Upgrading to Polk RTI A5, need recommendations

jkalsi

Hi,

I am planning to upgrade my current (and old) entry level home theater(Onkyo) with Polk RTi A5. Here is combination I am thinking for my mid size family room -
Front Speakers - Polk RTI A5
Sub - Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch
AV Receiver - Denon AVR-S500BT 5.2 Channel

I want to keep the 2.1 set up only for now. Need suggestions/recommendations from polk users -

- is this good enough set up for (music/movies/gaming)
- I was also looking at A7, however they seem too big for my room
- Is Polk better than Klipsch ?

-TIA

rpf65

Reviewers aren't really impressed with that AVR, check CNET review.
Difference between Klipsch and Polk speakers is pretty much everything. Know a guy with vintage Klipsch powering it with Mac gear, he loves it. I personally can't stand the sound. Every time he starts talking anything audio, I change the subject as quickly as possible.
That being said, many people like Klipsh, and dislike Polk. It depends on the individual. I suggest you listen to them, if possible.
I own and like the A5's. They are easy to drive, way easier than the A7's, Regardless, I would advise you to be really careful with the volume knob. The centers with the RTI A line is the CSI A4 and CSI A

jkalsi

Thanks, I looked at CNET and looks like Sony STR-DN850 is a good option to have and is within budget as well

tonyb

jkalsi wrote: »

Thanks, I looked at CNET and looks like Sony STR-DN850 is a good option to have and is within budget as well

Good option for what ? No preouts on that receiver which means if you ever want to upgrade to bigger/better speakers your stuck.

F1nut

Sony is never a good option.

jkalsi

What are my options for mid range AVR ?

ken brydson

Pioneer SC series gets my vote...

seabeerob213

Pioneer sc, Yamaha avantage, onkyo with pre outs

gudnoyez

Onkyo is what I power my RtiA3 and Fxi A6s, the RTIA5'S have an Adcom powering them give yours a good avr with some power and pre outs for an external amp, you will be set.

scotvl

Look for a pioneer sc-1223-k or similar for the best bang for your buck. The d3 amps in the pioneer are about the best you can get in an affordable avr until you're ready to add an amp.

MetropolisLake

jkalsi wrote: »

Is Polk better than Klipsch ?

Is Chevy better than Ford?

I haven't heard much Polk stuff but what I have heard was significantly more pleasing to me than the lower end Klipsch stuff on music, mainly the offerings with the aluminum tweeter which I think is really harsh, plus the woofers and tweeters don't blend well.

For movies and high volume rock though, I'd be pretty surprised if Polk could hang with any of the nicer Klipsch stuff with larger titanium tweeters / compression drivers. There are people with Klipsch speakers in their house that have a massive 3" compression driver in a ridiculously large horn and dual pro audio 15's. Polk isn't going to be able to hang with that. Polk doesn't seem to have a residential sub that can shake the house like an R-115SW either, and I'm not sure the LSiM706c could hang with an RC-64ii.

Dollar for dollar on the not so high end stuff though, from what I have heard Polk would be nicer for music.

jkalsi

Thanks - So to summarize, for the AVR, Pioneer SC series,Onkyo or Yamaha should be the way to go for mid range receivers.

To my original question on speakers
- Front Speakers - Polk RTI A5
- Sub - Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch
Is this good set up to start with which can be upgraded later on. I have not included a center as I wanted to keep classic 2.1 set up.

gp4jesus

ken brydson wrote: »

Pioneer SC series gets my vote...

Over the years read MANY posts saying "...the SC Series is good choice" so much so adding external power comes slower, though, ultimately, still worth the coin.

tonyb

jkalsi wrote: »

Thanks - So to summarize, for the AVR, Pioneer SC series,Onkyo or Yamaha should be the way to go for mid range receivers.

To my original question on speakers
- Front Speakers - Polk RTI A5
- Sub - Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch
Is this good set up to start with which can be upgraded later on. I have not included a center as I wanted to keep classic 2.1 set up.

