RTi A5 or RTi A7

Slaine777
Slaine777 Posts: 78
edited January 2012 in Speakers
I currently have a HK AVR-3600, RTi A3 fronts, CSi A6 center, FXi50 surrounds, and an Epik Empire.
I'd like to upgrade the front speakers and I don't want to get an amp right now so that knocks out the A9. Between the A5 and A7 which would be a better choice? I will probably upgrade the crossovers also. Thanks.
Post edited by Slaine777 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited January 2012
    My vote is for the A5's if your main interest is HT/multi channel music. They would save you some money over the A7's, they're better looking(IMO), your HK receiver will easily drive them, and you have a pretty good sub that'll handle the low stuff that the A5's can't.
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lietuvis91
    Lietuvis91 Posts: 908
    edited January 2012
    Since you have a nice sub, my vote goes to a5s too. Especially if you will build this to be a 7.1 system using all your available speakers.
    Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:

    M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires

    Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :

    LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Slaine777
    Slaine777 Posts: 78
    edited January 2012
    Thanks for the advice guys. It's good to hear in this hobby the less expensive way to go is better.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DaveHCYJ
    DaveHCYJ Posts: 89
    edited January 2012
    The A9 will sound better with or without an amp; it just really rocks that much more when you add an amp. I wouldn't let the fact that you don't have an amp stop you from getting the A9.
    But on the A5 vs A7 question the A7 will go a little deeper, but the midrange on the A5 if much more clear. I would personally go for the A5.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • over50
    over50 Posts: 201
    edited January 2012
    I was in the same situation , and for the same reasons stated above went with A5.
    Marantz SR 7007
    polkaudio RTi10
    polkaudio CSi A6
    polkaudio RTiA3
    B&K ST.3140 Power Amplifier
    HSU Research VTF2 MK3
    Vizio P65-C1
    Panasonic 605 blu ray
    Onkyo DS-A4 i-pod Dock
    Universal Remote
    BDI Icon 9429 TV Stand
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Slaine777
    Slaine777 Posts: 78
    edited January 2012
    Newegg just put the RTi A series on sale again. I called J&R and got them to price match the A5's in Cherry. Can't wait for them to come in.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited January 2012
    Nice choice Slaine, congrats on the new speaks
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,477
    edited January 2012
    Slaine777 wrote: »
    Newegg just put the RTi A series on sale again. I called J&R and got them to price match the A5's in Cherry. Can't wait for them to come in.

    Congrats! Tell me, is that Empire a beast or what?? Mine is only set at 1/3 volume and I have PLENTY of shake your skeleton out thump. What about your setting?
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Slaine777
    Slaine777 Posts: 78
    edited January 2012
    Geoff4rfc wrote: »
    Congrats! Tell me, is that Empire a beast or what?? Mine is only set at 1/3 volume and I have PLENTY of shake your skeleton out thump. What about your setting?
    I have a big room, roughly 40' x 16' x 8' about half of which is the HT area, the other half is kitchen/dining room. I have mine set to just under half. In the first Iron Man after he builds the new suit and flies back to Afghanistan, the scene right before he gets there shows him breaking the sound barrier. You can feel it thump your chest.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,477
    edited January 2012
    Yeah, that's about what I have, 25' including wet bar X 15.5 X 7.5

    Probably by this time next year, I'll be adding a second empire.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pstrev
    pstrev Posts: 60
    edited January 2012
    I had the same question. I went with the A5's too. I think the A7's need an amp too. Have fun with them!

    Pat
    Yamaha RX-A700
    Polk Audio RTi A5
    Polk Audio CSi A6
    Polk Audio RTi A3
    Polk Audio DSW Pro 500wi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter