RTi A7 vs LSi15 (confused as to what to buy)

Turbo6TA

I did a seach here on the Polk Forum and came to the conclusion that refurbished Polk speakers sold by Polk through the Polk Direct e-Bay site are just as good as new both cosmetically and in overall performance. That's what everyone was saying anyways.

Well, I was wanting to buy a new set of RTi A7 fronts and a set of RTi A3 rears for my 2-channel only audio system.

The fronts will be separately powered by a single 2-channel Onkyo M-282 power amp that gives 100 w/ch @ 8 ohms, and the rears will also be powered by a separate Onkyo M-282 100 w/ch power amp.

A pair of new RTi A7 speakers cost $1,000 through Polk, but I can buy the more higher-end "refurbished" LSi15 speakers for $950 a pair.

Since the price is about the same, I am just wondering how much difference the sound quality is between the two of them?

Is the higher-end LSi15 really any different in sound quality that the Rti A7? .... I just don't know which one would sound better considering the amp I will be using.

Thank's a bunch,
Ron

chumlie

LSi is the higher end speaker. From what i here they need more power than your onk's gonna give them. It's a 4 Ohm speaker. I do believe the a7's are a better match for your amp.

Upstatemax

The A7's can be purchased through the Polk eBay site for a lot less than $1,000.

As mentioned above, the LSi series loves power. They can run off of less, but to open them you're going to want a lot more power.

However, if this is a 2ch music rig, the LSi series is almost unbeatable at its current price for music playback.

falconcry72

Turbo6TA wrote: »

...Is the higher-end LSi15 really any different in sound quality that the Rti A7?

Yes, it's better in every conceivable way...especially for music.

...I just don't know which one would sound better considering the amp I will be using.

The 15's will. They will do fine on that amp. They'll do better on a better amp, of course, but they'll outperform the RTi-A7's across the board on that Onkyo.

Turbo6TA

Thank's for the replies ... I was thinking that since I am using a separate 100 w/ch power amp for the front speakers, and another 100 w/ch power amp for the rears ... it would basically be the same as a 200 w/ch amp driving 4 speakers (a set of fronts and rears).

I didn't realize that the LSi15 speakers were only 4 ohm speakers ... Seems like everything else in the Polk lineup have your standard 8 ohm rating.

Turbo6TA

I'm a little worried that my power amp may not drive a set of 4 ohm speakers very well

Turbo6TA

Well, my mind is now made up ... I was reading the Onkyo M-282 owner's manual. It states:

"Only connect speakers with an impedance of 6 ohms or higher".

"If a speaker with less than 6 ohms is connected, it may damage the M-282 Amplifier".

chumlie

You will enjoy the a7's. I use mine for music and really like them. Although to be honest i never heard the LSi's.

Upstatemax

Why not change out the amp you plan to purchase... Something like a Parasound HCA 1500A would do very nice and can be had for around $400.

I'm also confused why you're buying two amps and rear speakers for a 2ch system?

Geoff4rfc

Another wrench to throw in, if you plan on using a sub or not, the LSi9 are reported to be very good 2ch speakers. I'm considering those myself for my garage set up.

hochpt21

the LSi9 are reported to be very good 2ch speakers. I'm considering those myself for my garage set up.

Hopefully, you spend a lot of time in your garage

ravaneli

The A7s have the better looking cabinet and by far

Actually, they have the only good looking cabinet; I always found the LSi15 a lil weird looking..

Turbo6TA

As to why I'm using 2 power amps and rear speakers on my music only 2-channel system ..

The system I have in the Philippines is a 2-channel system too. I am using a pair of Mission (UK) floorstanders and a pair of Mission rear bookshelf speakers mounted on 30" stands. If I do an A/B test, the music just sounds more "open" and "dynamic" when all 4 speakers are operating vs just the fronts .. So, that's why I am putting together another 4 speaker system here.

I am going to use 2 power amps with this system. The reason is that I feel that driving 4 speakers with 100 w/ch is really not enough power, so because these Onkyo power amps are pretty cheap anyway, I am going to use 2 of them ... One 2-chanel amp for the fronts and one 2-channel amp for the rears. The preamp will be the Onkyo TX-8050 Network Stereo Reciever (it's a 2-channel unit also)

As far as a powered sub, I got by without one on the system I have in the Philippines, and I am hoping to get by without one here ... but I can add a sub like the Epic Legend later on if I really need it ... in fact, that reciever I am going to use has a Sub pre-output jacks built in, so that's good if I need to add a powered sub later on.

LeftCoast

I heard a side by side comparison for HT. RT's have a more aggressive sound. I preferrred them when listening in Fry's Electronics home theater room. But for pure music, LSi's are probably better.

ravaneli

you tell them, turbo!

Also, I really like HT with just two A7s on the front, without the A6 center. Keep switching back and forth. Just saying.. if you decide to use that rig for HT without a center.. you will be just fine.

