Martin Logan Motion 12 VS Polk RTi a7

tommyt21

The Motions just went on sale at Newegg for 299 a pop, I can get the Rti A7's for 399 a piece. I have been wanting the Rti A7's for awhile. I just bought a Pio SC-35 and do 90% home theater. Is the Rti A7 still the best choice for me?

Thanks in advance Polkies you guys Rock!!:cool:

EndersShadow

tommyt21 wrote: »

The Motions just went on sale at Newegg for 299 a pop, I can get the Rti A7's for 399 a piece. I have been wanting the Rti A7's for awhile. I just bought a Pio SC-35 and do 90% home theater. Is the Rti A7 still the best choice for me?

Thanks in advance Polkies you guys Rock!!:cool:

Do you have the gear to run 4 ohm speakers properly? If not, decision made right there as the Martin Logal 12's are 4 ohm

tommyt21

EndersShadow wrote: »

Do you have the gear to run 4 ohm speakers properly? If not, decision made right there as the Martin Logal 12's are 4 ohm

I'm confused because the detail page says their compatible. I believe my pio sc -35 can run 6ohms by changing the settings??
Nominal Impedance4 Ohms. Compatible with 4, 6, or 8 Ohm rated amplifiers.

mole'

pair of RTia7 for $700 shipped via the Polk ebay store

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-RTiA7-BLACK-Tower-Speakers-Polk-Audio-3-pr-left-/360395721360?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item53e9424a90

tommyt21

when they give the width measurement on the rti a7 does it include the feet or is it just the cabinet?

polkfarmboy

Here's the deal

Martin logans will run just fine with your pioneer sc35, sure they are rated at 4 ohms but the ice amps in your pioneer will be able to handle that load .The first gen of the folded motion tweeters(in the 12's) is half the size of the second generation so they require more juice to get them going and thats where the 4 ohm rating comes from so dont expect them to dip down to one ohm like the vista's and other ML's normally would

The motion 12's is a difficult comparison for me because the tech is so different .The motion 12's have a dipole midrange driver on the cabinet under the folded motion tweeter so its going to make placing them difficult and harder to integrate into your room .I personally prefer the motion 12's to my polk rti8 but I have not heard the rti10's, rta7's but I would think they would have cleaner mids and equal the bass as rti8 and 10 should not differ that much

If I was in your shoes I would consider this ...... If you get into motion 12 then your going to have to get a matching center and the best they have for the first gen of folded motion is the motion C .Its the same center almost as the motion 8 but it has a wooden cabinet that improves the bass .I dont think the motion 8 can equal the polk csi5 or csi a6 so and it costs more money so thats a very important factor to consider when building a HT rig because as you know they center channel is the king and determines the experience . ML has a new center channel out that costs $800 with the generation 2 folded motion tweeter thats double the size and although I only spent 10 mins in a demo with it its not that great for the cost as there is better out there

ML has 3 surrounds channel options motion 2 ,4 both are weak sauce and the motion fx that retails at a whopping $800 so I would just use motion 10 towers at $200 online right now or $250 from amazon and bestbuy etc

Bottom line, sure the motion 12's are cheap but its going to get expencive fast to build a whole system .Polk is going to give you way more performance for your money and they look way better

tommyt21

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Here's the deal

Martin logans will run just fine with your pioneer sc35, sure they are rated at 4 ohms but the ice amps in your pioneer will be able to handle that load .The first gen of the folded motion tweeters(in the 12's) is half the size of the second generation so they require more juice to get them going and thats where the 4 ohm rating comes from so dont expect them to dip down to one ohm like the vista's and other ML's normally would

The motion 12's is a difficult comparison for me because the tech is so different .The motion 12's have a dipole midrange driver on the cabinet under the folded motion tweeter so its going to make placing them difficult and harder to integrate into your room .I personally prefer the motion 12's to my polk rti8 but I have not heard the rti10's, rta7's but I would think they would have cleaner mids and equal the bass as rti8 and 10 should not differ that much

If I was in your shoes I would consider this ...... If you get into motion 12 then your going to have to get a matching center and the best they have for the first gen of folded motion is the motion C .Its the same center almost as the motion 8 but it has a wooden cabinet that improves the bass .I dont think the motion 8 can equal the polk csi5 or csi a6 so and it costs more money so thats a very important factor to consider when building a HT rig because as you know they center channel is the king and determines the experience . ML has a new center channel out that costs $800 with the generation 2 folded motion tweeter thats double the size and although I only spent 10 mins in a demo with it its not that great for the cost as there is better out there

ML has 3 surrounds channel options motion 2 ,4 both are weak sauce and the motion fx that retails at a whopping $800 so I would just use motion 10 towers at $200 online right now or $250 from amazon and bestbuy etc

Bottom line, sure the motion 12's are cheap but its going to get expencive fast to build a whole system .Polk is going to give you way more performance for your money and they look way better

Thats an Awsome reply. My curiousity started to getto me but your perspective seems to have solidified my quest for the Rti A7

B Run

I demoed some at best buy and honestly wasn't impressed. I'm sure they weren't properly setup though.

stangman67

I have heard the Motion 12's have some very strange sound characteristics. I wouldn't pick them.

JR has rti 10's for 249 a pop. That is what I'd do in that price range

TommyT

Any suggestions on additional speakers or amp?

fokakis1

I have heard both and tho I won't say which was better sounding to me (subjective opinion), I will tell you that I had to sit very still while listening to the Motions as their sound changed dramatically as I moved even a few inches off axis.

theshawn

I just picked up two Motion 12's on Newegg for $230 each. Judging from most reviews I think it's a solid buy and something I'll like. Can't wait for them to arrive.