Polk Audio RT16? Recomendations Opinions Needed

[CT-Seven 764]

The wife has been generous and a Pair of Polk Audio RT16 popped up for 50.00, I need opinions. I plan to drive them with a 135-150 watt Yamaha RX-V1700 (the little brother of the RX-V2700 I once owned)

 

Yay or Nay on the RT16

[Daddyjt 9,618]

Solid speaker - You can’t go wrong for $50. Even if you don’t like them, eminently flippable at that price. 

[compwaco 1,129]

They are an OK speaker, but for $50 you can't go wrong. They are worth approx. $200 so it would be easy to flip and move up. 

[CT-Seven 764]

There is also the option of a TSi300 for $100 but I dont want to spend that much

[Charlie 16,430]

50 minutes ago, Daddyjt said:

Solid speaker - You can’t go wrong for $50. Even if you don’t like them, eminently flippable at that price. 

 

 

I agree; go for it!

[CT-Seven 764]

Would the TSi300 be an upgrade or downgrade?

[Daddyjt 9,618]

38 minutes ago, CT-Seven said:

Would the TSi300 be an upgrade or downgrade?

 

I would personally give the nod to the RT16, mainly because I'm a big fan of the Trilaminate Dome Tweeters - I still have my LS70/CS350 S/LSFX 5.1 setup, that utilizes a very similar tweeter.

[compwaco 1,129]

2 hours ago, CT-Seven said:

Would the TSi300 be an upgrade or downgrade?

 

I would say downgrade.  They are similar in value but the RT16 sounds a bit smoother to my ears. 

When I heard the TSi300's I thought they sounded a bit aggressive on the top end.

[CT-Seven 764]

I see the RT has dual binding posts how do hook these up to a normal FRONT in a AV Receiver? I see in the listing that it has something like a binding plate.

 

Im sticking to the RT's as the seller agreed on 40 and I already have a 20 in my pocket and the comments here have me sold.

[CT-Seven 764]

Got them home and only one side had the bi-amping straps, so I had to test one side individually taking out the strap and bringing it over to the other side my POOR RCA Theather in a box had to crank it to make these pups sing and oh they do. 

 

I am waiting on the seller of the RX-V1700 to return to purchase it.

[Daddyjt 9,618]

You can just use a couple of 4” pieces of speaker wire instead of the straps. In fact, you’ll be better off using wire:-)

[CT-Seven 764]

Nice tip! Thanks

 

I know its messy but here they are the working $40.00 polks, you cannot tell from the pictures but the veneer completely peeled on the bases and I had to quickly remove the bases and, peel the old veneer and paint black. 

 

Wife is not happy but the small taste she got from the trial she enjoyed. Hopefully I can bi-Amp these pups with some power and make them sing!

[CT-Seven 764]

 

I know its messy but here they are the working $40.00 polks, you cannot tell from the pictures but the veneer completely peeled on the bases and I had to quickly remove the bases and, peel the old veneer and paint black. 

 

Wife is not happy but the small taste she got from the trial she enjoyed. Hopefully I can bi-Amp these pups with some power and make them sing!

 

 

[CT-Seven 764]

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by CT-Seven

[CT-Seven 764]

NOW TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE....

 

a set of POLK SDA SRS-2 showed up about an hour away for 100.00

(god these speakers will not leave me)

 

HELP!?! I asked the wife and the WAF was at 0% she said not again no I will not have those coffins again in my living room (granted I had two sets at one point in the living room)

[peck555 366]

Hey, you buy them...then set them up and have your wife listen to them with a blind fold on, if she doesn't fall in love with the sound...flip them for more than $100 

[zumbini 6,147]

A note about used SDA SRS series speakers:

 

It's not unusual for one or more of the multiple tweeters and mid-woofers to be non-functional or operating at reduced volume. (Four of the eight tweeters in my 1.2tl's were DOA.) Replacements drivers are available but the cost can negate an otherwise great deal. Even if you can audition them in person the close placement makes it difficult to focus on a single driver, so I use the cardboard core from a toilet paper or towel roll as a hearing aid.

[CT-Seven 764]

1 hour ago, zumbini said:

use the cardboard core from a toilet paper or towel roll as a hearing aid.

 

I think I got lucky with my last two pairs but this one looks like its had a rough 30 years, so I might need to bring TP, was it ultra soft or that 1 ply garbage? ?

 

That double blind test works...

Edited May 9, 2018 by CT-Seven

[CT-Seven 764]

Update TIME!!

 

 

Managed to track down the person I sold my Yamaha RX-V2700, he and me went back and forth in price but he decided to be a cool guy and sell it back at the same $100.00 

 

Why go through that trouble, I had mines since 12-13 I knew the history plus it was mines and I wanted it back (LOL)

 

Decided to do a run with the Bi-Amp Setting on the Yamaha but got scared as the Yammy got waaaaay to hot for confort.

 

Strapped the speakers and went back to 2 channel mode. Its too late now for me to run her hard so I wil have to wait untill tomorrow and see if I hear an audible difference

 

Very happy too with the Toshiba SD-9200 she has behaved very well, be it CD, DVD, Burned CD or SACD (2channel) she has taken it all. And she is a looker too. 

 

Happy to have a system again, simple and sweet!!

 

Edited May 20, 2018 by CT-Seven

[CT-Seven 764]

This is how it all looks

 

Later on I plan to buy another Ikea Kallax shelf unjt and modify it to this