The music.. will probably leave you wanting a fuller sound and a little less pronounced on top.

Turbota

Hey ... I just figured out what my old username and password was, so I think I will start posting under this username know.

I won't look like such a new guy anymore!

So, from now on it's "Turbota" instead of "Turbo6TA" !

chumlie

Turbota wrote: »

Hey ... I just figured out what my old username and password was, so I think I will start posting under this username know.

I won't look like such a new guy anymore!

So, from now on it's "Turbota" instead of "Turbo6TA" !

Looks like ya moved too. From the Desert to Fla.

Turbo6TA

Very Strange !

I tried to post again under the old username "Turbota", but it won't let me. Says I don't have access. So I logged out and made this post under the new username "Turbo6TA"

Turbota

Got it fixed ... Back to using the old username with updated signature and location

Upstatemax

If you're going to stick with the RTi set up for music, source and cables make a huge difference to mellow the "harsh" nature of the RTi line.

I found that the MIT EXp2 speaker wire smoothed mine out along with my Marantz cdp. My Denon avr is fairly neutral and I enjoy my A7's now for music.

Just remember, when you have speakers that are very forward, try and match them to components that will help you get the sound you're looking for.

ravaneli

Most avrs offer options to mellow the highs.

Upstatemax

ravaneli wrote: »

Most avrs offer options to mellow the highs.

It's not just about highs... Cables can impact bass response mid range presentation and highs. Same with source components. When building a system, it's best to find equipment that will compliment each other. I have yet to find an avr that offers a tighter bass response button, or an imaging switch...

Settings on an avr or useful for fine tuning. Nothing beats a well thought out system from the get go. Ideally, I never touch my avr to shape the tone of my system.

Matter of fact, in my 2ch system, I don't have a single knob or switch that changes the tone. It's all about how it works together.

heiney9

ravaneli wrote: »

Most avrs offer options to mellow the highs.

Like what? Tone controls are ineffective because they cover too broad a range.

tonyb

I don't know of any receiver that removes a bright harsh sound.

Given the OP's gear choices, coupled with MP3's, bright and harsh on the top end is almost a gimme. Throw in your run of the mill Walmart type cables and it's a sure thing. Who knows, some may like that sound....stranger things have happened.

Turbo,
Maybe if you floated out a budget for everything, type of music you like, the room size all this is going in, we could help you put together a system. Sound quality isn't dependant on speakers alone. What one reviewer experiences can be totally different than yours.....depending on alot of variables. I fear your putting too much emphasis on the speakers and not enough on the associated gear. Just my opinion of coarse, your certainly free to continue on your path as stated.

ravaneli

tonyb wrote: »

I don't know of any receiver that removes a bright harsh sound.

That's OK.. nobody knows everything. Both of my receivers offer that though, and I am pretty sure others offer it too. Here is a screen from the manual of my 1021 for example. Pioneer calls the function 'x-curve'. I can attest that it does remove brightness from my A7s.

Turbota

Can't ya just turn the treble down a little?

Drenis

Turbota wrote: »

Can't ya just turn the treble down a little?

That's all the X-curve is doing. It's nothing fancy.

Turbota

Well, no matter how "bright" a set of speakers are, I can't hear it that much anyways ... 25 years of flying military aircraft, to include alot of hours in turbine helicopters have permanently ruined my ears anyway. In fact, in order to pass my last 2 flight physicals, I needed to get a wiaver for high freq. hearing loss.

oh well

ravaneli

treble is offered separately, not sure what the difference is. Perhaps the treble is not a curve reduction and reduces all the highs with the same amount?

tonyb

ravaneli wrote: »

That's OK.. nobody knows everything. Both of my receivers offer that though, and I am pretty sure others offer it too. Here is a screen from the manual of my 1021 for example. Pioneer calls the function 'x-curve'. I can attest that it does remove brightness from my A7s.

Maybe you overlooked the fact that I also own a Pioneer and am well aware of that setting.....which in my opinion sucks the big one. I toyed with it just to see what it did, and while it did tame the higher end a tad, it made everything else sound like garbage. Don't ask me why because it's suppose to work on a certain freq. curve like you said. Plus it's useless for music to me anyway. Thats just my experience with it, obviously you had a better one. Music I usually am in direct mode, don't like funky gizmos monkeying around with the signal. To each his own however, if it works for you, rock on.

ravaneli

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe you overlooked the fact that I also own a Pioneer and am well aware of that setting.....which in my opinion sucks the big one. I toyed with it just to see what it did, and while it did tame the higher end a tad, it made everything else sound like garbage. Don't ask me why because it's suppose to work on a certain freq. curve like you said. Plus it's useless for music to me anyway.

tonyb wrote:

I don't know of any receiver that removes a bright harsh sound.

Well you should have said that no receiver can do this well enough for your personal standards. But that is not to say that the feature is not offered. It just doesn't get the tonyb-class rating.. : )