Polk vs Def Tech for Fronts, Center, etc

fkjr2 · 12-19-2012, 03:15 PM

I have an SVS sub with Def Tech Pro Cinema surrounds, centers, etc.

Looking to try and slowly upgrade - how are the Polk RTi3's compared with the Def Tech's?

Can I mix and match with POLK/Def Tech or do I have to replace ALL the Def Tech fronts, sides, back, etc?

Any other good choices?

Thanks!

DoctorCAD · 12-19-2012, 07:15 PM

This is coming from a Polkie.

I'd Go 100% Polk.

fkjr2 · 12-20-2012, 08:05 AM

ok but do you think it would sound ok if I just replace the two fronts now until I upgrade the center and rears?

DoctorCAD · 12-20-2012, 12:36 PM

It will be OK.

If you don't like it, that will make you get all Polks faster!1

quad4.0 · 12-20-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorCAD

It will be OK.

If you don't like it, that will make you get all Polks faster!1

Having listened to Polks for 12 yrs, I can tell you it's well worth it to go with the RTi series. I have no desire to replace my Polks, and I have considered an up grade to a bigger RTi series, and after discussions with Polk, I chose to just keep what I had. It just made no sense.

jpcamaro70 · 12-21-2012, 04:46 AM

Fronts and center should stay the same. You surrounds are fine if they are different.

That being said, when you upgrade, go def tech they are absolutely incredible (depending on the series of course).

jkkyler · 12-21-2012, 08:13 AM

I haven't heard the RTI series but am not a huge Polk fan. The 'pro cinema' series is def techs entry level series but their floor standers and larger bookshelf speakers (mid and upper level not entry ) are fantastic and much better IMO but I have no idea cost wise how they relate to the polks you are considering. It is always best to try and keep the soundstage matched so the timbre (sound coloration, tonal qualities) don't clash or sound off but budgets sometimes call for staging or sequential purchases so as long as you plan on matching them all when you can you may be ok with tolerating mixed speakers briefly.

fkjr2 · 12-22-2012, 11:07 AM

ok guys thanks - so which models of the def tech are an upgrade from my Pro Cinema 1000/800's?

jpcamaro70 · 12-22-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkjr2

ok guys thanks - so which models of the def tech are an upgrade from my Pro Cinema 1000/800's?

You can start with the fronts and put in some floor standing 8020's. Then the center procenter 2000 or a cs 8040.

I'm using the 1000 center and the 800 surrounds, so depending on what you are looking for, you may be able to keep those and simply ugrade the fronts. Floor standing fronts really change the entire system.

If i had to change one thing about my system, it would be a better center channel, like the cs 8040.

fkjr2 · 12-22-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpcamaro70

You can start with the fronts and put in some floor standing 8020's. Then the center procenter 2000 or a cs 8040.

I'm using the 1000 center and the 800 surrounds, so depending on what you are looking for, you may be able to keep those and simply ugrade the fronts. Floor standing fronts really change the entire system.

If i had to change one thing about my system, it would be a better center channel, like the cs 8040.

Could I replace the 2 front 800's and the center 1000 with the cs 8040 or the CLR 2002? would that make sense or do I still need the two other fronts?

Also - any experience with the new StudioMonitors?

jpcamaro70 · 12-23-2012, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkjr2

Could I replace the 2 front 800's and the center 1000 with the cs 8040 or the CLR 2002? would that make sense or do I still need the two other fronts?

Also - any experience with the new StudioMonitors?

Don't replace the fronts with a center (cs8040). If you are doing it in pieces due to budget, save enough for a pair of mains (front L/R) that you want. The center if it's a 1000 should be fine, it's a pretty good speaker to use for now.

The monitors will also be an upgrade from the fronts you have now.

What are you listening to? movies, gaming, music???

fkjr2 · 12-25-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpcamaro70

Don't replace the fronts with a center (cs8040). If you are doing it in pieces due to budget, save enough for a pair of mains (front L/R) that you want. The center if it's a 1000 should be fine, it's a pretty good speaker to use for now.

The monitors will also be an upgrade from the fronts you have now.

What are you listening to? movies, gaming, music???

Movies mostly - like 80% and music 20%

So are the Studio Monitor Series that much better than the Pro series?
How much better is the 8040 center to the 1000/2000 pro series?

thanks

jpcamaro70 · 12-25-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkjr2

Movies mostly - like 80% and music 20%

So are the Studio Monitor Series that much better than the Pro series?
How much better is the 8040 center to the 1000/2000 pro series?

thanks

I don't have the 8040 but on another forum it's spoken well of.

fkjr2 · 12-26-2012, 08:42 AM

Is the Center channel more crucial for Movies/HDTV or are the Left & Right Channels more important?

Also - would it make any sense to go with an expensive Center with a sub builtin for better audio even though I own a SVS PB12 Sub?

Does the Sub kick in with vocals or only LFE?
I guess I am trying to figure out where best to employ the speaker dollars

Thanks

jkkyler · 12-26-2012, 08:57 AM

I don't know of any center channel speakers with a sub built in. Subs are theoretically active on both vocals and lfe but with vocal/voices rarely if ever does the the frequency ever get to the point where it would be directed toward the sub but musical notes and other non LFE content (the lfe has it's own channel) that is in the frequency range of the sub will utilize it - typically the sub crossover is set at 80Hz and the LFE channel at 120hz.
The center channel is more crucial for movies as that is where 90 of the dialog originates from while the fronts are more suited for music and soundstage imaging.

