New Rti A9 Vs RTi 12 VS LSi 15

bobt

Ok to me, I don't see the difference between the "new" Rti a9 and the RTi 12.
They seem to look exactly the same. Has anybody heard the "new" 9's.
The other thing I don't understand is I thought the LSi 15 & 25 were the top of the line stuff.
Basically no comparison to the RTi 12. But there are price "wars" going on with these speakers. RTi 12 are going for 699. The LSi 15's are like 840. Thats a pair, and the LSi 25 are down to 700 each.
Whats going on? is Polk dumping these speakers, to make room for a new series or something?
I mean at these prices I will go for the LSI 15's...which I assume are better then the RTi 12's.
Is that a correct assumption, or am I comparing apples to oranges here?????

cfrizz

Welcome BobT.

Yes most prefer the LSI's over the RTi line. However, It cost a lot more than just the speakers to run them well.

These are 4ohm speakers & require a LOT of power to get them to operate to their full potential. That's 200wpc minimum. So unless you are willing to get a receiver with preouts for separate amplification & then get the separate amplification, or just get all separates from the get go, it might not be worth it to you.

bobt

Well the power is not a problem. Plus these are going to be used in a 2 channel stereo system.
I already have a pair of SDA 1C's That the LSi 15's would be replacing.

I would move the 1C's to TV duty..

I have an Adcom preamp, Onkyo integra M-504 power amp, Sony XA3ES cd player.

I think the Onkyo would do the job, but if not, I would Biamp the speakers and buy a Adcom amp. Use the Onkyo for the bass, Adcom for the Highs.

I would think this is more then enough to run this speaker correctly.
Hopefully this will sound better then the 1C's........thats the question?

cfrizz

Only YOU can decide that. I know that they will definately sound different. Whether or not you like the difference remains to be seen.

bobt

Well thats the problem...I can't audition these speakers ...nobody around here has them..so I'm flying blind.
I have to assume that the LSi 15 is one of the top of the line speakers from Polk...(as the SDA 1C was) so after 20 or so years...I would.."assume" the new speakers were better.
But I get the feeling that , thats not the case...at least from some people.
So I'm flyng blind here, I can't listen to the RTi12 nor the LSi 15..I would assume the 15 is the best..but thats just a guess.
I would have to buy these ..unheard, online..so thats why I ask.....

john22614

I love my LSi's....but I only bought them after I heard them. I wouldn't buy anything on line that didn't include a thirty day trail period with a free shipping return option....especially for speakers as heavy as the 15's. And, I'd make sure I had a big enough vehicle to get them to the carrier if I didn't like them enough to buy them. Having said that, my hunch is you will like them.....I expect to use mine for a very long time. The RTi's were too bright for me....the LSi's are more laid back and the sound seems to come from deeper within the speaker. For me, they have a beautiful, rich tonal quality that I really like.

joix

Has anyone heard the new RTi A9´s. If so, how are they and would you recommend them.

dorokusai

They're better than the RTi12 but not the LSi15.

Shmenan101

I agree that the RTi A9 sounds too bright. I didnt give a listen to the LSi at Tweeter but I compared the A9 with a speaker from Focal and it wasn't nuetral enough for me. I assume thats what the LSi would get you.

orrb_05

I've had RTi10s and LSi15s - I liked the RTis but wanted something larger, so I went with the LSis. The LSi were too laid back for my ears - the RTi10s were just right for me in terms of brightness and in your face sound without becoming too tiresome to listen too. I just ordered the RTi12s to replace the LSi15s - hopefully this will do the trick.

BWilberg266

I'm looking at upgrading to a pari of RTi12's with a CSi3 instead of my current Monitor 70's with a CS20. What kind/how big of a sound difference am I going to hear with this new setup?

I'm sure they're really isn't much of a comparison, but curious none the less.

mystik610

The RTi’s are, for better or worse, quite a bit more detailed/analytical than the Monitors, which makes them a far better choice for HT, but are a little bright and fatiguing for music. The Monitors aren’t as detailed, but they’re smoother and more subdued for music. The RTi’s throw sound all around the room, which gives them a very wide, dimensional sound-stage…the monitors image more directionally.

I’d say depending on how much you plan to spend on the RTi12’s, you might want to broaden your horizons a bit, as the RTi12’s fall in a very competitive price-range. From Polk’s line-up, I’d take a hard look at the LSi line too.

BWilberg266

I'd be looking at $500 for the pair, a price I can't even come close to for some LSi's. I utilize my setup for about 85/15 HT to Music so the very wide soundstage fits my bill.

My only concern is running them with my current Denon 1910. But if need be, I'll just have to upgrade that at somepoint to a receiver with pre-outs and power them with a good amp. It'll just give me something to save up for.

