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Calling all Polkies:Official Polk thread - Page 577

post #17281 of 18717
3/2/13 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Temple View Post

I don't post very often anymore, but here's my adivce....

If you can get a pair of 800is + a CS 400 for $75.00...run don't walk. The mains are better than the 600s by far. The center is as least as good as the A6 without the brightness. The 600s will work fine as surrounds if you have the room. Old Polks aren't necessarily inferior Polks. You'll find some real gems that match up extremely well vs. current revs....maybe not in looks, but SQ is subjective and I prefer many early RT revs to recent RTis (even though I like them too)

Ron, I greatly appreciate the advice! I was hoping that someone with a lot of experience with older models would chime in. But I wasn't very clear - I meant that I could get the two 800i's and the CS400 center for about $75 more than I was going to spend on the new center by itself. Although I did get the two 600's for only $80 - that proved irresistible. I think the prospect of adding those three additional speakers for $350 is still probably an excellent value. Not necessarily a no-brainer like only $75 would have been though!
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post #17282 of 18717
3/2/13 at 3:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

Just edit your post to say "OOPS!"

*sigh. Guess I'm stupid this weekend. Done. Thanks, guys.
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post #17283 of 18717
3/2/13 at 3:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mknecht01 View Post


*sigh. Guess I'm stupid this weekend. Done. Thanks, guys.

 

 

I've done it in the past also so you can call me stupid too. I just have that nifty little X to hide my mistakes now.

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post #17284 of 18717
3/3/13 at 7:08am
Question about matching for you folks.

I can't get floorstanding speakers (no room on one side, and my gf doesn't want anything big taking over the living room). My thinking was to get RTiA1's for upfront, paired with a CSiA4. The CSiA4's were out of stock, and while I can get one online I ended up just getting the last A6 they had. So now I have RTiA1's for front L/R and a CSiA6 center. Possibly I'll end up with RTiA1's as surrounds as well.

My question is whether there's any real issue with pairing the bigger CSiA6 with the RTiA1's. I could get RTiA3's for upfront, but my gf is concerned about size. They're also more $$, and I'm not sure whether I'd hear the difference. The A6 and A1 are from the same series, but the woofers are different sizes. I understand that you may recommend having at least RTiA3's up front, but what I'm asking is whether there's any significant mismatch using the RTiA1's.

I have a Yamaha RX-v773, the room is about 12' wide, 18' in depth, although the listening position is 11' back. It opens into a dining room/kitchen on one side. Even though the Polks are a bit more power-hungry than the little satellites I had, I'm not concerned about volume--by the time I get the AVR up to reference things are uncomfortably loud (I would rarely keep it that high).
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post #17285 of 18717
3/3/13 at 7:22am
I have 65t paired with 25c It's nice but that speaker is a monster If you have the space I would recommend going with it. I have read in the past the importance of keeping your fronts all the same generation has more to do with them having the same tweeter then other factors.
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post #17286 of 18717
3/3/13 at 7:25am
have a question about the psw505 as its on a pretty good deal right now; how low does it actually go, and how much is it of an improvement over the subwoofer that came with the rm6880 set?
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post #17287 of 18717
3/3/13 at 7:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by swarm87 View Post

have a question about the psw505 as its on a pretty good deal right now; how low does it actually go, and how much is it of an improvement over the subwoofer that came with the rm6880 set?

polk says the lower -3dB Limit is 28 Hz. Ed Mullen says "little output below 30-35 Hz but still may be reasonable for music and some HT situations. As expected, room gain helped considerably to improve deep extension, with the Polk holding flat to about 25 Hz" http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_2/polk-psw-505-subwoofer-4-2005.html

In my old house I had my dual 505' dialed in to be pretty flat to about 23hz before noticeable roll off was showing...wish I still had the graph. I haven't had my subs measured in my new house yet.
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post #17288 of 18717
3/3/13 at 12:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mknecht01 View Post

