Polk RTi A9 vs KEF q900

bansheesho
bansheesho Posts: 227
edited April 2012 in Speakers
How do the Polk rti a9 compare to the kef q900 for mostly ht and a bit of music (lets say 85/15)

I keep hearing good things about both speakers. The q900s would fit in my room a lot better.

When newegg has their next $499 sale on the a9s I am set to buy, but I want to review all my options first.

Has anyone seen a good deal on the q900s in the states?

I wish I could go listen to both of them but there is nobody I can see in the Detroit area that has the rti a9s.. I might be able to find the q900s..

Are there any other speakers in the $1000 (total) range that would be worth a good look?

Also, I will need to power them with the reciever at least for a year...
Pioneer SC-25 | Adcom GFA-555 | KEF q900 Front | KEF q600 Center | Polk Monitor 30 Rear | Polk CS2 Rear Surround | Polk DSWPRO 660wi sub
Post edited by bansheesho on
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  • bansheesho
    bansheesho Posts: 227
    edited March 2012
    Idk... the more I read about the q900s the more I am considering them if I can find them for the right price . Looks like a couple of people are saying q900 > lsi and a7

    I read the q900 review thread... and is making me even more interested.

    Are they rear ported? I am wondering how close I can put them to the wall... I have a total at very maximum of 17.8 inches from the back of the wall that I can work with, and the 12.7" deep on the q900s are very attractive to me so that I don't have to build some kind of platform for them.
    Pioneer SC-25 | Adcom GFA-555 | KEF q900 Front | KEF q600 Center | Polk Monitor 30 Rear | Polk CS2 Rear Surround | Polk DSWPRO 660wi sub
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited March 2012
    Right now I am kind of up in the air on my next set of speakers...

    Narrowed it down to these

    Q700
    Q900
    Def Tech BP0860
    Def Tech 7002
    Def Tech BP3000TL

    Just unsure... I am looking at mostly HT/background music...

    Also would consider the RT2000p and RT3000p from Polk in fully working order but dont trust those amps.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited March 2012
    I have also considered Monitors + subs (two per side)

    Not to derail, not really helpful - just sharing the pain LOL
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited March 2012
    I have owned the Rt2000i,and i must say it was a fantastic speaker for home theater,but lacked in the mid-range department for music! I now own the Q900,and it flat out Rocks in both area's! The Rt2000 dug nice and deep(iv'e never owned a sub)the Q900's not quite as deep,but plenty for my taste! Other than that the Q900 outperforms it in every other detail!(and all other speakers in the sub $2000 range that i have heard)
    The Q900's can be had at accessories4less(an authorized dealer) with minor blemishes(which i coulnt find)for about $1350/pair!
    Hope this helps,and good luck! If u get them,i'm sure u wont be dissapointed! Good Day, Rob
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited March 2012
    I have a super hard time deiciding between the 700 and 900 - to me I just dont know if it would be worth that little extra bit
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    Right now I am kind of up in the air on my next set of speakers...

    Narrowed it down to these

    Q700
    Q900
    Def Tech BP0860
    Def Tech 7002
    Def Tech BP3000TL

    Just unsure... I am looking at mostly HT/background music...

    Also would consider the RT2000p and RT3000p from Polk in fully working order but dont trust those amps.

    You should look at the Mythos ST. They flat out rock for HT. I'd take them over anything you listed above and unlike the older Def Tech stuff the ST's are much more musical.
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited March 2012
    I went through the same thing as u VR3! The Q900's dig a lttle deeper!
    And then one day,out of the blu my wife said "Get the better/bigger ones so ur not wanting to buy them 3 months down the road!"
    And i did,and am happy! steveinaz helped me out with WAF factor! Full body massages really do work! :cheesygrin:
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited March 2012
    The Mythos series does not interest me - just doesnt do it for me... I need size to my speakers...

    The only reason I am looking at the Def Techs are the 10" subs
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    The Mythos series does not interest me - just doesnt do it for me... I need size to my speakers...

