Need help on which one to buy Rti-A7 or Rti-A9

chiptouz

Ok, I need some help making a decision. I want to have no buyers remorse so I need to make sure that whatever I buy will work really good with my Denon 3808ci (130 watts/channel RMS). I want these to work better if I buy an amp too. But in the mean time next 2 years I want to use my denon. I have these in a 7.1 setup with a CSi-a6, 4 tc-60i's (surround and rear surround) and a HSU Research vtf3-mk4 sub. Sub will be here on Tuesday. I want these to be the last I buy for say 10-15 years.

Thank you all for the help.

Chip

Drenis

Since you can add an amp and this is for the HT, A9's hands down. I doubt you'll regret it.

Geoff4rfc

I 2nd the motion. A9's all day.

chiptouz

My only concern would be the 130 watts/channel on my amp. Is that enough?

zane77

You could start with the Denon alone but you really will want to add an amp to get the best out of the A9's

mantis

Your Denon in theory has plenty of power but actually it doesn't. It has awful dynamic range sorry to say. I know that receiver well I have Installed my share of them and had many repaired.

If you want to keep your Denon then go with the 7's. They are a wonderful speaker and I can't see anyone not being happy with them at this level of system. Run them in small and let your sub do all the heavy lifting.

Geoff4rfc

Well, it's not ideal, but it wouldn't totally suck either. My AVR puts out 135 but that's with just 2ch driven. You won't be putting out that much power with a 5.1 but considering what your goal is, I say go for the 9's.

So long as you don't try to crank it, you won't be in danger of clipping the signal to your speakers. Keep it cool, once you get an amp, you can start treating those speaker like they like to be treated.

mdaudioguy

If you're the kind that's worried about remorse, buy the RTiA9s. However, then I suspect you'll eventually wish you had LSi(M)s.

Geoff4rfc

mdaudioguy wrote: »

If you're the kind that's worried about remorse, buy the RTiA9s. However, then I suspect you'll eventually wish you had LSi(M)s.

Yep, that's me right there yep! I bought the M70's not the M60's. I bought the A9's not the A7's, at the first of the month, I had all of my RTiA series on CL in an effort to buy into the LSiM's, well, they didn't sell so, I'm gonna just run what I brung.

chiptouz

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Yep, that's me right there yep! I bought the M70's not the M60's. I bought the A9's not the A7's, at the first of the month, I had all of my RTiA series on CL in an effort to buy into the LSiM's, well, they didn't sell so, I'm gonna just run what I brung.

Geoff,

I don't see me upgrading any further. I don't see any need to spend more, or will my wife let me lol.

With my new sub my whole system is new and good for the foreseeable future. So I hope lol.

chiptouz

Anyone know what I could get for my 600i's and PSW-350?

chiptouz

mantis wrote: »

Your Denon in theory has plenty of power but actually it doesn't. It has awful dynamic range sorry to say. I know that receiver well I have Installed my share of them and had many repaired.

If you want to keep your Denon then go with the 7's. They are a wonderful speaker and I can't see anyone not being happy with them at this level of system. Run them in small and let your sub do all the heavy lifting.

I would appreciate any advice you have on that amp. So far I love it, but I am no means a expert like you guys are. Would I hate the 9's? It is tough not having them to hear in my system. I wish I could audition both sets. Seriously I should buy both and take the set I like less back. Kinda feels dishonest though.

ravaneli

A9 is definitely better with external amp. With receiver alone the best option is A5 in my opinion, because they will be better powered. Two years is a long time to drive A9s with a receiver. THe 3 subwoofers of the A9 are just not economical in my opinion.. they suck up a lot of power and external amps are darn expensive. Just think about it, with the money you can save from buying external amp for the A9s you can buy A5s + dual legends.

mdaudioguy

chiptouz wrote: »

I would appreciate any advice you have on that amp. So far I love it, but I am no means a expert like you guys are. Would I hate the 9's? It is tough not having them to hear in my system. I wish I could audition both sets. Seriously I should buy both and take the set I like less back. Kinda feels dishonest though.

Well, neither is really gonna sound different than the other. Comparing different brands, or different lines within a brand, is one thing, but the 9s and 7s are going to sound pretty much the same. If you hate one, you're gonna hate both... I think the advice you've been given above is great. Base your decision on what you'll be driving them with.

chiptouz

I think that I will go with the A7's. Better than the a5's and not as good asthe a9's. If the 7's and 9's sound that much the same. my hsu research vtf3-mk4 should make up the difference easy enough in the base area.

Please explain to me the following: If I use my denon where the manial states that the receiver is 130w x 7. I am running a 7.1 setup. If I buy a two channel amp that is around, say 150-200 watts would that be enough to power the 7's? Also where can I go to read reviews on amplifiers. I would like one that works with these polks, and I hear that parasound does very well. Say model numbers 275, 2151, 2250. How do I know if 75w or 250w per channel is enough? From what I read the A7 takes up to 300w. So what is a agood cost effective brand and wattage to get?

