LSiM703's vs. RTAi7's
Hello all,
Second day on the forum. Told everyone I'm putting together a new 2 channel system consisting of a Dynaco design based tube amp that puts out 60 watts/channel, a tube preamp and a Marants CD player (it's 2 years old but virtually new).
I made the mistake of listening to a tube amp a few years ago again and really need that tube sound.
I was considering RTAi7's but everyone is encouraging me to go with the LSiM703's. I said my budget was about $1500 for speakers but I'm now rethinking my budget....unless the 703's are really really musically superior to the RTAi7's.
I see I can get a pair of the factory refurbished black RTAi7's off the Polk ebay story for $800 which is $700 less than the 703's.
What kind of wood is the 'black' veneer on the 7's? Is it really cheap looking compared to the cherry?
I know thats not really the reason for buying speakers so...are the 703's really sonically way better than the 7's?
I have a feeling that since my current system consists of Bose satellites and non powered subs and Polk TSi300's as maines anything would sound way better than what I currently have....even the RTAi7's.
For me the $700 has now become something I need for other things so I think the 7's will have to do.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks again....Blake
Second day on the forum. Told everyone I'm putting together a new 2 channel system consisting of a Dynaco design based tube amp that puts out 60 watts/channel, a tube preamp and a Marants CD player (it's 2 years old but virtually new).
I made the mistake of listening to a tube amp a few years ago again and really need that tube sound.
I was considering RTAi7's but everyone is encouraging me to go with the LSiM703's. I said my budget was about $1500 for speakers but I'm now rethinking my budget....unless the 703's are really really musically superior to the RTAi7's.
I see I can get a pair of the factory refurbished black RTAi7's off the Polk ebay story for $800 which is $700 less than the 703's.
What kind of wood is the 'black' veneer on the 7's? Is it really cheap looking compared to the cherry?
I know thats not really the reason for buying speakers so...are the 703's really sonically way better than the 7's?
I have a feeling that since my current system consists of Bose satellites and non powered subs and Polk TSi300's as maines anything would sound way better than what I currently have....even the RTAi7's.
For me the $700 has now become something I need for other things so I think the 7's will have to do.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks again....Blake
Post edited by Sprags on
Comments
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The polk eBay store also has the cherry lsim for $510 each right now, so it is more like $200 difference.
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Hello all,
Second day on the forum. Told everyone I'm putting together a new 2 channel system consisting of a Dynaco design based tube amp that puts out 60 watts/channel, a tube preamp and a Marants CD player (it's 2 years old but virtually new).
I made the mistake of listening to a tube amp a few years ago again and really need that tube sound. A mistake that will bring you much enjoyment
I was considering RTAi7's but everyone is encouraging me to go with the LSiM703's. I said my budget was about $1500 for speakers but I'm now rethinking my budget....unless the 703's are really really musically superior to the RTAi7's. I can't imagine anyone not thinking the 703 is far superior to the 7's for music.
I see I can get a pair of the factory refurbished black RTAi7's off the Polk ebay story for $800 which is $700 less than the 703's.
What kind of wood is the 'black' veneer on the 7's? Is it really cheap looking compared to the cherry?
I know thats not really the reason for buying speakers so...are the 703's really sonically way better than the 7's? Again, for music no contest.
I have a feeling that since my current system consists of Bose satellites and non powered subs and Polk TSi300's as maines anything would sound way better than what I currently have....even the RTAi7's.True
For me the $700 has now become something I need for other things so I think the 7's will have to do. This is a decision you have to make. The 703 is the better speaker, but $700 isn't chump change.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks again....Blake
My opinions in bold^^Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
Thanks for input.
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For music get the 703's, no question about it.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Ok...I'm 99.9% convinced the 703s are the way to go. I'm probably going to purchase them from the Polk EBay store before I even get a response to this post in my thread. But I figured I need to ask anyway. Will the VTA ST-120 Dynaco based tube amp that puts out 60 watts/channel have enough power to drive the 703s? Though I listen to all kinds of music it seems as if it will almost be sacrilegious to listen to anything but classical and jazz with my new system. I hope these speakers will be perform as hoped.
