RTiA9 vs LSi15

62caddy
62caddy Posts: 137
edited December 2011 in Speakers
I'd like to upgrade a pair of speakers with a pair of RTi A9 but alas I don't see any more on eBay's PolkAudio listings, however I see there are still quite a few LSi15s for only $875 for a pair. Either must be cherry finish to match my A7s.

Would be interested in hearing anyone's opinions on whether or not I should wait for another pair of A9s to appear or if the 15s are worth considering.
Main:
McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
Vintage:
McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass
Post edited by 62caddy on
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Comments

  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2011
    62caddy wrote: »
    I'd like to upgrade a pair of speakers with a pair of RTi A9 but alas I don't see any more on eBay's PolkAudio listings, however I see there are still quite a few LSi15s for only $875 for a pair. Either must be cherry finish to match my A7s.

    Would be interested in hearing anyone's opinions on whether or not I should wait for another pair of A9s to appear or if the 15s are worth considering.

    Well the 15's once they sell out are gone forever. The A9's are still a speaker Polk makes so you will be able to find a set of A9's in the future much easier than the LSi 15's. If your NOT using a power amp you DO NOT want to get the LSi 15's. They REQUIRE a dedicated amp for the most part.

    Many folks will say the A9's need a dedicated amp as well, but they WILL work off a reciever pretty darn good.

    I would just hold out for the A9's.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited December 2011
    What do you use them for? What does the rest of your system look like? That'll be the deciding factor honestly.
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  • 62caddy
    62caddy Posts: 137
    edited December 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Well the 15's once they sell out are gone forever. The A9's are still a speaker Polk makes so you will be able to find a set of A9's in the future much easier than the LSi 15's. If your NOT using a power amp you DO NOT want to get the LSi 15's. They REQUIRE a dedicated amp for the most part.

    Many folks will say the A9's need a dedicated amp as well, but they WILL work off a reciever pretty darn good.

    I would just hold out for the A9's.
    B Run wrote: »
    What do you use them for? What does the rest of your system look like? That'll be the deciding factor honestly.

    I'm using two amps plus a receiver. The receiver powers the A7s; an amp powers a pair of Snell J7s on pedestals adjacent to the A7s; the rears are presently a pair of Boston T1000s facing into the room - which are powered by a 120WPC amp which would be used for the A9s.

    Here's a sketch- sorry, a draftsman I'm not
    Main:
    McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
    Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
    Vintage:
    McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2011
    Well I guess I should backtrack a little bit here. What are you looking to gain by upgrading from your A7’s (more bass, mid-range, etc), or what do you feel your current system is lacking that upgrading the speakers will fix?

    That might be a better place to start

    P.S. that picture helps quite a bit, and I don’t think many of us are draftsmen here lol
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • 62caddy
    62caddy Posts: 137
    edited December 2011
    Glad that helped- even a poor picture can be a thousand words- lol.

    The A9s were to replace the Bostons in the rear. The T1000s are fine but getting a bit long and the tooth and do not tolerate high levels of low frequency very well which results in woofer distortion. The A7s handle these demanding passages with aplomb in contrast and I'll continue to use the A7s in conjunction with the Snell J7s as my front mains. The A7s are powered from my MAC 4300 receiver (100WPC); the Snells by a MC-2505 amp and the A9s would get their power from a McIntosh Mc 2125 (120WPC).

