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I want to upgrade from polk m 70s to what. I cant decide help

post #1 of 33
1/3/13 at 3:28am
Thread Starter 
want to move my polk m 70s to surround duty but cant decide what to replace them with. I was first thinking of rti a9s plus a amp is needed. but then i thought klipsch rf-82s was the way to go but I read a bad review of how rf-82s lack in mid range but have good highs and lows is this true it really changed my mind now I am back to thinking about rti a9s and later a amp.I have no way to preview any speaker on my island. the m 70s imo are a great deal but as my ears get more picky seem duller then I want. I am looking to make a big step up as the next pair I will be stuck with (waf) price $!,000 a pair (refurbished ok) maybe higher price if really big step up.
so the rti a9s higher sound quality more crisp less muddy? or just more powerful? I want speakers for music clasical to dupstep
any others i should consider if not a big step up I will just keep what i have Also i dont care about going below 60hz my subs are enough

50/50 movies /music but care more about the music

room 18x20x8

denon 3312
main polk m70s
center jbl es25c more crisp then the m70s
surrounds optimus 1100 towers
back surrounds old sony towers next to be gone
4 subs es 250 pk good enough
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post #2 of 33
1/3/13 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 
what about the rti 12 is this an older model of the rti a9? is it any good?
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post #3 of 33
1/3/13 at 4:13am
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am getting serious about the rti 12 i can get for $375 each plus shipping will this be a big step up in sound quality over my m70s or just more drivers and louder?
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post #4 of 33
1/3/13 at 6:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas 1966 View Post

am getting serious about the rti 12 i can get for $375 each plus shipping will this be a big step up in sound quality over my m70s or just more drivers and louder?

Yep, the RTi's are a definate step up in SQ. There's also the previous flagship LSi15's at a killer price on Polk ebay. You would want an amp with the LSi's if you listen at anything above moderate levels.
Either way you'll hear a big improvement.
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post #5 of 33
1/3/13 at 7:04am
EMP e55ti
HTD Level 3
Focal 814v (@ A4L)

Get mentioned quite a bit on here if you're looking for towers to fill a large space like you have. All about the same price
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post #6 of 33
1/3/13 at 8:12am
If you want to escape the mediocre sound of Polk Klipsch JBL etc., you could step up to some KEF speakers, which are far better-sounding in most cases.

The KEF iQ70 speakers are a heck of a bargain right now at KEF Direct. These speakers were great for their original $1200 price, but now that they are going to soon be discontinued they are a steal for only $600 per pair from KEF Direct.

You can't even begin to find anything else as good for that price....great speakers.

Another point; those speakers have very good sensitivity and will not require another amplifier.
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post #7 of 33
1/3/13 at 8:15am
I have experience with Rti10 and Klipsch 82 (800 series). Klipsch sounded way more fuller and satisfying (big sound!).
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post #8 of 33
1/3/13 at 12:15pm
Thread Starter 
checked out kef iq at kef direct out of stock
going to check them out further any other feed back of kef iq90
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post #9 of 33
1/3/13 at 12:22pm
Thread Starter 
i have to get back on the rf-82 thing again ok rti 12 vrs rti a9 vrs klipsch rf-82 vrs kef iq90 any feed back of how these compare and what you would go with I care nothing of looks
should i try build myself as shipping is high to Hawaii
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post #10 of 33
1/3/13 at 12:29pm
Thread Starter 
emp did not like 6 ohm and 88db
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post #11 of 33
1/3/13 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas 1966 View Post

emp did not like 6 ohm and 88db

They're rated 6ohm, but that's pretty high in the band so overall they're an easy speaker to drive. 88db (+/- 3db) is about normal. 3db more is "like doubling power", but actual volume isn't doubled until a 10db difference. You need a more powerful AVR/amp if you can't get the e55ti loud enough. My room is larger than yours AND open, they will get VERY loud while staying extremely clear. I wish I could hear the HTD speakers as those are nice also from all the reviews I hear. A member with the e55ti's also has the Focal 814v's and the center at A4L & says he prefers/doesn't find much difference (other than price) in the two. I'll take my e55ti's over the RF-82's I heard ANY DAY. Lackluster midrange for sure. Never heard the A9, but I've heard the monitor line and RTi bookshelf and both felt extremely bright. I've got pretty sensitive hearing though.

