LSi15 vs. RTiA9?

danlarson
danlarson Posts: 89
edited December 2008 in Speakers
Can someone contrast the LSi15 versus the RTiA9 speakers? They are in JUST ABOUT the same price range (not quite)-- if you were putting together the ultimate system for music and ht on the side, which system would you want to build? Music is much more important to me than HT, but HT is a required factor.
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited December 2008
    IMO, LSi15 hands down!!
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    The LSI 15's are very nice speakers. You will need an amp to run them properly.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,145
    edited December 2008
    The LSI's are in general better for music although some people prefer the RTi for hard rock music. The LSi's do real well with HT applications too, but some people are disappointed with the LSiC center. The best system depends on your personal tastes.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited December 2008
    Your question has been answered, but here's another confirmation: LSi15's. :)
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited December 2008
    +1 to all the answers above.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2008
    Sami wrote: »
    Your question has been answered, but here's another confirmation: LSi15's. :)

    I'm a go against the grain and say RTI A9.
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  • suprafantx
    suprafantx Posts: 249
    edited December 2008
    I have Lsi series speakers and RTi10 speakers. I found Lsi is much much better than RTi for both music and HT. I do not have RTiA9 but I think they are the same class with RTi. Go with Lsi so you do not have to upgrade RTiA9 to Lsi.
    Living room
    Speakers: McIntosh XR100 Fronts, LSIM707 Fronts, LSIM 706 Center, LSIM 703 Surrounds, LSi/FX Surround backs.
    Player: Oppo 95.
    Amps: Bryston 4B SST, B&K Ref 200.7 S2.
    Pres: B&K Ref 50 S2, Paraound P5.
    Subs: Dual Rythmik F15HP subs.

    Man Cave
    Speakers: Martin Logan Vistas.
    Player: OPPO 105.
    Preamp: B&K Ref 50 S2.
    Amp: B&K Ref 125.2 S2
    Sub: Rythmik F12.
    Sub management: SMS-1.
    Headphones: HD800, HD380, RS220, SRH-1840. Headphone amp: Woo WA2.
    Room treatment: GIK Room Kit #1.
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  • dave7310
    dave7310 Posts: 8
    edited December 2008
    Glad i found this place!

    I have an old pair of Cerwin Vega A-15's that i drive with a Carver M-1.ot amp.

    I'm very interested in the RTI A9's to replace them but nobody sells them around here so i can listen to a pair.

    The only good audio store around here sells B&W's.
    The B&W 683's mid range really sounds good, bass is ok. (until you push them )
    Even with a sub i don`t think i`d be happy at higher volume?

    I have a feeling the RTI A9's would be perfect for me, but without hearing them i'm not going to shell out almost $ 1700.00 !

    Any ideas?
    Carver M-1.0t
    Carver CT-Seven
    Carver SD/A-490t
    Carver TD-1400
    B&W 683's
    B&W ASW610
    Cerwin Vega At-15's (Retired 12/24/08)
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited December 2008
    Listen to them for yourself; tone is very much a preferential matter. BTW, I think the better comparison is LSi15 vs. RTi12.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,145
    edited December 2008
    Perhaps try to find a local Polkster that you can try them out. You really want to hear them. The A9's are huge; besides the price it's the shipping that is going to be a hassle if you don't like them. Realize that some people are not content with either line of Polk speakers.

    A place to save you some money is to try the user PolkDirect on Ebay, it's Polk method of selling factory direct (typically refurbed ones). They have a few pair of black A9's for $850. These are factory refurbed but people say that they look like brand new, and they come with a warranty.
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited December 2008
    Dave-- I got the A9s on Amazon, which has a GREAT return policy where they will pay the shipping even. But don't even THINK about buying the A9s without a dedicated amplifier-- I got an XPA-5 which is coming in the mail today. I am considering this my home audition for the A9s, and am still up in the air for the verdict until after I hear them with an amp. I am also considering Distinctive Technologies, although that's quite a bit more dollars.
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited December 2008
    Oh, and the A9s excel at high volume. The put out some serious bass... you could even do without a sub, but I have a PSW 500 I'm using with it as well. If you like to crank it, A9s are for you! Dave- I see you have an amp... GOOD, you'll need it! :) I'm planning on bi-amping the A9s and single-amping the A6 (center) and powering my surrounds from the receiver.
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  • jkacura39
    jkacura39 Posts: 68
    edited December 2008
    Im new here. thinking about buying a pair of a9`s. I have a onkyo 806, would this reciever do the job and make them sound decent or would I HAVE to get an external amp??