    I've taken a bit of heat for the configuration my setup has taken (3 speaker pairs in stereo) but I assure you, the results have to be heard. I felt the A9s would be an excellent choice as replacements for the B/As- I'm just not too sure about the 15s- plus the A9s/A7s seem to sell quicker which suggests to me that the A9s might be preferable.
    Main:
    McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
    Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
    Vintage:
    McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2011
    Given what your doing I would keep with the RTi line, and honestly if you like the A7's why not just get another pair and then a sub (if you still feel you need the bass). The A9's have some solid bass, but a sub will do better down low. Plus if your using A7's for your fronts, I wouldnt put A9's as your sides. If anything I would do the opposite since your fronts get more use when listening to movies/tv.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2011
    P.S. if your close to WI there is a forum member selling a pair of used A9's for 425 pickup only. Thats a steal and they are cherry if I remember correctly....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • 62caddy
    62caddy Posts: 137
    edited December 2011
    Thanks ES. I appreciate your input. All speakers are always active whenever my system is on but I might put the A9s on the front. The Snells suppliment the 7s in the mid department very nicely and will have to do some experimentation to see what works best. I'll stick to finding a pair of refurbished 9s- @ 90 dB/W/m, 120W should suffice.
    Main:
    McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
    Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
    Vintage:
    McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2011
    Also why not try switching around your amps now and put more power to the A7's to see if that helps with the mid problem you have with them.......
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • 62caddy
    62caddy Posts: 137
    edited December 2011
    I wouldn't call it a problem per se- just slightly different- the B/As just have a bit more "presence" due to the mid characteristic. This was revealed when I A/B'd with the receiver. Nothing objectionable- but the Polks more than made up in their low bass capability. The extra 20w wouldn't matter- these differences were noticeable at input levels of 1 watt or less.
    Main:
    McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
    Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
    Vintage:
    McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited December 2011
    Each amp has its own sound. Maybe the mids you lack are in turn from the amp. Some say that Macintosh are a bit bright or harsh. I see you listed your A7's running off a Mac receiver. Hell even speaker placement has its affects on mid-range. It's unreal how many factors can make or break a speaker. Rather, the sound you get from them.
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  • 62caddy
    62caddy Posts: 137
    edited December 2011
    Here's how I have the fronts set up. (One rear also shown) The only difference is that I've got a McIntosh MC 2125 amp in place of the Proton receiver that was used for its amp section prior. The combination of the Snell J7 and RTiA7s is superb. In the rear are the T1000s which I'd like to replace with either the LSi15 or RTiA9. Mainly I was interested in hearing how anyone felt about the comparison between the 15s and the 9s. I think I'm leaning toward the 9s but I think I'll take ES's advice and try the new A9s at both locations- front and rear. The rears must only be powered by the 2125 amp in order to permit seperate L/R adjustments (from gain controls) to compensate for the unequal distances between the rear speakers from the listening position.
    004.jpg 493.1K
    006.jpg 289.4K
    Main:
    McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
    Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
    Vintage:
    McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2011
    62caddy wrote: »
    Here's how I have the fronts set up. (One rear also shown) The only difference is that I've got a McIntosh MC 2125 amp in place of the Proton receiver that was used for its amp section prior. The combination of the Snell J7 and RTiA7s is superb. In the rear are the T1000s which I'd like to replace with either the LSi15 or RTiA9. Mainly I was interested in hearing how anyone felt about the comparison between the 15s and the 9s. I think I'm leaning toward the 9s but I think I'll take ES's advice and try the new A9s at both locations- front and rear. The rears must only be powered by the 2125 amp in order to permit seperate L/R adjustments (from gain controls) to compensate for the unequal distances between the rear speakers from the listening position.

    I would go A9's give you have A7's. Timbre matching could come into play. I think if you try the A9's up front the Snell's may go away as the A9's tweeter and midrange driver is of a different array type I believe. That might fix the lacking mid's you are compensating for.

    The 15's are great (I own them) but the A9's will probably be better for you.

    Also the A9 v. LSi 15 debate has many threads on this forum if you wanted to dive further in.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • 62caddy
    62caddy Posts: 137
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for that info. I didn't see the 9 vs 15 discussion. If you could post a link, I'd really like to read it. I think I'll go for the 9s but still would be interested to learn more all the same.
    Main:
    McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
    Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
    Vintage:
    McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2011
    Its easier to do a advanced google search of this site than it is to use the search here.

    Check out some of these links:

    http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=active&q=+site:polkaudio.com+lsi+15+v.+rti+a9&sa=X&ei=FJH7TqF0psrYBc-1hbgC&ved=0CCYQrQIwAA&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=dc9072f4d1d34f4c&biw=1189&bih=374
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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