All the efficiency in the world won't help that cringing you have to prepare for in movies/music wink.gif
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post #12 of 33
1/3/13 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas 1966 View Post

i have to get back on the rf-82 thing again ok rti 12 vrs rti a9 vrs klipsch rf-82 vrs kef iq90 any feed back of how these compare and what you would go with I care nothing of looks
should i try build myself as shipping is high to Hawaii


That's why I try to shop at Crutchfield and Amazon (prime products qualify for free shipping).

Take a look at the new JBL Studio Series, both Crutchfield and Amazon carry them
http://www.crutchfield.com/fg_12000_FFBrand%7cJBL/JBL-Floor-standing-Speakers.html?tp=185&avf=N

Crutchfield also has the PSB line, Klipsch, Polk, Mirage, NHT etc.... and they have a good 60 day guarantee and excellent customer service.
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post #13 of 33
1/3/13 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 
what about the jbll890 4 way I am thinking of pulling the trigger soon can buy for $400 should I yea or nea
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post #14 of 33
1/3/13 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas 1966 View Post

what about the jbll890 4 way I am thinking of pulling the trigger soon can buy for $400 should I yea or nea

$400 for the pair? Those speakers will definitely be better then the M70's, but they need lots of room to breath. They should be at the minimum 2' from any wall. They're kind of a mid bass monster, but they have very smooth off axis response (shouldn't have any toe-in). That is a very good deal, other then the excessive mid bass those are accurate speakers.
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post #15 of 33
1/3/13 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 
sorry $400 each been reading maybe i need to read allot more and not rush out and buy them
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post #16 of 33
1/3/13 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
I think i need wait for something better since i can not hear them I remember the cheaper es80 did not sound so good they turned me off on jbl cheaper lines
That was scary i almost bought them thinking i was getting a great deal the mid bass monster turned me off also
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post #17 of 33
1/3/13 at 7:28pm
Thread Starter 
I want 8 ohm and 89db or better I think i need chill out and just read about speakers more for a while maybe hang out in the diy for awhile
thanks for all the help have some different speakers to read about now.
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post #18 of 33
1/5/13 at 11:57am
The Klipsch RF82s will be a big improvement over the Polk M70s.
Another speaker on liquidation that will be a big improvement over the Polk is the Klipsch WF35 at newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882780082
If you can find KEF IQ70 or IQ90 speakers marked down 50% those would also be a big upgrade for you.
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post #19 of 33
1/5/13 at 1:28pm
Thomas I'm also in hawaii, you can check out Crutchfield for free shipping to hawaii, their prices are usually higher than other stores, but the free shipping and really good customer service kind of make up for it. They have Klipsch RF-62 II for like $499 each which is a decent deal when you factor in free shipping
edit: I got some Kef Q900 big towers form accessories4less and paid a ton on shipping, but the sound is great and blows away the bic acoustech towers I had and also the pioneer andrew jones entry level set
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post #20 of 33
1/5/13 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
I like the kef q900 but 1,800 a pair i would have to wait a couple years until they are close outs are they really good if I pay more than $1,000 a pair I will be stuck with them for like 20 years
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post #21 of 33
1/5/13 at 6:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chashint View Post

The Klipsch RF82s will be a big improvement over the Polk M70s.
Another speaker on liquidation that will be a big improvement over the Polk is the Klipsch WF35 at newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882780082
If you can find KEF IQ70 or IQ90 speakers marked down 50% those would also be a big upgrade for you.

