RTiA9 Mod thread

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,754
edited December 2011 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Coming to a Polk Forum near you!

What what!
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
Post edited by VR3 on
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited August 2011
    How do you exactly mod these speakers?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    They are receiving overhauled crossovers!

    I would also recommend dynamatting the baskets!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited August 2011
    Gone are the days of just buying speakers and setting them up. I'll have to watch this thread closely.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited August 2011
    So is this the thread, or just a nonsense post?
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    It is a THREAD. That will have PICTURES of AWESOMENESS!

    Coming to you shortly!

    Thank you!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited August 2011
    I'll be sitting on my hands, waiting!

    I have an idea for a thread title. How about 'watch someone soak LSi money into modded RTi's, and not be able to get 1/3rd of the investment returned when they sell'.

    :wink:
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    You and I both know you dont modify anything to get more resale, you modify them because you want to get more out of your investment you already like.

    As for LSi vs. RTi - well I feel both excel in a different way. The LSi is not half the performer of the RTi in theater, IMO. The RTi series can be far more dynamic and go far louder.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited August 2011
    woohooo! This should be interesting. Seeing I have some A9's just sitting around I might be tempted to do a mod...or something...just as long as I don't kill them...
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited August 2011
    I love my RTI A7's modded by Trey.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    Josh is DA man!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,309
    edited August 2011
    I will be watching this thread but I know the last thing I will be doing is moding my A9's

    As far as investment in speakers I'm already at $1000 loss at what I would ever get out of my 1.2tl's but I have no plans of them going anywhere so I really don't care. When I do part ways with them someone will have a very nice fully modded set of SDA's.

    I am very intrested in how these turn out!!
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    Yeah man - if I were to sell my Super Towers Im sure I would lose 1.5-2k - but I dont plan on sellin! ;)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited August 2011
    Would this mod also apply to the Rti12. I would definitely be interested if so. I would even order the xovers and have them dropped shipped to you.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited August 2011
    In your opinion, after you mod them, how would they compare in sound quality to the lsi? Is it worth it?

    Just curious to know if i would go aheadbwith the mods or not
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited August 2011
    EDUBAG wrote: »
    In your opinion, after you mod them, how would they compare in sound quality to the lsi? Is it worth it?

    Just curious to know if i would go aheadbwith the mods or not

    I would do it all over again.

    There is more clarity and the highs are not as sharp. They are still a naturally bright speaker (wich is what you want for Home Theater).

    This is all bassed of running my RTI A7's off an Onkyo TX-NR808. I have a Carver A-753x 250wpc 3 channel amp heading my way. It will be my first amp and am looking forward to the sound transformation.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    Sherard

    The mods wont be exact but I can definitely do your 12's - no problems. A crossover is a crossover! We can make them better, period!

    Let me know when! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    Using better crossover components gives you better micro details, better clarity, alot more focus - generally better staging and better bass response...

    It really just kind of tightens everything up and puts it into focus...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited August 2011
    And Trey was an artiste with the A7 / CSi A6 mods - I can stand to listen to music on the LSi9s and then walk over and listen on the A7s now :)

    Sherard, you may want to consider doing the CSi5 as well. Similar improvements there as well - especially with dialog.
    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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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    LOL!

    220uf, 180uf, 68uf - talk about some size! HAHA!

    Going to bypass the above three caps, throw the ESA series in the tweeter network, mills resistors

    Atleast this is my proposition of what to do.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 904
    edited August 2011
    They would be massive, but you could use Erse caps, and knock em all out for $250 or so. Not a bad deal at all.

    http://erseaudio.com/


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    Yeah I looked at Erse, the 68uf is still huge - it just would not work... just to massive.

    You would have to have alot of breadboards laying around or go external...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Outfitter03
    Outfitter03 Posts: 563
    edited August 2011
    Trey how about checking out a higher quality Electrolytic Capacitor designed for music and crossovers in these positions.

    http://www.partsconnexion.com/prod_pdf/mund_ecap_ac.pdf

    The 68 and 220 are available. The 180 is not from my reading.

    For that you could use two 82uf bypassed with a 15uf clarity px. This still would be a big step up from stock and should not break the bank. Sizes are larger than stock but not over the top.

    http://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitor_ele_mundorf_bipol.html

    http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/px-cap-250vdc-page-2/

    May want to still bypass the other values with a film cap also.

    I know you don't favor partsconnexion. I have not searched for availability elsewhere.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited August 2011
    Hey man!

    I will have to look at the sizes.. I really wont have much room to replace these.. I only have 8" of space between the inductors, boards, the other components... if you get what I mean. The stock pieces are already around 2" long by 3/4" wide - so there really is not much space to add anything even remotely larger...

    I will have to see if it would work... but as of right now I am replacing the 68uf with a Bennic and bypassing all of them with ESA series Clarity Cap

    The stock caps are on par with Bennic (the larger values) the 68uf was one of the small 50v varieties.

    Thanks for the suggestions - I will look at them tonight though to see if they would fit on my tower of power design! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited August 2011
    I'm glued to this thread pondering if there is any improvement to what sound is outputted from my A9's as they sit... I'm too damn curious to see/hear what doing something like this would have for a final effect on sound output.

    Definitely following.
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited September 2011
    Any Update?

    What all parts you using?

    Who is the lucky person?
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited September 2011
    I am waiting on an order from Parts Connexion.

    I have everything gutted right now - just waiting on the rest of the parts. I wish Madisound would carry more resistor values or PXC would carry Clarity Cap PX/SA - Whoever makes this first will have a life long full time customer out of me instead of me having to get parts from all over!!

    But due to space constraints - there is just no way to logically make it work) going to bypass the large caps with a Clarity Cap ESA quality cap, very nice. The tweeter network will be Clarity Cap ESA (no bypass, just straight ESA) and the midbass will be PX.

    All resistors will be Mills - DH Labs wiring.

    The CSIA6 he is having done will be identical to yours.

    I honestly do not know his name on the forum to be honest!

    I should have these done in the next week. Pretty much as soon as parts arrive they wont take long as I have already gutted and started to build my tower of power design! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited September 2011
    I could possibly replace the caps completely if I could locate 10" threaded rod. The only downside then is definitely flex. I could maybe drill all the way through the terminal cup to the exterior and get a 12" rod and basically have it secured on the outside AND inside. This would be super secure and would work real well....

    But the gentleman wanted to keep his cost in a certain area and figured it would be best to use real nice parts in the mids and highs and bypass the large caps instead of just replacing everything with the same quality of parts.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gdehlers
    gdehlers Posts: 6
    edited September 2011
    i am the man who is his first try on the A9 crossovers. I read this forum daily. I want them to be their best but i am not a rich man so compromise has to be made. I figure that what Vr3MxStyler2k3 is putting into the crosovers will give me years of well worth money into my already wonderfull sounding speakers. I am using my advent mastro speakers that i had since 1993 and they are so laid back and lacking midrange that i dearly miss my polks. I can't wait to see pictures. They just better fit back in holes when they return because am no tinker and would end up tearing them up.
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited September 2011
    Yea trey should get it done. I had him do my A7's and it was well worth it. Keep us up todate when you get them back. Let us know what you think.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,754
    edited September 2011
    Yep... I keep running into backordered parts it seems like - which is part of the delay.

    Got it all ironed out, should see PXC stuff Wednesday or so! :)

    Should fit back in without issue!! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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