SQ difference between M70 and Rti A series?

sam1233

Hi,

How much sound quality difference between these Monitor 70 and RTi A series.

Monitor 70 is the top of the line monitor series. The bass on the M70 is awsome I liked it. But tweeter is not that great I think( May be I am still in the breakin period).Though I have noticed tremendous improvement by bi-amping, and after some break in.

Is Rti A series is like night and day between the monitors. How much SQ I am missing with the M70 series?

People who own both the M70 and Rti A series could chime in.

Thanks.

sam1233

any one?

I had owned av123 Rocket 850 signature series and hence was comparing it with the polk audio. Definitely the SQ for M70 not close to 850s.

Thought if I could upgrade to Rti in the future.

Ron Temple

I haven't spent any time with the M70s, but generally, the RTiA is more detailed, images better, is a forward, dynamic speaker and pretty well balanced. The tweeter has an edge to it, not harsh except with poor gear synergy or a bad room. I consider it a step up, probably not to Rockets from what I've read about them.

cstmar01

I've owned the M70's and then upgraded to the A9's. A9's for more was a fuller sound and had better bass output in two channel than my M70's however for both I found I got better sound quality in 2 channel when having them hooked up to an external amp. Movies the A9 were still better however didn't find external amp did a ton when doing movie play back.

A9's do need a lot of break in time.

sam1233

Thanks Ron and cstmar for your inputs.

I feel polk audio generally requires more break in time, after owning these M70 speakers.

dorokusai

I'm with Ron/Chris and as I've never been a fan of the modern Monitor series...have always preferred the RTiA series. They are still forward but softer in the soundstage presentation...not as edgy and what is most commonly called "bright". The mid bass is on par if not a bit tighter and more realistic. I believe they are engineered better in regards to xover points and driver construction as well.

EDIT: The RTiA requires a LOT of break in to really sound perfect.

sam1233

Thanks dorokusai.

For the price, we pay for polk audio, it is worth it. To get 20% to 30% improvement we have to pay 6 or 7 times the price of this monitor series.

mystik610

Having owned a pair of TSi speakers (successor to the Monitor) and RTi speakers (predecessor to the RTiA), I'd say the RTiA is quite a bit better than the monitors...particularly when it comes to home theater.

I agree the the tweeter isn't that great on the monitor line. The RTiA's tweeter is quite a bit more detailed...whether or not this is a good or bad thing can be highly subjective. The RTiA's, fed enough clean power, and paired with warm components are quite a bit better than the monitors IMO.

cnh

Not to be a naysayer....but neither the lower level Rti-8 nor its heir (Rti-A5) can outperform the M70s 'musically' IMHO. That detailed tweeter is part of the problem in this area in fact! As you move up the chain...sure the Rti-12s and A9s are in another class.

Keep in mind that the M-70s and the Rti-A5s retail for almost the 'same' price. And the Ms have 4 M/W drivers and the 'cascade' crossover which may use lower grade quality parts than the A5 (which employs only two MWs) but is a more sophisticated design idea that is shared with higher model Polk speakers? A look at Polk's own specs shows that M-70s can handle a bit more power than the A5s, and also weigh more?

I've heard BOTH. And the smoother high end on the M-70s and their c-crossovers provide less fatiguing musical listening, and IMO better 'imaging' because the tweeter works with the upper driver for a more point source effect like a bookshelf speaker. For HT many will prefer the 8s and A5s PRECISELY because of the 'crisper' higher power handling tweeter.

The caveat here is 'subjective'. If like Doro and some others you like transparent and extremely detailed highs rather than smoother warmer ones....then the lower level Rtis may even sound better on music to 'you', but not me...the Rti-8/A5s are my least favorite Rti tower...But I would upgrade to Rti-12s/A-9s in a heart beat.

cnh

mystik610

cnh wrote: »

Not to be a naysayer....but neither the lower level Rti-8 nor its heir (Rti-A5) can outperform the M70s 'musically' IMHO. That detailed tweeter is part of the problem in this area in fact! As you move up the chain...sure the Rti-12s and A9s are in another class.

Keep in mind that the M-70s and the Rti-A5s retail for almost the 'same' price. And the Ms have 4 M/W drivers and the 'cascade' crossover which may use lower grade quality parts than the A5 (which employs only two MWs) but is a more sophisticated design idea that is shared with higher model Polk speakers? A look at Polk's own specs shows that M-70s can handle a bit more power than the A5s, and also weigh more?

I've heard BOTH. And the smoother high end on the M-70s and their c-crossovers provide less fatiguing musical listening, and IMO better 'imaging' because the tweeter works with the upper driver for a more point source effect like a bookshelf speaker. For HT many will prefer the 8s and A5s PRECISELY because of the 'crisper' higher power handling tweeter.

The caveat here is 'subjective'. If like Doro and some others you like transparent and extremely detailed highs rather than smoother warmer ones....then the lower level Rtis may even sound better on music to 'you', but not me...the Rti-8/A5s are my least favorite Rti tower...But I would upgrade to Rti-12s/A-9s in a heart beat.

cnh

and the M70's sound better to you

Of course nothing we're saying here is gospel. He's asking for opinions from previous owners of both lines, and I gave mine. In the end it is highly subjective, and there isn't a point in trying to discredit the subjective opinion of another.

I will agree that the RTi's can be a bit bright at times, but I also believe most RTi8/RTiA5 owners aren't adequately powering their speakers. It takes some juice to open up the mid-range of the RTi speakers (including the RTi8/A5) and tame the tweeter. Synergy also goes a long way....using warm components makes the A5's sound much richer and takes A LOT of the edge off.

The uses of the listener also play a big part. For musical reproduction, nothing beats a full-range tower, and in that regard, I would give a nod to the monitor 70 over A5/8's. But music isn't the priority for everyone.

For HT, the RTi line is quite a bit better than anything in the Monitor line. The A9 really is the best of both worlds, but for the price those things go for even on Polk Direct you avail yourself to some pretty incredible speakers both within and outside of Polk's line-up. Personally, I'd rather have a pair of LSi15's or LSi9's and a good sub.

sam1233

Thanks Mystik and Cnh for your inputs.

I agree it depends on the taste of the individual. I started liking both the M70 and M60. M60 has some midbass. My receiver crossed over 40hz on this M60 and Full range on the M70. Bi-amp helps this M70 to show all its potential. After some breakin the tweeter seems to be cleaner and crisp.

Rti-A9 could be definitely better in terms of the tweeter, but may be 20% more details at the price of 6 times the price of of M70.

For now I am happy with my M70 and M60.

mystik610

sam1233 wrote: »

Thanks Mystik and Cnh for your inputs.

I agree it depends on the taste of the individual. I started liking both the M70 and M60. M60 has some midbass. My receiver crossed over 40hz on this M60 and Full range on the M70. Bi-amp helps this M70 to show all its potential. After some breakin the tweeter seems to be cleaner and crisp.

Rti-A9 could be definitely better in terms of the tweeter, but may be 20% more details at the price of 6 times the price of of M70.

For now I am happy with my M70 and M60.

I wouldn't obsess over the RTia9 too much. I wouldn't say they're only 20% better....there's alot more going for the RTia9 than just the tweeter . The build quality, cabinet design, mids/woofers, cross-overs are all better. From a practical standpoint though, they certainly aren't 6 times better than your Monitor 70's! IMO, there are a lot of very good speakers at the price-range of the A9's which, subjectively speaking, are much better. For the price the M70's have been going for lately, they are very hard to beat.