PSW505 sub go well with RTi A9 speakers?

drumheller

Hi everyone,
Amazon has the PSW505 sub on sale and I'm wondering if anyone knows how well that will pair up with RTi A9 speakers?

Thanks for your help!

nhhiep

i wouldn't do it. A9 is capable of producing the same (and cleaner) amount of bass as the 505. 505 is good for that .1 channel though. if you don't get enough bass out of your A9, get a used high current amp and bi-amp the lower woofers.

I'm very happy with the amount of bass out of my Rti12 powering by HK Citation 7.1 bridged (130 amps, 400 WPC)

drumheller

Thanks for the fast response!

I don't have the A9s, yet. I've been planning to build out a new setup for a few months. I bought a Pioneer SC-1222-K receiver a few weeks ago, but am using it with my old speakers. I've listened to a few different speakers in my price range and liked the A9s the best, so far. However, I am open to other opinions.

My thought was to get the A9s next time I see them on sale (just missed NewEgg's last sale), and then piece out the recommended matching speakers on Polk's site.

Center: CSi A6
Surrounds: FXi A6
and a sub: DSW 550, or DSW440 or PSW125

Thanks again!

nhhiep

i hope you're not trying to power all these speakers , or even the A9 pair alone, with that AVR? You need much more power to move that many woofers. Previously, I was using my Denon 3806, same class as your AVR, and was like "WTF...where is the bass?" and everything sound so bright. until I added an external amp, things changed dramatically; just easier, more enjoyable to listen

Willow

I can't speak for the 505 alone, never used it. I can say by adding a powered sub, you will be freeing lots of the power your speakers need. I would recommend bying a sub. Why not buy it hook it up and set the xover to 80 and see if you like it or not. If you don't just return it. As mentioned above as well, in the future you may want to look into buying a seperate amp.

drumheller

nhhiep wrote: »

i hope you're not trying to power all these speakers , or even the A9 pair alone, with that AVR? You need much more power to move that many woofers. Previously, I was using my Denon 3806, same class as your AVR, and was like "WTF...where is the bass?" and everything sound so bright. until I added an external amp, things changed dramatically; just easier, more enjoyable to listen

I was planning to. Figured I would get another amp in the future.

I'm open to advice. This is the first time I've put together an audio system. My current speakers were a HTIB purchased a few years ago. I'm definitely a noob.

MADGSF

Another idea might be to move down to the RTi-a5 and spend the money saved on a bigger subwoofer.

nhhiep

MADGSF wrote: »

Another idea might be to move down to the RTi-a5 and spend the money saved on a bigger subwoofer.

good idea, if he is going to XO it at around 80hz anyway. but there is something special about running a speaker fullrange.

drumheller

nhhiep wrote: »

good idea, if he is going to XO it at around 80hz anyway. but there is something special about running a speaker fullrange.

I heard the A9s at Fry's and I think they were only connected to an AVR. They sounded good to me. My thought was that it would be a huge improvement over what I have now. Then, when I'm ready to take the next step up, I buy another amp and add it to the configuration. That way I won't need to look at replacing speakers for the next step in a year or two, or whenever.

The speakers I have now were about $250 for the entire set (including sub) in a box new at Frys a few years ago.

drumheller

I should mention that my usage for the system will likely be 90% music, 10% movies / video games.

ravaneli

MADGSF wrote: »

Another idea might be to move down to the RTi-a5 and spend the money saved on a bigger subwoofer.

i vote for this. A5s are a beautiful match with all subwoofers. U don't waste AVR power on something the sub should be doing.

tommyt21

Skip the Psw505. I'm guessing not much of a Bass increase from the A9's. Save a little more and pick up an ID sub. As someone who has owned a Psw10, Psw505 and a HSU VTF2 MK4 in the last 18 months. Go big and bad on the sub or you will be back here in a less than a year asking about subwoofer recommendations. Just my 2 cents.

zane77

I have A9's with the 505's, but like tommyt said you will probably want to get a better sub and you definately need an amp if you are trying to drive more speakers than just the A9's with an AVR. The more speakers you add to the AVR the less power to each channell

drumheller

Thanks again for the input, everyone!

How would the A9's sound for music if they were the only speakers being powered? Just stereo sound.

nhhiep

for 90% music, I am surprised that you didn't look into Lsi15 for $850 shipped on Polk Ebay now. Polk designed RTi series with HT purpose in mind. Lsi for music. Did you know that RT stands for "Reference Theater"?

for music, I don't think you can get anything better for the current price of the lsi15. But you definitely need an amp for Lsi series since they're 4ohms or listen at very low vol with your AVR. I've Lsi9 (basically lsi15 minus 8" side woofer) and it's a killer.

your ears will get hurt very soon if you constantly using Rti series for 90% music I know mine did before I bought Lsi9

drumheller

nhhiep wrote: »

for 90% music, I am surprised that you didn't look into Lsi15 for $850 shipped on Polk Ebay now. Polk designed RTi series with HT purpose in mind. Lsi for music. Did you know that RT stands for "Reference Theater"?

for music, I don't think you can get anything better for the current price of the lsi15. But you definitely need an amp for Lsi series since they're 4ohms or listen at very low vol with your AVR. I've Lsi9 (basically lsi15 minus 8" side woofer) and it's a killer.

your ears will get hurt very soon if you constantly using Rti series for 90% music I know mine did before I bought Lsi9

Thanks!