Ron, I greatly appreciate the advice! I was hoping that someone with a lot of experience with older models would chime in. But I wasn't very clear - I meant that I could get the two 800i's and the CS400 center for about $75 more than I was going to spend on the new center by itself. Although I did get the two 600's for only $80 - that proved irresistible. I think the prospect of adding those three additional speakers for $350 is still probably an excellent value. Not necessarily a no-brainer like only $75 would have been though!
That's still a decent deal. $350.00 is about their real used value depending on condition. You might find a set cheaper, but maybe not. The center sells in the $150-200 range and the 800is sell for whatever they can, but $200 for the pair is good. Your setup will sound great and compare with others that have spent over a couple grand on speakers.
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post #17289 of 18717
3/3/13 at 12:40pm
Ron - BTW I want to thank you for sharing your wisdom and your advice a year or two ago, when you advised that I go with Rti's rather than buying into Tsi's. I did end up with a couple smaller Tsi's that I no longer use, but have been VERY happy with the Rti's.
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post #17290 of 18717
3/3/13 at 2:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobLee View Post

Ron - BTW I want to thank you for sharing your wisdom and your advice a year or two ago, when you advised that I go with Rti's rather than buying into Tsi's. I did end up with a couple smaller Tsi's that I no longer use, but have been VERY happy with the Rti's.
Thanks Rob, I think I said, if you're going to upgrade...upgrade biggrin.gif Now, you're stuck, the LSis are better, but with your rig, not that much, IMIO, just more laid back. The LSiMs I haven't heard, but are too rich for my blood. If you get the itch, it's time for SDAs wink.gif
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post #17291 of 18717
3/3/13 at 2:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThinkRationally View Post


My question is whether there's any real issue with pairing the bigger CSiA6 with the RTiA1's. I could get RTiA3's for upfront, but my gf is concerned about size. They're also more $$, and I'm not sure whether I'd hear the difference. The A6 and A1 are from the same series, but the woofers are different sizes. I understand that you may recommend having at least RTiA3's up front, but what I'm asking is whether there's any significant mismatch using the RTiA1's.

I don't think you'll have "significant mismatch" with the 1's, that said, you already have the A6 center, that alone is a beast in size. If your gf is okay with that, she should be okay with the A3's. Although it's not a crime to have mismatched drivers across the front, IMO, you'll be more pleased with the performance and sound of your system using RTiA3's with your CSiA6.
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post #17292 of 18717
3/3/13 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoff4RFC View Post

I don't think you'll have "significant mismatch" with the 1's, that said, you already have the A6 center, that alone is a beast in size. If your gf is okay with that, she should be okay with the A3's. Although it's not a crime to have mismatched drivers across the front, IMO, you'll be more pleased with the performance and sound of your system using RTiA3's with your CSiA6.

Thanks, Geoff. The A6 is big, but I have a 55" TV on a 3-shelf stand, and it fit right in under the TV. You can certainly see it, but it doesn't make the TV and stand any bigger, and it's all dark colored. The L/R fronts kind of impose their own size on the space. Anyway, that's probably what the gf is thinking--she doesn't want to decorate with speakers, I guess. Time to finish the basement biggrin.gif

I may end up spending the extra for the A3's, I'm not sure yet. It's not like they're that much larger (sadly, they're $100 more). I just don't know if my slightly ringy, non-audiophile ears will hear a difference.
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post #17293 of 18717
3/3/13 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThinkRationally View Post

I may end up spending the extra for the A3's, I'm not sure yet. It's not like they're that much larger (sadly, they're $100 more). I just don't know if my slightly ringy, non-audiophile ears will hear a difference.

You would likely be much happier with the performance of A3's as mains. I predict that if you put A1's up front, then within a year you'll buy something larger (A3's,A5's) as mains and move those A1's to surround position.
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post #17294 of 18717
3/3/13 at 4:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThinkRationally View Post

I may end up spending the extra for the A3's, I'm not sure yet. It's not like they're that much larger (sadly, they're $100 more). I just don't know if my slightly ringy, non-audiophile ears will hear a difference.

