Just tested the RTi A5/A7!

trinidesignz

I still can't decided which one to go with, I tested the speakers at jr world. My system is going to be 90% HT, the A5 where sweet with mids and they paired it up with the CSi A6 so even more voice. The down fault they could not pair the A7 with the CSi A6 was in a different room. Well the guy was saying that I can turn down the bass from my receiver from the fronts on the A7, do you guys think I would get xtra voice from the A7 (AVR-3808ci).

but happy I finally heard these SWEET babies:D.

comfortablycurt

I've been pondering the same question lately actually. I just actually listened to some A5's earlier today, and I heard a pair of A7's a few weeks ago.

I found the A5's to have a much stronger midrange section than the A7's did. The subtraction of one of the mid drivers on the A7's really hurts it's performance a lot. This gives the A5 a bit more of a voice than the A7 in my ear. The A7 sounded sort of bass heavy to me too, which is probably because it didn't have enough midrange output to balance it.

You said you're going for a home theater system, so I would recommend the A5's personally. I assume you'll probably be getting a subwoofer to go with them, which would round out your bottom end very nicely. In a home theater system with a sub, most of the low frequencies are going to your sub anyway.

The A7's are great speakers too though, and if you were looking to make a standalone 2-channel system, that's what I'd recommend. The best way to decide which one will work better for you is by listening to them though.

kolky

If you are going to have a separate sub and cross the fronts at 80hz then go with the A5s. If you are not going to have a separate sub I would go with the A7s.

The A5s are great for HT and have a great midrange. The only thing they are really lacking in is deep bass.

trinidesignz

Thank you fellas, I really hope my order arrives for xmas.

manman

I have a quick question along the same lines. It seems in most places people have the same advice- a7's or a5's with a good sub. I am new to the world of HT audio, so my question for people who have heard the a5's (which are in the process of being shipped) is- what is the quality we're talking about when people say "a good sub". I've got a velodyne vx-10 atm. It's entry level, low end of the price scale but it sounds alright to me. Should that fit well with the rti a5's at 80hz, or should I be looking for something better?

Use is probably 85% movies/games 15% music.

Thanks

trinidesignz

Well manman when I tested the A5 for the first time I thought it would not have any bass, well to my surprise it has a decent bass but just not as deep as it's bigger brothers. I even took my wife to test them and she said the same thing. I got velodyne DPS-12 and that bad boy works (low deepbass) and the csi A6 , we love midrange (voice) and the bass speaker will take up the slack.

Chitown_Badger

I think it's still wise to have a sub even with the A7s. I've got RTi10s and a cheap Dayton sub, and tested the speakers without the sub the other night and it didn't sound as good.

manman

Thanks for the tips. I live top floor in a condo right now, so I can't get tooo heavy on the bass when watching movies late in the day. The vx-10 is cool for me now, but down the line when I get a bigger place I'm interested in something from Epik. If I upgraded now, the neighbors would probably shoot me, haha.

Of course- I work at home during the day, so when the neighbors are out...

Igo

I run the RT800i which is the dad to the A5. I'm still having an 8 year old love affair with these speakers but I'm afraid that sub won't stay with a properly lit set of A5's.

Igo

I just saw a nikid pair of A7s in cherrywood today for the first time. That was the sexiest speaker I've ever seen. I didn't hear it, I just saw it and with the grill off. I heard the A9 today but that meant next to nothing in a Fryes full of Christmas shoppers. I'm still staying with my RT800i (old A5) though. They are just too nice to quit.

mmadden28

Actually the RTiA5 replaced the RTi8's not the RT800i's

Igo

Actually, the RTi8s replaced the RT800i or somewhere thereabouts. Doesn't matter. I didn't say a thing about who replaced what. I only suggested that my RT800i is in the lineage.