12-19-2012, 03:15 PM	#1
fkjr2 All The World's a Stage Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 165	Polk vs Def Tech for Fronts, Center, etc I have an SVS sub with Def Tech Pro Cinema surrounds, centers, etc. Looking to try and slowly upgrade - how are the Polk RTi3's compared with the Def Tech's? Can I mix and match with POLK/Def Tech or do I have to replace ALL the Def Tech fronts, sides, back, etc? Any other good choices? Thanks! __________________ TC-P60ST50 Integra DTR 30.4 Toshiba HD-A35 Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Def Tech Pro Series Speakers 6.1 SVS PB12 Sub HDTV DVR Logitech Harmony One Remote HD DVD = 48 BLU RAY = 15

12-19-2012, 07:15 PM	#2
DoctorCAD Direct TV Fresh Meat Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,197	This is coming from a Polkie. I'd Go 100% Polk. __________________ This post is not to be construed as a slam on plasma TV's nor an endorsement of any other TV technology.

12-20-2012, 08:05 AM	#3
fkjr2 All The World's a Stage Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 165	ok but do you think it would sound ok if I just replace the two fronts now until I upgrade the center and rears? __________________ TC-P60ST50 Integra DTR 30.4 Toshiba HD-A35 Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Def Tech Pro Series Speakers 6.1 SVS PB12 Sub HDTV DVR Logitech Harmony One Remote HD DVD = 48 BLU RAY = 15

12-20-2012, 12:36 PM	#4
DoctorCAD Direct TV Fresh Meat Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,197	It will be OK. If you don't like it, that will make you get all Polks faster!1 __________________ This post is not to be construed as a slam on plasma TV's nor an endorsement of any other TV technology.

12-21-2012, 04:46 AM	#6
jpcamaro70 Yea sure, I get it? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Long Island Age: 39 Posts: 552	Fronts and center should stay the same. You surrounds are fine if they are different. That being said, when you upgrade, go def tech they are absolutely incredible (depending on the series of course). __________________ Den: LG 3D 47" 47LM7600 , LG BP620 BD 3D, Denon AVR-591 A/V Reciever, Klipsch HD Theater 500, HR22-100, TiVo Premier, PS2, Wii, XBox Living Room Samsung 46" 3D LED UN46ES7100, Samsung BD 3D BD-E5900ZA, Denon AVR2312CI, Definitive Tech supertower 8040 (pair), ProCenter 1000, ProMonitor 800 (pair), SuperCube 2000, HR21-200 Master Bedroom: Samsung UN22D5003, HR24-500 Daughters room: Samsung UN22D5003, H25-500

12-21-2012, 08:13 AM	#7
jkkyler I bleed for HD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,303	I haven't heard the RTI series but am not a huge Polk fan. The 'pro cinema' series is def techs entry level series but their floor standers and larger bookshelf speakers (mid and upper level not entry ) are fantastic and much better IMO but I have no idea cost wise how they relate to the polks you are considering. It is always best to try and keep the soundstage matched so the timbre (sound coloration, tonal qualities) don't clash or sound off but budgets sometimes call for staging or sequential purchases so as long as you plan on matching them all when you can you may be ok with tolerating mixed speakers briefly. __________________ HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray Den - Vizio 20" 1080p LCD + Samsung BD-p1600 Don't believe everything you read on the internet - Albert Einstein

12-22-2012, 11:07 AM	#8
fkjr2 All The World's a Stage Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 165	ok guys thanks - so which models of the def tech are an upgrade from my Pro Cinema 1000/800's? __________________ TC-P60ST50 Integra DTR 30.4 Toshiba HD-A35 Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Def Tech Pro Series Speakers 6.1 SVS PB12 Sub HDTV DVR Logitech Harmony One Remote HD DVD = 48 BLU RAY = 15

12-26-2012, 08:42 AM	#14
fkjr2 All The World's a Stage Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 165	Is the Center channel more crucial for Movies/HDTV or are the Left & Right Channels more important? Also - would it make any sense to go with an expensive Center with a sub builtin for better audio even though I own a SVS PB12 Sub? Does the Sub kick in with vocals or only LFE? I guess I am trying to figure out where best to employ the speaker dollars Thanks __________________ TC-P60ST50 Integra DTR 30.4 Toshiba HD-A35 Panasonic DMP-BDT210 Def Tech Pro Series Speakers 6.1 SVS PB12 Sub HDTV DVR Logitech Harmony One Remote HD DVD = 48 BLU RAY = 15

12-26-2012, 08:57 AM	#15
jkkyler I bleed for HD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,303	I don't know of any center channel speakers with a sub built in. Subs are theoretically active on both vocals and lfe but with vocal/voices rarely if ever does the the frequency ever get to the point where it would be directed toward the sub but musical notes and other non LFE content (the lfe has it's own channel) that is in the frequency range of the sub will utilize it - typically the sub crossover is set at 80Hz and the LFE channel at 120hz. The center channel is more crucial for movies as that is where 90 of the dialog originates from while the fronts are more suited for music and soundstage imaging. __________________ HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray Den - Vizio 20" 1080p LCD + Samsung BD-p1600 Don't believe everything you read on the internet - Albert Einstein