I would be willing to bet that you indeed, notice a difference.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobLee View Post

I predict that if you put A1's up front, then within a year you'll buy something larger.

I predict even sooner than that biggrin.gif
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post #17295 of 18717
3/3/13 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoff4RFC View Post

I don't think you'll have "significant mismatch" with the 1's, that said, you already have the A6 center, that alone is a beast in size. If your gf is okay with that, she should be okay with the A3's. Although it's not a crime to have mismatched drivers across the front, IMO, you'll be more pleased with the performance and sound of your system using RTiA3's with your CSiA6.

Some good deals on used and open box A3's out there right now. Used set on eBay, auction closes abt 75 min from time of this post, going for $272 with no bids yet.
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post #17296 of 18717
3/3/13 at 6:23pm
Thanks, folks. Generally, I can buy what I want, but for whatever reason there might be a need for compromise here. The cost is more annoyance than a problem. I'll have her look at the A3's (which may actually be out of stock locally) and see were that goes. No worries either way, though. I've been putting movie and music through the L/R and center all weekend--they can fill the space and the sound is good. It's far ahead of the speakers I'm replacing. I also won't have much worry about the other speakers overpowering the center (gotta find the positives).
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post #17297 of 18717
3/3/13 at 7:01pm

I must be getting the itch again. I was looking at the LSi M707's and almost drooling on myself. I also looked at the LSi M703's and they looked to me to be just the top end of the LSi M707's. If a guy has a decent sub I would think

the sound would be as good with the 703 bookslelves as the 707's. I wish I could get my ears on some but I don't think we'll be seeing any at our local Fry's any time soon and I don't know of any place in my area that carries them.

I'm just not sure they will be a decent bump up from the LSi15's. You guys think I'm nuts? Wait.... don't answer that. Besides being nuts what do you think?

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post #17298 of 18717
3/3/13 at 8:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

I must be getting the itch again. I was looking at the LSi M707's and almost drooling on myself. I also looked at the LSi M703's and they looked to me to be just the top end of the LSi M707's. If a guy has a decent sub I would think
the sound would be as good with the 703 bookslelves as the 707's. I wish I could get my ears on some but I don't think we'll be seeing any at our local Fry's any time soon and I don't know of any place in my area that carries them.
I'm just not sure they will be a decent bump up from the LSi15's. You guys think I'm nuts? Wait.... don't answer that. Besides being nuts what do you think?

The 707's are a pass IMHO. the 705's are decent but the 703's are the gem in that line.

The 707's enclose the midbass drivers whereas the 703's dont. IMHO the 703's + a sub are better than the 707's. The 705's are pretty decent as well but again still need a sub so why not go with 703's. The centers are easier to pick as you want the biggest one possible which I have been told is everything that the LSiC isnt.
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post #17299 of 18717
3/3/13 at 8:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EndersShadow View Post


The 707's are a pass IMHO. the 705's are decent but the 703's are the gem in that line.

The 707's enclose the midbass drivers whereas the 703's dont. IMHO the 703's + a sub are better than the 707's. The 705's are pretty decent as well but again still need a sub so why not go with 703's. The centers are easier to pick as you want the biggest one possible which I have been told is everything that the LSiC isnt.

 

 

Thanks Enders. You are always helpful. If I go for them I was thinking of running three of them across the front. I guess I'll throw my LSi's up for sale and give them a whirl after the LSi's sell. I might not even wait that long. I should sell my KEF 104/2's also since I haven't used them for awhile now. It'll help soften the blow on the price. The 703's are 20% off on Polk ebay right now.

My tax refund should hit my account soon. Once a year toy money.