Retro152

HI all, I am new to site and just got into Home Theater 2 Months Ago. I started my system with the RM6750 series and the "BUG" took over. I upgraded to the Rti6s and Csi3,to go with a Klipsch Sub-12, still using the RM6750 sats in a 6.1 surround setup. These to go with a Yamaha Rxv 663 receiver. Well, still on a quest for bigger sound, i went and listened to the Rti-a7s and a5. Being a rookie, i cant critique speakers like all of you, but my virgin ears were very impressed! Soooo i ordered the a-7s (GULP) My question is am i underpowered for these? Is the 663 enough? I am very green and without the knowledge and expertise of you guys i might have gotton carried away. Any Opinions would be great. My Room is 16x16. Thank You. Sorry for long post.

comfortablycurt

It should do an alright job powering them...but it would do much better with an external amp. To really open up the bigger RTi's they need more juice than most receivers can get them. Your receiver has pre-outs though, so you'd be able to hook up an external amp if you were really wanting to make them sing. I don't know what to recommend though...I'm sure someone else will chip in with a recommendation.

Igo

In 2 months you went from a kit home theatre to RTiA7. Your Yamaha will be perfect........for about 2 more months. LOL.

comfortablycurt

Igo wrote: »

In 2 months you went from a kit home theatre to RTiA7. Your Yamaha will be perfect........for about 2 month months. LOL.

lol...That's what I was thinking...Going from a HTIB to a pair of RTi A7's...now that's what I call an upgrade.

manman

comfortablycurt wrote: »

lol...That's what I was thinking...Going from a HTIB to a pair of RTi A7's...now that's what I call an upgrade.

I thought that was kind of the normal path, actually (pretty much same as what I did except I went with the a5's on personal preference). But the rti line is kind of polk's 'entry level' line isn't it? HTIB to lsi series- now that would be a jump!

comfortablycurt

manman wrote: »

I thought that was kind of the normal path, actually (pretty much same as what I did except I went with the a5's on personal preference). But the rti line is kind of polk's 'entry level' line isn't it? HTIB to lsi series- now that would be a jump!

That is the normal path...what's not typical though is going from a HTIB to the RTi's 2 months after getting the HTIB. Not that it's a bad thing or anything though.:D

I wouldn't say the RTi's are really their entry level series. That's more what the newer Monitor series or the TSI series is.

manman

oh, i got you. That is pretty quick, haha. But after starting off on my own, I finally understand how powerful that "audio/upgrade bug" can be. When I got my Onkyo 806, that was supposed to be my 'big purchase' and that was it. But then I needed a center channel...and maybe a better sub..and... then the leash was off, haha. In the course of about a week I was upgraded to almost the full rti line. Then this morning I found a good deal on an csi a6 and decided to replace the csi3 I just bought. My wife has been surprisingly understanding about it- but if I keep going I might start pushing my luck:p

comfortablycurt

manman wrote: »

oh, i got you. That is pretty quick, haha. But after starting off on my own, I finally understand how powerful that "audio/upgrade bug" can be. When I got my Onkyo 806, that was supposed to be my 'big purchase' and that was it. But then I needed a center channel...and maybe a better sub..and... then the leash was off, haha. In the course of about a week I was upgraded to almost the full rti line. Then this morning I found a good deal on an csi a6 and decided to replace the csi3 I just bought. My wife has been surprisingly understanding about it- but if I keep going I might start pushing my luck:p

I've been kinda going through the same thing lately. I was originally just gonna get my Onkyo 606 and use it with the speakers I have now...but then I started using it, and I'm thinking "these speakers need to get upgraded". So I decided I wanted to get some of the new Monitor series speakers...luckily I didn't though, because I decided that wasn't good enough, so now I'm getting the RTi's. I have a feeling I'm gonna end up spending a lot of money on this hobby...:eek:

Luckily...I don't have a wife to tell me I'm spending to much money...just a girlfriend that THINKS I'm spending to much money. Which she is entirely wrong about.

Retro152

Guys, thanks for the reply. I had a cheap dvd/surround for 4 years that quit on me. I went on line to research a new system, and just got hooked! Im driving my wife crazy. Its been fun and pricey, and oh yeah, taxing on the marriage. Thanks for making me welcome, hope i can ask your advice again. I will probably have more questions when the A-7s arrive. Hope they will fit in the doghouse,LOL.