Which Rti's to go for?

alkit
alkit Posts: 9
edited February 2011 in Speakers
Hi,
I'm looking to get a set of Polk Audio Rti range speakers.

i am considering the following set up (I already have 2xJamo sub300s doing the LFE):

Fronts: RTi A5
Center: CSi A4
Surround: RTi A1

1) I have heard that for movies etc, the A5s will be better than the A7s as they have a 2nd mid-bass driver.

2) It is worth investing a bit more and upgrading to the CSi A6 center speaker? Will there be a big deference over the CSi A4? Lastly, will the CSi A6 match up with the A5 front speakers or will it be too big/overpowering for them?

3) Any other suggestions?

Thanks a ton!
Fronts: Polk Audio Rti-A5
Center: Polk Audio Csi-A6
Surrounds: Polk Audio Rti-A1
Subs: Jamo Sub300 x2
Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR708
Post edited by alkit on
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Comments

  • litlred515
    litlred515 Posts: 35
    edited February 2011
    I know they ar a little older but still sound amazing, I have the csi40 center and fxi50 surrounds for sale. pm me if interested, unfortunately I cant post that on here since i'm like 73 posts short.
    Receiver: Marantz SR6001(for sale)
    Fronts: RTi70's black(for sale)
    Center: CSi40 black(for sale)
    Rears: FXi50 black (sold)
    Sub: PSW350 (gone)
    TV: Samsung 32" LCD
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited February 2011
    Hi alkit - welcome to CP!

    1) Though I haven't heard the RTi A5s, looking at the specs, the only crossover pt I see is up top to the tweeters. So that makes me think that the two woofers have to deal with everything below 2.2khz. I guess if you're sub is handling everything 80hz and below, perhaps there could be an advantage. Anyone else know? I have the RTi A7s and have never once felt they lacked anything in the midrange for movies or music - especially once I got an amp.

    2) Yes! The CSi A6 digs deeper, which helps for dialog. Most of a movie's sound track comes from the center, so it's definitely worth it. But, I've heard the CSi A4 and it plays loud and clear. Once you calibrate the speakers (either via the receiver's utility or manually), I don't think the A6s would overpower anything. The A5's and CSi A6 both use the same 6.5" woofers.

    3) Other suggestions: depends ...what are you planning to use to power these speakers?

    Otherwise, looks good. I have the A7s, CSi A6, and the A1s and I think you'd enjoy them.
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • Cmiller
    Cmiller Posts: 108
    edited February 2011
    Yes, the CSi A6 is a work horse..I watched UNSTOPPABLE "Trains" last night,and the CSi A6 dug very deep and sounded very clear @ the sametime..You want a nice center @ least i do..:)
    Samsung PN50B550 Plasma
    Pioneer Elite SC-25
    Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD
    Adcom 7500 Amp-Panamax 4300 Conditioner
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk Csi A6 Center-Polk M60s rear Surrounds
    Klipsch Synergy Sub-10 X2
    Klipsch Synergy S-10 Premium back surround
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  • alienwatcher
    alienwatcher Posts: 18
    edited February 2011
    1) Because of your sub situation, I'd suggest getting the A5s and invest the difference into an external amp if you don't already have one. An external amp made a HUGE difference in my rig. I don't know whether the A5s have "better" mid-range (all of this is subjective), but I bought my A5s with the intent of investing in a serious sub to handle the frequency abyss. With the 2 Bash amps built into your subs, I'm sure you will be very happy with the pairing of those and the A5s. The only reason I would suggest otherwise is if you were primarily listening to music and rarely watched movies.

    2) I have read many reviews from people who bought the A4 and then ended up trading up for the A6. I'd strongly suggest the A6. I am very, very happy with my center and it never overpowers my fronts. My soundstage blends very well.

    3) I'm not sure what receiver you have, but again, I'd suggest external amplification if you can budget it. That was the best investment I made to my rig other than the speakers themselves.
    AUDIO - Fronts: Polk Audio RTI A9's | Center: Polk Audio CSI A6 | Sides: Polk Audio FXi A4's | Sub: HSU STF-1 | Receiver: Yamaha RX-V663 w/ AQ Type-4s | Amp: Rain MM-6 (300W x3)| Power: Panamax M5300-PM

    VIDEO - Epson Powerlite 8350 Projector on Elite Electric100H Screen | Panasonic TH-42PX60U | Panasonic DMP-BD35 | Toshiba HD-A2
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited February 2011
    I have the setup you are looking at and like it a lot. I would recommend going with the A6 center if you have the room for it though.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited February 2011
    I'm not sure I would say the A5's are better than the A7's for H/T but I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the A'5's for H/T. Depending what Litlred wants for the CSi40 it will work nicely and is larger than the A4 center channel speaker.


    Not sure what your using to drive your new setup but they are easy speakers to drive.
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    edited February 2011
    I have that exact setup. If i could, i would sell the CSiA4 and get me an A6 as the vocals/center are a little on the soft side. This may be in part due to the size of my room and distance away but the A4 is lacking.

