RTI A3 vs RTI A5?

4WardMotion

Well, I thought I had made up my mind until I started pricing things and questioning the best bang for my buck. Here's my question, is there a big enough difference between the A3 and A5 to justify going with the A5's?

I was going to go with a book shelf speaker and then buys stands, but as I have been looking for a couple hundred more I can get the A5's. Is it worth the upgrade from bookshelf to floor standing? I have been looking at the Pioneer Elite VSX-32 to power these. 70% HT and Games, 30% Music.

I would love to hear your feedback on my options here.

Thanks!

Ericw2431

Hmm well the a'5s have more midrange! but if thats gonna be your last upgrade might as well go for the a'9s if your not ready get the a'3s buy an amp aside and than upgrade whenever! well thats what i will do...get you a good sub!

dorokusai

I believe the RTiA5 is a much better overall loudspeaker than the RTiA3. This isn't really hard to imagine given the difference in design.

blehmbo

Well, the A5s do have a bit of a more pronounced mid range and they can go deeper frequency wise. I thought my A5s performed well for HT duty and decently for music.

I highly recommend listening to both side by side if possible. Only you can decide whether the A5 is worth the extra coin over the A3s.

tonyb

If I was you, I'd bypass the 5's and head straight for the A7's. Throw in a good sub, and you'd have something to brag about in your neighborhood. The pioneer you mentioned would still do fine with all this. I guess it depends on your budget, maybe I missed it somewhere.
If your into movies, and you get the A3's, 3 months will go by and you will be thinking you should have gotten the 5's. Then you'll get the 5's, another 3 months will go by, and you'll say damn, betcha those 7's would be even better. Just tryin' to save ya some steps my man.

jbooker82

The time line is about right. Jumped in head first with my HT with the RTI A7's and now wonder what the 9's would be like.

mrbiron

By the time you buy both the speakers and the stands, you're approaching the price of the 5's anyway.
I enjoy my 5's and have no remorse about not going to the 7's / 9's. They are ideal for my application.

Start with the 3's, then if you feel they are lacking, move them to the rear and buy the 5's for the front. Simple fix.

thesurfer

You never said anything about room size,, that plays alot in what you need, what your trying to do,,The rtiA3,s would be great for a smaller room, but as others have said, if your putting a system in a larger room, get the 5,s or 7s, keep in mind, large speakers in a small room, are overkill. also, small speakers in a large room, wont do you any justice,,

packetjones

I have had both the 3's and the 5's. I would say that the 5's are better.

what really matters is how they will be used and the space they are in. i am actually selling my 5's but they are local only, if you are willing to come to oklahoma let me know. lol

SRTer

jbooker82 wrote: »

The time line is about right. Jumped in head first with my HT with the RTI A7's and now wonder what the 9's would be like.

I got bit with the upgrade bug when I bought RTi8's all around now I got A9 and A7

dnoyeB

A5s all day.

4WardMotion

Thank you all for the replies!

I wish I could say my decision is made, but I'm still pondering. I hear the term warmer and brighter when reading a lot of these posts. Between the A3's and the A5's is one brighter than the other. I will definitely be getting a sub eventually, so I am trying to take that into account also.

My living room is about 14ft wide by 16ft deep and then opens up to the kitchen area. Not a real big room so I don't think it would take a lot to fill it up with sound.

Packetjones, where are you in Oklahoma? I am in Missouri and might be interested in your A5's. Are they the Cherry finish? That is what I am wanting to get.

Can anyone tell me how the Energy bookshelf speakers compare to these A3's? I was in Best Buy this weekend and listened to the Energy speakers and liked what I heard there, but I am still leaning towards the Polk's as I feel the reviews sound better. I don't have anywhere around here to hear them, so I am going off the advice shared here. Any thoughts on the comparison between Energy's and Polk's?

Thanks again for your feedback!

packetjones

I am in oklahoma city. My A5's are the black finish.

In regards to the brightness I would say they are about the same really. If you are just starting out I doubt you would be able to tell a difference.

