RTi Bookshlelf Stereo Setup

coolmac11

Hey guys,

I recently put together a 5.1 system and now I want to change pace with my old Technics 2.0 system and get a smaller setup. I have the RTi A1 as surrounds at the moment, however, in a purely stereo music setup, it is worth the premium to get the RTi A3? I understand by specification that it can go 10 Hz lower and has a larger mid/woofer cone, but does that translate into greater bass and staging performance in a small 10x 13 room? Rather, my question is: Is there a significant improvement in sound in such a small room?

Also, would you think a subwoofer is necessary? I am very limited on budget, and would like to avoid a sub for now. And in case I decide to get one later, would you recommend either the PSW10 or PSW111 for my room size? I like the PSW10 due to its low price point, but I also note that its only a 50W sub. I like the PSW 111's 8" size, but would that me bad for bass performance, and does its 150W power make up for that?

My current Technics towers have 10 inch woofers on them so bass was adequate in my small room, but since I'm downsizing I want to be certain that the A1/A3 can perform as well.

One thing I was pondering was if I can get the A1's and the PSW10, thus saving a bit of money, would that be a better combo than the A3's alone?

PS: I have a ~15 year old Technics stereo receiver that pumps out 70 W per channel. I was thinking it would do for now, but I would love to get a new one.

Of these three Stereo receivers, which would would best suit the A1/A3's?

- Harman Kardon 3390 (80W x2)
- Yamaha RS300B (50W x2)
- Sony STRDH100 (100 x2)

The Sony is quite cheap right now, and it boasts the highest power, but how does it realistically perform compared to the HK and Yamaha? Which would you choose if you had a limited budget (best bang for the buck)?

Thanks for your input.

jbooker82

With the A1's or A3's your going to want a sub. PSW505 is a good cheap sub, or so I hear. I havn't ever had one but it is highly recomended for a budget build.

Try moving the A1's to the front and see if you like them. It will give you a feel of how a book shelf RTI A setup will sound. I would opt for the A3s for the fronts though if you do decide to go with a RTI A setup. Keep the RTI A1's as surrounds, and a CSI A4 center channel.

coolmac11

Unfortunately, the Polk store on eBay doesn't ship to Canada. So I'm limited to big box stores in Canada and small local stores in the greater Toronto area.

I shall play around with my A1 in the meantime, but I need to go and demo and A3 and a cheap decent sub...

Any thoughts on which receiver?

EDUBAG

keep the rtia1, very good bookshelf and you have them already, get a good sub combining both the money for a sub and the money you were willing to spend for the a3's.

a lot of people here like the psw111, hate the psw10, so i guess is no comparison, but if you can get a sub that will work for you no matter what speakers handle the high frequencies.

there are a lot of options from def tech, velodyne, and many more.

regarding the receiver, out of the ones on the list the hk is the better one, however i think if your vintage receiver is working properly you can sqeeze some more use from it, if not the hk is a winner, but try to get the 3490 and that way you will have power for future upgrades.

good luck

coolmac11

So I decided to go with the RTi A1 and I am very pleased. I'm using my vintage Technics receiver and I am quite content with the quality of clean power I'm getting. I'm hearing things I've never heard in some songs with these speakers! At times I feel like a subwoofer is unnecessary, and listening to other songs, a subwoofer seems like a necessity. I'm gonna let these break in for a couple of weeks and decide whether I'm content or not without a sub.

Thanks for your input.

PS: Though if I get a sub, it would most likely be a the PSW 10, due to budget constraints. But I think it shall be adequate in my bedroom.

DeadFeat1

I use the PSW 10 with my RTi A1 in a 12x13 room and find the performance to be very good. I have it turned up only loud enough to fill in the bottom end. It provides a deeper and richer soundstage. If you are a bass monger the PSW 10 may not be for you, but in a stereo setup it does a very fine job for the price. Your RTi A1 speakers with the PSW 10 will provide excellent sound that I think you will very much enjoy.

Tbone289

I totally agree with DeadFeat1 here. The PSW10 is low power, but if you are just using it to fill in the bottom frequencies in a two-channel music setup, it works very well. In fact, I use one for the same purpose in my two-channel small office system, paired with RT3 bookshelf speakers. The PSW10 doesn't have enough power or grunt for an HT system, but I find that it's much more musical than my PSW-505. The PSW10 suffers from port noise at high volume, but you will never reach those volumes playing music in a 10x13 room.

ilovecables

I just got a PSW10 to use in an HT system mainly because it was on sale and fit the budget. So far so good, still dialing it in. I might get a second one - still on sale

BtrSound

Futureshop in Canada runs great specials. I know at Christmas they had the rti a9's fo like $399

larry777

Right now Futureshop has a sale on Polk Tower speakers. Buy one get one free. You can pick up a pair of RTi10's for $249.......Thats for the PAIR. Great Deal and an opportunity for someone to upgrade from bookshelf speakers or the Monitor Line.

DavidRB

I got my RTi4s from amazon (J&R) for 149.99 and if you look the HK 3490 you can find it at a very good price.