    thanks
    Onkyo 806
    Rtia9 - Fronts
    Csia6 - Center
    Velodyne VRP1200 - Sub
    Sony crapinabox - Rears
    Emotiva XPA5
    Audioquest Pikes Peaks Bi-Amped to Fronts
    Audioquest CV-8 to center
    Audioquest Columbia IC to Front
    Audioquest Jaguar IC to Center
    Sony 60inch LCD Rear Projection
    PS3
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  • Chitown_Badger
    Chitown_Badger Posts: 66
    edited December 2008
    jkacura39 wrote: »
    Im new here. thinking about buying a pair of a9`s. I have a onkyo 806, would this reciever do the job and make them sound decent or would I HAVE to get an external amp??

    thanks

    You probably wouldn't have to get an amp. Though others will tell you that an amp will add punch at all listening levels and would make a particularly noticeable difference at high levels.
    Fronts: Polk RTi10
    Center: Polk CSi A4
    Surround: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Dayton 100
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-1018AH
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  • dave7310
    dave7310 Posts: 8
    edited December 2008
    danlarson wrote: »
    Oh, and the A9s excel at high volume. The put out some serious bass... you could even do without a sub, but I have a PSW 500 I'm using with it as well. If you like to crank it, A9s are for you! Dave- I see you have an amp... GOOD, you'll need it! :) I'm planning on bi-amping the A9s and single-amping the A6 (center) and powering my surrounds from the receiver.

    My Carver will give me around 350wpc, AND i could always buy a second M-1.0t , flip the Mono switch on the back of both amps and have 1000wpc !
    (might be too much?) lol

    How`s the midrange on the RT9's?
    Carver M-1.0t
    Carver CT-Seven
    Carver SD/A-490t
    Carver TD-1400
    B&W 683's
    B&W ASW610
    Cerwin Vega At-15's (Retired 12/24/08)
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited December 2008
    Midrange rocks at high volumes- I am going home now to install the xpa, so I haven't heard them yet with the right amp.
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited December 2008
    Ok, just added the XPA-5 to the setup... and I wouldn't even THINK about running these speakers without an amp. And I'm only running them at low volumes since my daughter is sleeping... If you're not willing to add an amp-- buy other speakers.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2008
    +1 for an external amp. Makes a huge difference. Polk Direct eBay store has the Rti a 9's for $849 plus shipping.
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  • Polkzilla
    Polkzilla Posts: 12
    edited December 2008
    I have the RTiA9s paired with an Outlaw RR2150 and it's a match made in heaven, no other external amp needed.
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  • Pepi28
    Pepi28 Posts: 248
    edited December 2008
    jkacura39 wrote: »
    Im new here. thinking about buying a pair of a9`s. I have a onkyo 806, would this reciever do the job and make them sound decent or would I HAVE to get an external amp??

    thanks

    ;)You'll be fine running the a9's with your onkyo. You can always buy an external amp later on down the road when the money is right. ;)
    58" Samsung Plasma (on wall)(calibrated)
    LSi15's front (modded xo's)
    LSic center
    LSiFX's sides
    LSi7's rears
    Sunfire Sig. 600 amp for 15's
    Sunfire Sig. Cinema for C,S&R
    Sony ES 3000 pre/pro
    SVS 2039 PC Plus sub 12.3 (16hz tune)
    PS3
    Wii
    Signal and Audioquest ic's
    12 awg monster speaker-cable (bi-wired)
    Belkin PF60 power conditioner
    Monster power conditioner for sub
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited December 2008
    I disagree with Pepi-- I would NOT consider these speakers without an amp. This is after hearing them with and without a dedicated amp. Don't even bother without, go with a smaller speaker and you'll hear more sound. They are freaking beautiful with the XPA-5 however.

    And my conclusion-- I will stick with the RTi-A9s, I'm pretty happy with them with the amp. The entire RTi A setup sounds freaking sweet when it has enough juice.
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  • jkacura39
    jkacura39 Posts: 68
    edited December 2008
    Thanks pepi...... also thanks danlarson.... im going to get the a9`s and get an amp down the road when I can afford a nice one. I also have the csi a6 center... would i be ok getting a 2 channel amp for the a9`s or should i get a 3 channel and power the center also?? any opinions is appreciated.

