FXi A6 or RTi A3

Johnkaniowski

Not sure what speakers to choose for rear surrounds, FXi A6 or RTi A3. Currently I have RTi4s. I Have RTi12s for fronts and CSi6 for center. I want to go with a 6 1/2" driver for rears instead of the 5 1/4" that I have now. Placement of the speakers are on stands about 6' behind the couch at ear level.

trj

Question is, do you have 5.1 or 7.1?
If you have 5.1 and wanted to replace side surrounds, I would go with FXi's on the sides and probably use your RTi4s for the rear surrounds or front heights.
If you already have a 7.1 system and trying to replace the rear surrounds from RTi4s, unless you are going for symmetry, I dont think it will give you much gain.

But if you have 5.1 and have the RTi4's 6' behind the listening position, the placement is all wrong. Move them to the sides, may be slightly behind the line of listening position and re-calibrate.

dalylaleahthor

I have both speaker that you mentioned. I prefer the fxia6 for rear surrounds but that is just my preference.

gp4jesus

My take on RTi A1 to 'A3 (5.25" to 6.5") mid is go for it! Can't say on RTi versus FXi

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/173492/rti-a3s-wall-mounted-as-surrounds#latest

mantis

There is so such speaker as a rear surround. Lets speak proper here
5.1 system the surround speakers are just called surround no matter where you place them.
7.1 you have Surrounds and then surround back. For the surrounds and surround back channels it's best if you use the same exact speaker all the way around.
FX style bipolar or Dipolar designs where designed for Dolby Pro Logic to give it a more spacious sound. Dolby digital and DTS formats direct firing speakers work better.
Preference has no meaning here except to the person using them. Bipolar or dipolar designed speakers can be used for the newer digital formats as it can create a more spacious surround experience and this is again preference not correct for the format.

gp4jesus

Touché, sir! The driving signal dictates its purpose as much as its position. Keep us humble.

I've seen some use the same model for left & right rear as L&R front, floor standers no less!

Thnx, Tony

rpf65

Personally use the RTI A3's as rears and FXI A6's as surround l/r. Have the rears positioned about 6 feet from primary listening position, and do to room limitations, the surrounds are about 1 foot behind the primary listening position.

Long way of saying that if you are positioning the rears fairly far back, direct firing speakers seem to work better imho. If you have limited space behind you, say 3 feet or less, I would go with bi-pole/di-pole speakers.

Of course as always that is a personal preference.