FXiA6 vs. RTiA3

irfan11

I'm contemplating whether I should bite the bullet at get the FXiA6s on sale at Crutchfield's (with a free sub) right now. I know they're dipole/bipole capable but are they worth the premium over the RTiA3s when used as 5.1 surrounds?

They'll be paired with an Onkyo 705, RTiA7s, and a CSiA6. How would the two types of speakers differ when used as surrounds?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

VSchneider

1st check this page regarding using bi/di-pole speakers.
Most people prefer direct radiating speakers (RTiA3) for multichannel music, and di- or bi-poles for movies.

irfan11

Thanks for the helpful link VA. From what I've been able to find, it looks like opinions vary on the issue of dipole vs bipole speakers for surrounds and this does depend on music vs HT use.

Here are a couple of more specific questions:

- Has anyone listened to the FXiA6 vs. RTiA3 as surrounds? (subjective opinions welcome

- If using them strictly as surrounds, does it make a significant difference to upgrade to the FXiA6s or stick with the FXiA4s?


For those who're interested, here's one take on the bipole-dipole debate:
http://www.baudline.com/erik/ht/common_ht_mistakes.html

The dipole vs. direct radiating surround speaker debate is a hot and flammable topic. Many opinions differ on this topic and one speaker manufacturer has even made a "tripole" surround speaker that is a mix of direct and dipole. Some people even swear by bipole surrounds. So why do I think dipoles are better?

* Dipoles are a closer match to the surround speaker arrays found in movie theatres.
* Studios mix movies for movie theatres, not home theatres. This trend does not look like it is going to change.
* Ambience and envelopment are the goals of surround speakers not 3D holographic rear stereo images. Dipoles do a better job at envelopement due to the sound being directed away from the listener. Having the forward and backwards firing sounds out-of-phase, which is the difference bewteen a dipole and not a bipole, makes the speaker harder to pinpoint.
* The surround speakers should not distract and attention away from the screen. As Mr Holman says "they should help to draw you into the film."
* Dipoles have a bigger surround sweet spot than direct radiating surrounds have.

Igo

I just went for that sale at Crutchfield. I'm replacing the RT7's I've been using for surrounds for 10 years with the FXiA6. My old amp, the RT7's and the new little sub will be religated to the bedroom. I'll have a report for you next week.