Polk RTi8 vs Athena F2

[SangYuP]

That's great to hear and the CSi5 is a solid center channel. I've read the bright comment so many times and while I agree, not sure why. If you have any pictures, send them to me.

Mark

Yeah, I've been reading a lot about the CSi5 and it's making me get really impatient. Good thing it's coming tomorrow. I'll post the pictures here in a few minutes.

 

[SangYuP]

Now you have to change your sig

Done.

Here are the pictures of my brand new RTi8. The pictures don't do the cherry finish justice. Like everyone says, you have to see them in person to really appreciate the finish. Enjoy the pictures and please ignore the specs of dust. I didn't realize how much dust was on my speakers.

 

[speakerman39]

Yeah, it's always good when the wife likes them too. They are a little smaller than my F2, but she said that they were sleeker and the finish is top notch. I can see why these are your favorite speakers. They sound great. It was with the help of all the users and especially you that made me make this choice. Without you guys I would have probably cancelled the order (I'm so glad I didn't). The pictures are uploading as I type this...

Well Sang, thanks for your kind words. Yes, the RTi8's have been one of my favs for a long time. However, it is more about how it sounds than the way it looks. It just so happens the RTi8 looks amazing as well. To me, it is the total package. However, I have not found my RTi speakers to sound bright at at, but rather a bit on the forward side of things. Sometimes, I can't help but wander if people confuse forwardness with brightness. I describe the Polk sound as very detailed and crisp with a touch of forwardness. Perhaps, a bit aggressive at times. But, this is what I like-so it is no surprise that I own Polk.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[mazersteven]

Are you going to start a thread here,

Member Systems Gallery
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

 

[SangYuP]

Well Sang, thanks for your kind words. Yes, the RTi8's have been one of my favs for a long time. However, it is more about how it sounds than the way it looks. It just so happens the RTi8 looks amazing as well. To me, it is the total package. However, I have not found my RTi speakers to sound bright at at, but rather a bit on the forward side of things. Sometimes, I can't help but wander if people confuse forwardness with brightness. I describe the Polk sound as very detailed and crisp with a touch of forwardness. Perhaps, a bit aggressive at times. But, this is what I like-so it is no surprise that I own Polk.

Cheers,

Phil

I agree that it's all about the sound that the speaker produces, but like you said, it just happens that they look really nice as well. Yes, they are more crisp and detailed than my F2. I was never really pleased with my F2s, but the RTi8 I am extremely pleased with. Now that you mention it, it does have that in your face forwardness. Because I was never really pleased with my F2s, I didn't listen to music that much. For movies they were fine, but music I always found the F2s a little lacking. I could never put my finger on with it was that I found lacking, but something just felt like it was missing. Maybe I had too much expectation from them.

 

[SangYuP]

Are you going to start a thread here,

Member Systems Gallery
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

I guess I should...

 

[dorokusai]

Phil/Sang - Just out of curiosity, why would you call them forward but not bright? Semantics? Seriously, a genuine question, no rags.

The most common question I receive is why are they bright, in which I agree, since they sound brighter than the previous tri-lam tweeter.

Just wondering.

Mark

 

[SangYuP]

I might as well post a picture of my MFW-15. This thing is a monster and it sounds good to boot. I didn't realize how big this sub was until I saw the box. Don't mind the fleece blanket on top. I had to cover it because I was afraid people would use it as an end table. Better safe than sorry.

 

[SangYuP]

Phil/Sang - Just out of curiosity, why would you call them forward but not bright? Semantics? Seriously, a genuine question, no rags.

The most common question I receive is why are they bright, in which I agree, since they sound brighter than the previous tri-lam tweeter.

Just wondering.

Mark

Mark,

I think they sound both bright and forward IMHO. I'm sure Phil can answer in more detail...

 

[speakerman39]

Mark,

I think they sound both bright and forward IMHO. I'm sure Phil can answer in more detail...

Well, the reason I don't consider them very bright is because of comparing to the likes of Klipsch. One day, I got the chance to listen to them both directly for over an hour. One thing became abundantly clear to me-Klipsch was way too bright and harsh for my tastes. Now, I am not hating on Klipsch, but rather stating that they are NOT to my liking. I describe the Polk sound as being very clear, clean, and crisp with some aggressiveness, but not bright. The are forward, but very detailed and I like that in a speaker. Others, may not and that is fine by me as we are all unique. Each to their own I always say.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

I might as well post a picture of my MFW-15. This thing is a monster and it sounds good to boot. I didn't realize how big this sub was until I saw the box. Don't mind the fleece blanket on top. I had to cover it because I was afraid people would use it as an end table. Better safe than sorry.

Dang, that is SEXY! Oh man, now I am attracted to electro-mechanical things!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[SangYuP]

Dang, that is SEXY! Oh man, now I am attracted to electro-mechanical things!

Cheers,

Phil

Isn't though? It was love at first sight!!!

 

[dorokusai]

Well, the reason I don't consider them very bright is because of comparing to the likes of Klipsch. One day, I got the chance to listen to them both directly for over an hour. One thing became abundantly clear to me-Klipsch was way too bright and harsh for my tastes. Now, I am not hating on Klipsch, but rather stating that they are NOT to my liking. I describe the Polk sound as being very clear, clean, and crisp with some aggressiveness, but not bright. The are forward, but very detailed and I like that in a speaker. Others, may not and that is fine by me as we are all unique. Each to their own I always say.

Cheers,

Phil

Fair enough, thanks. I'm moreso with the idea that they are one in the same but I understand your distinction.

"One mans bright is another mans detail." - RGates

That's not someone famous, just my buddies drunken quote one evening

Mark

 

[speakerman39]

Isn't though? It was love at first sight!!!

Amen bro.........LOL!!!! Is it me or does it look even sexier?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Fair enough, thanks. I'm moreso with the idea that they are one in the same but I understand your distinction.

"One mans bright is another mans detail." - RGates

That's not someone famous, just my buddies drunken quote one evening

Mark

Very much agreed Mark As far as the quote, lets just say I am ROFLMAO!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Dang, that is SEXY! Oh man, now I am attracted to electro-mechanical things!

Cheers,

Phil

How is a big, featureless black box "sexy"?
I am sure it sounds great, but let's face facts here, it isn't much to look at!

 

[SangYuP]

How is a big, featureless black box "sexy"?
I am sure it sounds great, but let's face facts here, it isn't much to look at!

I'm sorry but everything about that "big, featureless black box" is sexy.

 

[speakerman39]

How is a big, featureless black box "sexy"?
I am sure it sounds great, but let's face facts here, it isn't much to look at!

Hey Joe, nothing a few cases of beer couldn't fix. Anyways, beauty is in the eye of the beholder right.......??

Cheers,

Phil

 

[dorokusai]

As long as it isn't a Dahlquist DQ10, sans grill, anything is sexy when it comes to loudspeakers.

Mark

 

[johnchabin]

SangYuP:

I have the RTi8 fronts and CSi3 center (+ RTi4 surround + CS1 rear, yes 6.1). Any opinion on upgrading to the CSi5? It's a big room.

Thanks!