Polk Bookshelf RTi-A4 vs new models: good buy?

klingern

So here's the story,

I am a sound enthusiast and I've always liked the sound of big speakers. I find that larger wooden speakers fill the room with their sound much more efficiently.

I want to replace a pair of Luxman speakers that got lost during a move to a new appartment.

So I got the chance of buying the RTi-A4 bookshelfs for a good price, but I dont know if they're a good buy (I dont know much about them either, but I think the model is from a few years back). I could buy the RTi-A3 from the current catalog, but they are about double the price.

So can anybody that's familiar with these models help me out?
Are the RTi-A4 worth it, or is it better to go for the more expensive newer model??

any help is very much appreciated

F1nut

If you like the sound of big speakers, why are you looking at bookshelf models?

thesurfer

He said hes in an apartment now,,, As far as those models go, the rti4, was replaced by the rtia1,, both have 5,1/2 mid bass, The rti6, was replaced by the rtia3, these have larger midbass drivers,, all are very nice,, but you should hear them yourself, i prefer the rtia1,, but thats just MHO,, jimmy.

Erik Tracy

I owned both sets of RTi4s and the newer/bigger RTiA3s and preferred the sound of the RTiA3s as they painted a bigger soundstage side to side and top to bottom compared to the RTi4s.

It was not what I would call a huge quantum step in difference as both are from the same family of RTi speakers, but the difference was noticable.

The question is what is your definition of a 'good buy'?

Depending on the cost difference you are looking at - it may not be worth the difference between the RTi4 and RTiA3. The RTi4s are a heck of a little gem for the money.

I got my RTiA3s from Polk's eBay store on a bid (not the Buy Now price) that was a 'steal' - so for me the price difference was worth it.

YMMV....

And fwiw - here is a link to my "Death Match" comparison of the RTi4 vs RTiA3:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72553

klingern

yeah so the price for the RTi_A4 would be around the 140$ range.
the new model RTiA3 goes for 349 a pair on sale.

Thanks for the quick response to all!

Erik Tracy

klingern wrote: »

yeah so the price for the RTi_A4 would be around the 140$ range.
the new model RTiA3 goes for 349 a pair on sale.

Thanks for the quick response to all!

For that price I'd go RTi4s.

Or - wait for some RTiA3s on Polk's eBay site and put a bid in for a better price.

Or - if you are not set on Polk and you really can afford $349 - look for a used pair of bookshelves (audiogon.com for instance).

cnh

I agree with E Tracy above and also own both Rti-4s and Rti-A3s. You like the 4s fine with a sub. The A3s, though, do put out a bit more sound as Erik describes above. That's also been my experience.

Good Luck!

cnh