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01-04-2004, 10:25 PM
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#1 of 14 
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Local Time: 04:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 52
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Buy these Polk's for $500 or can I do better?
I have an Onkyo HTIB HTS-650 (almost the same as the current HTS-760), with 2 Sony SA-WM40 Subs.I think my system sounds good now, I just want better. I can pick up these Polk speakers, 4 RTi38's and a CSi40 for $500.00. Can I do better for the same amount of money? Will the Polk's be a good upgrade for my system?
Thanks,
Bill
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01-05-2004, 12:04 PM
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#2 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Local Time: 09:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 142
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Excellent speakers...and I mean excellent. Hmmm, haven't checked current prices lately, but haggle as much as you can.
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01-05-2004, 12:58 PM
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#3 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Local Time: 09:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 143
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I can't comment on the Polks, because I've haven't heard them, but I just completed a similar upgrade. I have kept the onkyo rears for now and upgraded the front three. Speakers I listened to:
Energy C1, CC-1
B&W 602 or 601 with cc6
Boston CR85 with CRC or VRC
Boston VR950 with CRC or VRC
Infinity Entra
I was looking to spend $500-$700 for the upgrade. I really liked the VR950 but they were towers and my wife wanted something smaller. If towers are ok, I'd look for these (Tweeter had a closeout at $350/pr and may still have some). My wife, a music teacher, nixed the B&W because she claimed they had "holes" in certain frequencies. Both the Energy and Boston speakers sounded great. We went with the Boston because we have them in another system and really enjoy them.
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01-05-2004, 03:48 PM
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#4 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Local Time: 03:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 219
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Are they new or used? The CSi40 retailed for $400 new and the 38's for $380/pr. Even if they're slightly used at $500 that's a good deal. FYI they have been replaced with a new RT line. IMO for the $ it will be an appreciable upgrade.
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01-05-2004, 07:10 PM
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#5 of 14
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Member
Location: Wilmington, NC
Join Date: Oct 2000
Local Time: 05:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 370
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Tyler,
sounds like Bill already knows about this deal, but I'll repeate it for others that may be thinking along the same lines.
Crutchfield is clearancing the RTi38s for $250/pair. When you buy more than $499 of Polk speakers, you get a $200 credit (or a Polks 202 sub if you want it). I used this deal to pick up 3 pairs of 38s for $550, including shipping.
Bill, just checked the C'field web site and CSi40s appear to be gone along with the RTi28s.
If you order from C'field, try to insist on double boxing. One of my sets shipped in its factory box and suffered cabinet damage for the trouble. The replacement pair was also shipped single boxed, but at least it survived.
Brent
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01-05-2004, 08:24 PM
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#6 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Local Time: 03:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 219
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Brent,
Notice the words 'retailed for' (past tense) in my post. I actually picked up a pair of 38's in September for the 2 channel rig for $170 from CC.
How are you using your 3 pair?
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01-06-2004, 07:19 PM
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#7 of 14
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Member
Location: Wilmington, NC
Join Date: Oct 2000
Local Time: 05:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 370
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TylerZ,
sorry, didn't catch the sublety of the past tense, only the new/used comments.
I went with the 3 pairs to get a completely matched surround setup. Since I was (sold house, haven't found new one) using front projection in a dedicated room, the 38 in the front center was planned to be oriented vertically, just a little lower than the L/R mains. Currently, I only have a 5.1 prepro, but when I eventually I upgrade to 6.1, I'll have a matching rear center channel waiting.
BTW, since I only had the Polks operational about 2 weeks before I sold the house, I ran the center 38 horizontal. At least on axis, it sounded identical to the L/R mains. I was a very happy camper for those 2 weeks.
Brent
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01-06-2004, 11:34 PM
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#8 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Local Time: 01:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 136
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Those are great speakers at an amazing price. Get them. Only thing I would say is that if you can find the floorstanding RTi70 or even RTi150 they might make better front L/R especially if you like stereo music. Otherwise, great deal. I picked up a pair of RTi150s recently for $550/pr and liked them so much I got the CSi30 center to match (from Crutchfield for $150). Great speakers and well matched, you will love them.
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01-06-2004, 11:43 PM
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#9 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Local Time: 02:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 391
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That is an awesome deal on excellent speakers. I wouldn't hesitate.
- Jack
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01-07-2004, 06:06 PM
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#10 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Local Time: 04:12 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
Posts: 52
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Well I'm picking them up on Friday, a CSi40 and 4 RTi38's.
Now one more question. If I want to go 6.1 what speaker do I want for the rear? Should I get a CSi30 if they have one? If not what?
I'm guessing the Polk's will play as loud as my Onkyo speakers brcause they have better sensitivity numbers all the way around. 3 DB more on the fronts, 6 DB on the center and 6 DB on the back. That's 24 total DB better than the Onkyo's for all 5 speakers.
Bill
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