New Polk RTiA series - CES 2007

PolkWannabie

I agree ...

The drivers and layout of what looks to be the new RTiA9 appear to be the same as the RTi12 ...

TennesseeOutlaw

I would just rather power speakers myself.. For some reason, speaker companies trying to power their own speakers just doesnt work out so well. Stick to what you do best..

VR3

Rick - driver layout aside - but the fact that the freaking baskets are -still- silver instead of a dark grey or black to match the new enclosures - totally blows my mind. 3 years to develop new enclosures - cant change the basket color though?

markmarc

I have to agree with a previous poster, the current cherry veneer RTi's are the best looking veneer from a big manufacturer around.

It doesn't surprise me that the curve shape has come to Polk. I'd be curious as to how many other speakers of this shape are using the 5 ply method.

As for the new LSi series in the coming year, the key will be whether it's evolutionary or revolutionary. i'm betting on the former.

heiney9

markmarc wrote:

As for the new LSi series in the coming year, the key will be whether it's evolutionary or revolutionary. i'm betting on the former.

This is what I'm betting also. They have a great thing in the Lsi series so why mess it up by trying to "re-invent" it. Killer new cabinet's with an even more upscale look wouldn't hurt. As far as the components and the configuration they shouldn't mess with those too much.

I can't imagine how heavy the Lsi's would be if they became 5 ply's like the RTiA line. However they are pretty heafty already.

shack

I really have no problem with the silver on these speakers. I didn't like the total silver front of the current series...but I actually like the cherry and silver look they have come up with.

polktiger

I invite everyone that is unhappy with their current speakers either becuase of appearance or just sheer excitement over the new line to feel free to dispose of your old speakers at my house. It will take a great deal of effort and personal reflection, but I think I will even be willing to accept your retreads for free.

I am curious to see how the new ones sound. I think it would be a neat demo to hear an identical model old and new to see what the differences really are. It would be a good illustration of the impact enclosures have on sound.

disneyjoe7

I'm a bit concern about the Tweeter it looks like a Tri-Lam Tweeter and I liked the Silk Tweeter better.

MattN03

These are great looking speakers!!

Nelson57

Is there any information or pictures on the FXi 4/6 surrounds? What changes have been made on those?

dorokusai

I didn't see them in the booth. The THX Ultra2 5.1 In-Ceiling was the showcase and it was outstanding.

Nelson57

Thanks for the reply. I've always hoped they would add dual mid/bass drivers on the FXi's like the LSiFX surrounds. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Just set my Polk Rti system back up in the theater because of the excitment of seeing Polk making these changes.

sbpolk

How long do you guys think it will be before Polk starts listing these on their website, and how long until they become available? I thought it was interesting, right before CES they started listing some new in walls, a new series (not the IP or THX cert speakers) on their website, and they look like they could be matching inwalls for the RTiA's. I am eager to hear these new speakers!

Also, I wish polk had ACTUAL photos of their speakers on their website, much like Klipsch does, and not just digital renderings. Especially for these speakers and for the LSi's, they are just sexy looking!

Strong Bad

Well done Polk!

Looking at this new lineup, I finally see a lineup of speakers that could make me sell my entire surround setup (minus the SVS) to replace it with these. Can't wait to see the rear surrounds.

That center channel is just damn beautiful! The cabinet styling is right on the mark!

No need for me to wonder if they'll sound good. Polk never fails to impress me.


John

sbpolk

http://www.polkaudio.com/partners/press.php?id=72

Got kinda quiet in here! Here is a Polk Press release with high res pictures of several CES introductions. The new RTi comparable in walls are GORGEOUS! Check these pics out!

BTW, I am missing the old polk logo already. May stick with my trusty RTi70's after all. We'll see though, after I see and hear them in person!

Holydoc

Not that impressed with the looks of the RTiA9 (i.e., replacement of the RTi12) There is just no styling on the front of the cabinet. It looks like a square box to me. I guess I am the only one that likes the current RTi grill look as opposed to the new.

Otherwise though they say that the speaker drivers got some type of upgrade, it really does look exactly the same as the RTi12. Same exact look of the drivers, same exact internal configuration, and even the same exact placement of screws to hold the speakers in.

I am not saying that there is not most probably an upgrade in the sound. Just at first glance, it does not appear that I will see the new line as enough of a positive change for me to consider swapping out.

MillerLiteScott

I really like the look of the cherry on the face.

Chicomoralessxm

These new models RTIa are scheduled for release in March??? Beside their lovely design and look does any know for sure of sonic improvements in the to speakers??? I was getting a pair of rti6's but decided to wait for these wondering if thats a good idea?? Had my eye on the RTiA3.

sbpolk

I think the press release showed May introduction.

Chicomoralessxm

Yup your are right my bad it is May....my favorite month to buy something new............... what about the sonics, imaging???

dorokusai

We didn't hear them, just saw them. Even if they were hooked up the demo wouldn't have been that great due to the open venue. You'll just have to check them out locally when they get introduced.

reeltrouble1

Cool, I will see about getting some when the time is right.

In Polk I Trust.

RT1

G-force

While I have always wished the face on my RTI's was cherry, I do not like the new grills they are using. I think the current RTI grills really give them a unique look.

I also think that with the cherry face that they should have done away with the silver trim. They would look so much classier with black trim on cherry.

The new shape looks very nice. I cant wait to see these speakers in person.

I'm already a bit jealous.

TroyD

No more pics from CES ??

BDT

All4Heels

I currently have some old Polk RM series speakers and was just getting ready to upgrade to Polk RTi6 for the two front, the CSi5 for the center and the FXi5 for the two rears. Are all of these going to be updated in May? Any advice on purchasing now versus waiting until May for the upgrade? My primary use is for HDTV and DVDs. Thanks in advance.

Ron

sbpolk

All4Heels wrote:

I currently have some old Polk RM series speakers and was just getting ready to upgrade to Polk RTi6 for the two front, the CSi5 for the center and the FXi5 for the two rears. Are all of these going to be updated in May? Any advice on purchasing now versus waiting until May for the upgrade? My primary use is for HDTV and DVDs. Thanks in advance.

Ron

I would wait.... for two things. When these new ones are released in May, there is likely going to be a fire sale on the older RTi stuff. If you are buying retail, that would be nice. If it were me, I would wait for the new stuff. They are dead sexy!

All4Heels

sbpolk wrote:

I would wait.... for two things. When these new ones are released in May, there is likely going to be a fire sale on the older RTi stuff. If you are buying retail, that would be nice. If it were me, I would wait for the new stuff. They are dead sexy!

sp, thanks for the advice. I agree that this makes the most sense, but it is hard to hold off pulling the trigger..... I'm going to try to wait.

Ron

WJE

The revised RTiA line was mentioned in the current issue of The Absolute Sound. I was reading the annoucement last evening and thought I'd check out the forum for more details - but, don't see many. The prices listed in TAS do indicate what I perceive to be slight increases over the prices of the current RTi line.

Should get pretty exciting when more reports come out on how these sound. Also, I did notice a few references in this thread to MLS - is there a link to these new cabinets being manufactured by AV123, or one of their linked manufacturers?

JimBRICK

the rti's are sold out almost everywhere I've looked in my part of canada. only floor models available.

tonyb

Whats wrong with floor models?? You can get a great deal. I have in the past bought 1000P's 2000P's and 3000P's all as floor models at half off retail.