I did not know RT was Reference Theater. It's safe to assume that I don't know if you're about to ask that question.

Do you know if the Polk Ebay store is managed by Polk? I've been burned on Ebay and usually shy away from using it for purchases over $100.

What amp do you use with your Lsi speakers?

nhhiep

Polk Ebay is managed by Polk. I bought a refur'ed Csi5 from them 2 yrs ago and it looks brand new. not sure why they didn't label it as new. I'd buy again for sure.

I like Harman Kardon sound, so currently using 3 Citation 7.1 for all speakers that I've, including a full Rti set. but any amp will work, I heard Emotiva gives you the biggest bang for buck and works well with Lsi too.

chumlie

Polk Ebay store IS managed by Polk. Your safe. Great deal on those 15's. Lots of choices for amps. I like Parasound. Plenty of others to choose from though. I'm sure others will chime in.

MADGSF

For 90% music I would personally not look at the RTi series and this is coming from a RTi owner. They are just to forward/bright for my ears even with the setup in my signature. My preference in the Polk world would be LSiM 703, surprising bass from a small speaker. Add a decent sub and you would have a great music system. I feel better speakers than the RTi would be your true next step anyway. I hope to demo the LSiM 705 soon so I may change my preference to that speaker. I heard the 707 but it was in a very small room and I felt could not shine in that environment. For a sub look at the DSW Pro series or my personal favorite SVS Sound.

over50

I picked up my B&K on CL for $200. AudiogoN also is a good place to shop .

Tankman

MADGSF wrote: »

For 90% music I would personally not look at the RTi series and this is coming from a RTi owner. They are just to forward/bright for my ears even with the setup in my signature. My preference in the Polk world would be LSiM 703, surprising bass from a small speaker. Add a decent sub and you would have a great music system. I feel better speakers than the RTi would be your true next step anyway. I hope to demo the LSiM 705 soon so I may change my preference to that speaker. I heard the 707 but it was in a very small room and I felt could not shine in that environment. For a sub look at the DSW Pro series or my personal favorite SVS Sound.

+1 The PSW505 is a "good" buy for the bucks they are asking.But better sub's out there for a lil more money.

gp4jesus

No comment on the 'A9/PSW505 match.

I bought my LCR & surrounds from Polk's eBay store and wouldn't hesitate to shop/buy from there again. Everything arrived intact, on-time & working!

Tony

drumheller

Thanks again everyone for the suggestions! I still haven't bought speakers. Thinking things over, what about the TSI500s? I'd like the LSIM705 or 707 but that's not within the budget unless I find an amazing deal on them.

Since my primary usage is music and not theater, any opinions on how the TSI 500s would work out?

Thanks again!

jbooker82

I would take RTi's over TSI's. Pair them with warm gear, feed them plenty of power. My modded RTis sound great with music.

drumheller

jbooker82 wrote: »

I would take RTi's over TSI's. Pair them with warm gear, feed them plenty of power. My modded RTis sound great with music.

Thank you!

How did you mod your RTis ?

Upstatemax

nhhiep wrote: »

Polk Ebay is managed by Polk. I bought a refur'ed Csi5 from them 2 yrs ago and it looks brand new. not sure why they didn't label it as new. I'd buy again for sure.

I like Harman Kardon sound, so currently using 3 Citation 7.1 for all speakers that I've, including a full Rti set. but any amp will work, I heard Emotiva gives you the biggest bang for buck and works well with Lsi too.

For the original question, as others have said, the 505 is a waste of time with the A9's.

As for the Polk eBay store, it's 100% managed by Polk and I'm convinced most of the stuff is simply brand new.

chumlie

RTi mods. See Trey www.Vr3Mods.com

jbooker82

Yea that is how I modded them. Pulled the XO's out and sent them to Trey. He replaces the capacitors and resistors with better quality one. It reduces the brightness or sharpness of the high frequency.

What kind of music do you like or listen to? I like my RTis for rock, hard rock, heavy metal. If you listen to classical music I can see them being to bright especialy when you have symbols crashing.

drumheller

Thanks again for your help, everyone! After spending time listening to different speakers over the weekend, I decided to go with the Klipsch Reference II series.

Upstatemax

Enjoy the new speakers!

You made the best choice. Go listen to a bunch of stuff and buy what sounds best to you.

rooftop59

Wow cool. Congrats. My bro in law has a pair from that series. Great for home theater, very dynamic and aggressive. Great bass too, he doesn't use a sub. Hope you enjoy them!