Edited by XStanleyX - 3/3/13 at 9:02pm
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post #17300 of 18717
3/3/13 at 9:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

I must be getting the itch again. I was looking at the LSi M707's and almost drooling on myself. I also looked at the LSi M703's and they looked to me to be just the top end of the LSi M707's. If a guy has a decent sub I would think
the sound would be as good with the 703 bookslelves as the 707's. I wish I could get my ears on some but I don't think we'll be seeing any at our local Fry's any time soon and I don't know of any place in my area that carries them.
I'm just not sure they will be a decent bump up from the LSi15's. You guys think I'm nuts? Wait.... don't answer that. Besides being nuts what do you think?
Stanley is looking forward to the latest and greatest and I'm moving backwards... in time, anyway, and taking Ron's advice on the RT800i's and CS400. In large part because my new AVR has no pre-outs. (Sorry! I didn't know any better at the time! And it was a free upgrade from an even cheaper model anyway.) I don't want to sit around for the next 3-4 years listening to you guys talk about how much better my RTiA's would sound with dedicated amplification! I'm sure the older towers would benefit as well, but you all don't talk about them every day. biggrin.gif

Anyway, as of Tuesday night sometime my "new" system will be RT800i mains, CS400 center, RT600 surrounds, and I'll be off the RM6750 satellites entirely. Unless I wall-mount two of them as rear surrounds or front presence. But I'll probably go looking for a pair of RT25i if I decide to do that for sure. For the time being I'll probably bi-amp the 800i's instead, and bi-wire the center.

Big changes ahead in the next couple of years for me, and by the time it's time for a new AVR and (more) new speakers, I'll either not have any money at all and need to sell these to feed my family, or I'll be in a position to buy pretty much whatever I want, from the Polk lineup anyway. I expect to be very happy with these in the meantime!
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post #17301 of 18717
3/3/13 at 9:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mknecht01 View Post


Stanley is looking forward to the latest and greatest and I'm moving backwards... in time, anyway, and taking Ron's advice on the RT800i's and CS400. In large part because my new AVR has no pre-outs. (Sorry! I didn't know any better at the time! And it was a free upgrade from an even cheaper model anyway.) I don't want to sit around for the next 3-4 years listening to you guys talk about how much better my RTiA's would sound with dedicated amplification! I'm sure the older towers would benefit as well, but you all don't talk about them every day. biggrin.gif

Anyway, as of Tuesday night sometime my "new" system will be RT800i mains, CS400 center, RT600 surrounds, and I'll be off the RM6750 satellites entirely. Unless I wall-mount two of them as rear surrounds or front presence. But I'll probably go looking for a pair of RT25i if I decide to do that for sure. For the time being I'll probably bi-amp the 800i's instead, and bi-wire the center.

Big changes ahead in the next couple of years for me, and by the time it's time for a new AVR and (more) new speakers, I'll either not have any money at all and need to sell these to feed my family, or I'll be in a position to buy pretty much whatever I want, from the Polk lineup anyway. I expect to be very happy with these in the meantime!

 

 

Congrats on your selection. I'm sure you'll be happy with them. That's a big leap over the satellites. Like huge. I used to buy used gear for many years. When I had mouths to feed I was lucky to have any kind of system at all let alone what you are getting. Now that I'm old, retired and all alone there's nothing to stop me but my wallet. I'd probably be better off if I had some one to keep me in check.

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post #17302 of 18717
3/4/13 at 4:12am
I have a few questions:

What is a better bookshelf speaker the RTI A6 or the LSI 7?
What are the differences between them?
What is a good center channel for the LSI 7?

Thanks!
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post #17303 of 18717
3/4/13 at 4:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post


Thanks Enders. You are always helpful. If I go for them I was thinking of running three of them across the front. I guess I'll throw my LSi's up for sale and give them a whirl after the LSi's sell. I might not even wait that long. I should sell my KEF 104/2's also since I haven't used them for awhile now. It'll help soften the blow on the price. The 703's are 20% off on Polk ebay right now.
My tax refund should hit my account soon. Once a year toy money.

When you say running 3 of them across the front, are you saying 3 LSiM 703's? If so I wouldnt recommend that setup. I have been told that the new LSiM centers got everything right and you should go with LSiM 703's and a LSiM 706c and you would be beyond happy. The new center has a 2 woofers, a tweeter and a midbass driver so it supposedly gets it all right.

