Preference with an RTi A9 Setup

killadaclown

Hey all, I'm looking at building a nice 7.1 channel system over the next two years. And eventually, maybe a second sub. I'm looking at buying pieces that won't need to be upgraded with each addition. It will be used for 50% music (80% rap and 20% 80's metal), 40% video games (xbox one), and 10% tv & blu-ray.

I did read the other post about power needed for an RTi A9, but wanted a little more specific help.

I'm looking at starting with either a 2.0 or 2.1 setup. So far, I'm liking the specs and features of the denon x3000: http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/productdetail.aspx?catid=avreceivers(denonna)&pid=avrx3000(denonna)

I'm looking at either getting an amp for the fronts or a sub. For the sub I am currently looking at a an HSU or Rythmik FVH15P. For the amps, I'm still unsure, but the Emotiva's and Crown Macro's have my attention. Right now I am only able to afford one or the other, along with all the other pieces mentioned.

If I didn't get an amp right away, would the denon x3000 be able to push enough through the RTi A9's (when in a 2.1 setup)? The specs say it is 105 wpc, or a maximum of 215 wpc. Or would the addition of an amp right away be that much better to start with a 2.0 system vs. no amp and a 2.1 system?

Also, I'm open to any suggestions or input.

EndersShadow

Here is my .02. If your adding a sub as nice as the one's you've listed the A9's are overkill. I am not a "purist" in that I dont mind adding a sub to a 2 channel setup. I prefer a 2.1 setup. Towers in the price range most of us live in are not truly are NOT full range. They will need some help. So I am a fan of 2.1

The A9's dig deep and your sub covers a large portion of the same frequency range. The A9's ability to dig deep is why they are more expensive than the A7's or A5's and also why they need lots of extra power. If it was me, I would look at the A5's as those are easy to drive off a AVR. They still require power, but they are not covering AS much of the same frequencies your sub covers. Meaning your not paying for double coverage, and saving yourself some money in the process.

To me the A5's or A7's are the better bet with a nice sub. In addition most here would recommend a sub for your purposes which again makes the A9's overkill. You may like overkill. I know a lot of guys do. Nothing wrong with that.

In addition since your starting with 2.1, should you decide later on you wanted a full 5.1 or 7.1 setup, you could always at that time upgrade to A9's and move the other speakers to your rears or surrounds.

To me a balanced system is going to be better than overkilling the low end bass. Especially with the subs your talking about.

With all that said, if your heart is set on the A9's, go for it, its only money. Just from a theoretical perspective, as I sit behind a keyboard and type, I dont see them being worth it for you

F1nut

I think Cerwin-Vega might be more up your alley.

Inspector 24

Get an amp for the a9's or smaller speakers.

If you like your eyeballs to rattle listening to rap you'll want a sub no matter what.

drummer86

F1nut wrote: »

I think Cerwin-Vega might be more up your alley.

tend to agree with this. The RtiA's are geared toward Home Theater usage. Where are you sourcing your music from? CDs, ipod, streaming?

EndersShadow

DSkip wrote: »

The 18" sub we had at my house paired with the Maggie SMGa's was brutal. Definitely the most fun setup of the three.

Gonna guess it was Jims? I would love to see pics of it..

killadaclown

Hey that makes sense EndersShadow. I will definitely look into that route then with either the A5's or A7's. Out of those though, it didn't look like the A5's had as good of a mid-range setup, which was why I was looking at something that had another mid-range or two. But how the mids covered well with the A5's? And with one of these, then would an amp not necessarily be required then?

Why more Cerwin Vega? I have heard the name and looked at a couple of the speakers, but never seriously looked at those as of yet. I will look further tonight.

The music would be sourced from either I-pod or Pandora. If it is from my I-pod, then I try to have the highest quality file for each song as I'm able to.

Thanks for the input on the amp Inspector. Yeah that's why I was looking at those subs, because I wanted something that extended down to the 10Hz or 15Hz range.

killadaclown

And just thinking about the setup, but if A5's were eventually moved to the rear speakers, then is anything lost there in the notes from not using a more specified surround speaker?

txcoastal1

killadaclown wrote: »

Why more Cerwin Vega? I have heard the name and looked at a couple of the speakers, but never seriously looked at those as of yet. I will look further tonight.

The Cerwin Vega was a sarcastic remark, don't look there, they are nothing but loud speakers unless you like that loud "Beer Joint" sound

Inspector 24

80% rap and 20% 80's metal

I dunno, F1 may have called it, I bet Cerwin Vega's spend lots of time playing Rap and 80's metal!



