the right rtia towers for my setup??

ft_townman

i'm looking for the "best/correct" towers to buy for the best sound. i have a big room and currently am running CSIa6 (center), RTIa3 (front heights), FXIa6 (rear sides), and DSWpro500 subwoofer. my towers are 20 year old sony's so anything is a step up technically.

in my thinking i should get more vocals out of the RTIa5 b/c of the 2-6 1/2" drivers and large cabinet. i've read a ton of reviews and the RTIa9's don't seem to let down, but my question is do you really need 3-7"woofers when you already have a nice sub? im not looking for bass im looking for clarity! should i consider another tower all together? i use my system mostly for movies.

pyrocyborg

Well, to be honest, if you have a big room and a "mid-end" or budget receiver, I wouldn't even get anything morethan the RTiA5 because the RTiA7 and 9 need serious power in bigger room, or else, the bass will take every power from your receiver and the rest will sound thin or congested.

As you have a RTiA system, going to RTi front speakers is a no brainer (for timbre matching). The RTiA5 do not seem to get as much love as their bigger brothers, but they are still efficient and powerful towers, as long as you do not dig for a lot of extra bass. Some people could tell you that more bass is better, and they are probably right, as long as it is not overwhelming.

If you already had enough bass to your tastes, the RTiA5 may be a power efficient way to get a good soundstage and a lot of good vocals without going with the RTiA7/9 which requires an external amp to really shine. Sure, the RTiA5 will benefit from this kind of amplification, but they do not need it to have a good overall sound.

It all depends on your needs and the sound you prefer. Could you test both the RTiA5 and RTiA7 and choose whatever one you prefer (Sound best to you, suit your budget?) with your current receiver?

ft_townman

thanks for the reply...i do plan on upgrading my receiver to one with pre-outs so i can add 1 or more amps and make them really shine. so eventually i will have the power for the a9's but just not sure if its overkill. i have no way of testing these speakers where im at unfortunately.

pyrocyborg

Oh, I understand then... It's quite harder that way. Well, there is no overkill IMO for movies: you can adjust your sub level to match the towers or any other fine tuning. For music, keep in consideration that a properly powered pair of RTiA9 are pleasure to the ears, while other RTi speakers might sound bright to some people (including me).

For movies, well, I would say that if you want to put more money in a decent receiver (no need to get the best one, just one with a ecent pre-amp/DAC and the features you need) and an external amp, you might as well get the 9. You'll have a pair of speaker that can be great for both HT and music. Not to say that the RTi7 or 5 aren't up to the task, but properly powerred 9 have a "mellow-er" tone and their 5 1/4 drivers are more precise for mid and a part of the mid-bass "spectrum" than the 6 1/2 (which are better for bass... but as the 7'' already do that job, well... :P ) in the RTiA5, which is great for vocal.

ravaneli

You sig kinda betrays your intention to go for A9

Also, if you are going for XPA3, that will not be enough to max out even the A7s.. The marginal benefits of A9 over A7 would be hard to materialize..

jbooker82

I would go for the 9's, and a 5 or 7 channel amplifer. Especally since your running high / wide's. The more speakers you can get of the AVR's amplifer the better.

If your stuck on Emo the 5 channel amplifer is only around $100 bucks more than the XPA3 so it is a no brainer. You couldn't buy another 2 channel amp for the extra $100 bucks the XPA5 costs over the XPA3.

specd_out

I have the Rtia5's and I really enjoy their sound. They ran nicely of my Elite AVR but they really came to life with my Carver 1.0t. I use it for 50/50 HT and music. I have them set to large in the avr with the cross over at 80hz. They where surprisingly good with a pure 2ch setup but they really shine in a 2.1.
They are also great for when the wife complains about too much audio equipment in the living room. Since they are much smaller they blend well. I have never had the opportunity to listen to some a7 or a9's. I am sure they are an improvement over the A5's and with the larger drivers sound better in a pure 2ch.
I do love the look of the A7 over my a5's though

ft_townman

LoL I know my sig implies to buy the A9's....I love them for sure. Just trying to figure if the A5's or the A9's would be better at bringing to life things you never heard before.

ft_townman

Can you recommend a good amp or amps that would push the 9's like they should be.

Geoff4rfc

I was wondering what size your room was. Mine is 15.5 x 26 x 7.5. My A9's fill that room very nicely. I drive them with an XPA-2, I know of others here that drive them with an XPA-5 and are happy.

Geoff4rfc

DSkip wrote: »

The midrange of the A9 is much nicer than the other two IMO.

Good point. Although I've never listened to either A5 or A7, I came across a double review of both the A7 and A9. Both were reported as capable speakers but that the A7 lacked in midrange when compared to the A9.

ft_townman

Thanks for all the replies...i have one last question. With the 2 speakers on the A5... does one get used for low end and one for higher frequencies? or do they both play higher frequencies in the midrange with no lowend?

Geoff4rfc

Both drivers are labeled midwoofers so I would imagine the drivers do both midrange and lowend.

DaveHCYJ

ravaneli wrote: »

You sig kinda betrays your intention to go for A9

Also, if you are going for XPA3, that will not be enough to max out even the A7s.. The marginal benefits of A9 over A7 would be hard to materialize..

The A9 is a fair amount more clear in the mids due to its mids being sealed off from the woofers, while it is not sealed on the A7.


Throwing a potentially crazy idea out there: LSiM 703 to go with your sub?

kevhed72

I have seen some sweet deals for the A9s both used on this site and new at some online retailers....I know this because I paid full price for mine awhile back. For HT, they are hard to beat IMO, if you can get a deal on them.

tonyb

ravaneli wrote: »

Also, if you are going for XPA3, that will not be enough to max out even the A7s.. .