    The only reason I am looking at the Def Techs are the 10" subs

    Yeah, they're a wife friendly set of speakers but boy do they play much bigger than their size.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited March 2012
    Ah I have no doubt the Mythos can straight up throw down - Def Techs are known for big sound in small packages, no doubt...

    I just need a manlier speaker than that...

    The Q series are my favorite thus far and will probably go with the Q700
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited March 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    Ah I have no doubt the Mythos can straight up throw down - Def Techs are known for big sound in small packages, no doubt...

    I just need a manlier speaker than that...

    The Q series are my favorite thus far and will probably go with the Q700

    If you have the room & the extra coin by all means go with the 900's...the 700's are dynamite but the 900's raise the bar even further.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • bansheesho
    bansheesho Posts: 227
    edited March 2012
    If you have the room & the extra coin by all means go with the 900's...the 700's are dynamite but the 900's raise the bar even further.

    I want the bar as high as it can go... I don't want to want to upgrade again for a while.

    Has anyone had their ears on both the a9s and the q900s?
    Pioneer SC-25 | Adcom GFA-555 | KEF q900 Front | KEF q600 Center | Polk Monitor 30 Rear | Polk CS2 Rear Surround | Polk DSWPRO 660wi sub
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited March 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    I have a super hard time deiciding between the 700 and 900 - to me I just dont know if it would be worth that little extra bit

    I don't think you can go wrong either way, Trey. I listened to the Q700s prior to buying the Q900s, and I guess it just wasn't enough low end for me. If you plan on using a sub, then it's not an issue - but otherwise I'd say go ahead and get the big ones ;)

    One of my friends just bought some Def Tech BP-8020s. He really liked what he heard when we were listening to speakers at the store. Once his receiver comes in and we set 'em up, I'll finally get a chance to get a better idea about the Def Tech sound. As far as I could tell, they weren't bright or anything - and the low end from the 8" subs was admirable. Plus they are efficient and it seems like they run as well off of VSX level receivers as they do the SC (we did some a / b /c testing in the magnolia listening room).

    Def Techs are definitely on my list for a future date.
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • bansheesho
    bansheesho Posts: 227
    edited April 2012
    Well due to WAF issues I think the rti a9s are out.. she did not realize how big they were and what I would have to do to make them fit... Nothing with side firing ports or speakers are in either which puts out lsi and def tech speakers also.

    I feel like I am on a roulette table of speakers and whenever the table stops and the ball drops is the speakers I will end up with
    Pioneer SC-25 | Adcom GFA-555 | KEF q900 Front | KEF q600 Center | Polk Monitor 30 Rear | Polk CS2 Rear Surround | Polk DSWPRO 660wi sub
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    Trey - You have a VERY capable sub already, have you considered running Q300's all around? Go for the big towers if you NEED them. ;)

    bansheesho - What about something a bit smaller like the A5's? You have a great sub already. They A5's are great for everything minus the low end and they are smaller and more accommodating.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited April 2012
    I cant stand running bookshelf speakers for mains - they dont have the dynamics or volume of a tower, ever -

    As far as the sub goes, for HT I want visceral impact!! LOL :)

    Not to mention monitors + stands + my dogs = no no lol
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • bansheesho
    bansheesho Posts: 227
    edited April 2012
    I cant stand running bookshelf speakers for mains - they dont have the dynamics or volume of a tower, ever

    That is my sentiment summed up I think.. I am not just looking for accurate sound reproduction... I want it with a punch that I can feel on the couch at a reasonable listening volume... I want to feel the helicopter come in for a landing and feel the the exploded stuff crashing around me..
    And I think I get much better experience from a full range tower.
    Pioneer SC-25 | Adcom GFA-555 | KEF q900 Front | KEF q600 Center | Polk Monitor 30 Rear | Polk CS2 Rear Surround | Polk DSWPRO 660wi sub
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    bansheesho wrote: »
    That is my sentiment summed up I think.. I am not just looking for accurate sound reproduction... I want it with a punch that I can feel on the couch at a reasonable listening volume... I want to feel the helicopter come in for a landing and feel the the exploded stuff crashing around me..
    And I think I get much better experience from a full range tower.

