New rig: RTi A9s and more

danlarson

I just put together a new audio rig:

fronts: RTi A9s
Center: CSi A6
Surround: FXi A4 (x4)
Sub: DSW Pro 500 (still in the mail, I'm using the free psw10)

Receiver: Harmon Kardon 384 (7x 75 watts)

The setup sounds great when I crank it, but I'm still not sure about low volumes. I *JUST* ordered 3 Outlaw Audio M2200 monoblock amps (200 watts each, for the front speakers including the center) but they won't get here until Monday or Tuesday next week.

I've been considering downgrading to the RTi A7 speakers from the A9s since these use a little less juice, especially if I can get by without using the additional amplifiers. But I'm waiting until I try the A9s with the amps before making that call. I bought them on Amazon so I can return them if I'm not happy. I love them when cranked, but I'm not sure about normal levels yet. Any thoughts or experiences with the A9s? How about A5 or A7s? We don't have a massive living room, so the A9s are overkill, but I do like a bit of overkill, and had a small audio budget that I didn't mind blowing.

Music is my highest priority- but I also want a booming HT system as well.

Ron Temple

I wouldn't crank them if I were you. HK is conservative with their numbers, but the A9s and 7s are going to be a stretch at above normal spirited listening levels. Try the amps, if low level stuff doesn't improve, then it's most likely your room. Placement, treatments, Audessey (or whatever version) can help. It's not the speakers though. They should sound great from low volume until the amps start clipping barring room interaction.

danlarson

What about downgrading to the A5 or A7? I could save about $2000... sheesh, that is a lot of money. Are the speakers that good? I am still forming my opinions, but wondering if I should be spending all that cash or just using the A5s. I could always use that $2000 to put some speakers in my bedroom.

Ron Temple

I haven't spent any real time with the A series floorstanders, but I did demo them. The A9s properly driven will garner the most satifying musical and HT experience. That said, it's my preference and I don't have a budget. Make the decision you feel works best for you. The A5s with the sub will be very good for HT and music. The A7s will have better bass response and do better with an amp. The A9s don't need the sub for music, but certainly will be strained at high volume without an amp.

It's always best to listen first...let the speaker sell you, not the picture .

ZOOPDOOP22

Ive heard the A7s will not get the midrange punch that the A5 or A9 will. If your going to have a sub you might as well go with the A5s.. my 2cents

danlarson

a5 = $500 (w/shipping) from polk ebay direct
Total: $500

a9 = $1000 w/shipping from polk ebay direct, or 1500 from amazon
outlaw m2200 x3 = $900
Total: $1900

(Of course, that's without the rest of the system!)
Is the A9 setup really going to be worth $1400 more? If it is I don't mind spending the $. But I'm not sure that it will be compared with the DSW PRO 500 and A5s. But, I'll wait to get the Outlaw amps and then will post my review... I can save a boatload by returning them though.

> It's always best to listen first.
Yeah, that's the problem with Amazon. And I can't find these speakers locally-- I can only find low-end Polk.

leroyjr1

Overkill is good. Keep the a9's you'll be very happy with proper amplification. If you were to downgrade skip past the 7's and grab the 5's. Out of all three the 5's are the best bang for buck speaker but since you already have the 9's give them a try. Very nice speaker and slams pretty hard.

leroyjr1

danlarson wrote: »

a5 = $500 (w/shipping) from polk ebay direct
Total: $500

a9 = $1000 w/shipping from polk ebay direct, or 1500 from amazon
outlaw m2200 x3 = $900
Total: $1900

(Of course, that's without the rest of the system!)
Is the A9 setup really going to be worth $1400 more? If it is I don't mind spending the $. But I'm not sure that it will be compared with the DSW PRO 500 and A5s. But, I'll wait to get the Outlaw amps and then will post my review... I can save a boatload by returning them though.

> It's always best to listen first.
Yeah, that's the problem with Amazon. And I can't find these speakers locally-- I can only find low-end Polk.

Even if you did end up with the a5's you still should get a nice 5 channel amp. Nice clean power.

andrew_mac

I think the best performance for the cash would be the A5's with your current Receiver (No amps) and take that money and put it into a sub that's great for music and HT.

