Energy RC-10 versus Polk RTIA3

[LaP]

Hi!

I own an old Pro Logic HTIB 5 speakers system without any sub. The system was primary made for music listening so the sound is not great for movies but for music it sound really good. I want to upgrade it for a 5.1 home theater system with better surround and center speakers (to play games and listen to Blu ray movies). I bought a new 5.1 HTIB last summer (Samsung) but i was so dissapointed with the sound quality while listening to music that i returned it and decided to build my own system.

I just bought the receiver which is an Onkyo TX-SR605. Now i need to buy the speakers and sub.

My room is fairly small (around 25% bigger than a normal sized bedroom) and i am not really looking at something that will break the windows and move the floor and walls. But at the same time i want something that wont fell like comming out of a garbage can while listening to rock music. It needs deep and i want the sub to be seamless.

My budget is around 1200-1400$ CAD for the 5 speakers and likely the sub too (front need to be bookshelf).

I am a Canadian so the choice i have is not great. I can buy Polk, Energy, Paradigm, Mordaunt Short, Klipsch, Momentum, Infinity, JBL and that's about it.

Right now i am looking at :

Energy RC-10 as front with RC-Mini as surround and center.
Polk RTIa3 as front with CSia4 as center and FXIa4 as surround.

For the sub i am looking at energy 8.3 or 10.3.

The polk speakers are about 30-40% cheaper and i would need to wait for rebate to buy the Energy speakers with my budget. But i'm a little affraid with the RTIa serie sound quality while listening to music. Most reviews i've reade about them say the RTIa speakers are harsh which is not good for rock music at all.

Sadly the store selling the speakers is big so i can't really try them to know if they sound good.

So i would like some advice from people who know speakers a lot. I don't want to spend over 1000$ and have something that is good for pop corn movies only. The RTIa price is temping. I could buy the whole set for around 1200$ including a 10.3 sub. But the reviews about the Energy RC-10 are much much more positive. Some say they are the best bookshelf speakers under 800$. I Would like to know about Paradigm too. The store seelling them is a small store with listening rooms so obviously they sounded good but sadly I can't really compare them side by side with Energy and Polk and they were a little expensive.

Anyway any suggestion and recommendation is really welcome i am a little lost that's definately harder that looking for a TV.

 

[LaP]

I don't think this is the good place to post this. You can lock it i'll post it in the loudspeakers section instead.

Ty

 

[dorokusai]

I believe the reviews are moreso based on the previous RTi series, not the RTiA since they are pretty new. I've heard that many times on our home forum. The Monitor series sounds bright to me, the RTiA far less so and the LSi is night and day different. It's just my opinion and you'll find the counter to that as well.

Regardless, all three manufacturer choices are very nice and in the end its your ears and wallet that make the decision. It's a shame that you can't get a decent, side by side demo. You can at least hear them all tho' right? Albeit at different locations? It's better than nothing and just bring some good music with you.

I'd be interested in what you ultimately end up buying and why if you get time down the road. The thread may get moved to another spot so keep your eyes peeled.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[j_garcia]

I think it is kind of a toss up. I have found Energys to be a tad too bright for the most part, for my liking. The Polks are also on the bright side, but the RTiA3s that I auditioned were still very likable and the benefit here is they are less expensive.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38870&highlight=polk

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi!

I own an old Pro Logic HTIB 5 speakers system without any sub. The system was primary made for music listening so the sound is not great for movies but for music it sound really good. I want to upgrade it for a 5.1 home theater system with better surround and center speakers (to play games and listen to Blu ray movies). I bought a new 5.1 HTIB last summer (Samsung) but i was so dissapointed with the sound quality while listening to music that i returned it and decided to build my own system.

I just bought the receiver which is an Onkyo TX-SR605. Now i need to buy the speakers and sub.

My room is fairly small (around 25% bigger than a normal sized bedroom) and i am not really looking at something that will break the windows and move the floor and walls. But at the same time i want something that wont fell like comming out of a garbage can while listening to rock music. It needs deep and i want the sub to be seamless.

My budget is around 1200-1400$ CAD for the 5 speakers and likely the sub too (front need to be bookshelf).

I am a Canadian so the choice i have is not great. I can buy Polk, Energy, Paradigm, Mordaunt Short, Klipsch, Momentum, Infinity, JBL and that's about it.

Right now i am looking at :

Energy RC-10 as front with RC-Mini as surround and center.
Polk RTIa3 as front with CSia4 as center and FXIa4 as surround.

For the sub i am looking at energy 8.3 or 10.3.

The polk speakers are about 30-40% cheaper and i would need to wait for rebate to buy the Energy speakers with my budget. But i'm a little affraid with the RTIa serie sound quality while listening to music. Most reviews i've reade about them say the RTIa speakers are harsh which is not good for rock music at all.