Care to explain that statement ?

ravaneli

Don't be a heckler, tony.

pyrocyborg

Thanks ravan, I learned a new word today!

Geoff4rfc

pyrocyborg wrote: »

Thanks ravan, I learned a new word today!

Heckler is a new word for you?

I consider Tony's question to be quite valid. With all of the absurd proclamations that spew from ravioli, a logical explanation or some level of application to back up said spew would certainly shed some light into that vast abyss.

Geoff4rfc

DaveHCYJ wrote: »

The A9 is a fair amount more clear in the mids due to its mids being sealed off from the woofers, while it is not sealed on the A7.

Be careful, you're attempting to share logic with the illogical

Throwing a potentially crazy idea out there: LSiM 703 to go with your sub?

Great idea if the OP already has obtained into the LSiM line, but he's currently sporting FXiA3's and a CSiA6.

ravaneli

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Heckler is a new word for you?

I consider Tony's question to be quite valid. With all of the absurd proclamations that spew from ravioli, a logical explanation or some level of application to back up said spew would certainly shed some light into that vast abyss.

Dude, are you stalking me? Is that because i brought light to the fact how full you are of your almighty setup? Not that big a deal, man, learn and move on. You are not gona stalk me forever now with pathetic efforts to display linguistic brilliance and intellectual superiority, are you? Sheesh, let go, man, it's becoming creepy.

tonyb

ravaneli wrote: »

Don't be a heckler, tony.

How is asking a legit question being a heckler ?

Still need you to expand on your statement.....how is the xpa3 not enough to "max out", whatever that means, the RTIA7's ?

ravaneli

It's just that... when u form your question 'care to explain that', you sound like a heckler..

pyrocyborg

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Heckler is a new word for you?

As french is my primary language, and that I'm far from being considered bilingual, I'm learning new words here and there... :cool:

As for the XPA3 comment, it might be some Emotiva hate... or just the fact that you can always get a better amp that will give you something more, even if at some point, there is a lot of disminushing returns. So no, a budget amp might not get the best possible result off those speakers, even if IMO, it's kinda a waste to put a 2000$ with 1000$ worth of speakers (except if your speakers are on clearance and that their MSRP is twice their sale price).

Geoff4rfc

pyrocyborg wrote: »

As french is my primary language, and that I'm far from being considered bilingual, I'm learning new words here and there... :cool:).

You know, seeing your location is Quebec, I had a feeling that was the case. But with your diction and punctuation so clean, it had me guessing. I'm just an 'ol Texas redneck, I can teach you some real doozies :cheesygrin:

pyrocyborg wrote: »

As for the XPA3 comment, it might be some Emotiva hate... or just the fact that you can always get a better amp that will give you something more, even if at some point, there is a lot of disminushing returns. So no, a budget amp might not get the best possible result off those speakers, even if IMO, it's kinda a waste to put a 2000$ with 1000$ worth of speakers (except if your speakers are on clearance and that their MSRP is twice their sale price).

If you're talking about ravioli's comments, I believe you're giving him too much credit. Knowledge must be expanded before it's capable of hate I believe it's more a case of envy or even strife, but that vast canyon is better suited for a professional.

tonyb

ravaneli wrote: »

It's just that... when u form your question 'care to explain that', you sound like a heckler..

Nice sideshow....but, the question still remains.

ravaneli

No, tony, I don't care. You are not gona stalk me too now, will you? 'cos I am about to get a restraining order from the admins about that other dude. His reaction is really flattering me though. I've met his type many types before. The fact that he has now devoted his life to trying to bring me down shows how spot on my observation has been and what a nerve it touched : ) But seriously, pretty good system, but how many threads can you create about it without looking a little full of it? 'too good', 'eye candy' .. I mean can we read and discuss anything other than your speakers here?

Drenis

ravaneli wrote: »

No, tony, I don't care. You are not gona stalk me too now, will you? 'cos I am about to get a restraining order from the admins about that other dude. His reaction is really flattering me though. I've met his type many types before. The fact that he has now devoted his life to trying to bring me down shows how spot on my observation has been and what a nerve it touched : ) But seriously, pretty good system, but how many threads can you create about it without looking a little full of it? 'too good', 'eye candy' .. I mean can we read and discuss anything other than your speakers here?

Wanna fill us in on what the hell you're talking about? Or for that matter how it relates to this thread? Take your BS to PM's...

tonyb

I simply asked the guy to explain a statement he made and now I'm a stalker. LOL !!!

It's called discussion my friend, thats what this forum is here for. If you don't know why you made the statement, just say so and that will be the end of it.

tommyt21

FYI, Raveneli has been making some very absurd platitudes about audio gear, specifically Polks. When asked to clarify such ambiguities his temper seems to flare and is exercised by mindless dribble of extreme incoherence.

Geoff4rfc

ravaneli wrote: »

The fact that he has now devoted his life to trying to bring me down shows how spot on my observation has been. I mean can we read and discuss anything other than your speakers here?

At least I have life tool. Your "observation" is painfully present with every post you make. You don't like my threads, don't click on them, or is that too tough for you to figure out?

tommyt21 wrote: »

FYI, Raveneli has been making some very absurd platitudes about audio gear, specifically Polks. When asked to clarify such ambiguities his temper seems to flare and is exercised by mindless dribble of extreme incoherence.

Well said Tommy, well said.