Rti A3 or A5s, finally upgrade time!

CaptFail

Hello all, after owning this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005LACB/(first speakers) for 10 years, I have decided to finally upgrade.. Forgive me for the noob questions..

It will be mostly for music(mostly classical, rock and vocal), don't like bass much so don't plan on getting a sub, and will run at 2.1(will buy center later). Not sure of exact size of room but it is the biggest in the house and opens up to half of the house(2 stories 3000 sq ft).

My main thing is, I'm guessing Id notice a big difference with the A3s bookshelf to my Advents.. but will the A5s really be $140 ea in price difference better in my case? Or should I just get the A3s, put more money on a better amp and center speaker, then wait for another Polk friendsandfamily deal if it ever happens again to get the A5s? haha.

Thanks!

pretzelfisch

Clean tight bass blends with the rest of the system you still want it. The A5 reaches down to 40hz and should be good for most music. A7 would be a better bet if you are intent on no subwoofer.

Hermitism

I'm one of the least knowledgeable people in here, but I own the Rti8 towers (old version of the RtiA5) and I definitely appreciate running a sub with them. I've heard the Rti10s (old version of RtiA7) without a sub and they put mine to shame. They had so much more bass and sounded great without a sub.

CaptFail

Thanks for the replies! Hmm, looking more at the A5s and A7s, I think maybe I should just save up more money to buy the A7s as I won't be upgrading for a long time and won't need to buy a sub.

I heard that center speaker is good for vocals?

pretzelfisch

When you play music it won't use the center channel.
Have you looked at Polk's ebay store they have some referb A7 in stock.

rpf65

I have both the A3's and A5's incorporated into my system. The A3's are very good speakers, trust me they are not slackers. The A5's most definitely have better mid-range imaging than the A3's, probably the best of the RTI A line. That's strictly a personal opinion, and I'm sure could start a very lively debate, which it is not intended to do.

The RTI A line of speakers is designed more towards HT use than music. That being said, I personally like them for music, but many will say that the LSIM line is much better for music. I've heard the 703's, and trust me those saying the LSIM line is more musical are correct.

If you decide that you would like to use the RTI A line for a music based system, and not incorporate a sub, then the choices are simple. Either run the A7's or the A9's. I personally preferred the A9's, even though I heard the A7's and A9's really under powered, but again that's a personal preference. The reason I suggest this is simple. Those 2 speakers are 3 way speakers, while the rest of the RTI A line is a 2 way design. By design the RTI A1, 3, and 5 need a sub woofer incorporated to cover the complete sound spectrum.

Never really measured it, but just from my highly untrained ears, the A5's start struggling somewhere around 50-55 Hz range, and the A3's about the same area. Not meaning they don't go lower, but without a sub you can definitely hear them having a tough time hitting those low freq ranges.

Between the 2, I think the A5's would work better in a larger room, but a sub would be more beneficial than I could possibly explain.

CaptFail

Would be nice to buy LsiM, but way over my budget .

Wow, thanks Pretzel! I have been checking their ebay store a few times recently, and didn't see them in there until you mentioned it.. now it is tempting to get the A7s much sooner!

Any recommendation for a receiver or amp for these A7s? I was really set on Denons, but open to suggestions. Around $500 budget for receiver, can I get away with just a stereo receiver and not a 5.1 as I don't plan on going surround in the future?

Hermitism

$1800 AVR for $400.
http://houston.craigslist.org/ele/4056636343.html

gudnoyez

I have the 5's and 3's awesome Ht speakers and no slouch in music playback, I to agree that the A5's excel in the midrange department. I would add a sub to them if you did decide to get them, the A5's and A3's would be a good choice.

jbooker82

I like my A7's for music but I don't listen to classical type music.

pretzelfisch

CaptFail wrote: »

Would be nice to buy LsiM, but way over my budget .

Wow, thanks Pretzel! I have been checking their ebay store a few times recently, and didn't see them in there until you mentioned it.. now it is tempting to get the A7s much sooner!

Any recommendation for a receiver or amp for these A7s? I was really set on Denons, but open to suggestions. Around $500 budget for receiver, can I get away with just a stereo receiver and not a 5.1 as I don't plan on going surround in the future?

What is your current receiver?

CaptFail

pretzelfisch wrote: »

What is your current receiver?

None, the bookshelf speakers I have are powered speakers(70-Watt 2-Way Powered).

I plan to buy the used pioneer elite or a new Denon in $400-$500 range. I think I will just wait for a newegg/frys sale for the A7s

Hermitism

I'm sure someone will chime in, but a lot of people here like the SC models over the VSX models. I couldn't find any Pioneer Elite SC models in your price range, in your area.

Hermitism

http://houston.craigslist.org/ele/4000654664.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/ele/4052972180.html

CaptFail

Nice find Herm! Not sure if I should trust open box though?

Hermitism

I wish someone here would recommend to you how powerful of a receiver you need for those speakers.

Nightfall

Find a pair of Vintage Polks on Craigslist. You will do better for less/same money.

jbooker82

you can get a refurbished Denon.

Referbished HT
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/AVReceiver/Home-Audio/Home-Theater-Receivers/1.html

Stereo
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/StereoReceivers/Home-Audio/Stereo-Receivers/1.html

CaptFail

Update! I ended up ordering the RTI8 new/pair off of the polk audio ebay store earlier today. Still not too sure about which receiver to buy though. So far, I am set on the Marantz SR5007, budget would be $500 max. Don't plan on running surround. Only plan on getting a subwoofer and a center speaker in the future. Preouts would be nice for down the road too. Any suggestions would be great, thanks!