NewHTguy

As others have suggested the Lsi's desire more power to be their best and this adds to their cost. However, many of the people on this forum would suggest an ext amp for the Rti 12/A9 as well. I even heard improvements from adding an amp to my previous Rti10s. So, if you are likely to buy an amp either way, then the true additional cost is pretty much just the difference in the price of the speakers.

mystik610

NewHTguy wrote: »

As others have suggested the Lsi's desire more power to be their best and this adds to their cost. However, many of the people on this forum would suggest an ext amp for the Rti 12/A9 as well. I even heard improvements from adding an amp to my previous Rti10s. So, if you are likely to buy an amp either way, then the true additional cost is pretty much just the difference in the price of the speakers.

I've been using the RTi8's for HT for a while now, and even they don't reach their full potential until they are well amplified. It takes some power to open up the mid-range in the RTi's...running them directly off my AVR makes them too bright even for HT.

In general, make sure you pair the RTi's with warm components.

mystik610

BWilberg266 wrote: »

I'd be looking at $500 for the pair, a price I can't even come close to for some LSi's. I utilize my setup for about 85/15 HT to Music so the very wide soundstage fits my bill.

My only concern is running them with my current Denon 1910. But if need be, I'll just have to upgrade that at somepoint to a receiver with pre-outs and power them with a good amp. It'll just give me something to save up for.

500 is about the going price for a pair of used LSi9's (that's how much I recently got them for). It depends on how much you need the 7 inch woofers in the RTi12's cabinet. For HT, the low frequency material is best handled by a separate sub, although for music, a full-range tower with provide a seamless integration of the audible frequency spectrum.

I'd do some auditioning before you make a decision...it'll keep you from upgrading (again) like I did.

BWilberg266

mystik610 wrote: »

500 is about the going price for a pair of used LSi9's (that's how much I recently got them for). It depends on how much you need the 7 inch woofers in the RTi12's cabinet. For HT, the low frequency material is best handled by a separate sub, although for music, a full-range tower with provide a seamless integration of the audible frequency spectrum.

I'd do some auditioning before you make a decision...it'll keep you from upgrading (again) like I did.

I appreciate your comment. I get all excited about a deal and don't want to pass it up. I will have to go and audition the RTi12's and be very critical while listening before I go ahead and buy. The fact that they come with a CSi3 makes it seem that much sweeter.

This would be upgrade #2 this year and if I'm not happy it will be a while before the wife agrees to let me upgrade again.

markmarc

bobt wrote: »

Well the power is not a problem. Plus these are going to be used in a 2 channel stereo system.
I already have a pair of SDA 1C's That the LSi 15's would be replacing.

I would move the 1C's to TV duty..

I have an Adcom preamp, Onkyo integra M-504 power amp, Sony XA3ES cd player.

I think the Onkyo would do the job, but if not, I would Biamp the speakers and buy a Adcom amp. Use the Onkyo for the bass, Adcom for the Highs.

I would think this is more then enough to run this speaker correctly.
Hopefully this will sound better then the 1C's........thats the question?

The LSi15's are a far better speaker, however, you will need to commit extra funds to get an amp that can truly power the those speakers. Your Onkyo with all do respect, does not have the horsepower to drive them the way they need to be to appreciate their sonic capabilities. Then, after you have that set up, you'll want to save up to upgrade the x-overs. Bi-amping is not necessary, just use the Adcom. If you feel the need to biamp, then go with two Adcom amps.

quadzilla

I understand that people consider the RTi12s bright, but after a year or so of running them at 850 wpc, mine have lost the brightness that I did hear when they were running off just my AVR @ 140 wpc. They're actually a tad laid back now.

frodaddy

IMO the LSi15's will have better sound quality because of better crossovers, etc. but the RTi12's will have more SPL

cnoat

Just my two cents.My rti 12's were way bright.Since I have biamped them with 205 going to the three woofers and 125 going to the upper end I have seen a HUGE difference.Love my 12's and for 120 purchase price and 40 going to the 5 1/4 I had to replace I would put them up against anything dollar for sound any day of the week.

cnh

dorokusai wrote: »

They're better than the RTi12 but not the LSi15.

Yep! OP seems to be talking about a 2 channel system. In that case....LSis, certainly!

On the other hand you have 1Cs? Are they original or modded. Because you might also want to consider MODS to the 1Cs (a nice speaker itself). RDO replacement tweeters, dynamat on the drivers, and mortite as a speaker driver sealant, and new improved crossovers!

Maybe even some of Tools' sound dampening Blackhole! All of these would up the ante of your existing SDA-1Cs and probably 'surprise' you if you haven't done this.

Good Luck.

cnh