TSi 4/500 or RTi A5?

Richd82

Hello everyone! I'm looking to start building my HT setup. Currently looking at the TSi 4/500 or RTi A5 fronts, TSi C20 or CSi A4 center, and DSW PRO 550wi or 600wi sub.

Currently running an older Harmon Kardon AVR 525 85x5 receiver while it is old i love the power that it outputs, but that will be upgraded later on. What im looking to do is get the best quality fronts (L/c/R) and sub and upgrade the reciever when i have a little extra cash. Im working with like a $1200 max budget and currently Crutchfield has $300 off a sub when you spend $499 or more on polk speakers.

I have seen many reports that the TSi series isnt worth the money but looking physically at the speaker it seems you get a lot more bang for your buck with TSi 4/5 than with the RTi A5. What seperates these speakers apart? Also is the TSi 500 a little too much considering its rated for up to 275w and im only pushing 85w as of now? The TSi 400 has 3 mids while the RTi A5 only has 2 yet many say the A5 is better. But i've yet to see an explanation as to why? My future budget for a receiver is probably gonna be the $800 range so if anyone has any tips in that area it would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance to anyone that helps me out!

Lietuvis91

If primary focus is HT then I would skip tsi and go with rtia, that is precisely what rtia are designed for.

tonyb

Explanation....better parts, better cabinet, better design.

Don't count woofers and assume it's better. I've heard some single cone speakers outperform many multi coned speakers....with authority.

Richd82

Okay well im also looking for the system to crank cause i do love my metallica live! I would break it down this way 40% gaming 40% bluray 20% music.

So if were talking RTi I see the A5 for $399. Would it be worth the extra $100 for the A7 as there $499? Also will the CSi A4 center be sufficient? And thoughts on the sub 550 or 600wi?

jbooker82

The RTI A7's would be worth it if later on down the road you got an AVR with amplifer pre outs, and an external amp. If you dont ever plan on getting an external amp then the RTI A5's would be a good choice. When I bought my RTI A7's i didnt really plan on buying an amplifier. I wanted a pair of towers that at least had a set of woofers in them. My Onkyo TX-NR808 drove them really good. Then the upgrade bug hit and I had to see what all this external amp talk was about. Man I was suprised how much better and harder they hit with an amp. It is one of those things you don't know what you missing until you are missing it. Me I would get the RTI A7's, then a good AVR that has amplier preouts, and eventually an external amp. Even if it was a few years down the road. I was just glad I got wrapped up enough in AVR wattage #'s that it at least took me high enough up the food chain to a AVR that had amplifer pre outs.



As for the sub. 660 hands down. It has a larger driver and can move more air. You can regulary get the DSW Pro660WI on sale from new egg for 349 shipped. Look on the weekends. That is when they normally run big sales.

jcoolb3

Go on line and search the speakers for pricing. You will be surprised. Check out NEWEGG.com

Richd82

Thanks jbooker thats good advice. Im not one to skimp i have no issues piecing it togehter month to month. My main focus like i said is a solid front 3. I dont wanna have to upgrade in a year cause i did it half way. Any suggestions on a decent priced amp? Also i came across a pair of RTi8. Any insight on those? Thanks bud!

Lietuvis91

If you don't plan on an external amp, the best and most cost effective option is a5s and a nice sub. As tonyb said, bigger does not mean better. And this goes for subs too. I would go with the dsw550 10inch sub, because a 12 inch gets hard to blend in correctly, especially for music. The difference just gets too big between the driver size of your speakers and your sub. This is not as important for HT as they don't really have to work in perfect harmony. Ultimately, it's up to you though.

Richd82

Okay so im thinking the RTi A7's, CSi3, DSW550 and my HK AVR 525 does have preamp outputs so i was looking at this external: http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm

All total without the external id be in the $1400 range which is fine. The external would come between feb/march.
I dont want the subwoofer to be (BOOMY) like car subs. Im more looking for clean crisp base. I dont want to know the sub is in the corner of the room i more or less want it to blend in. Know what im saying. I've been to many friends houses and they show off their sub, but all you here is rumbling from the rear corner.

What's everyones thoughts on this setup?

jbooker82

Richd82 wrote: »

Thanks jbooker thats good advice. Im not one to skimp i have no issues piecing it togehter month to month. My main focus like i said is a solid front 3. I dont wanna have to upgrade in a year cause i did it half way. Any suggestions on a decent priced amp? Also i came across a pair of RTi8. Any insight on those? Thanks bud!

RTI8's are the older model of the RTI A5's.

As for amps about the absolute cheapest amp your going to get in new is an Emotiva. They have the XPA3 wich is 200x3 or the XPA5 wich is 200x5. If your going to be doing a 5.1 surround sound then get the XPA5 is isnt very much more when you compiar the cost later on to get the extra 2 amplifed channels. Kind of one of those things where you dont need it now but it is going to cost you more to buy it later on down the road.

I went with an older used amp for around the same price as the XPA 3. I had made up my mind on a carver amplifer so that is why I went with it. I chose Carver because they tend to be warm sounding, wich is a good match for the RTI line up.