    You won't be disappointed none the less. Also, i use my A5's for stereo listening as well and even though most find them too bright, i feel they aren't too bad.
    Good Luck.
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • alkit
    alkit Posts: 9
    edited February 2011
    Hi Guys,

    Sorry, forgot to fill in some important points in my original post:

    1) This setup that I am getting will be used 99% of the time for home theatre. So I'm looking for the best sounding HT system.

    2) Just bought the Onkyo TX-NR708 receiver, which apparently is a fantastic receiver, and should work well once my system is fully set up.

    Thanks!
    Fronts: Polk Audio Rti-A5
    Center: Polk Audio Csi-A6
    Surrounds: Polk Audio Rti-A1
    Subs: Jamo Sub300 x2
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR708
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  • Tracy
    Tracy Posts: 24
    edited February 2011
    I have that set-up as well and I absolutely love it. I don't feel that the A4 is lacking in any way and the A6 is a beast but if you have the room - go for it. I do prefer the FXi A4's over the A1's for surround duty if you are mostly into HT - just my opinion though.
    Onkyo TX-SR705
    Polk RTi A5
    Polk CSi A4
    Polk FXi A4
    Martin Logan Dynamo
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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited February 2011
    I use the CSiA6 center and the RTi10's ( Similar to RTiA7 ) for my front L & R channels. The RTi4's for surrounds. This setup is for almost 100% movies and sounds great. I don't have to change anything. The CSiA6 center is definately a big part of this setup and sounds fantastic for H/T.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2011
    The Rti a5's are a excellent choice. I would pair them with the csi a6 center for better results, if you have the space.
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2011
    I'd vote for the CSiA6, you'll always wonder what the 6 would sound like and sooner or later the bug will hit you and you'll probably end up getting it anyway. It took me a year, but I had to upgrade and I was more than pleased with the results. Even with my modest amp, there was a noticeable difference in the sound.
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • Gottaheardat
    Gottaheardat Posts: 5
    edited February 2011
    I have that same Onkyo TX NR708 going on 2 weeks now hooked up to my LSi9's. I love it but 1 week later when I added an Emotiva UPA7 amplifier ( 185 watts @ 4 ohms x 7 ) the sound went from good to absolutely superb. Please get an amp. You won't regret it.
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  • ShadowTowel
    ShadowTowel Posts: 89
    edited February 2011
    Tracy wrote: »
    I have that set-up as well and I absolutely love it. I don't feel that the A4 is lacking in any way and the A6 is a beast but if you have the room - go for it. I do prefer the FXi A4's over the A1's for surround duty if you are mostly into HT - just my opinion though.

    Thank God someone actually had something nice to say about the A4 center... I just upgraded to this center (it is en route), and instead of feeling thrilled I feel depressed after reading all the comments about this thing. No one has anything to say about it except "you should have gotten the A6 instead." I mean, the A4 has got to be a great center, correct? Am I crazy in expecting a great HT center channel from this thing? Haha it is odd how little praise it receives on this board. Has great reviews elsewhere! :/
    Polk Audio RTi A3 (mains)
    Polk Audio CSi A4 (center)
    Polk Audio RC60i (rears)
    BIC Acoustech PL-200 (sub)
    Denon AVR-590 (receiver)
    Samsung LN46B550 (LCD)
    Sharp BD HP22U (Blu-ray player)
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  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited February 2011
    ShadowTowel wrote: »
    Thank God someone actually had something nice to say about the A4 center... I just upgraded to this center (it is en route), and instead of feeling thrilled I feel depressed after reading all the comments about this thing. No one has anything to say about it except "you should have gotten the A6 instead." I mean, the A4 has got to be a great center, correct? Am I crazy in expecting a great HT center channel from this thing? Haha it is odd how little praise it receives on this board. Has great reviews elsewhere! :/

    I own a CSiA6 and I love it.

    Yes, the CSiA4 is a great speaker too. I got a chance to hear both of them and i thought to myself.

    CSiA4 is great...
    CSiA6 is bigger so it's most likely better...

    That why the CSiA6 came home, plus I new I would be mad later because i constantly upgrade thing I get.

    CSiA4 is a fine speaker.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    I've got some black RTi A3s for sale if you're interested!
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2011
    How big is your room? The A4 may be fine in a smaller room. I had one for a while in a large room (25x18), and it got swallowed up in there, so the many people recommending the A6 says something. Plus, I've never seen anyone post their regrets over buying one! I second the recommendation for FXiA surrounds - very immersive for 5.1 HT, or in your case 5.2 - should be a great system - enjoy! :smile:
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  • Tracy
    Tracy Posts: 24
    edited February 2011
    ShadowTowel wrote: »
    Thank God someone actually had something nice to say about the A4 center... I just upgraded to this center (it is en route), and instead of feeling thrilled I feel depressed after reading all the comments about this thing. No one has anything to say about it except "you should have gotten the A6 instead." I mean, the A4 has got to be a great center, correct? Am I crazy in expecting a great HT center channel from this thing? Haha it is odd how little praise it receives on this board. Has great reviews elsewhere! :/

    It is a great center - seriously, no worries. I have it in cherry and it's beautiful to look at too. I have no regrets whatsoever. You know how guys are - they always think bigger is better (women too, lol)! :tongue:
    Onkyo TX-SR705
    Polk RTi A5
    Polk CSi A4
    Polk FXi A4
    Martin Logan Dynamo
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