Rti A3 - Is subwoofer needed?

starbux48
starbux48 Posts: 10
edited May 2011 in Speakers
Deciding which integrated amp to power these. One that I like the best has no sub out, while the other does. I'm sure a subwoofer can always help, but how needful?
Post edited by starbux48 on
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  • sandworms
    sandworms Posts: 1,043
    edited May 2011
    well, for HT your gonna miss everything under 50hz, as thats as low as the 3's go. depending on your tastes, if your a basshead, you can't live w/o lfe, be it music or HT. so if your asking me, get a sub and not only take some load off your amp, but enjoy the full freq range
    Samsung pn64f8500
    Sonus faber venere 2.5
    Sf venere center
    Oppo 105d
    Squeezebox touch
    Parasound hca1500a
    Apc power filter
    Audioquest cables asst
    Polk rtia3 SB
    Polk fxia6 sl,sr
    Dual hsu vtf3 mk3

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  • starbux48
    starbux48 Posts: 10
    edited May 2011
    Not a basshead for certain. Mostly classical, jazz, some rock, of course all have bass of some kind. Sub would need to be added later anyway, just figuring out which amp to get if I have to add one later. Haven't looked at possible Polk subs, but sure they have some.
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  • polkapolka
    polkapolka Posts: 145
    edited May 2011
    I have had mine for a few months now. My first thought before they arrived was, "OK, now I need to took for a sub.". Well, after a few days with them, I stopped looking. That is just my personal taste. Since you have been asked about your music, etc. I like bass, but am not a basshead by any means. It doesn't sound lean or naked without a sub, put it that way.
    The music I listen to varies, and includes jazz, classical, rock, some pop, & blues. You can always wait to try them out, and decide from there. After all, it is your ears that are going to decide. Good question, though!

    Matt
    Mitsubishi 60" HD LDP
    Polk RTI-A3 L/R
    Csi-a4 CC
    Polk CSW 10 Sub
    Pio. Elite VSX-03
    Pioneer BDP-51FD Blu-Ray
    Polk Fxi3s for surround.[/SIZE]
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  • Slaine777
    Slaine777 Posts: 78
    edited May 2011
    I have RTi A3's as front speakers and a CSi A6 center. No surrounds yet. I think they sounded good, but I just added a subwoofer last night and everything is much fuller.
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  • franc
    franc Posts: 7
    edited May 2011
    Even I have the RTi A3 & the bass is quite good but being a basshead I added a System Audio SE 200 Sub & it blended very well with the A3's:smile:
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited May 2011
    Subwoofers privide the cues for a sence of space that can transform a system from simply sounding good to sounding uncannily "Real". When the funds permit pick up a quality sub or better yet...two. You'll be in awe of how good your system can really sound.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited May 2011
    You do not say if this is for HT or music. But you always have the option to use the speaker level inputs available on many subs. Which used to be the Polk prefered method, not sure about nowadays.

    http://www.crutchfield.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learn/hometheater/subwoofer/connect.html

    Jump down to "speaker level inputs"
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited May 2011
    Former RTiA3 owner here......

    Obviously, you do not HAVE to run a sub with the RTiA3s, but as others have noted, as I did, the RTiA3 benefit from a sub - even for music at lower to mid level volumes.

    And if you are set on the int amp that you have your eyes on - then the suggestion above using speaker level inputs would work fine.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • KYFHO
    KYFHO Posts: 76
    edited May 2011
    I run a sub with my RTiA3s and they sound fantastic. When I shut the sub off the overall sound quality diminishes significantly. Thus, I definitely recommend a sub.
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited May 2011
    I agree with the others that a sub is needed. it just fills in the sound a lot smoother in my opinion.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited May 2011
    x2 on what Erik said.

    I'm a former owner as well, and even after they broke in I still missed having the last octave or so which they obviously can't reproduce. If I were you, I'd go for a 12" with at least a few hundred watts RMS to back them up. If you decide on the pre without the subwoofer out, you can either use your pre's line-out, or the subwoofer's speaker-level in. You're really gonna want those low fundamentals that you'll miss out on with the A3s alone.

    Which integrateds are you looking at?
    - 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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