Rti a7 or tsx550t for Music

Markheus

Hi have narrowed down my choices to these two speakers. I have a largish room about 30ft by 20ft and an older technics su g70 amp (130 WBC@8 ohms).

I listen to a variety of music from classical to metal. Detailed and forceful bass is important but I don't need it to temp. I don't really listen to any rap or dance. Detail and sound quality is important but I'm not an audiophile. The room is carpeted and has plaster walls.

I'm having trouble finding direct comparisons of these two speakers though it seems that the rti may be the superior one.

Is there one that you would recommend over the other for music?

EndersShadow

RTi being a higher line will sound better for music, however they may come over as a bit "bright" to some. LSi's are the best for music baring the LSiM's which are MUCH more expensive.

The TSX stuff is going to be pretty good, but they are not as good as the RTi's.

You may want to be a bit more specific about the gear your running now, will be in the future, and what your willing to invest additionally (if any needed)...

Markheus

Right now I've got an older technics integrated amp from the early 90s. I'm pretty happy with it but am always on the look out for good used audio gear. I mainly need to replace the speakers that came with this system.

I looked at the LSIM but they are way out of my price range.

I had read that the rti were better than the tsx but looking at the speaker sizes on the tsx it seemed as though I'd get better sound differentiation.. 6.5 and 7 vs 8 and 5.25

I hadn't planned on buying anything else other than some higher quality speaker wire...

EndersShadow

Markheus wrote: »

Right now I've got an older technics integrated amp from the early 90s. I'm pretty happy with it but am always on the look out for good used audio gear. I mainly need to replace the speakers that came with this system.

I looked at the LSIM but they are way out of my price range.

I had read that the rti were better than the tsx but looking at the speaker sizes on the tsx it seemed as though I'd get better sound differentiation.. 6.5 and 7 vs 8 and 5.25

I hadn't planned on buying anything else other than some higher quality speaker wire...

Totally understand. If you can please list the specific Technics integrated you have, as well as any sources you will be using (turntable, iPod, etc) and the corresponding model numbers that would be helpful. Also if you plan on adding more sources (like a computer) please mention those as well.

Either speaker will sound decent, but depending on your answers my suggestions will be different.

Markheus

Sure.

It's all technics

Su g70 integrated amp 130 Wpc @ 8 ohms
Pd 825 CD player
Sl j33 linear turntable
Tr 232 cassette deck

Again, mostly big box integrated stuff from the early 90s - nothing fancy though it would be nice to have room to grow.

I might occasionally stream rhapsody or pandora from my iPod but mostly it's cd and vinyl and the occasional cassette.

I'm 40 so the treble probably wouldn't bother me as much as someone younger and I could probably eq it out.

BigD007

I bought the Polk Audio TSX 550's and I'm very happy with them. My budget for my 5.1 system including receiver was 2,000. The money I saved going with the 550's(on sale for 379.00ea)allowed me to get a center channel(TSX 150)and subwoofer(PSW 110)for the price of the A7's. The 550's are also more efficient than the A7's so a more moderately powered receiver is fine.(I have a Yamaha TSR 7650)For those times you have a party,these towers can really push out the sound. They have a warm,yet accurate sound,never fatiguing or too bright.I'm going to add the TSX 220 b's which received a glowing review in Home Theatre Review recently. I listened to speakers costing twice as much and felt the TSX 550's were exactly what I was looking for.

ken brydson

BigD007 wrote: »

I bought the Polk Audio TSX 550's and I'm very happy with them. My budget for my 5.1 system including receiver was 2,000. The money I saved going with the 550's(on sale for 379.00ea)allowed me to get a center channel(TSX 150)and subwoofer(PSW 110)for the price of the A7's. The 550's are also more efficient than the A7's so a more moderately powered receiver is fine.(I have a Yamaha TSR 7650)For those times you have a party,these towers can really push out the sound. They have a warm,yet accurate sound,never fatiguing or too bright.I'm going to add the TSX 220 b's which received a glowing review in Home Theatre Review recently. I listened to speakers costing twice as much and felt the TSX 550's were exactly what I was looking for.

Glad you're enjoying your rig. Welcome to CP!!

don0

I have the Polk TSX550T and the TSX150C and they sound really good for music and movies.
I have a 100WPC Marantz AVR and it has no trouble driving them.

BigD007

Thank you Ken. I can't stop reading about Polk speakers haha. I just ordered the TSX 220B's to finish off my 5.1 system. So stoked!

msg

I was wondering how those TSx's sound in comparison to the RTiA7's. I just bought a set of RTi10's, the predecessor to the RTiA7, and I was/am finding them a little bright for music, yes, but they're workable with proper power and tuning, and I'm finding the receiver makes a difference too.

Mark, yeah, the two you were asking about are similar in design of course, and I would have liked to have had an opportunity to audition the two, but no places to do so around here. I wonder at the differences in low delivery given the Power Port Plus design on the RTiA series, however the TSx has slightly larger woofers and a different port, and I wonder if perhaps better midrange performance given the two 5-1/4 mids instead of a single 6-1/2. without proper power, I find/found the RTi10's to be uncomfortable at volume, however, hear this is a little tamer on the RTiA7.

did any of you TSx owners get a chance to audition both the TSx and RTi/A?

mantis

The RTiA7's when mated with good current are not a bright sounding speaker when compared to the older RT series. I found them to be one of the smoothest sounding RT model speakers to date. And for the money I think they are simply fantastic.

The TSX line to me seems not a clear or not as accurate. When I listened to them which was only a few times, I knew they where a step down from the RT line. They do look pretty cool.

BigD007

That's kind of a loaded question MSG. For me the 550's were a better choice for movies and music,efficiency,power requirements,value,and just being an overall imposing looking speaker able to shake the roof when I need to. Yes the A7's will give you more detail in the mid range and are maybe a little more refined,but I wanted a muscle car,not a sedan.

msg

yeah, this is one of those things where I'd want to listen extensively to each in several different functions over a few days to be able to determine for myself.

for what it's worth, OP, my RTi10's, while not exactly the same as the RTiA7's, have really grown on me, but I hated them at first. I think that was mostly due to lack of experience on my part, though, and the lack of time spent listening. Also some measure of hypersensitivity bc I thought I'd made an entirely incorrect purchase decision, and it was going to be a hassle to return/exchange, and what was to say what I got the next time would be any better. you can read reviews and opinions until you pass out, but that's never going to replace being able to hear for yourself.

I dial the treble back a notch or so, bass up a notch, and use Pioneer's Sound Retriever function. they do okay like this on a little 80wpc general AVR in stereo mode, but they do a lot better with some power behind them, as tested out with an older B&K EX-442 200wpc amplifier and preamp. off the AVR though, I would prefer that they were just a tad more laid back in the highs and a little fuller and warmer in the mids. Even so, I cannot definitively say that I wish I had chosen the TSx550t.