Polk RTi4 Bookshelf speakers

[dloweman]

I am looking at putting a pair of polk TRi4 bookshelf speakers above my cabinets in my kitchen but only have like 7 1/8 Inch of space, can someone measure the exact width of these for me because the specs say 7", but i want to make sure they will fit. Also, for people who own these speakers are you happy with them? Thanks Derek

 

[mike c]

less than 7"

more like 6 7/8" width.

but it's very deep

forgot to add my comments:
yes, i'm happy with them ... in a nutshell: my opinioon is that they're pretty good speakers to play HT and music with a lot of vocals ...

 

[dloweman]

Thanks for the reply, they will be above the cabinets, so will mostly be used for background music.

 

[chest_burster]

I had a negative/learning experience with Polk's RTi line.

I heard them on the floor at Electronics-Expo and loved how they cut through all the other noise there and presented a sharp, defined soundstage despite sub-optimal conditions. Detail!

I took a 15 minute (at most) non-critical listening session as a full-on sure-thing that THESE were the speakers I wanted, and soon! So I ordered RTi8s, RTi6, a CSi3, and RTi A1s for a beastly surround system (added Monitor 30s for 9.1 w00t!).

Within a few weeks I realized something was off. I started swapping speakers, trying different positions, different amplification, different cabling... definite improvements, but not quite what I wanted.

It finally dawned on me they just weren't the speakers for me when I heard a pair of Infinity Primus 150s at a friend's house and almost cried. All the same detail was there, but the presentation was much more laid-back and effortless. The RTi series are very forceful in the mids and treble. Where the Primus disappear, the Polk's cry "look at me, world! Love me!"

For some, particularly lovers of home theater, I think the RTis are a great match. But for out-of-the-way background music I think you'd be better served with something else. I'm still trying to unload the RTi6 and CSi3, fwiw, and if you get them and love them that's great. Like I said, though, it's been a real learning experience on speaker shopping.

 

[speakerman39]

I had a negative/learning experience with Polk's RTi line.

I heard them on the floor at Electronics-Expo and loved how they cut through all the other noise there and presented a sharp, defined soundstage despite sub-optimal conditions. Detail!

I took a 15 minute (at most) non-critical listening session as a full-on sure-thing that THESE were the speakers I wanted, and soon! So I ordered RTi8s, RTi6, a CSi3, and RTi A1s for a beastly surround system (added Monitor 30s for 9.1 w00t!).

Within a few weeks I realized something was off. I started swapping speakers, trying different positions, different amplification, different cabling... definite improvements, but not quite what I wanted.

It finally dawned on me they just weren't the speakers for me when I heard a pair of Infinity Primus 150s at a friend's house and almost cried. All the same detail was there, but the presentation was much more laid-back and effortless. The RTi series are very forceful in the mids and treble. Where the Primus disappear, the Polk's cry "look at me, world! Love me!"

For some, particularly lovers of home theater, I think the RTis are a great match. But for out-of-the-way background music I think you'd be better served with something else. I'm still trying to unload the RTi6 and CSi3, fwiw, and if you get them and love them that's great. Like I said, though, it's been a real learning experience on speaker shopping.

Hi there, I find this very interesting. I just fairly recently switched from the Infinity Primus to the Polk RTi's. The Primus are great speakers given their respective price points, but the RTis are better in every respect. More specifically, the RTis are more crisp and more detailed. I would not call them bright per se, but they are a bit forward. Each to his own I always say. Keep in mind your room often plays a big role on how speakers will sound albeit bright, forward, laid-back, and etc. Placement also has significant impacts on how speakers will sound. It seems most people either like the Polk sound or they hate it. I, on the other hand, really like it. If I have any complaint, it would be that the upper midbass would be a bit more present-maybe even some deeper extension with even more articulation. Glad to hear you are liking the Primus speakers. Congrats on finding the right ones for you.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[chest_burster]

Hi there, I find this very interesting. I just fairly recently switched from the Infinity Primus to the Polk RTi's. The Primus are great speakers given their respective price points, but the RTis are better in every respect. More specifically, the RTis are more crisp and more detailed. I would not call them bright per se, but they are a bit forward. Each to his own I always say. Keep in mind your room often plays a big role on how speakers will sound albeit bright, forward, laid-back, and etc. Placement also has significant impacts on how speakers will sound. It seems most people either like the Polk sound or they hate it. I, on the other hand, really like it. If I have any complaint, it would be that the upper midbass would be a bit more present-maybe even some deeper extension with even more articulation. Glad to hear you are liking the Primus speakers. Congrats on finding the right ones for you.