That being said I have a 5 channel amp on my a5's and a6 and they sound sweet. You could always upgrade to a 5 channel amp down the road if you want more power. I got my amp second hand on audiogon for 400 bucks.That HK receiver should push the A5's nicely for now though IMO.

andrew_mac

I didn't notice you have a sub already ordered sorry. I would go with the a5's and a 5 channel amp as Leroy stated.

nm4710

If you've already got the A9's why not just put a little $ into a decent amp. A 100wpc quality external amp will prob do the job. No need to spend $900 on the outlaws, which honestly (no offense implied here) didn't sound very good with my RTis.

The A5s are a cheaper option - less money for the speaker and less money for amplification. That said, the A7/A9 are in an entirely different ballpark and provide a much better home theater AND music experience. Lots of folks here cross their fronts...personally I feel that leaves the bass easy to localize and reduces imaging quite a bit. The A7s/A9s can be run full range or crossed very low (40Hz) resulting in a much more full sound, IMHO. Additionally the stereo performance of these speakers over the A5s alone justifies the cost of entry.

As for the A5s, well if you want to do it cheap, they are easier to drive and they cost less. But as an owner of RTi8s and 10s (older gen but same drivers), I can tell you there is no comparison whatsoever in either home theater or music. As far as the mids not cutting it, I have never found the mids to be an issue with my RTi10s. They sound better than my RTi8s, I suspect b/c the 6.25" driver is not taxed with reproducing frequencies below 125Hz, allowing that driver to emphasize my mids. In my RTi8's the 6.25" drivers are going crazy trying to put out bass and mids...net result is less bass and sloppier mids. My guess is that the A9s will wipe the floor with the A5s...which is saying something b/c I've heard the A5s and they sound pretty good!

Ron Temple

^^^^^ that sums it up nicely.

andrew_mac

Well there you have it. Your decision should be clear as mud now. Good luck with whatever you decide. Hope we helped.

danlarson

nm4710 wrote: »

If you've already got the A9's why not just put a little $ into a decent amp. A 100wpc quality external amp will prob do the job. No need to spend $900 on the outlaws, which honestly (no offense implied here) didn't sound very good with my RTis.

What amp would you recommend? And, the HK receiver amp is booming pretty good for me-- not sure if I want to only jump to a 100 watt amp from 75. The Outlaws are 200 watts-- I'll let you know how they sound next week. I'm also running 7.1 surround-- my FXiA4s come in the mail today (I was using FXiA3s, but got the FXiA4s for the same price, so I'm returning the A3s.:)

danlarson

And don't get me wrong-- it's not that I'm not happy with the A9s, they're freaking awesome, but I suffer from "holy crap did I just spend $4000 on audio?" syndrome. And I'm afraid I didn't do too much shopping before, I just found the best speakers I could (not) afford, and then realized I should probably throw some more watts at them. So I do love the A9s, I'm just trying to maximize my investment, and wondering why I spent so much freaking dough. But the a9s do hit hard, even with my current HK amp. Any amp suggestions would be welcome.

danlarson

Any recommendations on the Emotiva amplifiers? And what you'd buy for my setup-- with 4 surround FXi A4s and a center channel, as well as the RTi A9s?

Can I reasonably delegate my surrounds to the built-in amplification and amplify only the RTi A9s?

Or-- should I just screw the surrounds and ebay them, and plunk down some RTi A5s for the surrounds in 5.1 (with he A9s as my mains), giving me a whopping 5 channel stereo as well as awesome surround?

cfrizz

Dan, you WILL be maximizing your investment with the gear you already have bought. If you can get an Emo XPA 5 do so! All of your speakers will be operating to their full potential, and the entire system will last you for several years to come. (You won't have to spend another 4000.00 again anytime soon)

DO IT ONCE, DO IT RIGHT & SIT BACK AND ENJ0Y! Congrats!:)

danlarson wrote: »

Any recommendations on the Emotiva amplifiers? And what you'd buy for my setup-- with 4 surround FXi A4s and a center channel, as well as the RTi A9s?

Can I reasonably delegate my surrounds to the built-in amplification and amplify only the RTi A9s?

Or-- should I just screw the surrounds and ebay them, and plunk down some RTi A5s for the surrounds in 5.1 (with he A9s as my mains), giving me a whopping 5 channel stereo as well as awesome surround?

leroyjr1

cfrizz wrote: »

DO IT ONCE, DO IT RIGHT & SIT BACK AND ENJ0Y! Congrats!:)

+1 do it right the first time.

Chitown_Badger

sdschwendener wrote: »

Ive heard the A7s will not get the midrange punch that the A5 or A9 will. If your going to have a sub you might as well go with the A5s.. my 2cents

He did say he has the A6 center, which would make up for any real or perceived lack in the midrange.

