RTI A5 or RT800i for front sound stage
Hi folks I'm new to this board.
For several years I've been running a set of RTI A5s and a CSI A4 up front for a 5.1 HT system with a Yammy RX-1070 AVR. I also am currently using an SVS PB1000 Pro sub.
I recently picked up a set of RT800i's for a real good deal <$100/pair. and currently using them for my rear surrounds. But I got to thinking are the RT800is a higher end speaker than the RTI A5s? MSRP on the RT800is in 2000 was $800/pair and the RTI A5s sold for $600/pair in 2016.
Would the RT800is be timbre matched with the CSI A4?
I've got them all cross over at 80hz except the CSI A4 which I have at 90hz.
Just looking for some opinions from Polk gurus.
For several years I've been running a set of RTI A5s and a CSI A4 up front for a 5.1 HT system with a Yammy RX-1070 AVR. I also am currently using an SVS PB1000 Pro sub.
I recently picked up a set of RT800i's for a real good deal <$100/pair. and currently using them for my rear surrounds. But I got to thinking are the RT800is a higher end speaker than the RTI A5s? MSRP on the RT800is in 2000 was $800/pair and the RTI A5s sold for $600/pair in 2016.
Would the RT800is be timbre matched with the CSI A4?
I've got them all cross over at 80hz except the CSI A4 which I have at 90hz.
Just looking for some opinions from Polk gurus.
Comments
-
I would just try both and use your ears.
I wouldn't go by msrp for sure.
The rt series has always had a particular sound and should mesh well- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
I had the RT800i in my first Polk surround setup (with a CS400i and two pairs of RTi25) along with an older SVS tube sub (which I still have). I wasn't all that satisfied with the 800i. I swapped them with some older Pinnacle Gold Reference with its matching center and kept the RT25i as surrounds. That was an improvement and used that arrangement for many years. Last year, I found a good deal on some RTiA7 with a CSiA6 and replaced the Pinnacles, which was again, a nice improvement.
So, I have not directly compared the RT800i with the RTiA5, but I'd be confident that the RTiA7 is an improvement over the 800i and with the A5 and 800i having similar driver arrangements, but with with improvements in cabinet design and quieter ports, I'd suspect the A5 would still sound better than the 800i. I would also bet the RTiA5 will match better with your CSiA4. As Trey said above, don't base anything on MSRP.
-
No,
The RTIA series was improved. They have a smoother sound than the older RTi series did. However , the RTi series was also an improvement over the RT series. The RTIA5 is a fine main speaker. Not to mention a better match to your center channel.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Ok thanks I will stick with my current setup.
-
The RTIA5 is a fine main speaker. Not to mention a better [ timber ] match
to your center channel [ having the same tweeter; compared to the RT800i speakers ]
Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro, Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop)
LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels*. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - RB981*
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981* -> Bi-amped CSi A6
Surrounds: Rotel 981* -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
*all connected w/Premiere ICs
5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”
Power Conditioning & Distribution:
4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