I cannot comment on that as I havent heard it, but I have heard the 703's which most rave about.

I am hoping at some point to get my ears on the 705's but that might require a trip to a audio festival like Rocky Mountain Audio or Lone Star Audio, or even Apoxia in Chicago.
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post #17304 of 18717
3/4/13 at 6:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EndersShadow View Post


When you say running 3 of them across the front, are you saying 3 LSiM 703's? If so I wouldnt recommend that setup. I have been told that the new LSiM centers got everything right and you should go with LSiM 703's and a LSiM 706c and you would be beyond happy. The new center has a 2 woofers, a tweeter and a midbass driver so it supposedly gets it all right.

I cannot comment on that as I havent heard it, but I have heard the 703's which most rave about.

I am hoping at some point to get my ears on the 705's but that might require a trip to a audio festival like Rocky Mountain Audio or Lone Star Audio, or even Apoxia in Chicago.

 

Yeah, I was thinking of a 703 for a CC also. Just thinking of my poor wallet since it's less cost and would still timbre match. I'm really not very picky for HT. I watch maybe two movies a month. Music is a different story.

I'll try a pair of 703's and if I like them I'll see if my wallet will let me go for a 706 or save up for one. I need to find a cheaper hobby. Maybe checkers.

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post #17305 of 18717
3/4/13 at 6:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProfD View Post

I have a few questions:

What is a better bookshelf speaker the RTI A6 or the LSI 7?
What are the differences between them?
What is a good center channel for the LSI 7?

Thanks!

 

 

The LSiC is the CC for the LSi series but good luck finding one. No new ones to be found so you'd have to get lucky and find a used one and hopefully at a good price.

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post #17306 of 18717
3/4/13 at 6:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post


The LSiC is the CC for the LSi series but good luck finding one. No new ones to be found so you'd have to get lucky and find a used one and hopefully at a good price.

Thanks!

Do you know if the LSI 7 is significantly better than the RTI A6 ?
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post #17307 of 18717
3/4/13 at 6:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProfD View Post


Thanks!

Do you know if the LSI 7 is significantly better than the RTI A6 ?

 

The LSi series are supposed to be more musical than the RTi line. Of course that doesn't mean the RTi's are bad for music. If the correct CC is important to you the RTi's are probably your best bet.

I've listened to the RTi12's and I thought they were a great sounding speaker. I wouldn't call the LSi's "significantly" better. Just depends on your ears and what you like in sound. The guys here that

own the RTi's are quite happy with them.

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post #17308 of 18717
3/4/13 at 6:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

The LSi series are supposed to be more musical than the RTi line. Of course that doesn't mean the RTi's are bad for music. If the correct CC is important to you the RTi's are probably your best bet.
I've listened to the RTi12's and I thought they were a great sounding speaker. I wouldn't call the LSi's "significantly" better. Just depends on your ears and what you like in sound. The guys here that
own the RTi's are quite happy with them.

That sounds good. Thank you, Stanley.
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post #17309 of 18717
3/4/13 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

I need to find a cheaper hobby. Maybe checkers.

Haha, yesterday after I achieved positive WAF for the 800i's and CS400, my wife said to me: "I will smash your laptop if I find you looking at more speakers online." I guess I'm done for a while. Although I'll probably still upgrade the subwoofer sometime this summer on the sly. She might not notice.
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post #17310 of 18717
3/4/13 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by XStanleyX View Post

Yeah, I was thinking of a 703 for a CC also. Just thinking of my poor wallet since it's less cost and would still timbre match. I'm really not very picky for HT. I watch maybe two movies a month. Music is a different story.
I'll try a pair of 703's and if I like them I'll see if my wallet will let me go for a 706 or save up for one. I need to find a cheaper hobby. Maybe checkers.

How bout I save you some money and you buy the LSiM's off Polks ebay site. The 703's and 706c are both on their right now:

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct/_i.html?_nkw=lsim&submit=Search&_sid=686154689
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