RtiA9 owners, assemble!

nduitch

Has anyone experiment with the amount of polyfill in the mid/tweeter section? I added about double the current amount and am doing some A/B mono tests, it has peak my curiosity. Definitely gives them a different sounding midrange than stock. I always liked how my SDA 1s mid range sounded and those are stuffed tightly with polyfill in stock form. Not saying that technology hasn't changed since then, and of course they are two different monsters. Anyone tried this?

nduitch

I've given it a week and I think I perfer the sound with more polyfill. I think it really tones down the "brightness" that everyone talks about with these speakers. The seperate encloser for the tweeter/mid contained just one small sheet of polyfill, the same sheet that was in my RTiA3's. I did not pack it tightly, but made sure the polyfill was very "puffy" and loose and filled the enclosure. Voices and instruments (to me) sound more substantial with less of a cutting edge.

Could be a worthwhile tweak before trying to treat the "brightness" with changing of components. Works for me, maybe someone else could try it and give a second opinion.

eclypse

Pretty cool mod and i'm surprised no one else has commented on it since the Rtia line is considered pretty bright and the Rti release prior. Nice job. Should try packed tight just to see.

nduitch

This is a picture of the RTi12, which we all know is a very similar design. I believe it is from a blog where a member did a tour of the Polk headquarters. The tweeter/mid encosure is the same size on the RTiA9. ACcording to my eye (I'm sure some of you have seen this speaker at Polk HQ) this one has at least double the polyfill of a stock RTiA9. It may even be more dense then what came with mine. Did they do this for display purposes after they cut it in half or is it actually by design?

eclypse

I believe the RtiA lines box shape is much different then the older Rti which is squared off. The newer line is really tapered in the back which might account for the less space inside the speaker and why they used less poly.

Also people say that the newer Rtia line sounds less bright then the older models.

eclypse

Do you think they just tried to cut back on a couple of pennies and use less poly to increase profits? hahah j/k

nhhiep

how is this effecting the brightness, since the tweeter has its own enclosure (itself)?
Midrange, yes, for sure, but brightness?

nduitch

eclypse wrote: »

I believe the RtiA lines box shape is much different then the older Rti which is squared off. The newer line is really tapered in the back which might account for the less space inside the speaker and why they used less poly.

Also people say that the newer Rtia line sounds less bright then the older models.

The outer box shape is different yes, but the enclosure for the mids/tweeter is still a rectangular box inside of the curved enclosure.

fokakis1

nhhiep wrote: »

how is this effecting the brightness, since the tweeter has its own enclosure (itself)?
Midrange, yes, for sure, but brightness?

Using RTA, I find that what sounds "bright" about my A9's is actually occurring between 1kHz - 2kHz. Adding extra polyfill could affect response and/or ringing at those frequencies. It could also affect response at the 120Hz x-over point which may or may not be desireable.

nduitch

fokakis1 wrote: »

Using RTA, I find that what sounds "bright" about my A9's is actually occurring between 1kHz - 2kHz. Adding extra polyfill could affect response and/or ringing at those frequencies. It could also affect response at the 120Hz x-over point which may or may not be desireable.

I agree. It does not seem like the tweeter was what made it bright, like I first thought. Could you try it out so we can get a second opinion?

fokakis1

nduitch wrote: »

I agree. It does not seem like the tweeter was what made it bright, like I first thought. Could you try it out so we can get a second opinion?

Tempting.. and I happen to have a full bag of polyfill in the attic. I'll think on it for sure.

soundboy

How sounds RTIA9 speakers?

Someone listen to as B&W CM9 vs RTIA9 ? In the same class level?

How works about subwoofer level in the case to RTIA9 speakers, will this need to extra subwoofer to get low bass? Maybe someone from SVS line..

fokakis1

soundboy wrote: »

How sounds RTIA9 speakers?

Someone listen to as B&W CM9 vs RTIA9 ? In the same class level?

How works about subwoofer level in the case to RTIA9 speakers, will this need to extra subwoofer to get low bass? Maybe someone from SVS line..

I have heard both, as I was considering the CM9s before choosing the A9s. My opinion was that the A9 had stronger low bass performance and a much more well defined center image, particularly where vocals were concerned. Both exhibited that "bright" sound character discussed a few posts earlier. This was my experience, but YMMV. Hope this helps.

62caddy

Been enjoying my A9s a little under a year.

FWIW- while I have not found them excessively bright, I have found them a tad on the forward side on some material. I've been trying to deal with this by tweaking the preamp's EQ @ 1k with limited success. Recently I added an environmental EQ to deal with another issue of unequal bass response - but also has a 4k adjustment. That nailed the forward issue perfectly on the A9. YMMV.