So if your not afraid of getting an amp later on down the road it sounds like the question should be RTI A7's or RTI A9's

I have had both the DSW Pro550WI and 660Wi and will take the 660 over the 550. Mine blends in fine with the RTI A7's crossed over at 50hz for music. Half of the time I dont even use a sub with music.

jbooker82

Here is the amp that I am running. 10+ years old and still brings the cash in. You dont see them come up for sale to often ethire.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carver-A-753x-3-Channel-Amp-Amplifier-250x3-/170764671929?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c25e1bb9

Some time I would like to get a Carver A-500x wich is the same series of amplifer only 250x2 for my surround speakers.

chumlie

You may want to look at a different center if you decide on the rti a7's. csi a6 will be a better match.

jbooker82

chumlie wrote: »

You may want to look at a different center if you decide on the rti a7's. csi a6 will be a better match.

Yea but just make sure you can fit it. I have to run a CSI A4 due to the size restriction.

Richd82

Jbooker good tip on the 5ch amp. I do plan on running a 5.1 the surrounds and the XPA5 will come 2-3 months down the line. I think the RTi A9 might be a little out of my price range. I can only find them for $700 a piece and as my budget is between $12-1400 the A9's dont leave me much room. Would i be disappointed with the A7? How does the A7 do with music? I enjoy listening to Metallica and Bush live. Thank you all for the help, its rather overwhelming jumping into the HT thing as there's so many choices but half of them you can never demo before buying. Thanks Rich

Thanks jbooker for all the advice, also that carver looks beast.

Richd82

Sorry for double post but i found the RTi A9 on NewEgg for $499ea. Thats certainly much cheaper than Crutchfield $749ea. Im just worried as ive never bought from NewEgg. What kind of site are they? Is it like a scratch and dent? Do they have good Customer Service? Do they stand behind what they sell? More importantly Hassle Free? I dont see why they would have such high end speakers so cheap. I have dealt with Crutchfield and have nothing but positive things to say but the price on the A9"s through them is out of my range. Thank you in advance!

chumlie

You will be fine buying from NewEgg. Good customer service, hassle free, and you get what you ordered.

Richd82

Jbooker your killing me lamo....so now im looking at the A9's on newegg at $499 that seems like a deal. I have a JBL 250w 12" powered sub. Would it be more logical to not buy the DSW Pro 660wi and spend the extra money on the A9's and XPA5 and just use the sub i have for time being?

My thoughts are grab the A9's $999. Emotiva XPA-5 $899. Csi A4 $249.

jbooker82

I am just giving you a hard time. I am happy with my A7's but I haven't herd the 9's. I am sure they are even better, but I had to some what keep the monster size at bay.

I would still go for the 660 sub. Use only the towers for music (especially if you get the 9's and an amplifier), and let the sub rattle the floor boards during big explosions.

jbooker82

Yea get the 9's and the center channel now, use the sub you have until your ready to get a new one.

That $499 price on RTi A9's is probably a weekend sale so get them while you can.

Richd82

Very good Jbooker i thank you for all the useful info. There's so much out there to compare it'll make your head spin.

One last question i recently come across a pair of LSi15's for $849 from polk direct. So now throwing those into the picture LSi15's $849 or A9's $999. Your thoughts?

jbooker82

I dont have any personal experiance with the LSI's. I have herd that they are supose to be a more layed back speaker. Their highs are not as bright or sharp sounding. People say they are better for music, but it is all about personal preferance.

I like my RTI's for music but my musical style would be Hard Rock, playing Loud. If your in to classical or insturmental music then the RTI's would probably be to bright.

The RTi's are designed as Home Theater Speaker first, but I dont mind them for music. If I had it to do over again I would have probably went with RTI A9's over my current A7's now that I have an amplifier.

Richd82

I think the A9's are gonna be exactly what im looking for. My taste is music is varied but I'm mostly a fan of Rock myself (Bush Audioslave etc.) with that said I'm gonna order the A9"s from NewEgg for $499.

Will say im a bit nervous to spend this type of cash from an online site that i know nothing about, but they do carry just about everything. So fingers crossed i have a good experience with said site.

Regards, Rich

jbooker82

New egg is a reputable company. They are an electronics store. They are well known in the computer world. Most people who build their own computers buy the stuff from them.

Richd82

Hey J, so Ive decided on definitely going with the A'9s and the CSi A4 because of size restraints. My next question is do you have the cherry or black A7's? I like the cherry i was just concerned with how bright the finish is and whether it may distract from the tv.

jbooker82

I have the black, but I think I would go cherry if I had it to do all over again. They are real wood veneer's so the finish is really good.

You could always install a back light behind the tv. That way it shines on the wall behind the tv, and make your room a dim lit glow.

Richd82

Ya i'm leaning toward the cherry. I think it'll match the decor of the room well. With the addition of the XPA5 and a center i'll need a component shelf not nearly enough room on the 2 shelf glass stand i have. So ill wait for the speakers to come in so i can get a nice match. Its all gonna work out rather well cause im also doing a new living room set. The room is gonna be awesome when im done.

I did recently buy an Ideal Lume for $59 and i will say it makes a noticeable difference in the vibrancy of the colors. Not sure as to why but they seem to pop more at night. I would assume because of contrast between the tv and the ideal lume.

Now im just waiting anxiously like kid for it all to come in. Jeesh its only Tuesday? haha