+1 to the WF-35s. Under-represented here but I like them. My coworker has monitors and I definitely like the sound of my system over his.
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post #22 of 33
1/5/13 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
I am getting excited about the Kef Q900 been reading about anyone else have any feed back about them.
seems they might be worth waiting for if I bought them on the credit card my wife would flip next xmass maybe ok
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post #23 of 33
1/6/13 at 2:49am
Thread Starter 
not as excited about kef q900 after reading about two of what i thought was woofers are really passive radiators
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post #24 of 33
1/6/13 at 7:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas 1966 View Post

not as excited about kef q900 after reading about two of what i thought was woofers are really passive radiators

I wouldn't put too much stock in that. My Kef 104's have a single passive radiator and they sound amazing. Especially for the size of the cabinet. The Thiel 2.2 speakers I had use a passive radiator. Those are pretty well regarded speakers.
Edited by XStanleyX - 1/6/13 at 7:33am
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post #25 of 33
1/6/13 at 10:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

I wouldn't put too much stock in that. My Kef 104's have a single passive radiator and they sound amazing. Especially for the size of the cabinet. The Thiel 2.2 speakers I had use a passive radiator. Those are pretty well regarded speakers.
sure butwhat looks to be three woofers is only one and two passive radiators the other way around and I would be ok with it wish I could hear the kef q900 but can not
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post #26 of 33
1/6/13 at 10:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas 1966 View Post

sure butwhat looks to be three woofers is only one and two passive radiators the other way around and I would be ok with it wish I could hear the kef q900 but can not

I understand that for sure. Not being able to audition speakers makes it a guessing game and going by other people's ears with their opinions. If amazon didn't have a good return policy I might not have bought the LSi15's.
I used to buy most of my speakers used locally so I could audition them. Some really good buys can be had on craigslist sometimes.
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post #27 of 33
1/6/13 at 10:56am
PR's have some positives in that it's that much more cone area and eliminates possible port noise/placement issues. There are a few that really like the Q900's and Q line, but the q900's measurements aren't too pretty looking. Measurements are NOT everything though, it's up to YOU and YOUR EARS only....unless something in the measurements shows a design flaw that is audible smile.gif
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post #28 of 33
1/6/13 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

I understand that for sure. Not being able to audition speakers makes it a guessing game and going by other people's ears with their opinions. If amazon didn't have a good return policy I might not have bought the LSi15's.
I used to buy most of my speakers used locally so I could audition them. Some really good buys can be had on craigslist sometimes.
what do you think of your lsi 15 what is your upper cross over point of your 8 inch sub lookslike i would need more power if i go that route should i get the polk rti a9 how is the tweeter in the a9 not as good as the lsi 15? craigslist i wish my island is either junk or $5,000 a pair
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post #29 of 33
1/6/13 at 12:08pm
Thread Starter 
researching speakers on a budget is a real roller coaster ride for me. I will take my time and enjoy the ride and learn allot once I buy the ride is over and so is the research and most of the learning
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post #30 of 33
1/6/13 at 1:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas 1966 View Post

what do you think of your lsi 15 what is your upper cross over point of your 8 inch sub lookslike i would need more power if i go that route should i get the polk rti a9 how is the tweeter in the a9 not as good as the lsi 15? craigslist i wish my island is either junk or $5,000 a pair

I set my crossover at 40Hz when listening to stereo music. It has good bass for an 8 in. woofer. With a sub it's set to 80Hz. The LSi is noted for the better tweeter. That's not to say the tweeter in the A9's are bad of course. I'm currently not running them with an amp but will get one in about a month so I can run closer to reference levels when I want. There are a few people in the Polk thread that own the A9's and they love them. For a person on a tight budget the RTi12's are the way to go. Other than the looks they are on par with the A9's and very hard to beat at the price they go for on Polk ebay. The LSi15's on Polk ebay are $850 per pair. Whatever you choose I hope you find something you like without having to spend an arm and a leg. smile.gif

PS: Like you, I used to own a pair of Monitor 70's. The LSi15's are a world apart. The RTi's would be a leap up too. Not just some louder 70's.
Edited by XStanleyX - 1/6/13 at 2:01pm
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