Should I Jump on Rti10's for $600?

[technophobe]

I just recently purchased a pair of polk rti6's, as well as a center channel Csi3 speaker, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to pick up the floorstanders in the series.

Since I'm sort of new to the audio world, I was just wondering how often a deal like that comes around on polk speakers in that class?

I won't be able to use them right away (I don't have enough room until I buy a new place in about a year or so...), but I would like a set of matched speakers to what I already have. I guess my questions boil down to:

1) Just how good is the deal? They're 300 apeice (shipped).

2) Will the design change radically? If I wait 2 years, will there still be polks that sound and look similar to my rti6's and center?

Thanks!

 

[GlocksRock]

I heard that polk is going to phase out the current line of Rti speakers, so you may want to pick them up now so you are sure to have a good match.

 

[AVRat]

They're a great deal, but be advised that you'll need a higher end receiver or a separate amp to power them properly for their best performance. For this reason I tend to recommend the 8s instead and most people use a sub to supplement the bottom end anyway.

 

[Seth=L]

Yes, the Onkyo won't even come close to reference levels without problems with all those speakers. Start setting up a budget for a new receiver soon.

 

[technophobe]

Yup, a new receiver is definitely on the list. That's one of the reasons I wouldn't be able to use the rti10's right away. I just really want to make sure that I'm not passing up a deal that won't come again, and that I'll be able to find speakers that match my rti6's in sound and appearance...

From what I've heard polks are pretty conservative in both sound and aesthetics in that they don't change much over time?

I'm planning on buying an stf1 or 2 soon. Would the 2 mitigate any need for low frequency speakers built into towers?

 

[cfrizz]

This deal WON'T come again on this series of RTI's. Polk has already introduced the RTI'A series which replaces the ones above. They look totally different from the older series. So if you want them, you better get them now, cause once the stock is gone it's gone!

Check out these pics of the new series.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47928&highlight=rtiA

Yup, a new receiver is definitely on the list. That's one of the reasons I wouldn't be able to use the rti10's right away. I just really want to make sure that I'm not passing up a deal that won't come again, and that I'll be able to find speakers that match my rti6's in sound and appearance...

From what I've heard polks are pretty conservative in both sound and aesthetics in that they don't change much over time?

I'm planning on buying an stf1 or 2 soon. Would the 2 mitigate any need for low frequency speakers built into towers?

 

[AVRat]

I'm planning on buying an stf1 or 2 soon. Would the 2 mitigate any need for low frequency speakers built into towers?

For this reason I tend to recommend the 8s instead and most people use a sub to supplement the bottom end anyway.

Any idea which receiver you might consider?

 

[MDS]

Yes, the Onkyo won't even come close to reference levels without problems with all those speakers. Start setting up a budget for a new receiver soon.

I don't see where the OP mentioned an Onkyo receiver but I beg to differ with your assertion. My 502 can easily drive the JBL speakers, which have similar specs to the Polks, to reference level and as most people know reference level is insanely loud anyway and you won't normally listen at that level.

 

[Seth=L]

I don't see where the OP mentioned an Onkyo receiver but I beg to differ with your assertion. My 502 can easily drive the JBL speakers, which have similar specs to the Polks, to reference level and as most people know reference level is insanely loud anyway and you won't normally listen at that level.

The 302 is a smaller than the 502. He had another thread on this. The 300 series uses a smaller power supply, two 6,800 uF capacitors and two ICs. I would bet the 502 would outperform the 300 series receivers. The Polks may not be as even loaded as the JBLs are. I could be wrong though I have been before.

 

[technophobe]

Yeah, not really sure which receiver I would pick up. Next time I buy one I'll go for a lot more power though. I saw one forum member that was trying to unload his Onkyo 804 for around 300. Seems like a good deal...

 

[Seth=L]

Yeah, not really sure which receiver I would pick up. Next time I buy one I'll go for a lot more power though. I saw one forum member that was trying to unload his Onkyo 804 for around 300. Seems like a good deal...

The TX-SR804 would work great actually. That receiver may be sold by now though.