OP, how big is your room?

Inspector 24

A receiver will have the easiest time driving the A5's, and FWIW, I used to have RT800i's, similar setup to the A5's, and they sounded great on receiver power with a good sub in a midsize room.

killadaclown

Inspector 24 wrote: »

I dunno, F1 may have called it, I bet Cerwin Vega's spend lots of time playing Rap and 80's metal!



OP, how big is your room?

It is probably about a 250 - 300 sq ft room. I rent a smaller 1000 sq ft ranch house. I'm wanting to be a little on the higher side, because once I'm able to afford a house the room will probably be a little bigger or more open. Also, a lot of the times I'm in an adjacent room cooking and doing whatever, and so will want to be able to hear the music just fine from there too.

I'm currently using a 7 year old version of a Logitech Z623, which works alright but lacks the output I m looking for.

killadaclown

nbrowser wrote: »

When I bought my RTiA7s I was considering the RTiA5s, honest the midrange punch they had was pretty darn good. But I like a little bass so I went with the one up A7, you must know the RTiA5 has dual 6.5 inch midrange drivers that do kick out a lot of jam, but with any good floorstander, ample power is a requirement. And if I had gotten the A5s I'd of gotten a larger sub to emphasize the low end, again I like a bit more thump than most.

Yeah I saw that too. Part of the reason why I was looking at the RTi A9's was for that extra mid-range driver. And I agree with a little more bass heavy setup. Happen to have a suggestion as to what frequency a LPF should be set at for the A5's with a setup like that? Do they sound decent still around 80 Hz without the Woofers that the others have?

killadaclown

Inspector 24 wrote: »

A receiver will have the easiest time driving the A5's, and FWIW, I used to have RT800i's, similar setup to the A5's, and they sounded great on receiver power with a good sub in a midsize room.

Ok makes sense. Now I'm starting to change my decision. haha I'm leaning more towards the A5's now initially with the potential of switching them to surrounds in the next year, like was suggested above. Would anything be lost if, down the road, I decide to move them around to a different channel? Not saying I will, but I like to keep options open.

EndersShadow

killadaclown wrote: »

Would anything be lost if, down the road, I decide to move them around to a different channel? Not saying I will, but I like to keep options open.

Not really, most folks suggest crossing ALL speakers at 80hz if you have a sub. So no difference between running A7's and A5's from a "Technical" perspective per Dolby. That said some of us like to run our towers a little bit lower than 80hz for the crossover. I have my LSi 15's at 60 I believe.

But with the A5's you can cross them over a bit lower as fronts if you want and keep your sub at 80hz to have a better blend. Then when you move them to surrounds you would just lose that small amount of Frequency range they were playing below 80hz, which again may not be that much at all.

Like I said the A5's are the best "compromise" in regards to wanting to run them off a receiver and as fronts paired with a good sub. In theory you could even go with A3's but the A5's are worth the extra investment IMHO.

rpf65

I for one think the A5's have great mid-range imagining. I personally think in that area they actually out-preform the A7's. That being said, I lean a little more toward HT than music. If the choice was leaning towards music, I probably would have went with the A7's. Just as a side note, I also listened to the A9's powered with an AVR, and really didn't like the sound for music or HT. So I understand when others say "you really need more power".

Not being an audiophile, I think the A5's do a really good job with music. I actually have some 80's heavy metal, Dio, Maiden, Rainbow, Motley Crue, and you get the idea. Running my soon to be replaced 8 inch sub a little hot, sounds pretty good. I'm currently running a 7.1 on an entry level Yamaha AVR, and really can't complain.

If you don't plan on adding an amp in the very near future, you should really consider the A5's. Paired with either of the subs you mentioned, I think you'll like the A5's.

Inspector 24

killadaclown wrote: »

Ok makes sense. Now I'm starting to change my decision. haha I'm leaning more towards the A5's now initially with the potential of switching them to surrounds in the next year, like was suggested above. Would anything be lost if, down the road, I decide to move them around to a different channel? Not saying I will, but I like to keep options open.

I don't see why not, I bet the A5 would make a great surround speaker. Same tweet and mid as the A3 and FXia6, but an extra mid in a tower? Why not, he'll guys use a9's as surrounds!

I bet in a room that small you'll be surprised what a9's and decent AVR power can do. With a small-medium sub you'll be rocking.

killadaclown

Ok great. Thanks for all the input and help guys. I really appreciate it!