    If HT is what you're after I'd look into some Definitive Technology speakers. They're very dynamic full range speakers that can produce chest pounding bass. Just another option.
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  • bansheesho
    bansheesho Posts: 227
    edited April 2012
    I am about to pull the trigger on some kef q900 @ $675 ea free shipping... Good price or can I do better in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable amount of certainty?

    Not trying to be distasteful talking about pricing, its just the better price I get on the towers, the sooner I can afford the center.
    Pioneer SC-25 | Adcom GFA-555 | KEF q900 Front | KEF q600 Center | Polk Monitor 30 Rear | Polk CS2 Rear Surround | Polk DSWPRO 660wi sub
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  • bansheesho
    bansheesho Posts: 227
    edited April 2012
    It is done!! Will post my thoughts after recieving them.
    Pioneer SC-25 | Adcom GFA-555 | KEF q900 Front | KEF q600 Center | Polk Monitor 30 Rear | Polk CS2 Rear Surround | Polk DSWPRO 660wi sub
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited April 2012
    bansheesho wrote: »
    It is done!! Will post my thoughts after recieving them.

    Congrats! Give 'em some time to settle in. They'll be a little bright at first.
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2012
    Happy days!!!!!!!!!!!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited April 2012
    For HT, look into Klipsch speakers. did you know that 1 out of 2 theaters is using klipsch speakers?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited April 2012
    Yeah the problem with Klipsch is simply that... it is Klipsch - sounds like nails on a chalk board.

    I find most theaters have incredibly bad sound - even "NICE, THX, etc etc" theaters
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    Yeah the problem with Klipsch is simply that... it is Klipsch - sounds like nails on a chalk board.

    I find most theaters have incredibly bad sound - even "NICE, THX, etc etc" theaters

    Have to agree with that assessment. But I am surprised that your list doesn't have some more esoteric names on it.

    Just kidding. I've liked KEFs that I've heard--but I haven't heard the new series. I think I'd be giving the KEFs a listen if I were upgrading from my Polks (which I'm not as I kinda agree with what doro said a while back "Home Theater is easy, two channel is not"--or something to that effect!).

    I think even an entry level Polk system with a beefy enough AVR gives me what I need in a small-medium sized room. In the end, it's really all about "money" and where to "spend" it.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,011
    edited April 2012
    Your gonna need the 900'S Trey. Why do I say that ? Your ears are used to those Tylers, the 700's may disappoint in the slam department in comparison. Don't set yourself up for it, go big or go home. :cheesygrin:

    Also consider a used/demo pair of Legacy Focus HD's....more pricey, but worth it.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited April 2012
    I am pretty much decided I am getting towers with powered subs in them - just gotta find the right deal!!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,011
    edited April 2012
    Know, correct me if I'm wrong Trey, but didn't you sign off on powered towers along time ago ? What gives ?

    You and I are not that far apart on our systems. We both use SB or Sonos and a lower end Pioneer AVR as a control center and dac. I'm not too happy with it as a pre for 2 channel but HT it does pretty darn good.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited April 2012
    My direction in audio changed drastically - I do absolutely zero critical listening...

    I want my mains to be pure power house monsters for HT/back ground music - so powered subs will have to be a must. I also sold my monster amps to get a smaller one so I need something that is fairly effecient...

    I actually only use the Squeezebox for internet radio! LOL - Crazy right?

    My interest in the hobby just changed man, more interested in movies/gaming/background music and modding gear that serious two channel stuff.

    I think for 2 channel power subwoofers in my towers are annoying as it gets - I actually do not like bass drivers in my two channel speakers at all. I really like the natural transition of a 2 way.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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