are often the subject of discussion. Many people here own them. In the early 80s they were REALLY well-respected.

They may be "speakers for the masses", but I think they are good at being that. Very utilitarian. Don't really shine but do most things fairly well.

Honestly, I do not know that the difference between the XQs and iQs is worth the difference in price.
I spent a lot of time comparing the XQ1's and the iQ3's. Of course there is a difference between the 2, but the thing that stood out the most was what your listening habit will be.

Sitting in the sweet spot the XQ1's blew the iQ3's away (to my ears), but if you were up and about the room the iQ3's sounded better. In the end I dropped my 'wanting' of the XQ1's, and for me the price difference between the 2 was a little under $200. But the looks of the XQ1's always makes me wonder .....

Thank you all for your comments.

I received a question about center channel speakers. I will use these speakers for 80% HT and 20% music. It is often said that the two most important things with home theater is the sub and the center. I have ordered an Epik sub, so I am good there. The centers that I am considering is the Polk CSi5 or the KEF iQ6C. So, obviously I would pair the Polk CSi5 with the Rti10 and the KEF iQ6C with the KEF iQ9.

I called a dealer in Illinois that sold Polk and KEF. He liked both speakers. He said that I would be happy with both. However, I pushed him to tell me what he would put in his TV area. He said that he would choose the KEF. He liked the fact that the KEF iQ9 goes up to 40Khz on the high end vs 27Khz on the Polk Rti10. He said that this helps the KEF's to be more detailed. He went on to mention that the Polk goes lower than the KEF, but a good subwoofer would help with that. Ultimately, he would go with the KEF iQ9 and iQ6C over the Polk Rti10 and CSi5. I asked him to compare the Polk RTiA7 and the KEF iQ9, and he still said that he would choose the KEF's.

Thoughts?

By the way, where can I get the XQ's for 55% off retail?

Thanks!

He liked the fact that the KEF iQ9 goes up to 40Khz on the high end vs 27Khz on the Polk Rti10. He said that this helps the KEF's to be more detailed.Ahem. Whether you can hear either speaker above 20kHz or so (if that) is arguable. They most likely ARE more detailed but it is not because of their high-end extension. And "more detailed" can cut both ways.

As far as center channel performance is concerned, the KEF's coincidentally arrayed UniQ driver is ideal for this application. The only thing I do not like about the iQ6c, especially with the iQ9s, is that it is only equipped with 5.25" drivers. I think this is also the case with the current XQ center. My XQ2c has identical 6.5" drivers as my XQ5s.

But more important than their extension, high or low, is how they sound. And these speakers sound completely different, IMO. The KEFs are more detailed; the highs and midrange are crystal clear and probably would be described by most as "forward". The RTis will definitely pack more ooomph and are probably a more laid-back speaker. If he sells both, go do some listening this weekend. Make sure he is not simply an installer and has them in a listening room. And aren't the RTi10s an older model speaker, now? Why are you not looking at the RTiA7s and RTiA9s? Definitely a prettier speaker.


By the way, where can I get the XQ's for 55% off retail?Nowhere that I know of. I lucked upon a guy on craigslist in my zip code who worked for a local dealer and was secretly hording equipment he purchased with his and other employees' discounts. And it was 45% off retail, 55% OF retail.

Siva,

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate your insight.

I would love to go to listen, but that is a two or three hour drive each way for me. There is not any place local that sells KEF's. I am looking at the older Polk Rti10's because they are on clearance. I am also looking at the older KEF iQ9's vs. the newer iQ90's because they are being clearanced out too. My budget is about $350-$425 per speaker.

So, assuming I have a nice Epik sub, and I pair it with the KEF's, I am getting the best of both worlds. I am getting detailed high end and great low end. Right?

Thanks!

Siva,

Just an FYI. The KEF iQ9's have a 6.5" mid and two 6.5" woofers. The center does have a 5.25" mid and two 5.25" woofers.

Siva,

Just an FYI. The KEF iQ9's have a 6.5" mid and two 6.5" woofers. The center does have a 5.25" mid and two 5.25" woofers.Yeah, I know. That's what I said.

So, assuming I have a nice Epik sub, and I pair it with the KEF's, I am getting the best of both worlds. I am getting detailed high end and great low end. Right?I think you should listen, somehow. I do not think KEFs are everyone's cup of tea.

Siva,

Thanks for all your comments. I dont think I could listen to the KEF's, that is probably a six hour trip for me with that Chicago traffic. I was leaning towards the KEF's, and then you mentioned that they are not everyone's cup of tea. Can you be more specific by what you mean by "not everyone's cup of tea?"

Is there a speaker brand that sounds similar to the KEF's that I may be able to listen to locally?

Thanks again!

You don't say anything about the Stereophile article on the IQ9; if you are still shopping, you should go to the Stereophile website and check out the full review they did about 2 years ago.

It is very positive, and they have it currently rating as a Recommended Component (October 2008 issue). I am thinking about getting them for use in my 2nd system, with 60" Sony projection set and Nad 325BEE amplifier.

I've also been looking at the KEF's as well. Never heard them myself but there's places I can go to listen to them and hopefully I will soon. Can any KEF owners comment on how they sound compared to Paradigm Reference Studio's? Years back I had a complete Reference Studio V2 setup that I loved. Right now there's a lot of great deals floating around on the KEF. Specifically the iQ series.....check out audioadvisor.com, vann's, & accessories4less.com along with ebay. With all of those resources you should be able to land a solid deal on some really great speakers - from everything I've read at least:) I'm looking at the iQ9's along with the iQ6c, iQ3's for surrounds and a Elemental Designs sub. Right now for all of the KEF I'm looking at would be around $1400.