Thank you all for all the help.

cnh

1. You need an External Amp!
2. You should buy the Rti-A9s, no 'real' debate here. They're just the BEST!
3. Denons like the Rti series! Good Synergy there!
4. All manufacturers 7.1 power ratings are inflated. Chances are that your Denon probably puts out about 80-85 watts per channel in 7.1, if you're lucky? Real power is usually only for two channels and stereo operation, and they even cheat on their statistics there!

cnh

cfrizz

Just about all speakers sound better with more power. It's not about volume, it's about the speakers having all the power they need when they need it to operate to their full potential.

I always recommend getting amps starting at 200wpc @ 8ohms. I have had a Rotel 50wpc amp, a 110wpc Denon reciever, a 205wpc Parasound, and finally a 405wpc Sunfire all driving my 20+ year old Polk RTA-8T speakers. I didn't know how many details I was missing until I got the Parasound.

Good bang for the buck brand new amps are Outlaw Audio, & Emotiva. Your choices are even greater going with a used amp from Audiogon. Sunfire, Rotel, Parasound, B & K, Nad etc will all get the job done.

chiptouz

More info. In my system I rarely listen to it any louder than say -18 to -20 on the sound dial. I never truly crank it up, like back in college. I like it to sound good. Plus with the wife and kids....I just cant really listen to it that loud.

cnh

Well, let's just look at it this way. Your Denon has Pre-outs so they're there when and if you decide to run an external amp so you're OK there!

I have the lower model AVR 2807 powering a couple of Energy RC10s and a mismatched center and when I'm running the TV I easily get up to -18 and it's still not really what I would consider loud, just listenable and the Energy's are only bookshelves with 88 db efficiency?

cnh

chiptouz

Thank you all for all the help and info. To be "safe"....I think that I will still go with the 7's and keep my eyes out for a good amp. I will keep these speakers crossed over at 80hz. I would assume that the base would be what is sucking all the power. If they sound bad I will buy an external amp. Not too excited about spending another $1.5k, but it is what it is. I did see a two channel parasound amp on open box / clearance for $1100. As much as I like the 9's They are starting to get up there is size and my wife might freak out....the 7's will be big enough.

I really do appreciate the input and responses to my noobish questions.

Chip

chumlie

You can get a used Parasound for around $400 if ya keep your eyes open. 2 channel to drive the fronts.

chiptouz

I was just looking on ebay too.. Would a 125rms be that much better than the receiver amp? I am thinking yes, but noob here based on external amps. I am going to try to get a 200watt.

Geoff4rfc

One thing I forgot to mention, the A9 has a better midrange than the A7. If you want the better sounding speaker, the A9 is it.

ravaneli

your system will sound BETTER with A5 than with A7. Yet better with A9, but A9s cost twice as much and A9 and without external amp they are a waste of money.
Don't be fooled by the size of the tower. A7 is NOT better than A5 if you have a good sub. You can't use the subs of the A7s for HT anyway, they don't move any air. Yes, you can hear the low freq, but won't feel it.

F1nut

You can't use the subs of the A7s for HT anyway, they don't move any air.

The hell they don't. What were you driving them with?


chiptouz, I run the A7's as fronts in a dedicated HT rig. They will work fine for your needs and you don't need an external amp.

jbooker82

F1nut wrote: »

The hell they don't. What were you driving them with?


chiptouz, I run the A7's as fronts in a dedicated HT rig. They will work fine for your needs and you don't need an external amp.

Yep get the A7's over the 5's. It is hard to say what he tried powering them with or how he had them rigged up. My A7's sound sweet and there is no way I would ditch them for a pair of A5's.

chumlie

Have to agree with F1 & jb. I too have A7's and they ARE better than the A5's. With or without a sub.

ravaneli

Let's see, I have powered them with Pioneer 2021, Marantz 5006, B&K EX442, Behringer europower 4000, Behringer A500. I also have DSW 660 Pro, and with the sub turned off movies are bo-ring.

And yes, they do sound better with an amp, and as far as home theater is concerned, the behringer EP4000 made them sound the best. Anywho, that's my honest opinion, i am not getting in a fight with little fanboys over this.

chiptouz

Ok, RTi-A7's ordered. Should be delivered later this week! Can't wait.

For the back connectors does it matter if I just use the bottom two banana plug connectors, or remove the copper plates and make a 4 banana clip connector. Just looking to see what others are using. I guess what I am thinking about doing is bi-wiring.

Thanks.

ravaneli

biwiring looks nice. thats it.

Geoff4rfc

chiptouz wrote: »

Ok, RTi-A7's ordered. Should be delivered later this week! Can't wait.

For the back connectors does it matter if I just use the bottom two banana plug connectors, or remove the copper plates and make a 4 banana clip connector. Just looking to see what others are using. I guess what I am thinking about doing is bi-wiring.

Thanks.

Congratulations!! Give it a try. I've used 12/4, 2 connectors at the amp, four connectors at the speaker. I still have my center that way. My mains have 2 connectors and homemade jumpers.