Sadly the store selling the speakers is big so i can't really try them to know if they sound good.

So i would like some advice from people who know speakers a lot. I don't want to spend over 1000$ and have something that is good for pop corn movies only. The RTIa price is temping. I could buy the whole set for around 1200$ including a 10.3 sub. But the reviews about the Energy RC-10 are much much more positive. Some say they are the best bookshelf speakers under 800$. I Would like to know about Paradigm too. The store seelling them is a small store with listening rooms so obviously they sounded good but sadly I can't really compare them side by side with Energy and Polk and they were a little expensive.

Anyway any suggestion and recommendation is really welcome i am a little lost that's definately harder that looking for a TV.

If it is music you are after, go and listen to Mordant Short. That would be my top pick by far from what is on your list.

 

[billy p]

Haven't heard the new Polk line up but I have audionted the RTi's along with the Energy C's at Future Shop and I preferred the Energy. Since then I've also auditioned the RC's and IMO they will offer improvement in SQ. However, I am pretty sure a full set of RC's would push your budget beyond the limit and for what it's worth the Polks or Energy C's would offer you better value and help you stay within your budget.

 

[j_garcia]

Mordaunt Short is an excellent choice and should easily be in your range as well. Check out www.ac4l.com for good deals on them. I would also recommend www.av123.com and the X-LS Encore.

 

[mouettus]

I bet you're a canadian and are looking at futureshop prices.

IMO the RCs trounce the RtiA!!! Better overall response, very detailed while not being agressive. RCs is a big improvement over the Cs by the way. I own a pair of RC-10s for my computer setup and for being small, they really come alive once you break them in. Rti's doesn't have a good bass response. Furthermore, if you look at the rosenut finish for the RCs instead of black ash, they really look like something richer, more sophisticated; looks and sound. Rti's really boost up the high frequencies to make you feel that they are detailed. You said you liked rock music; then just right there the choice is obvious! As soon as you get the Rti's in the high SPLs, they get really harsh.


**Oh gosh I really feel like I'm a seller. I sound like AcuDefTech!!! No really it's because I own the two lines (3 with the C series) and can do a direct comparison.

Don't wait a minute more and get a pair from Audio Advisor. Cost me 415 canadian bucks shipped. Perfect condition. Good service. Half the price!
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1ENRC10

 

[LaP]

Ty all for the replies

mouettus > Getting speakers from USA is a big problem since the shipping is usually very high. Also most stores from USA ship using FEDEX or UPS and both charges completely insane and ridiculous brokerage fees (a legal steal they got me once and will never get me again).

Also some people said to me that the RC-mini center would not be a good choice with the RC-10 and the RC-LCR is really too much expensive.

j_garcia > I did go to a small store this weekend to test the Mordaunt Short and they really sound nice better than Energy and Polk (by a good margin anyway for my ears. But they are also very expensive.

I fear my choice will probably be between Energy C serie and Polk RTia serie (about the same price). Would like to get something better but it's always over my budget. I'll wait this summer often there's rebate since summer is a slow time for stores. Who knows i might get a deal.

Also what about the sub. Do energy makes good sub. Most stores here start to clear their Energy 8.3 and 10.3 stock and the price is getting down slowly but surely.

 

[mouettus]

Ty all for the replies

mouettus > Getting speakers from USA is a big problem since the shipping is usually very high. Also most stores from USA ship using FEDEX or UPS and both charges completely insane and ridiculous brokerage fees (a legal steal they got me once and will never get me again).

I hear you. I live in Canada too and I was caught a couple of times too. But it still is cheaper. When you have no choice you can't complain.

I fear my choice will probably be between Energy C serie and Polk RTia serie (about the same price). Would like to get something better but it's always over my budget. I'll wait this summer often there's rebate since summer is a slow time for stores. Who knows i might get a deal.

C series is not a bad speaker at all. Less refined than the RC that's for sure but still not that bad. Let's say they are good home theater speakers.

For a deal, just wait and they will come to you. Be patient. Futureshop will be selling all its Energy stuff cuz they won't carry them anymore. Here and there you will start to see price drops. You can wait for canada day too... they usually put the whole store on sale!

Also what about the sub. Do energy makes good sub. Most stores here start to clear their Energy 8.3 and 10.3 stock and the price is getting down slowly but surely.

8.3, 10.3 and 12.3 aren't bad subwoofers but they hold nothing special. Not any better and not any poorer than another sub of the same price. My choices at futureshop are Velodyne and Energy for subwoofers.

I myself bought the new ESW-V10 from energy. That is a whole different story though. I've never heard a sub that is as tight and as accurate as this one (and that was A/Bing versus a sealed! B&W and a 10.3). Powerful for a small bugger too... Take note that I haven't heard SVS nor HSU subs, something I would've liked so much but eh... I'm all by myself here in Ottawa...