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5007/MARANTZ-SR5007-100w-x7-NetworkingTheater-Receiver-w/AirPlay-3D-4K/1.html#!specifications

B Run

I ran my Rti8's with a Marantz 5005 for a while, it should do the job just fine. I'd add a Csi5 and a nice sub like SVS or HSU and you'll have a nice system going on! Congrats on the new speakers.

Just a heads up the Yamaha RX-A810 is $50 cheaper and is a hell of an avr with preouts as well as a little more power. I also ran a Yamaha RX1800 with my Rti8's and really liked the detail and power of the Yamahas. Just a thought, since it's the last one.

CaptFail

B Run wrote: »

I ran my Rti8's with a Marantz 5005 for a while, it should do the job just fine. I'd add a Csi5 and a nice sub like SVS or HSU and you'll have a nice system going on! Congrats on the new speakers.

Just a heads up the Yamaha RX-A810 is $50 cheaper and is a hell of an avr with preouts as well as a little more power. I also ran a Yamaha RX1800 with my Rti8's and really liked the detail and power of the Yamahas. Just a thought, since it's the last one.

Thanks!

Well crap. Now I have to decide between the two haha. Maybe I should grab the Yamaha and buy a psw10 too

B Run

Honestly I wouldn't waste your time on a Psw10, i'd just save $ to put towards a nice ID sub or spend it on speaker cables, power cable, power conditioner, center channel etc. I do find the RX-A series to be a little more musical and is what i'd personally go with, but the Marantz is still a nice AVR and it comes down to the features you're looking for.

CaptFail

B Run wrote: »

Honestly I wouldn't waste your time on a Psw10, i'd just save $ to put towards a nice ID sub or spend it on speaker cables, power cable, power conditioner, center channel etc. I do find the RX-A series to be a little more musical and is what i'd personally go with, but the Marantz is still a nice AVR and it comes down to the features you're looking for.

Hmm, after looking around, I read that the Marantz sound warmer then the Yamaha? Still kind of leaning more towards the Marantz, but don't know haha.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RT2IAK I ordered these yesterday for speaker cable

B Run

It's been a few years since i've had my Rti8's or any of the listed AVR's so take it for what it's worth. Either way you'll be set, any way you could go demo any before you pull the trigger. If you compare "house sound" reputation I know Marantz is accosiated with being warmer, honestly it had more of a darker sound to me (similar to Denon) and the Yamaha is known for being brighter but I found it incredibly detailed and clear, pretty much neutral. I like Audyssey if you take the time to do it right and learn what all the settings do, YPAO does a good job as well and is pretty simple to use. Like I said you'll be fine with whatever you decide to do, those cables should work just fine for you.

CaptFail

After some more reading, I ended up going with the Yammy! Thanks for the suggestion B run..

Now the worst part, waiting for everything to get here!

tonyb

New speakers, new receiver.......and you spend 12 bucks on speaker cable ? Whats up with that ?

CaptFail

Suggestions? Not going to spend $100 on one!

tonyb

CaptFail wrote: »

Suggestions? Not going to spend $100 on one!

You think 100 bucks is a lot for speaker cables ? lol, well ok then,carry on....don't mind me.

B Run

http://signalcable.com/classicspeaker.html
^You can get a 6ft pair for $68 and get a Club Polk discount. I used to not think cables matter and it's a hot topic but honestly i've heard the difference as most members here have (who actually take the time to try them). You can also PM Helipilotdoug, and see if you can get some cheaper stuff by the foot, either way honestly it'll be worlds better than the other stuff you ordered. I was going to point it out earlier but it's not as important as finding an AVR was etc. Also as far as budget cables go look into Canare 4s11, KimberKable 4pr, or buy something used to try out. Just my .02 and congrats on the Yamaha, I think you're going to be really happy with it.

CaptFail

B Run wrote: »

http://signalcable.com/classicspeaker.html
^You can get a 6ft pair for $68 and get a Club Polk discount. I used to not think cables matter and it's a hot topic but honestly i've heard the difference as most members here have (who actually take the time to try them). You can also PM Helipilotdoug, and see if you can get some cheaper stuff by the foot, either way honestly it'll be worlds better than the other stuff you ordered. I was going to point it out earlier but it's not as important as finding an AVR was etc. Also as far as budget cables go look into Canare 4s11, KimberKable 4pr, or buy something used to try out. Just my .02 and congrats on the Yamaha, I think you're going to be really happy with it.

Thanks for the suggestions B run! Will be ordering that cable, maybe even the ultra, in a few days My speakers come in tomorrow(fri) and my yammy on sat!

EndersShadow

CaptFail wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions B run! Will be ordering that cable, maybe even the ultra, in a few days My speakers come in tomorrow(fri) and my yammy on sat!

Congrats! Frank at Signal Cable makes good speaker cables from what I have read. His interconnects were my first step into the mid grade audio stuff.

If you havent already ordered, also keep in mind DouglassConnection.com is owned by our own helipilotdoug and he also offers discounts on speaker cables. He is also located in Texas and may be close enough that you could setup a demo of his cables or something. Doug is good people. I have not done a A/B of Signal v Douglass Connection speaker cables, but I am in possession of a set of his speaker cables I am demo'ing as well as interconnects. And these cables are VERY well made and very impressive sounding as well.

Just to throw out another option. Either will be a good step up from standard Monoprice wire.