Cheers,

Phil

For giggles I plugged in one Primus 360 and one RTi6 and played a movie (Toy Story 2) and some music (The Band, Music From Big Pink) through both my NAD C270 and the Harman Kardon AVR247 (switching a few times to hear both with different amplification). For me, it highlighted how much the (estimating) 100hz-400hz spectrum is emphasized and forward with the RTi speakers. The RTi tweeter is brighter but also more delicate; the Primus can be a little sibilant/spitty when pushed. It became clear, however, that the Primus was at ease with all material while the RTi tended to get harsh. It's not entirely fair to compare a 4-driver 3-way floorstander to a 2-way bookshelf, but having heard the RTi line up and down I know its flavor well by now. Still, if I had to choose which was the "better" speaker at its price point, the Primus (MSRP $698/pair) is a better deal than the Polk RTi6 ($459/pr).

My prolonged experience with Polk left me a little cynical toward the company, like they add attention-grabbing features that don't help performance but boost cache. Like, who the hell is going to bi-amp a set of Monitor 30s? Or how does a veneer finish improve the performance of a budget set of speakers? These questions also endear the Primus line's no-nonsense single binding post and black ash vinyl finish to me, not to mention Harman's great direct pricing via eBay (same for Polk, fwiw).

I still think Polk makes very good speakers, especially given their price point, but the sound is definitely not for me.

 

[speakerman39]

For giggles I plugged in one Primus 360 and one RTi6 and played a movie (Toy Story 2) and some music (The Band, Music From Big Pink) through both my NAD C270 and the Harman Kardon AVR247 (switching a few times to hear both with different amplification). For me, it highlighted how much the (estimating) 100hz-400hz spectrum is emphasized and forward with the RTi speakers. The RTi tweeter is brighter but also more delicate; the Primus can be a little sibilant/spitty when pushed. It became clear, however, that the Primus was at ease with all material while the RTi tended to get harsh. It's not entirely fair to compare a 4-driver 3-way floorstander to a 2-way bookshelf, but having heard the RTi line up and down I know its flavor well by now. Still, if I had to choose which was the "better" speaker at its price point, the Primus (MSRP $698/pair) is a better deal than the Polk RTi6 ($459/pr).

My prolonged experience with Polk left me a little cynical toward the company, like they add attention-grabbing features that don't help performance but boost cache. Like, who the hell is going to bi-amp a set of Monitor 30s? Or how does a veneer finish improve the performance of a budget set of speakers? These questions also endear the Primus line's no-nonsense single binding post and black ash vinyl finish to me, not to mention Harman's great direct pricing via eBay (same for Polk, fwiw).

I still think Polk makes very good speakers, especially given their price point, but the sound is definitely not for me.

All points well taken. However, I understand that the Polk sound may not be for you. Some like it some don't. I like it myself. However, my hearing may not be as sensitive as yours given my car audio days.......LOL!!!!! I do not find my RTi6's bright or harsh at all. I would describe them as being very detailed and crisp. In conjuction with both of my PLuses, my Polk RTi speakers sound quite good. Each to their own I always say.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[chest_burster]

All points well taken. However, I understand that the Polk sound may not be for you. Some like it some don't. I like it myself. However, my hearing may not be as sensitive as yours given my car audio days.......LOL!!!!! I do not find my RTi6's bright or harsh at all. I would describe them as being very detailed and crisp. In conjuction with both of my PLuses, my Polk RTi speakers sound quite good. Each to their own I always say.

Cheers,

Phil

No doubt, and I can understand why they would be appealing to you and the many other listeners who happily own them.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't find Polk harsh, but I do find all of the lines except the LSis to be on the bright side. IMO, the RTiA4s I reviewed not to long ago were very decent.