Kef IQ VS. Polk RTi Which one???

[ucyimd1]

Well this is my first post and my first real HT setup. My current setup is sony 5.1 out of the box, which is crap. Wanting to upgrade and narrowed down my choice to 2 of the following:
Polk-
(2) RTi10
(1) CSi5
(2) RTi6
(1) Velodyne DPS-10 or (1) Boston XB6

Kef-
(2) IQ9
(1) IQ6c
(2) IQ3
(1) PSW2500 or Velodyne DPS-10

Both of these setups will be ran off of an Onkyo TXSR-605

Now my question is which setup would you go with?? I.E. if you have no other options.

I have read a few reviews on the IQ and about their UniQ technology that increases the area for the "sweet spot". I haven't seen too many reviews on the RTi series by Polk.

Also how do you think the Kef2500 woofer compares to the Velodyne?? Like will the Kef be enough??

Thanks for your help and sorry for sounding like a newb but i'm very new to the HT game

 

[no. 5]

What would I go with? The iQ's... even if I had other options.

As for the sub, how big is your room (total cubic volume)?

 

[zumbo]

Polks for me. I would drop the RTi10's, and go with the 8's. Put the extra money towards a better sub, and you would have a great speaker system.

 

[EJD]

Personally, I would go with the Kef's because I am familiar with the iQ9s (and like them). To be fair though, I have not heard the Polks.

I would pass on the Kef sub. Check into Hsu or SVS.

 

[AVRat]

If you're set on the 605, then you'll definitely want to step down one notch on the floorstanders otherwise you might run into impedance issues. I've heard both and for me it would be a toss up. Most definitely look into SVS or HSU for the sub.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I would vote for the KEF IQs they were on my short list and I really liked the way they sounded. Skip their sub and go for a SVS.

 

[ucyimd1]

If you're set on the 605, then you'll definitely want to step down one notch on the floorstanders otherwise you might run into impedance issues. I've heard both and for me it would be a toss up. Most definitely look into SVS or HSU for the sub.

I thought the Kef's already come pre-wired at 8ohm???

 

[no. 5]

If you're set on the 605, then you'll definitely want to step down one notch on the floorstanders otherwise you might run into impedance issues.

I thought the Kef's already come pre-wired at 8ohm???

"Per-wired at 8 ohms"?

...Anyway, I think what AVRat is referring to is that the iQ9's impedance drops below 6 ohms (with a min of about 4 ohms) between 70Hz and 800Hz, and above 4kHz.

Polks for me. I would drop the RTi10's, and go with the 8's. Put the extra money towards a better sub, and you would have a great speaker system.

That's good advice no matter what system you chose.

 

[ucyimd1]

will the receiver be able to handle when it drops below 6ohms??? And is it only during those freq. when it drops that low so...will it be only momentarely????

 

[no. 5]

As the 605 is a new model, I have not yet seen any bench tests of it, and so can't give a definitive answer.

There is a great deal of sonic content between 70Hz and 800Hz (there is quite a bit above 4kHz too, but it's at a relatively lower intensity, and so should not pose a problem), However, a good number of receivers can handle a 4 ohm load, and as the iQ9 is a nominal 8 ohm speaker, it *could* be OK.

 

[mike c]

you need to make yourself a compilation CD and bring it to where they sell the KEFs and Polks and listen for yourself. if the iQ's sound the same as the old Q's, they sound completely different to the Rti series.

oh, and there's a new Rti series coming out, so make sure you get a good deal on the old Rti series (if you pick them)

 

[AVRat]

All the KEF iQ floorstanders dip down to 3.2 ohms, but I don’t know at what frequency(s). If it’s in the region of the bass drivers, more load is required. And with more drivers the load is increased. Depending on your listening levels, this may be a non-issue with the 605.

My philosophy is that if you want to use better quality floorstanders with multiple (>2/6.5") larger drivers then power them appropriately. My $0.05.

 

[ucyimd1]

so should I amp the IQ9's...i'm on a budget and the only amp that I can see in my price range is Onkyo M-282...will this be able to handle the IQ9's or do you have any other amps in mind between 200-250??

 

[no. 5]

All the KEF iQ floorstanders dip down to 3.2 ohms, but I don’t know at what frequency(s).

For what it's worth, KEFs website says every speaker in the iQ line has a minimum impedance of 3.2 ohms, but I'm not so sure I believe that every speaker would have exactly the same minimum impedance.

Stereophile's measurements of the iQ9

 

[no. 5]

so should I amp the IQ9's...i'm on a budget and the only amp that I can see in my price range is Onkyo M-282...will this be able to handle the IQ9's or do you have any other amps in mind between 200-250??

Unfortunately, the 605 does not have pre-outs other then for the subwoofer, so adding an external amp is not an option.

However, if you are concerned with the iQ9's presenting a difficult load to the receiver; I suggest following Zumbos advice and going with the iQ7s (or even the iQ3's), and putting the saved money to a better subwoofer.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Great option.

Unfortunately, the 605 does not have pre-outs other then for the subwoofer, so adding an external amp is not an option.

However, if you are concerned with the iQ9's presenting a difficult load to the receiver; I suggest following Zumbos advice and going with the iQ7s (or even the iQ3's), and putting the saved money to a better subwoofer.