RTI A7 vs RF82 vs T6

Shadow_asp

I'm replacing my Acoustic Research AR-1 5.1 setup. I think I'm down to just 3 speaker brands and models now.
I've narrowed down to Polk RTI A7, Klipsch RF82 and PSB Image T6. All with their related centers and surround speakers.
What I feel the AR-1 is lacking is punch in the lower mid-bass (i.e. pistol shots). The AR-1 has 2 5.25" and 1 15" each.
I think the problem lies with the small 5.25". The 15" goes up to 100Hz (set by manufacturer).

I'm reading alot that Klipsch is "the" HT speakers but they are not "musical". What about music in movies?
They seem to give bucketloads of mid-bass punch with their dual 8". I dont really like the aesthetics of these speakers. IMO "gold" woofers and horn tweeter defines the ugly in speakers.

The image T6 series I can get real cheap. I like the looks, but I'm very skeptical to the dual 6.5" woofers. They're not much more than the dual 5.25" I already have.

So what about the RTI A7? I love the looks. The woofers are slightly bigger than the T6 and alot bigger than the AR-1. I'm getting the impression they are more half HT, half music while the Klipsch are full HT.

I mostly watch movies but every now and then I can listen to some music or play some Xbox360. I mostly game on my PC. Are the Klipsch "that bad" with everything but movies? Does the PSB have enough punch? Are the RTI A7 reall the beall and end all?
The lows of these speakers dont matter much. They'll be cut off around 70-80Hz anyway. A Velo DD12+ does that job better.

Stilly74

I have never heard the psb's before. Rf 82 and A 7 I have. Im not a fan of horn tweeters. Some people like it. I like the A7's a lot but found a good deal on some Rti 12's For HT they are great. Music I think they do a good job can be a little high at times but over all I'm enjoying them. Try to give each a listen,everyone's ears are different. But if HT is your thing I would go for the A7 or the A9.
Feed them with good power and you will be happy

EDUBAG

I had the a7 and have heard klipsch and to be honest, for my ears it is no contest the a7/a6 combo is a great ht system with a nice musical capability 9in their price range). The horn tweeters on the rf line were to bright for me.

Shadow_asp

Stilly74 wrote: »

Try to give each a listen,everyone's ears are different. But if HT is your thing I would go for the A7 or the A9.
Feed them with good power and you will be happy

Cool. I think the A9 are slightly out of my price range. I'm thinking a Onkyo TX-NR809 now and a Emotiva XPA-3 some time down the road.

EDUBAG wrote: »

I had the a7 and have heard klipsch and to be honest, for my ears it is no contest the a7/a6 combo is a great ht system with a nice musical capability 9in their price range). The horn tweeters on the rf line were to bright for me.

I heard the RF82 on a Onkyo TX-NR579. The mid and low bass was fine and definitely an improvement over the dual 5.25" of my AR-1. I didnt experience the tweeters as bright or overwhelming but I only got to listen to the speakers out in the open at the store. There are no stores in my area with listening rooms that carry the Klipsch brand.
There are no stores in my part of the country that carry Polk at all. The only way for me to buy Polk is through a store that specialize on interior and decor (Polk's in-wall products). They gave me a very good offer on the price (far below msrp) but with the added disclaimer that since these products need to be ordered I can not return them if I'm not satisfied with them.
So I have listened to the RF82 under less than ideal circumstances, I can listen to the T6 in a proper room in a store not too far from where I live (Oslo), but I can not listen to the RTI A7 unless I buy them without the ability to return them.
The offers I've received are RTI A7: 8717,- NOK (10990,- msrp) , RF82: 5995,- NOK (10590,- msrp) , T6: 6425,- NOK (8990,- msrp) - all including VAT/taxes.
Over here in Norway most stores sell at msrp prices, some even a little more. Its uncommon that you get better deals than the MSRP. The reason the Klipsch are so cheap is that its the MKI and Elkj?p is trying to get rid of them. The PSBs I registered my workplace as a retail customer at the distributor :cheesygrin:
Its difficult to decide on this. I like the RTI A7 just from the looks alone but looks arent everything

OOsemka

Keep in mind, people on this forum might be little biased towards Polk speakers. I know I am :cheesygrin:.
I own RTI A7 together with CSI A6 and they are great for movies and music, however for some people (including myself) they are little on the bright side, specially if not powered adequately. I have paired my two front with adcom amplifier 5802 and they have opened up at the bottom.
Next step for me is to mod them and I already inquired Trey from this forum to get some cost estimation done.

mantis

Klipsch is both musical and King's of theater reproduction. Nothing wrong with them on any level. Dollar for Dollar one of the very best sounding systems out there. For myself I would get the Klipsch system over PSB and POLK. I like both companies a lot. I'd favor POLK over PSB.

