Matched set?

Uncle Meat

I'm in the process of completely re-doing my home theater system. Since I'm retired military I have the opportunity to get Polk speakers at a phenomenal price through my local base exchange, however the model selection is very limited. I have come up with a complete set of speakers, yet they don't match up with the system builder located here on the Polk Audio website so I'm a little hesitant about pulling the trigger. Can those of you in the know tell me if these models will compliment each other for use in a home theater application?

Mains = RTi A9's
Center = CSi A6
Rear = RTi A3's

Thank in advance!

U.M.

zx_toth

All the speakers you mention are in the RTia series and will match very nicely together.

I wouldnt match speakers from different seriess as they would not be timber matched which may cause a noticable sound discrepancy as sound moves from speakers. I had this issue when having a center channel from a different series in my home theater setup, now I have all the same and it sounds seamless.

Though I havent heard those speakers myself, those that have say only good things about the RTia9s.

You may want to let us know what other speaker options they have at the store and what your budget is. You may want to factor in adequate amplification for the Rtia9s.

By the way, welcome to Club Polk .... as some of the veterans will say "kick back and stay a while"

Best regards,

Zsolt

Uncle Meat

Thanks for the welcome and sorry it took so long to get back to this! Work's bustin' my butt these days to say the least.

As far as offerings from Polk through my military exchange, the only other models available besides what I've already listed above are RTi A7, RTi A5, RTi A1, CSi A4, FXi A6, FXi A4, RC85i, RC65i, DSW Pro 600, 500, & 400. The exchange also has a wide array of Bose products, a couple offerrings from Cerwin Vega, and some JBL stuff. I'm sure you can see why I chose Polk!

If I go with the group of speakers I listed in my first post will I be able to drive them all sufficiently using an Onkyo TX-NR905? I do have about 4 old, but still kickin' Kenwood Basic M2A Amplifiers I could use if necessary...

U.M.

PS. If I end up going with the RTi A3's for my rear surrounds I will need some type of stand to place them on in order to achieve the proper height and distance from my seating position. Any recommendation on stands?

Wings

Meat,
I'm going in a similar line. I decided to also go differently from the Polk online advisor as I thought it was too conservative. I'm retired military too but don't live near a decent bx. I bought the CSi A4 from AAFES online but got a better price on RTi A5's from Amazon. I also got the PSW 505 and in-ceiling speakers for the surrounds from Amazon. The subwoofer and center arrived today but still waiting on the RTi A5s and surrounds so I can't tell you yet how they work together. This is my first big electronics purchase in over 10 years as I finally have a dedicated home theater room. No doubt this will be a big improvement over my old Bose acoustimass 10!

Gravyfries

I'm looking to upgrade from the Monitor 50's to the rtia5's. I'd really like to get your opinion on the rtia5's when they come in. I was thinking the csia4 for the center and rtia1's or 3's on the rear when funding becomes available.

Do you guys know what the depth of the rtia5 speakers are (minus the power port)? The website says 15-3/4" but I think they are most likely 12" if you don't include the port in the measurement.

Thanks!

Ray

Uncle Meat

Wings wrote: »

I bought the CSi A4 from AAFES online but got a better price on RTi A5's from Amazon.

Amazon must have had them on sale when you purchased yours because currently they are the exact same price at aafes.com. When you figure in the fact that aafes doesn't charge tax and provides free delivery I would think it would have been a better deal?

I still have some time before I can actually get my livingroom into a position where I can place all the new equipment so I'm still in research mode...

U.M.

Wings

I just checked and don't see the deal I got on Amazon any more. I bought the RTi A5s last weekend for $280 each with no tax and $24 shipping for both speakers plus the 4 surrounds. The AAFES online price for the A5s was $399. Timing is everything online.:) In general I found that Polks are close to the same price no matter where (except for shipping and tax) except that if AAFES carries the particular model it will be about $50 cheaper barring any special deals. Of course AAFES selection tends to be spotty. I lucked out with the A5s and the ceiling speakers.

I should get the delivery on Friday and if I don't get called to work (I'm on call) I should have everything installed and working on Saturday. I have to do some cutting for the ceiling surrounds so that will take some time. The wiring is in place though.

I'll update when its all in place.

nikolas812

Holy lot of newbies Batman!!!:D

zx_toth

nikolas812 wrote: »

Holy lot of newbies Batman!!!:D

LOL A newbie convention of sorts, Robin :eek:

Uncle Meat: I dont think you will have any problems powering the RTia9s with the top of the line Onkyo. You could get more out of them with more powerful seperate amplifier but until you get your setup up and running and enjoying your planned purchases I wouldnt worry about that at this point.

Good luck!

Zsolt

Wings

Gravyfries wrote: »

Do you guys know what the depth of the rtia5 speakers are (minus the power port)? The website says 15-3/4" but I think they are most likely 12" if you don't include the port in the measurement.

Thanks!

Ray

The cover on the back port is about 2.5 inches. Without that and with the front grill in place they are 13.75 deep.

Wings

Received the rest of the speakers yesterday and have them all in place. I tested them with "The Matrix" last night and they sound great! I don't claim to have a trained ear but the speakers seem seamless to me. The A5s are plenty big and powerful. I am using a Yamaha RX-V3800 for the receiver (140W per channel)