 

[MDS]

Ah, I wasn't aware of the mention of a 302 in a prior thread. My bad. The 502 is still a 'low end' receiver but I picked it up as a stop-gap while I was waiting for the 702...and yet I still have it. Now the choices are even greater and I'll probably get the 705 this time around. See, good things come to those who wait.

Anyway, even the lower end receivers can drive reasonably sensitive 8 ohm speakers to great volumes. Sure they lose composure a bit at those higher levels but who can stand that level for long?

 

[AVRat]

If you really want the 10s, then I would suggest that your next receiver at least has pre-outs so that a separate amp could be added since it sounds like you're leaning toward the mid-level receiver realm.

 

[Seth=L]

Ah, I wasn't aware of the mention of a 302 in a prior thread. My bad. The 502 is still a 'low end' receiver but I picked it up as a stop-gap while I was waiting for the 702...and yet I still have it. Now the choices are even greater and I'll probably get the 705 this time around. See, good things come to those who wait.

Anyway, even the lower end receivers can drive reasonably sensitive 8 ohm speakers to great volumes. Sure they lose composure a bit at those higher levels but who can stand that level for long?

I know, I used to have a TX-SR502. I put fans on it to reduce the heat build up and it may have been in my head, but I think my overall output had increased with the fan on it. I was using it to power some PSBs (power hungry ones) with the Infinitys for surrounds and a DCM center channel in an apartment, I really miss that receiver.

 

[MDS]

I've heard the complaint about heat with Onkyo lately but I still don't get it because that has not been my experience. I still think it has a lot to do with ventilation. Mine was in a stand where the compartment was 19" wide and 8.5" high (with no doors) and it barely gets warm.

My new stand is under construction and I opted to go for the same basic setup so hopefully it won't get too hot. Now when I get around to upgrading and get a 705 or higher, things may change.

 

[Seth=L]

I've heard the complaint about heat with Onkyo lately but I still don't get it because that has not been my experience. I still think it has a lot to do with ventilation. Mine was in a stand where the compartment was 19" wide and 8.5" high (with no doors) and it barely gets warm.

My new stand is under construction and I opted to go for the same basic setup so hopefully it won't get too hot. Now when I get around to upgrading and get a 705 or higher, things may change.

I will say this, the Onkyo TX-SR805 generates quite a bit of heat even open air on all sides. Funny thing is, if it is poorly ventilated the quiet fans will activate and then they run quite cool. I was messing with the Integra DTR-7.8 today at the hi-fi store and it had less than one inch clearance on the sides and top and it was running the fans; which I had trouble hearing, I had to stick my ear up to the unit to be certain they where on because I knew how hot it should have been without the fans running. I was running cool as could be with the fans on.

 

[3db]

Seth.. Stratus series from PSB?

I know, I used to have a TX-SR502. I put fans on it to reduce the heat build up and it may have been in my head, but I think my overall output had increased with the fan on it. I was using it to power some PSBs (power hungry ones) with the Infinitys for surrounds and a DCM center channel in an apartment, I really miss that receiver.

Yupp. they need a robust amp to make them sing, being 4ohm and mid to high 80s in sensivity.

 

[Seth=L]

Yupp. they need a robust amp to make them sing, being 4ohm and mid to high 80s in sensivity.

They even crunched on the Carver AV-505 I had once with some low frequency material (Resident Evil: Apocolypse has LFE well below 20hz for no good reason.)

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Yup, a new receiver is definitely on the list. That's one of the reasons I wouldn't be able to use the rti10's right away. I just really want to make sure that I'm not passing up a deal that won't come again, and that I'll be able to find speakers that match my rti6's in sound and appearance...

From what I've heard polks are pretty conservative in both sound and aesthetics in that they don't change much over time?

I'm planning on buying an stf1 or 2 soon. Would the 2 mitigate any need for low frequency speakers built into towers?

Hi technophobe,

IM Buckeyefan 1 He HAS RTi's and If I remember correctly had a thread awhile back about their impedance.

SBF1