By the way...is there a chance the Polk EBay speakers will have visible defects? -
Can't comment on your tube amp but I've never heard of anyone complaining of visable defects from Polks Ebay store.
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Here's the link for the amp. I heard one a few years ago when I lived in Maine. http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm
I'm having the seller build me an amp. I'm a manufacturing engineer not an electrical engineer. If I can't see things move I'm baffled. -
Will the VTA ST-120 Dynaco based tube amp that puts out 60 watts/channel have enough power to drive the 703s?
Plenty as long as you're not trying for rock concert levels in a big room.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I'm running my 703's with a Peachtree Nova with excellent results.Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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Plenty as long as you're not trying for rock concert levels in a big room.
I gave up my Cerwin Vega speakers and Anthrax CDs a long time ago. -
Sprags, how did your decision come down to the RtiA 7s vs the 703s? What criteria did you use to rule out the LSIs?
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ken brydson wrote: »Can't comment on your tube amp but I've never heard of anyone complaining of visable defects from Polks Ebay store.
Personally, I think the speakers from the Polk eBay store are brand new, never before sold. Polk just sells them as refurbs with a shorter warranty period and no other perks.Fronts:B&W 804 Diamonds, Center: B&W HTM2 Diamond, Surrounds: PolkAudio LSi F/X (4)
Subwoofer: HSU VTK3-MK3
Electronics: Onkyo TX-NR 3010 receiver, Parasound Halo A31 amp, NAD T975 amp -
As a current owner of LSiM 703s and former owner of RTi-10s (very similiar to RTi-A7), I can say emphatically that the LSiMs are far superior to the RTis. They are not even close. The extra money for the LSiMs is more than worth it IMHO.
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The LSi's are nice, but comparing them to the LSiM's isn't fair IMO. Newer technology, better design, better sound, easier to drive.... and higher price tags. Absolutely everything about the LSiM is better. For $1k/pair, the 703's are a tremendous value for any application. If budget is not a big concern, there is no reason not to grab the LSiM's over the LSi's.
DSkip,
I appreciate everyone's enthusiam for the New LSiM line, but very few were able to articulate what they heard vs their old speakers. I'm curious, when you played your favorite music, what did you hear from new speakers that was not there with the old speakers? -
Detail, tone, soundstage, imaging, smoother highs, better mids, bass that has just as much presence and slam, but is much better defined,everything really. The RTi lines are geared towards HT use and can be on the bright side for two channel listening. The LSiM just sounds right with everything.
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DSkip,
I appreciate everyone's enthusiam for the New LSiM line, but very few were able to articulate what they heard vs their old speakers. I'm curious, when you played your favorite music, what did you hear from new speakers that was not there with the old speakers?
I would say the biggest difference over the LSi series is how neutral the LSiM are from the bass through the upper mid-range. The do have a little bump in the last octave that gives them a bit of a forward sound (the ring radiator tweeter tends to be fairly directional in the last octave, so playing around with toe-in should alleviate this bump). The LSi9s have a little emphasis in the upper bass and are a flatter in the last octave (the flat last octave means that you really have to get the toe-in right to avoid a potentially slightly dull top end if you are off axis).
There are other differences that mostly favor the LSiM series. -
Detail, tone, soundstage, imaging, smoother highs, better mids, bass that has just as much presence and slam, but is much better defined,everything really. The RTi lines are geared towards HT use and can be on the bright side for two channel listening. The LSiM just sounds right with everything.
What new detail was revealed from your favorite music? What was the difference in the tone? Did the soundstage get wider? What I'm asking is for you to describe what your actually heard in the music. Were you able to now hear the artist clear their throats or a symbol decay that wasn't heard previously? I'm not really advocating one speaker versus the other, I'm mainly curious about the little bit extra that you can put your fingers on. -
I think that is what he is trying to point out...that overall, *everything* was better."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
That's exactly right. As DSkip alluded to in another thread, I also haven't had or heard my RTi-10s in several years, so I couldn't give you specific examples of hearing this in this song on that speaker and vice versa. I can tell you without hesitation that the LSiMs sound VASTLY superior and I don't have to think about that. They just sound right period.