    thanks
    Onkyo 806
    Rtia9 - Fronts
    Csia6 - Center
    Velodyne VRP1200 - Sub
    Sony crapinabox - Rears
    Emotiva XPA5
    Audioquest Pikes Peaks Bi-Amped to Fronts
    Audioquest CV-8 to center
    Audioquest Columbia IC to Front
    Audioquest Jaguar IC to Center
    Sony 60inch LCD Rear Projection
    PS3
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited December 2008
    I would look at a 3 or 5-channels. I like the Adcom 5503. What would you be looking to spend? Do you prefer new or used?
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited December 2008
    jkacura39 wrote: »
    Thanks pepi...... also thanks danlarson.... im going to get the a9`s and get an amp down the road when I can afford a nice one. I also have the csi a6 center... would i be ok getting a 2 channel amp for the a9`s or should i get a 3 channel and power the center also?? any opinions is appreciated.

    thanks

    Good plan. I would try to at least externally amp the front stage (right, left and center). The center channel is something like 70-80% of a surround sound mix in Home Theater applications. You want the dialog to shine.
    XPA-5 IMO is a great choice and its on sale right now with free shipping
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • jkacura39
    jkacura39 Posts: 68
    edited December 2008
    curved wrote: »
    I would look at a 3 or 5-channels. I like the Adcom 5503. What would you be looking to spend? Do you prefer new or used?

    I would prefer used--- cost savings. ill look into the Adcom 5503. i hear alot of people here say that Adcom is good.
    Onkyo 806
    Rtia9 - Fronts
    Csia6 - Center
    Velodyne VRP1200 - Sub
    Sony crapinabox - Rears
    Emotiva XPA5
    Audioquest Pikes Peaks Bi-Amped to Fronts
    Audioquest CV-8 to center
    Audioquest Columbia IC to Front
    Audioquest Jaguar IC to Center
    Sony 60inch LCD Rear Projection
    PS3
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  • jkacura39
    jkacura39 Posts: 68
    edited December 2008
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    Good plan. I would try to at least externally amp the front stage (right, left and center). The center channel is something like 70-80% of a surround sound mix in Home Theater applications. You want the dialog to shine.
    XPA-5 IMO is a great choice and its on sale right now with free shipping

    Ive seen that xpa-5... looks bad ****.... thanks for the advise
    Onkyo 806
    Rtia9 - Fronts
    Csia6 - Center
    Velodyne VRP1200 - Sub
    Sony crapinabox - Rears
    Emotiva XPA5
    Audioquest Pikes Peaks Bi-Amped to Fronts
    Audioquest CV-8 to center
    Audioquest Columbia IC to Front
    Audioquest Jaguar IC to Center
    Sony 60inch LCD Rear Projection
    PS3
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited December 2008
    The XPA-5 *is* bad-****. I love it. I'm converting my setup (umm, my new setup...) to B&W but keeping the XPA I think. It's a great piece of gear you're going to use for a long time. Sounds freaking great.
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited December 2008
    Ok, as I said in another thread-- I'd recommend the B&W 683 over the polks after hearing them both in my house. Forget about the rtiA9 unless you're listening at high volume ALL the time. But the XPA-5 rocks):

    Jkacura, hopefully you read this before you buy the A9s.
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  • jkacura39
    jkacura39 Posts: 68
    edited December 2008
    danlarson wrote: »
    Ok, as I said in another thread-- I'd recommend the B&W 683 over the polks after hearing them both in my house. Forget about the rtiA9 unless you're listening at high volume ALL the time. But the XPA-5 rocks):

    Jkacura, hopefully you read this before you buy the A9s.

    Already bought the a9`s.... ill just not listen to the b&w`s so i dont get pissed about it ;] thanks for the info though
    Onkyo 806
    Rtia9 - Fronts
    Csia6 - Center
    Velodyne VRP1200 - Sub
    Sony crapinabox - Rears
    Emotiva XPA5
    Audioquest Pikes Peaks Bi-Amped to Fronts
    Audioquest CV-8 to center
    Audioquest Columbia IC to Front
    Audioquest Jaguar IC to Center
    Sony 60inch LCD Rear Projection
    PS3
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2008
    Congrats on your purchase JK, and welcome to Club Polk.

    Dan, lots of people have moved on from Polk speakers, but most all have enough tact & class to not put down the speaker that they started out with. Especially on that speakers board.

    You kept the Polks for all of 2 minutes then went out & bought the B & W's, and are now raving about them.

    You didn't do your research and certainly didn't give yourself anytime to get used to the speakers that you had just purchased.

    It's great that you found your bliss with the B & W's so go to a B & W forum and wax poetic over there.

    But STOP trying to talk other owners of Polk speakers out of their purchase.

    Because quite frankly, you don't know crap about what you are talking about with your limited experience with either speaker!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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