Which is best for stereo listening : RTiA1 vs TSi200

luddite33

Hello all,

I am new here and am deciding between some Polk Speakers here in Melbourne, Australia. I have never owned Polk before but read favourably about them. Below is my current setup.

Yamaha Natural Sound Receiver RX-V493
Technics SH-8025 7-band Stereo Graphic Equaliser
Sony Bravia KDL-47W800A
Roland Edirol MA-20D Monitor Speakers via a HTPC Optical out (Why - because they are not compatible with the Yamaha with my current cabling).

The edirols sound weak - they are ok for music recording to mix songs and disect sounds but they are not very pleasant for normal stereo music listening.

I am trying to decide between a RTi A1 and a TSi 200.

Q1 : I see that the A1's have Bi-Amp inputs which I may be able to use with the Yamaha amp I have. Is that possible? Would I get a better more well rounded sound?

Q2 : The A1's have a greater frequency response : 60-26k Hz vs 50-24k Hz and why when the 200's have 2 bass driver speakers. Is it because of the Polymer Composite vs the Organic Fiber?

Q3 : I listened at 2 separate stores to the A3 side by side with the A1 and prefer the A1. I then sought out the 200's and listened today. They sounded surprisingly well rounded and equivalent to the A1 but with a feeling that the bass was more clearly defined and less woofy at volume. I didn't compare them side by side and the setup was apples vs oranges (High End Rotel on the A1 and Low End Onkyo on the 200's) as in Australia the two lines are sold in separate stores because the TSi line is exclusive to Harvey Norman. Even though they were not compared side by side, does this sound reasonable?

Q4 : With my Yamaha and EQ would I be able to configure the system enough to make either speaker a clear winner? If so which speaker?

Price : They are both a similar price so I am only concerned about the sound.

Location : They will sit on either side of my TV and turntable on a wooden TV stand that is 60cm high.

Flooring / Room : Apartment. Bamboo hard floor in a single 5.5m x 10m space. (Our lounge, dinning and kitchen). The speakers are facing the 5.5m length at one end. Height of ceiling is 2.26m. 3 walls solid plaster, 1 5.5m side is floor to ceiling Double Glazed Glass.

Music Tastes : Lots of low volume classical. Medium Volume Psychedelica (Clearlight, Edgar Broughton band, Love, Fairfield Child). High volume heavy rock (Melvins, Zeni Geva, Nirvana, Monster Magnet).

Movies : Anything - mainly torrented.

I hope I provided enough info.

Thanks in advanced for reading and responding,
Luddite

tonyb

I would say nix the bi-amp idea, and if you like playing loud, which being in an apartment makes me wonder what loud is to you, then get the speaker that can handle the bass notes better. Trying to push volume out of a small speaker is only going to spell disaster down the road.

Either of your choices can't go too low in the bass department, you should maybe throw out a budget so we can better give you suggestions. I see a few things wrong here, well maybe not wrong per say but not moving towards good sound. First off, your using a HTPC for your music which by itself isn't bad, but if your files are MP3 and not lossless, then you've started will bad sound from the gitgo. Second, your using an equalizer which introduces noise to your signal. Third, your trying to crank volume from an entry level receiver which will also add distortion at loud volumes.

Just my .02 of course, but my suggestion would be to go with a speaker that can handle that heavy metal music better, and has to be easy to drive with that receiver. If you like higher volumes, look at Klipsch speakers too. Get yourself a separate Dac to plug your computer into and then to the receiver, that will give you the biggest boost in sound quality. Ditch the equalizer, most modern receivers have some sort of equalization anyway. Don't overlook the importance of good cables either, read up here and see what others are using. All this may be mute if we don't know a budget however.

luddite33

Thanks for the reply tonyb.

Some good questions.

- Loud is not too loud. At max 50% of the volume dial. I have to be more considerate towards our nice neighbours now so probably even lower.
-Dac - do you recommend any brands? I had never considered this.
-Most music is lossless and turntable. Mp3 i expect a hit on the sound.
-EQ - I dont mind ditching.
-Cables - i know nothing but hearsay that monster suck :-)
-Budget $600AUD

plainoledave

My initial thought was to recommend the a3, but you've stated you don't like it. I don't think too many here would pick tsi over rtia line but i've never a/b demo'd them at the same time. Do you have access to any lsi7's? I would say keep an eye open for a set of those used. They sell stateside for $400-ish and are easily twice the speaker that the a1 or tsi200 is, especially for music.

I'd pick the a1's over the tsi's, if those are the only choice.

luddite33

plainoledave wrote: »

My initial thought was to recommend the a3, but you've stated you don't like it. I don't think too many here would pick tsi over rtia line but i've never a/b demo'd them at the same time. Do you have access to any lsi7's? I would say keep an eye open for a set of those used. They sell stateside for $400-ish and are easily twice the speaker that the a1 or tsi200 is, especially for music.

I'd pick the a1's over the tsi's, if those are the only choice.

Thanks plainoledave. Are these the LSi7's? I cant find them in a Melbourne store yet but will start looking. US $400 maybe worth the shipping.

rpf65

Of the 2 I would recommend the RTI A1's, and add a sub-woofer. Both of these speakers are designed mainly fot HT applications, so they tend to lack bass. I ran the RTI A1's with a DSW pro440wi, and that little sub made a world of difference.

plainoledave

finding someone willing to ship the lsi7's might prove problematic. I see that polk doesn't ship outside the us, they have a pair refurbed for $400 on their ebay store.

cnh

To OP, Welcome to Club Polk!

DSkip wrote: »

I don't think I'd like the rti paired with your receiver as I'd expect it to be highly fatiguing. In a rare situation, I'd recommend the monitors over the rtis.

I agree with this. I owned a lower model Yamaha years ago and found it too bright for Rti speakers but OK with the Monitor/TSI line. So I'd say if you stick with the Yamaha then go with the 200s. But do listen for yourself to see if your ears agree with this?

cnh

tonyb

I forgot to mention adding a subwoofer. The Op makes no mention of having one so I am assuming this may be of great benefit with his speaker choices. Is that 600 buck budget for speakers or everything ? For a decent dac, the Cambridge dac magic or dac magic plus is a good entry level dac. Many more too, PS Audio digital link 3, Burson, Musical Fidelity.....to name a few. Go used to get a better bang for your buck. Try Audiogon.com as they have a better clientele over ebay selling stuff.

luddite33

Thanks for the replies so far.

My budget is only for the speakers. Everything else will be extra. I could get one of those subs. I have never owned a sub...

Ill look at the DAC's but their is alot of info in that area.

My Yamaha amp definitely is no pro amp but its all I have for the time being.

I am considering having a friend ship the LSi7 to me from the US.

So many choices. Now I am considering ditching my amp also :-(

chumlie

If your on a budget and available. Take a listen to Pioneer speakers. SP-BS22-LR sound pretty good.

luddite33

chumlie - thanks - but I want to step into the bottom dweller of the audiophile line and I figure that the polk range is as good as any :-)

I am kidding of course and thank you but I am not rich in time or money enough to be a proper audiophile so that is why I am on a budget and that is why I am looking at this range.

I looked at the pioneers and my wife wouldnt like the look of them at all. Great price and reviews though. Thanks.

luddite33

Damn the LSi7's for $400 were sold as i was arranging shipping hahah. Oh well. I guess I will keep lurking.

I looked at the audiogon.com and there is some very expensive stuff there that I have never heard of...

devani

I have a friend with A1 in a relatively large space like yours...the speakers barely fill his living room & kitchen area like yours....