I've got the RTi10's and a crappy sub, but don't even feel the need to upgrade that as the 10s put out more than enough on the low end.

danlarson

leroyjr1 wrote: »

+1 do it right the first time.

Trying to figure out what "right" is.

Ok-- I am auditioning the M2200 Monoblocks (x3) from Outlaw. That's $900. I'll have to pay $100 shipping to return them.

With that budget-- I'm also looking to audition Emotiva amplifiers. I heard XPA-5 (http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm) from you all... would that be for dropping to a 5 channel system, or can I stay at 7 channels with this? Ultimately, I'd like to keep 7 channels but would also like the best sound possible.

What are your recommendations for the Emotiva amps? I am going to do try to home audition these, they have the same "use them for 30 days" return policy, so going for the ULTIMATE home audition and getting this right.

Any recommendations will be appreciated-- and I'll be sure to post results and reviews as well. Thanks!

cfrizz

Don't they have a sale at Emo right now where you can get the Xpa for 699? Then if you want you can either keep to of the Outlaws, or just let your receiver handle the surround rears.

danlarson

Ok, I bought the XPA-5. That's right- $699. Now I'm feeling dumb for buying the Outlaws... not like I have to keep them, but I will have to pay about $100 in shipping to return them. So I guess I'll try out everything to see what I like. Wait a week or so and I'll post the results. I think I'm going to be quite ecstatic. Thanks for all the tips. Shoot, I didn't even know about Emotiva before.

curved

Chitown_Badger wrote: »

He did say he has the A6 center, which would make up for any real or perceived lack in the midrange.

I've got the RTi10's and a crappy sub, but don't even feel the need to upgrade that as the 10s put out more than enough on the low end.

Not when you're listening to music.....

You'll be happy you splurged now.....down the road you won't have the "I should have bought better stuff" feeling because you're simply not satisfied.

danlarson

Ok, so here's the whole rig:

AVR- Harmon Kardon 384
Fronts: Polk RTi A9
Center: Polk CSiA6
Surrounds (x4): Polk FXiA4 (arrived today, replacing FXiA3s)
Sub: Polk DSW Pro 500 (arrived today)
Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 (just ordered, gonna be a long 4 days of shipping)
Turntable: Stanton STR8-80
XBox 360
Samsung Blu-Ray
46" Samsung 850 LCD. A good picture to accompany the kickass sound. But really, this setup is all about the music.

Probably going back: Outlaw audio M2200 monoblocks, x3.

Cost: Priceless. (Please, don't make me add it up.)
Sources: Amazon, Best Buy, emotiva.com, polk ebay direct

Thanks to all the advice. In a week I'll let you know how it sounds with the new amp.

leroyjr1

danlarson wrote: »

Ok, so here's the whole rig:

AVR- Harmon Kardon 384
Fronts: Polk RTi A9
Center: Polk CSiA6
Surrounds (x4): Polk FXiA4 (arrived today, replacing FXiA3s)
Sub: Polk DSW Pro 500 (arrived today)
Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 (just ordered, gonna be a long 4 days of shipping)
Turntable: Stanton STR8-80
XBox 360
Samsung Blu-Ray
46" Samsung 850 LCD. A good picture to accompany the kickass sound. But really, this setup is all about the music.

Probably going back: Outlaw audio M2200 monoblocks, x3.

Cost: Priceless. (Please, don't make me add it up.)
Sources: Amazon, Best Buy, emotiva.com, polk ebay direct

Thanks to all the advice. In a week I'll let you know how it sounds with the new amp.

How do you like your Samsung 850? You got the same setup as me you'll be very happy.

danlarson

Leroy, I love the Samsung. It's a great picture, and adds to the audio nicely.

curved

Very nice setup!!! Now take some pics for us when you get everything set up.

danlarson

It's for the children, really.

RETXAB

Those A9s can handle upt to 500 watts, wonder if you should get an amp with 400 watt per channel output...

danlarson

I've spent all my cash-- that amp is gonna have to do. Even I have my limits. Wait a minute, no I don't. But my wife does... lol

RETXAB

I am interested to know how the 200 Watt per channel amp works. I am just wondering what type of power is required to make a speaker sound like it should, ie...a speaker is rated for 20-200 watts at 8 ohms, and the AVR outputs 100 watts per channel. Will the speakers play good from only the AVR but with an amp AWESOME?