Ciego

Mr Packetjones,
I see you have the same system that i would like to have, but until now i couldnt find anyone to says to me how it works.
Well, i have only RTiA3's like front speakers with a Receiver Onkyo TX-SR313B and i would like to put them like rare speakers and buy RTiA5 like front speakers, i want to buy CSiA4 and PSW110 too. I want this system because in the future i want to buy a stereo amplifier to conect to the RtiA5's for listening music from CD.
Well, How does work your system for cinema? how does work the combination of RTIA5 y RTIA3?
Thank you... and sorry for my english, i'm from Chile.

incloud

Sorry for jumping in here but I am also looking into moving to Polk from Klipsch and aiming toward bookshelfs. I'll admit and agree about ending up wishing I went all the way as I almost pulled the trigger last week on an a9 set. Thing is not to do with cost but I'm moving to a condo and would never use a9's to their potential. The reason bookshelfs have my attention is due to the fact that my Klipsch towers hardly get used being crossed over and overall I have to turn up movies for the system to sound its best. So bookshelf speakers would more likely be used to their potential. This of course is my theory and by no means experiential knowledge of audio equipment. What it comes down to is that I hardly listen to music and when doing so, it is at moderate levels. My main concern is as much detail and clarity with legible dialogue in movies as possible. My wants are to have beautiful and beastly tower speakers that add serious appeal to my living room. Practical thoughts say bookshelf and happy neighbors. Not to mention I run an Emotiva LPA-1 and the bigger the speakers I get the more amps also follow. 125 watts/ch won't do much for the bigger A series, I'd imagine. Well, those are my thoughts and any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time!

incloud

Thanks for the response! To settle and get an order in I'm most likely going to order the A3 set, CSIa6 and FXIa6 pair. I'll get these and play around for a bit. Chances are before long the A3 will go to the back and I'll pick up A7 or A9's for the front. Probably the most logical approach. Now just to pick a nice tight hitting sub to match. Looking at the Polk line but may go with SVS. Monday I'll order a XPA-100 to power the CSI-a6. Getting pretty excited as I haven't bboughtspeakers for a couple years. Thanks again!

incloud

Keeping my eyes open for a holiday sale on the A5 and would sure appreciate a heads up if anyone hears of a great deal.

F1nut

Your concern about whatever speakers you buy bothering the neighbors is misplaced, it's the sub they will hear.

My main concern is as much detail and clarity with legible dialogue in movies as possible.

With the RTiA's and emo power you'll have plenty of detail and clarity......probably bleeding ears as well.

mr2686

incloud wrote: »

Keeping my eyes open for a holiday sale on the A5 and would sure appreciate a heads up if anyone hears of a great deal.

The Polk Ebay store has the RTi8's (older version of the A5's...sound the same but a little different design and face is silver instead of black or cherry) for 399 a pair (I have these and they sound GREAT). Also, right now if you hurry you can get a pair of RTI12's (old version of RTI-A9's) for 600 a pair through Frys...sale ends soon. That's an outstanding price.

incloud

Thanks! I managed to find those outstanding deals but prefer the newer cabinet style over those and willing to pay the difference. The thing that is killing me is that I hear all over the forums about outrageous deals on the RtiA series through Newegg and others. I myself have never seen anything but Polk Monitors on there for sale and I search Newegg often for PC parts. What really kills me is having missed the Friends and Family sale here at Polk. Guess I'm just hoping that after Christmas and around will bring a great deal. If not I'll order from Sound Distributors with 15% off. Most likely grab a couple subs from Polk Direct. Thanks!

incloud

Merry Christmas guys! I'm still on the lookout for speakers and will most likely end up with Polk. They seem to be a big hit and I love the aesthetics over most I've found. Just wish they had better quality aluminum protruding feet for them. I know I'm picky but my heart is set on my new condo and I want it to be just right. I did notice last night that there is a pretty good special at KEF right now on these 2 sets below: (don't think I'm supposed to link until 100 posts)

C7 - 5.1 Surround System

Q900 5.1 System With Free Q600c Center Channel

I really like the speakers above for the looks and they seem to have a lot of good reviews but I don't like veneer and the Q series have better sound at higher volumes according to KEF. I'm looking for a nice set of speakers (preferably real wood) that sound great at lower volumes. I just don't crank my system much and care more about great sound at moderate levels than anything. Any feedback on these speakers or ideas for the described are more then welcome. I'm itching bad to place an order! Thanks in advance for your time!

F1nut

Just wish they had better quality aluminum protruding feet for them.

