Polk Audio RTI A1 or FXI A4 for surrond speakers?

David R

I have a onk 809 receiver with RTi A7s for the front. I will get the A6 for the center.
Which speaker is better the FXI A4 or the RTI A1 for surrond sound? I am not sure that I have the space for the A3s. I had tried the RTI 8s for the surrond and they sounded good but they are not exactly wife acceptable.

Has anyone heard the LSI/M series? I can't find a place to demo them in Los Angeles. I went to Fry's to hear some LSI bookshelves but they did not have any. I heard a tsi series bookself and the A3 and the A1. The tsi sounded terrible. I wonder if the LSi series sounds as better than the RTi series than the Rti a series sounds better than the tsi series.

williamgauci

For what it's worth, I'm using A7's with A1's for surrounds and I have no issues with them. I've never tried the Fx's but it's my understanding that the A1's will be more directional and you'll have to aim them more than you would with the FX's.

pyrocyborg

The LSi sounds different, and they're on closeout sale now. Only a few online shops still have it in stock. However, as most people said in previous threads, they are more musical and less fatiguing than the RTi line. If music is a great part of your listening time, it might be worthy, but if you're mostly in HT, I would say stay with the RTi. Not that the LSi aren't great for HT, quite the contrary, but building a complete system with LSi will be costly, and you would need an external amp to drive them, as they are 4 ohm speakers: this is THE main with the LSi line, meaning not every receiver or amp can drive them.

Also, if you plan to use both LSi and RTi line in the same system, let me say that it is not a good idea because mixing impedance (4 ohms speakers, like the LSi; and 8 ohms like the RTi) is a big no-no. Sure, the LSi7 don't really go under 6 ohms as I could read, but yet, I wouldn't mix it with a pair of RTi.

As for the LSiM... they're costly. If you can drop 1500$ on a pair of bookshelf (LSiM 703), I would say, put these as your main left/right speakers as they are quite a few times better than your RTiA7 towers.

But if you're only looking for surrounds, I would say, get the RTiA1. They will do a great job if you can place them correctly (using stands, or wallmount).

Stilly74

I have switched from the TSI line to the RTI line of Polk. Had the Tsi 100 's for surround. For the Rti line I am running the Fxi A4 's and I love them. Really fill the room for surrounds.

gp4jesus

you have RTi A series for your LCR, stay w/it for your sides/rears regardless.

Some say FXi Ax for sides (5.1) and RTi Ax for rears (7.1). Others say use all FXi Ax or RTi Ax. Which size for sides and rears, let your room, available real power, wallet, & ego, probably in that order, decide.

BTW: those 'A7s are power hungry for reasons not obvious from the web site spec sheet. But that is for a PM, another post, or day.

You, williamg, & I have the same LCR. If I had to do it over, I'd listen to williamg's suggestion for sides w/FXi A6s & go Rti A3s for rears.

Catch y'all tommorow; I'm heading upstairs w/my youngest son asleep in my arm.

Shalom, Tony

jbooker82

I would go with FXI's. They are a sweet surround speaker. The dual tweeters really fill in the rear sound stage if your only running a 5.1

Nerd

+1

Just got the FxiA6 4 days ago, and running a 5.1, really changed everything, the double tweeter is working for me.

gtaudio

I have the same fronts A7 and A6 center with for A1s for side and rears. I like it a lot. However when inget a chance to go 9.2 or even 11.2 I will put a pair of the A1s up front for wides and possibly put the fx on the sides.

If you have a good room setup and can properly place directional speakers go for it. I think the fx will forgive a lot of room imperfections.