Replacing vintage LS50's - Rtia5/Rtia7 or other?

zorro116

Hi,

Have been a proud owner of a polk audio system for 15 years. Am now finding one of my front LS50 floor standing speakers is starting to distort during movies (explosions etc). Seems to be fine playing music?? I have swapped the speaker to the other side to make sure it isn't my amp or cables playing up.. and it seems to be that speaker.

Looking at the polk site the closest looking speaker configuration to the LS50's seems like the Rtia5. I don't really want to buy a sub at this stage as I found the bass I was achieving has been satisfactory through my fronts on the LS50's. Im assuming this would be the same with the Rtia5, but would be willing to go to the Rtia7's if the differences was negligable.

My system is as follows:

Amp : Denon 1909/789
Fronts : Polk Audio LS50
Centre : Polk Audio CS350
Rears : M3II
Music : 20%, Movies 80%

I may also replace my rears with A1's or A3's. I have had them fall off stands a number of times... - they still work fine...but while Im replacing may get them as well. Are the A3's worth the extra money??

I have no intention of replacing the centre. It was the top of the range centre when I bought it and is still going strong.

Seems like you guys get your hifi gear ALOT cheaper than here in Australia. They're almost double the price! Is it possible to import myself?

I look forward to your responses

Thanks in advance

ken brydson

My .02 would be to replace the bad driver in your 50's. They are fine speakers, not to mention your 350 will not timbre match the new models.

Ron Temple

+1

The A5s are nice, but I wouldn't trade in LS50s for them. Replace the driver or find another set...or some 90s.

zorro116

are the LS50's better than the current models? I have now had the opportunity to listen to the A5 and the A7's. The A5 sound very similar to the LS50's and I found the Rtia7 had much more depth and detail that what Im used to. Very nice

In regards to timbre matching the CS350. The tweeters seem to be the same (to the eye anyway) as whats in the A5 and A7. Not so?

zorro116

on closer inspection of the speaker I have noticed that the top corner of one of the drivers has become loose. The glue has deteriorated with the outside rubber of the driver vibrating against the cabinet.... that was the noise I was hearing... not distortion....

Im assuming I can just glue this back in place and all will be fine? The driver otherwise seems fine.

Ron Temple

I've only heard the A series in store and at my son's place, but I've had the LS50s and RTi 8s here. I, for one, prefer the sweeter, more laid back sound of the 50s. The detail of the RTi series is a bit edgy for me and the midrange not as rich...but that's me.

vc69

zorro116 wrote: »

on closer inspection of the speaker I have noticed that the top corner of one of the drivers has become loose. The glue has deteriorated with the outside rubber of the driver vibrating against the cabinet.... that was the noise I was hearing... not distortion....

Im assuming I can just glue this back in place and all will be fine? The driver otherwise seems fine.

I recently had exactly the same issue with 2 drivers. I think the glue has reached it's useful lifespan and we are likely to see more posts like this. I lost 2 drivers within a couple of months of each other.

I believe that, as long as the voice coil isn't damaged, you should be able to glue the surround. I have not yet tried this, but I have a spare driver that needs this same attention.

Polk CS does have a replacement driver available and if you mention you are a member here, you get a discount. I bought 2 and they are working/sounding quite nice in my LS90's which takes exactly the same driver if I am not mistaken.