The silver colored protruding feet as you call them are plastic, not aluminum. From a foot or so away, I doubt you could tell the difference tho. That said, the stock steel spikes are really cheap. I replaced mine with high quality custom stainless steel spikes. If interested I can provide the info on where to buy them.

don't think I'm supposed to link until 100 posts)

You can add a link in your very first post if you want. It's access to the Flea Market that you need 100 posts for.

incloud

I realize the feet are plastic and that's why I'd prefer aluminum or the such of higher quality. I liked the way the feet were on the original Rti series better. Of course the cabinets are way better on the RtiA. There are a lot of nice looking speakers out there but most have a real appeal but also lack appeal in some area. I have not seen the RtiA series (or heard) and do not have the option. Kills me to buy without hearing or seeing but I'm limited in my area other than Best Buy (not). Hard to understand why they would make such nice cabinets and then use plastic parts. There must be manufacturers that make quality feet for speakers out there. As far as the links go, that's what I thought. I posted a link in a thread to a pc build of mine and I was scolded for it. Thanks for your time!

F1nut

Hard to understand why they would make such nice cabinets and then use plastic parts.

Price points. Besides, those plastic covers matter not in the performance aspect. If they were going to charge a bit more I would have rather they supply them with something that actually matters, high quality spikes.

F1nut

As far as the links go, that's what I thought. I posted a link in a thread to a pc build of mine and I was scolded for it.

I took a look at that thread. Since your post is deleted it's impossible for me to comment other than to say if it involved an item you had for sale somewhere, then that is forbidden even if you have 100 posts.

incloud

Alright! Hope I don't have bad credit on here now, lol. I was just trying to help a guy out. I am so torn between RtiA5 and a7 set or going with the KEF Q series. The KEF are a lot more but I want good speakers and I love the way they look. Do you have any experience with the above mentioned for comparison? I know the A5 has 2 6.5 mid/woofer and the A7 has 1. Does that play much of a difference. I'm going to add a Rhythmik or possibly SVS or maybe even Dual SVS.

F1nut

I use the A7's in a dedicated HT rig for movies only, no music. For that purpose they suit me fine. I have no experience with the KEF's.

incloud

In my experience, I prefer a sub and find the use of towers in HT to be mainly unused. The cabinet after being crossed over essentially becomes a speaker stand. I listen at very moderate to low levels and am seeking a system that provides a great movie experience as these levels. If I had a bigger place I would get powerful amps and the A9 without a second thought. My thoughts in my case are that the A5 are easier to drive and will have a better mid/high range for my listening area. The bass/lfe will be compensated in full by a nice tight sub which id intended for that exact purpose. Now by no means am I an audiophile, just someone who loves sound and has been researching for months now. My current Klipsch aren't bad at all (Icon Wood) but tend to make it hard to listen to for long periods. Hoping the Polk will alleviate that fatiguing experience. Please feel free to correct my theory as that's all it is.




Oh! I like the look of these stands and would love to adapt them to the RtiA of my choice. Have to figure out where and how to grab some. Any ideas?

F1nut

In my experience, I prefer a sub and find the use of towers in HT to be mainly unused. The cabinet after being crossed over essentially becomes a speaker stand.

When using floor standing mains in an HT rig one can always choose to run them full range and still use a sub. Even when crossed at 80Hz the LF of the mains is rolled off gently, so it's not as though the woofers aren't doing something.

My current Klipsch aren't bad at all (Icon Wood) but tend to make it hard to listen to for long periods. Hoping the Polk will alleviate that fatiguing experience.

While a lot less fatiguing (IMO) than Klipsch speakers, the RTiA's are a bit hot on top. I was able to tame them to my liking with adjustments in the AVR and the use of high quality speaker cables.

F1nut

Oops forgot...

Oh! I like the look of these stands and would love to adapt them to the RtiA of my choice. Have to figure out where and how to grab some. Any ideas?

Outriggers bolt onto the bottom, so if KEF will sell them to you, you should be able to bolt them to the Polks. I would advise careful measurements first to make sure they will fit the Polk cabinet without looking stupid. There are aftermarket sellers offering outrigger brackets. Someone here bought some for their Polks and posted a pic after. Personally, I thought they looked really silly.

incloud

Do you happen to know the link to the post? The search functions on forums are not always the most reliable.