I have compared them to several sets of DCM Timeframes, DCM Timewindows, Martin Logan Sequell IIs, and most recently Zu Omens. I enjoyed each and everyone of the speakers listed, but the LSiM was the better overall speaker in my set-up and to my ears everytime. It's a tougher call between my SDAs (SRS 2s and CRSs) and the LSiMs however. I like the SDAs for their amazing soundstage and the LSiMs for their great detail and rock solid imaging. I like both about equally well. I wouldn't call one superior to the other, just different.
I'm not trying to be a smartass, but if you need to hear that specific of examples you really need to hear and compare them for yourself. -
What new detail was revealed from your favorite music? What was the difference in the tone? Did the soundstage get wider? What I'm asking is for you to describe what your actually heard in the music. Were you able to now hear the artist clear their throats or a symbol decay that wasn't heard previously? I'm not really advocating one speaker versus the other, I'm mainly curious about the little bit extra that you can put your fingers on.
I don't think I can be as specific as you're wanting, but I can assure you that the 703 are superior to the 9's to my ears. I can't point to a specific example, but the music as a whole is just cleaner and more detailed. Soundstage is a little wider. The separation of instruments is more obvious...probably a result of the wider soundstage.
I've owned all of the LSi line except the 25's and still have everything except the 9's which I had to sell to get the 703's. While I love the LSi series and would defend them to the end, they fall short against the LSiM.Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
Sprags, how did your decision come down to the RtiA 7s vs the 703s? What criteria did you use to rule out the LSIs?
My original choices were the RTAi9s and 7s. Forum members convinced me to consider the 703s. The comments convinced me. So I bought them. By the way...can anyone say how long once the eBay store receives a payment that they ship the items? I also asked the eBay this question. Hopefully soon. -
Congrats on the purchase. I think you are really going to like them. My pair took about 80 hrs to open up, so be patient with them. It's been my experience that the eBay store ships very quickly.
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My original choices were the RTAi9s and 7s. Forum members convinced me to consider the 703s. The comments convinced me. So I bought them. By the way...can anyone say how long once the eBay store receives a payment that they ship the items? I also asked the eBay this question. Hopefully soon.
I purchased mine at 9 am yesterday morning and sent them a message about noon today asking if I would be given a tracking number. It only took them about an hour to reply saying they have been shipped and gave me a tracking number. According to the FedEx site they have no record of it yet so I think only the shipping label was created and haven't actually hit the road yet. Although FedEx is horrible in updating their tracking info. Much worse tracking system than UPS. -
A little update Sprags. I checked the tracking again and FedEx has only received the info for shipping from Polk ebay so they won't be picked up from there til tomorrow. They may not actually hit the road till the next day if they travel on Saturday or otherwise it will be Monday. I hope yours will be quicker than that.
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I just checked my emails after a long nap and see Polk eBay responded with a tracking number. My amp won't be ready until the end of the month so ill have them in plenty of time for my audiophile system. I will of course hook them up to my Sony STR-DN1030 just to check them out though.
The post from Dawgfish brought back memories. My very first receiver was a 100 watt/channel Yamaha from the 1977 timeframe. At that time I had DCM Timewindows. My fraternity brothers had Heil AMTs, Cerwin Vegas, and Dahlquist DQ-10s. -
Glad I could bring up some memories. I have the TW 3s and I don't believe I'll ever part with them. I still like to slip them into one of the rigs every now and then for a change up. There is a lot they do right.
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Glad I could bring up some memories. I have the TW 3s and I don't believe I'll ever part with them. I still like to slip them into one of the rigs every now and then for a change up. There is a lot they do right.
I'd like to have my first system which included those Timewindows....but they were severely damaged in the move. I'm hoping to keep the system I'm putting together for a long time.
In my original plan I was almost going to buy those RTAi7's and thanks to forum members comments I chose to go with the LSiM703's...which will be easier to transport when I move again. I'm currently living in a rented condo but I'm hoping I can find a house worth rehabbing soon since I think I'm at the last company I work at until I retire or have my one with my name on the door.
