Polk RTi A7

MHayes

Has anyone listened to these speakers yet? I went to Fry's the other day and they had the A5s and A9s, but didn't yet have the A7s in stock. The A5s sounded great, but they seem to be lacking a little on the low end. The A9s were fantastic, but I'm thinking I don't need that much speaker given that I'm going to have a separate subwoofer as well. I can get the A7s brand new for $700 for the pair, and that seems to be a pretty good deal. Any thoughts?

vinhividivici

Fry's has the RTi12 on sale here this weekend for 349 each, I'm thinking of jumping the boat here too. WHy go for A5 when you can get the RTi12 for the same price?

MHayes

vinhividivici wrote: »

Fry's has the RTi12 on sale here this weekend for 349 each, I'm thinking of jumping the boat here too. WHy go for A5 when you can get the RTi12 for the same price?

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the appearance of the RTi line; I think the new cabinets on the RTi A series look so much better. Also, when comparing the sound of the RTi A9 with the RTi12, the A9 sounded so much better in my opinion. I'm guessing thing that the A5 will similarly sound better than the RTi10. Maybe that's not the case, so I'd like to hear any comments on them if anyone has them?

dorokusai

There's a pair of RTiA5's on demo rotation for the Texas Polkies....Russman and Wallstreet could offer some comments.

MHayes

Wow, that would be fantastic.....any first hand comments guys? Would love to hear you impressions.

vinhividivici

MHayes wrote: »

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the appearance of the RTi line; I think the new cabinets on the RTi A series look so much better. Also, when comparing the sound of the RTi A9 with the RTi12, the A9 sounded so much better in my opinion. I'm guessing thing that the A5 will similarly sound better than the RTi10. Maybe that's not the case, so I'd like to hear any comments on them if anyone has them?

I do agree about the appearance of the RTi12, I do like the look of the A9 better, much better in fact. So you're right. As far as sounds go, I haven't demoed the A9 so you're probably right about the sounds too.

fireshoes

The RTiA7's are a lot tighter in the low end. Makes the RTi10's sound sloppy in comparison. I agree that the RTiA's look nicer as well.

SolidSqual

Hmmmm Funny . . . I thought the Rtis sounded pretty much exactly the same as the RtiAs? Same drivers right? Guess the rounded cabinets must decrease resonance a bit.

wallstreet

Well it just so happens I had a little down time today and cranked up the A5's for a little musical enjoyment. These speakers took all I could throw at it. Serious volumes without breaking a sweat. I did notice some rather strong cabinet vibration at the higher sound levels compared to my LS90's, but my ears were hurting a little too, hehe. Russ did tell me to break em in, you know. The A5's certainly aren't a bottom dweller. You will want to run a capable sub to cover the lowest octaves. That said, they do an admirable job without a sub (unlike the VM30's). I thoroughly enjoyed some Steely Dan at prodigious sound levels with the two A5's and no sub. As an entry level model, I don't think you could ask for more. They played as loud as I wanted them with no distortion. I certainly can feel MHayes pain though. As nice as the A5's sound, the A7's and A9's have to rock! I would certainly be tempted to step up from the A5 too.

tcwong

Any big difference between the Rti A7 vs Rti A5? Is it worth the extra money for the step up? Thanks in advance.

lanion

Aesthetics are important to me. I am paying a bit of a premium for my Totem Hawks but I consider them the best looking speaker ever -- considering they are in need of a subwoofer which is just going to increase the cost!

wallstreet

A5's are nice, but I'm left wanting a little more oomph. I've not heard the A7's but based on the driver configuration, it looks like it fits the bill nicely. Although, I'd love to demo the A9's.

[Deleted User]

the new rti a9, in my comparison did not compare to the previous rti12. sorry. it lacked warmthed, clarity and did the sound stage was not as good. the three 7 inch drivers seem to be there for looks and appeared to make no difference with or without them. hoping the upcoming new lsi flagship would not follow the same path.

jflail2

On those same lines, I waited a little too long to pick up some fxi-3's for rears, and now I'm having trouble finding them in black anywhere.

I would expect so, but are the Fxi-A4's also timbre matched to the rti-10s i have up front? I guess I can pick those up instead, but wanted to know if I should be scrambling around looking for fxi-3s before they disappear completely.

Thx.

meirco11

the polkaudio rti a7 is a great speaker:good with my nad c372, better with my hk3480 and great with my rotel ra1070.
polk rti6
polk lsi9
polk rti a7
nad cd player 542
sony cdp 591
nad 445 dab tuner
pioneer dvd 383
monster cable z1
monster cable m300 RCA
monster cable m1000i RCA
and my leagendery JBL LX60 speakers 15 years old.
thank you all.

Fongolio

mierco11...this is a direct quote from a post in May:

"i gave up from my new rti a7,allmost 4 weeks and the rti a7 sound not so good, two empty 7" woofers,hardly can hear some bass from them.
the rti a7's are very big disappointment to me. iam so sorry that i gave my LSI9 and took the rti a7 insted
now i know that it was wrong movment
i realy dont know what to do now
who want a new pair of rti a7?? free,no money,i dont want to keep them at all. iam so diappointed that i cant even now what to say
the rti a7 are bassless speakers,the bass is flaty and empty,cant feel at all the two 7" woofers!!
yes,they looks great but they sound bad.
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
idont want to write any more."

You need to make up your mind as to whether you like them or not.