Compare RTiA1 to RTiA3?

apc

Can anyone who has listened to both side by side please compare these two speakers for me? No local dealers; therefore, no way for me to demo live. I was hoping some trusted Polkies would not mind telling me about their experiences. They will pull both HT and music duty, but more for HT. Thank you for your time.

gudnoyez

The A1's have a 5.25 driver the A3's have a 6.5 driver each would be an excellent choice, get the A3's.

apc

Is it because bigger is better? Realize the more expensive model should be superior, but I'm wondering why. Is it a bigger, fuller sound or something else?

Erik Tracy

I did a side by side of the RTi4(previous gen of the RTiA1) and the RTiA3

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?72553-RTIA3-vs-RTI4-death-match-coming-soon!

My preference was the RTiA3 by just a bit.

Some folks here like the opposite and prefer the RTiA1.

Depends on your ears! :cheesygrin:

gudnoyez

I own the 3's also listenedto the 1's they both sounded good I just chose the 3's as said they both are an excellent choice. Will these be used as fronts or rears,in a 5.1 configuration? what are you looking for?

apc

Will be used for fronts in a 5.1 config in a 14' square room. Polk RC85i for rears, Polk PSW202 and either a CSiA4 or 6 center.

gudnoyez

For fronts get the A3's a csia4 center and be done wth it, the bigger A3's would be better up front.

eclypse

Bigger would be best if used as fronts.

Hope your looking here for your speakers.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RTiA3-Black-Bookshelf-Speakers-from-Polk-Audio-PAIR-/230961241402?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35c65cdd3a

and

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RTiA1-BLACK-Bookshelf-Speakers-from-Polk-Audio-PAIR-/230951492914?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35c5c81d32

apc

I'm all for saving some money, but not sure about buying refurbs.

eclypse

CSI5 would match best with the Rti3 since they have the same 6 1/2" woofers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CSi5-BLACK-Center-Channel-Polk-Audio-RTi-Series-Speaker-/390563973054?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5aef6d47be

eclypse

apc wrote: »

I'm all for saving some money, but not sure about buying refurbs.

Everybody will tell you theres no difference from totally new except theres less of a warranty from 5 to 2 years.

I just got 4 LSiM speakers last Friday and there all totally new looking as if I was the first person to open them.

If theres something your looking for that you don't see listed on there site just email them and ask.. may get a better price as well.

eclypse

Just don't buy from non authorized dealers! Who knows what you'll end up getting and forget about a warranty from them.

mrbiron

I have both. Have used both in the front positions and the 3's are the way to go hand down. My current HT has 3's up front and 1's in the rear. They are in the rear for a reason. Buy refurbs from polk's online store and let us know if you can tell the difference, because 99/100 you won't.

apc

Nobody is concerned about the 5 vs 2 year warranty? Granted, the price drop is substantial from $399 to $285. I sent an email asking for cherry, we'll see what's available.

Erik Tracy

If something is going to wrong - which is highly unlikely - then chances are it'll be within 2 yrs.

rpf65

I did a side by side comparison at fry's,and the sound quality between the 2 are very similar. I would go with the A 3's simply because of the room size, If you were placing them in a 120 sq ft room, or smaller the A1's would be adequate, but any larger I would go A 3's. Whichever you choose, I'm sure you'll be happy.

theta

I have A3s in the den downstairs and A1s in a small room upstairs. I tend to like the midrange vocal quality from the A3s, but the highs are equivalent. They're very similar, but the A1s are quite a bit smaller.

Don't be afraid buying refurbs from Polk Direct - they're always like brand new (and I've bought almost a dozen pairs through them).

eclypse

apc wrote: »

Nobody is concerned about the 5 vs 2 year warranty? Granted, the price drop is substantial from $399 to $285. I sent an email asking for cherry, we'll see what's available.

Polk is quality! You shouldn't have a prob.. if there is a prob you'll notice right away and be corvered. I don't think Polk will leave you in the cold either even if the warranty is over. Should not have problems getting replacement parts if something goes wrong later on down the road.

I've had my Polks for like 10 years and I don't see any reason why they wouldn't last another 10 years or more if needed.

Polks been so good that a month ago I bought a 5.1 sat Polk set for the bed room to go with the 60" DLP I've moved in there and just bought a 5.1 LSiM set from Polk Direct with the 2 year warrenty knowing in the back of my mind they will last as long as me haha.

theta

I'll second that - never had any issues with failing (cross fingers) or problems requiring warranty work.

When I broke (read: dropped a speaker) a rear vent port, they were kind enough to send me another, no questions asked. Things like that keep me loyal to Polk from here on out.

theta

Oh, and again, that's with all refurbs. I think one set of my FXiA6 was new, everything else has been "refurb". No issues (cosmetic, component, etc). Good call on Cherry -- I had to wait for some of mine to come in Cherry (especially as refurb), but it was totally worth the wait!

apc

Just ordered the RTi A3 refurbs in cherry. Thanks for all of your advice.

eclypse

Congrats!