CSIA 6 and CSIA 4 vs RTIA 5 & RTIA 3 speakers comparison

appo2396

Hi folks. I am asking a simple question.
The RTIA series has been disappearing slowly in Thailand. Right now some big chain store is dumping it's RTIA and CSIA speakers. I wanted to know if the RTIA 3 is the same as CSIA 4 besides the fact that CSIA 4 has two 5.25 inch speakers. Ok now CSIA 6 has two 6.5 inch speakers and one Tweeter just like the RTIA 5 tower. My question is , of course they are not apple to apple comparison but will I notice and music audible difference between the CSIA and RTIA speaker? Also I have to mention that I am not using an A/V Receiver amplifier with 7:1 channels Etc. Instead I am using a Cambridge audio CXA 80 amplifier with 2 channels. I did my bit of homework and noticed that the low end frequency is not that low as the tower speakers like RTIA 7 and RTIA 5 series. But I don't care much because I play the drums at very low setting but the treble is set at maximum level both on the amplifier and the graphic equalizer on my cell phone. I use bluetooth and Spotify. My ears are happy with the base barely noticeable cause I listen to music 2 to 3 hours in one sitting. I might be wrong about the 5.25 inch and 6.5 inch speakers sizes but you know what I am trying to ask. TIA

Nightfall

The CSiA is meant to be used as a center channel in a surround sound setup, not as L/R in 2 channel. Stick with the RTiAs.

appo2396

Thank you very much. I appreciate your recommendation but like I said the RTIA series speakers are no longer available for sale at 50% off. What is left over are the CSIA 4 and 6. Therefore I am asking this question. Besides I also mentioned that I am using an amplifier Cambridge audio CXA 80 and not an a/v 5:1 channels receiver. Thanks again

Nightfall

Communication breakdown. I understand you aren't using an AVR and you didn't mention that they were out of RTiAs.

Reading your post again and considering your judicious use of EQ, Bluetooth, and what you're using them for I'm going to assume your 2 channel desires aren't typical and you'd probably be happy using two CSiAs as your main speakers but they aren't meant to be used like that.

appo2396

If you set aside or ignore the crossover used in the CSIA and the RTIA series speakers .,....... Could you please tell me if the speakers used in them CSIA and RTIA are exactly the same, like apples to apples? If you notice even deeper both series use the same looking soft dome one inch tweeters. Also the 5.25 Inch speakers and 6.5 inch speakers look exactly the same as in CSIA and RTIA series. Does looking same means built same inside also. Please don't get me wrong, I am not trying to sound like a defense lawyer

F1nut

Center channel speakers do not make for good stereo speakers.

appo2396

I appreciate your reply. Because of the crossovers used and frequency range they can handle. Also my question was not about the quality of the sound. Also I am using a 2 channel integrated Cambridge audio CXA 80 amplifier. Not an a/v multi channels receiver that has a dedicated center channel speaker output. However I just wanted and wondered to know if Polk audio uses the same inventory of speakers to build a CSIA speakers and RTIA speakers. Cause the speakers look the same from outside. My question is are they manufactured the same on the inside too. May be nobody knows because they never pried open a RTIA and a CSIA speaker to what is inside. Only the manufacturer can confirm if they both are the same. I give up on my quest anymore because I am not getting a straight forward answer.

F1nut

I gave you the straight up answer, but you're not listening. Center channel speakers do not make good stereo speakers. It's not if the drivers are the same, it's the total package and no they do not look the same, which should be obvious just looking at them. One is horizontal and the other vertical.

rooftop59

appo2396 wrote: »

I appreciate your reply. Because of the crossovers used and frequency range they can handle. Also my question was not about the quality of the sound. Also I am using a 2 channel integrated Cambridge audio CXA 80 amplifier. Not an a/v multi channels receiver that has a dedicated center channel speaker output. However I just wanted and wondered to know if Polk audio uses the same inventory of speakers to build a CSIA speakers and RTIA speakers. Cause the speakers look the same from outside. My question is are they manufactured the same on the inside too. May be nobody knows because they never pried open a RTIA and a CSIA speaker to what is inside. Only the manufacturer can confirm if they both are the same. I give up on my quest anymore because I am not getting a straight forward answer.

No they are not the same inside. The crossovers are different. There is a 2.5 cascading type crossover where one driver gets the full range and one the midrange. I tried two big Polk center channels as mains many moons ago (cs400i) and it sounded weird; bright and just very off. The soundstage is all messed up. It will sound terrible for a two channel setup like you have. You have a nice little integrated amp, stick with stereo speakers for your music!

gp4jesus

As the other said, using center speakers for stereo is a bad idea.
All RTi/RTi A & CSi A speakers use the same tweeter. FYI I’ve been inside the ‘A3, ‘A6, & ‘A7. Each used a different mid and XO from the other two.

Good fortune on your quest. Tony.

appo2396

Thank you very much. My friend.

appo2396

Hello all,
This is what I have. Not just CSIA speakers but a medley of RTIA 7 (4), RTIA 3 (4), RTIA (2) , CSIA 6 (1) and (5) CSIA 4 speakers. A total of 16 speakers connected in parallel to 2 CXA80 amplifiers. Using a toslink digital source input split into 2 separate signals by an external toslink splitter and fed to each amplifier simultaneously. I play at low volume and the music from 16 speakers is loud enough to me but not too loud to the room next to me in my apartment complex.

gp4jesus

And

appo2396 wrote: »

This is what I have. Not just CSIA speakers but a medley of
1. RTIA 7 (4),
2. RTIA 3 (4),
3. RTIA (2) ,
4. CSIA 6 (1) and
5. (5) CSIA 4 speakers.

so when are you gonna open for business?

Seriously... I listed your collection because I couldn’t ID item #3. What is an RTIA?

And why so many in that... “layout?” I take it you have future plans for multiple systems in a future abode?

Thanks. Have a great Christmas 🎄! Tony

appo2396

Hello Sir Tony, the missing digit is 1. RTIA 1 (2).