Yes, it's a good setup to start with.

gp4jesus

jkalsi wrote: »

Thanks - So to summarize, for the AVR, Pioneer SC series,Onkyo...

Caution on the Yammy. I've read many a post saying they're bright compared to their competition. Mix that w/the 'A series, also bright... well you get the picture.

jkalsi wrote: »

Sub - Polk Audio PSW505

or PSW600 - either if you're into brand loyalty. Regardless don't cut corners on your SW though I think if you don't have a large room, high ceiling, or open floor plan you should be ok.

Watched Iron Man 2 at moderate volume on a pretty nice system, carefully designed & installed in a room 10'X15', 8' ceiling. It included a sub, regrettably for him, not quite up to the task of the "heavy lifting."

You can get by w/small compromises in other system parts but not the sub. For a bit more $ either an SVS or HSU.

tonyb

I would second the SVS or HSU as upgraded alternatives, depends on your wallet bro. They are worth it though.

scotvl

jkalsi wrote: »

Thanks - So to summarize, for the AVR, Pioneer SC series,Onkyo or Yamaha should be the way to go for mid range receivers.

To my original question on speakers
- Front Speakers - Polk RTI A5
- Sub - Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch
Is this good set up to start with which can be upgraded later on. I have not included a center as I wanted to keep classic 2.1 set up.

This is only my opinion but I have to tell you. I picked up the A9s at futureshop on boxing day to add to my setup at home with my Yamaha rx-v675. While they sounded good I knew they needed more power to dig deeper but the 675 didn't have the pre outs to add an amp. So I went looking for an avr with pre outs and found a sc-1227-k and what a difference, much fuller sound and deep bass so much that I don't need a sub in my 12x20 family room. I want an amp to make the A9s reach their full potential but with the pioneer sc I dont need one yet.
I just wanted to let you know the A9s without a sub might cost the same as the A5s with one and can make a great start to a nice system. If you pickup one of the Parasound amps for sale by one of the members here to pair with some A9s you would have a great system to build on.

gp4jesus

Depending upon the OP's room size, scot may have something...

polk500

gp4jesus wrote: »

jkalsi wrote: »

Thanks - So to summarize, for the AVR, Pioneer SC series,Onkyo...

Caution on the Yammy. I've read many a post saying they're bright compared to their competition. Mix that w/the 'A series, also bright... well you get the picture.

Well as an Yamaha 2040 owner I don't find it bright in the least in fact it's the best sounding AVR I've had to date. I'm currently running the RtiA9 as well as 7's
I have owned several AVR Onkyo 727 didn't like it was returned in an week HK 3600 love it still have it, and some sony that I can't remember much about but was pretty crappy.

But at the end of the day it's your ears (Just make sure what ever you get that it havee pre-out's)

Good luck hunting

Roger

golfinggino

I am running the rtia5's along with the csia6 center and rtia3's as backs and psw125 sub my current receiver is an older Yamaha rx-v663 certainly not a high end system by any means but I am happy with it. I use it primarily for ht in a fairly small room I was thinking of upgrading everything including the TV ( 60" lg led 1080p ) but decided to just keep everything for now as it sounds good to me and would cost me many thousands to uograde. I think you will be happy with the rtia5's

neveranewb

I have RTI5 infront of my set up and use a Sony STD-550 , and the sound is good overall don't know why people dislike sony so much for AVR they have good sound quality in all the reviews i see on the net so far except the discussion forums where people never heard them...(the newer ones)

Sony would be a good solution too. I had a Denon EX200 but had trouble powering the RTI5 , the sony are 90 watts channel, and the sound although a little brighter is more punchy and full. So again my vote goes to Sony.

dewey79

Sony strdn 1050 has the best sound quality I have ever heard. It makes my rti a7s sound full at low volumes and can crank out the sound. It sounds better than their previous es receivers.

Nightfall

F1nut wrote: »

Sony is never a good option.

$27,000/pair SS-AR1's?