Shadow_asp

Thanks for your opinions. I've listened some more to the Klipsch. I dont like them. I cant put my finger on exactly what but there is something with the brighter sounds. They feel stressing or tiring to listen to (am I making any sense?). I'm guessing its the horn tweeter that is not compatible with my ears.

I've also heard the PSB T6. Good for music, worthless for movies IMO.

So RTI A7, CSI A6 and FXI A6 it will (most likely) be then.
Right now I'm drooling over a demo used (in store) Adcom GFA7707 (7x200) for ~$1200. Its either that or a Emo XPA-3. I would rather have the 7-channel so I can choose whatever I want (or can afford) for receiver. Sound would also be more consistant or?

Geoff4rfc

Shadow_asp wrote: »

So RTI A7, CSI A6 and FXI A6 it will (most likely) be then.
Right now I'm drooling over a demo used (in store) Adcom GFA7707 (7x200) for ~$1200. Its either that or a Emo XPA-3. I would rather have the 7-channel so I can choose whatever I want (or can afford) for receiver. Sound would also be more consistent or?

Great choice! I would imagine the A7's aren't too much different from the A9's in sound. I have both the XPA-3 and 2. The A9's sounded better with the 2, a little more relaxed, not quite as harsh. I would think the A7 would be great with the XPA-3, having the Adcom 7x would be a bonus for sure.

Musically, I love my A9's, although not designated as such, I believe they make a great stereo speaker. For H.T, I feel my system is hard to beat.

gp4jesus

Not familiar w/the Adcom bottom. Mine favor warm sounding amps.

That said a heads up. Regardless of amp choice right out of the box you'll find Polk RTi A series on the bright side. They'll soften up w/ the bass "coming out to play" after 100 plus hours.

Shalom, Tony

Shadow_asp

gp4jesus wrote: »

Not familiar w/the Adcom bottom. Mine favor warm sounding amps.

That said a heads up. Regardless of amp choice right out of the box you'll find Polk RTi A series on the bright side. They'll soften up w/ the bass "coming out to play" after 100 plus hours.

Shalom, Tony

Good to know about the 100+ hours "play-in". Maybe my DD12+ will be "ready" at the same time as the A7 if I wait a year before buying the A7 :cheesygrin:
According to the reviews I've seen the Adcom is on the warm side but lacking minor details in the higher tones compared to similar NAD products. But for the price I can get it for (~$1200) who cares?
I've had the AR-1 set and Marantz SR8200 (6x135w receiver) for allmost 10 years. I'm sure even the ARs can benefit from the power of the Adcom. I'm planning on getting the amp first, then a new receiver and finally change speakers one pair at a time, beginning with adding FXI A6 to the back so I can start using 7.1 asap. Cant afford all at once right now. I'm guessing the RTIs and AR Hi-Res arent too different in sound "type" (both are American and semi-warm) so I think they can play well together temporarely. Maybe the Hi-Res are a little warmer.

gp4jesus

I favor the receiver w/pre-outs idea. Then adding 2 channel power for LR. Center chanel? Maybe, maybe not. How loud you like it and your choice of cut-off frequency. I run my center about -7dB below my LR, XO'd @ 80hz; sides/surrounds, -2 & 0, XO'd 100hz. I can adjust CC & sides/surrounds on the fly. YMMV. Shalom, tony.

Shadow_asp

My current receiver only allows small or large speakers where small the low-pass is set to 80Hz. All my speakers are set to small.
I'm not sure how loud I like it. Never meassured it. -27db to -25db on the Marantz is the normal setting when watching a movie. AR-1 sensitivity is 95db. Dont know if you get an impression from that. If I were to guess I would say in the 90 to 95db area. Typical loud without being ear-tearing and teeth-grinding and I can still say something to my better half without screaming my lungs out. :cheesygrin:

gp4jesus

OSHA claims if you have to raise your voice to be heard you're in the 85-90dB* range. LOL! In my house (kids!) that's routine! Broad peaks in the right OR wrong places can affect that range. YMMV.

Shalom, Tony

Shadow_asp

I know what you mean (2 kids).
Sounds like I'm in the 90db range with or without the stereo on :cheesygrin: