Polk vs. B&W -RTiA9 vs. B&W 683

Sami

Dan, just out of curiosity, did you ever give the LSi15's a try? I haven't listened to the 683's or A9's a lot but with what I have, IMHO 15 > 683 > 9. Personal preference might sway the opinion either way on these speakers but I think the 15's and 683's are a better comparison.

Bring on the B&W 801's and I might put them ahead...

Sami

danlarson wrote: »

I just bought the best Polk speaker I could for under $1500 from Amazon.

Dan, actually you didn't. You asked the forum which ones to get A9's or LSi15's. Everyone except one said get the LSi's, which are $1500 on Amazon. It might be an older line but it's still the best speaker lineup Polk has to offer. I really don't know why you opted for the A9's, but hey it was your call. Based on the time between your first post and the post where you told you got the A9s you really didn't have time to audition both the A9's and LSi15's.

Granted, the LSi's sound their best when driven hard at loud volumes, but they do sound very good at low volumes as well. If you are very happy with the B&W's, excellent. If you're still wondering (for some reason you seem to be on that quest ), give the 15's a try next to the B&W's. You might change your mind again, or not.

cfrizz

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!

tonyb

Jeez Cathy......let the guy keep his kneecaps a few more days.:)

rayslifecycle

Dan - you really need to check out Bose - haha

just kidding -

i have always thought that the B&Ws sounded a little bright

- and that is the beauty of audio - each of our ears are different - synergy between components and components - components and speakers - speakers and the room

- and all that mixing with your ears which are a little bit different then anyone elses - there is no right answer -

so sit down, relax, and enjoy;
your kneecaps will heal in a few days

Face

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

danlarson

Cfrizz- you are right, I am kinda new at this, I just had a fund for audio and this is what happened. But sheesh, don't take it so freaking personal!

And for the record, I didn't get a chance to hear the LSI as you said:(

It's a shame local stores only carry low end Polk. And high end stores don't carry Polk at all around here.

dave shepard

danlarson wrote: »

Cfrizz-

It's a shame local stores only carry low end Polk. And high end stores don't carry Polk at all around here.

Which makes me think of all the hype about CC and such loosing the polk line. There are just too few places that a person can audition anything (mid-fi especially). In the end I feel that the closing of these stores will hurt not just the employees but the Manuf. that would like to display their products. If a Co. like Polk or others wish to sell their products I think they should help with the set-up to show off what they offer.
Either way both brands (Polk, B&W) both are very good products that offer something different.

Dave

Peter Fleming

You are of course 100% correct! That is why if you prefer 2 channel (2.0) music then IMO do not buy the RTi10's. HT does not challenge the capabilities of a speaker in the same capacity as music will expose its shortcomings . If you find a speaker that floats your boat with music, then generally speaking HT should be a breeze. In HT the RTi10 is a capable speaker.

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

Mr. Fleming.

The RTi10 is designed for a Home Theater application and performs very well in that application.

danlarson

Btw, IMHO the Polk dsw500 ($400) blew away the $1000 velodyne sub, a d I also like the fxia4 surrounds, even for music.

fossy

Hey Dan, Congrats on all the new stuff ya have. Your startin off with some good audio.

Do not underestimate break-in time for your audio. Speakers, amps etc etc all sound better with time.

Those poor a9's didn't even have time for one diaper change & you sent um packing.:D:D

danlarson

Merry Christmas, y'all... I got a new audio rig:)

Sherardp

danlarson wrote: »

Merry Christmas, y'all... I got a new audio rig:)

Merry Christmas, now lets see those pics.

dave7310

7hr's and counting on the new 683 break in...the sound is getting better and better !

The ASW610 Sub will be in next week !

sucks2beme

The problem in a nutshell. LSI=where do I hear them at? Where do
they have a good room with decent amplification behind them?
B&W is on display in Dallas/Ft. Worth area at many stores with
many great amp options. A couple of LSI products are at Fry's
in one of those classic "row of speakes" at odd heights with HT
receivers. You couldn't tell good speakers from utter crap in that
sound room. I fear that Polk may follow Infinity and others into
that cheap retail model, and the better product lines will go
poof. I wait to see the direction they take now that the big guy retired.
2009 will be a critical year for Polk.

dave7310

sucks2beme wrote: »

The problem in a nutshell. LSI=where do I hear them at? Where do
they have a good room with decent amplification behind them?
B&W is on display in Dallas/Ft. Worth area at many stores with
many great amp options. A couple of LSI products are at Fry's
in one of those classic "row of speakes" at odd heights with HT
receivers. You couldn't tell good speakers from utter crap in that
sound room. I fear that Polk may follow Infinity and others into
that cheap retail model, and the better product lines will go
poof. I wait to see the direction they take now that the big guy retired.
2009 will be a critical year for Polk.

I hear ya, I might have liked the Polks better if i could have heard a pair??

The only Polks I could listen to were the lower end models at the chain stores powered by 10-40w crap amps. It was a joke.

Peter Fleming

I've had my 683's for 3 days and they're getting better by the hour, just ask the neighbours! No listening fatigue hear folks, warm, smooth and effortless. Did somebody mention these were bright? I must have misunderstood!

dave7310 wrote: »

7hr's and counting on the new 683 break in...the sound is getting better and better !

The ASW610 Sub will be in next week !

Peter Fleming

I agree about 2009 being a critical year for Polk Audio. If you mention Polk to hi-fi dealers in Perth they pretty much screw their nose up. I am aware of competitive rivalry, but IMO if a product is very good, other retailers will generally acknowledge it irrepective of who manufactures or sells it.

sucks2beme wrote: »

The problem in a nutshell. LSI=where do I hear them at? Where do
they have a good room with decent amplification behind them?
B&W is on display in Dallas/Ft. Worth area at many stores with
many great amp options. A couple of LSI products are at Fry's
in one of those classic "row of speakes" at odd heights with HT
receivers. You couldn't tell good speakers from utter crap in that
sound room. I fear that Polk may follow Infinity and others into
that cheap retail model, and the better product lines will go
poof. I wait to see the direction they take now that the big guy retired.
2009 will be a critical year for Polk.

dave7310

Peter Fleming wrote: »

I've had my 683's for 3 days and they're getting better by the hour, just ask the neighbours! No listening fatigue hear folks, warm, smooth and effortless. Did somebody mention these were bright? I must have misunderstood!

2 days now and about 18-20 hours...

I just put in Sarah McLachlan 'Surfacing' at low volume, bass only at 1/4.

OMFG !
These things are amazing !!

danlarson

Dave, what amp are you using?

I am using a Harmon Kardon 384 -- they sound great using the receiver's amp-- but then with the Emotiva XPA-5 driving them from the HK pre-amp outs, they REALLY sing.

How about surrounds? I am using the Polk FXiA5-- but the B&W center of course.

mantis

sucks2beme wrote: »

The problem in a nutshell. LSI=where do I hear them at? Where do
they have a good room with decent amplification behind them?
B&W is on display in Dallas/Ft. Worth area at many stores with
many great amp options. A couple of LSI products are at Fry's
in one of those classic "row of speakes" at odd heights with HT
receivers. You couldn't tell good speakers from utter crap in that
sound room. I fear that Polk may follow Infinity and others into
that cheap retail model, and the better product lines will go
poof. I wait to see the direction they take now that the big guy retired.
2009 will be a critical year for Polk.

When we (Tweeter) got polk back, I figured it's on. We can sell Lsi and B&K allday long. Then we get rid of B&K and don't bring in anything to show off our high end speakers like the Lsi's. So gues what??? We didn't sell a lot of them due to the fact they where not properly showed. The rti series where kicking there butts as well as other 8 ohm load speakes in our showrooms.

It's a shame that Polk does not have dealers that can show off there speakers correctly. When you go to a B&W dealer, you most likely always have Rotel around to show off there speakers with at least. B&W is a fantastic speaker company and rightfully so.

Good luck with your new speakers. Very fine choice. You also can stay as long as you like. Most of us are very friendly.

Dan

curved

Keiko wrote: »

Well, I've been impressed and completely satisfied with my RTi's since day one. If I ever decide to move up, it'll be to the LSi's. Once a Polkie, always a Polkie. That's all.

Got that right I'm thinking about moving to the A9's this year:eek:

danlarson

ABSOLUTELY get an amp for those A9s, then!!! I do recommend the Emotiva XPA-5.

shack

Entry to mid level B&W speakers (like the 683) are some of the most fatiquing speakers I have ever listened to. I will never own a pair because quite frankly they make my ears hurt. They are sterile and detailed to a fault. Over the years I have listened to many different B&W speakers in a variety of locations including homes and well set up retailer demo rooms. Once you get up to the 800 series, then they are tolerable for me and sound very nice with the right amplification. But I am not a fan of the aluminum tweeter and it's brightness, especially in the 600, CM and even the 700 series.

CaligulaPolk

Dan Larson,


I would like to see a picture of your setup, this thread got me curious and want to see your pics.. COuld you please provide that for us? Thanks!! You have smiliar setup i want to set up.

leroyjr1

mantis wrote: »

When we (Tweeter) got polk back, I figured it's on. We can sell Lsi and B&K allday long. Then we get rid of B&K and don't bring in anything to show off our high end speakers like the Lsi's. So gues what??? We didn't sell a lot of them due to the fact they where not properly showed. The rti series where kicking there butts as well as other 8 ohm load speakes in our showrooms.

It's a shame that Polk does not have dealers that can show off there speakers correctly. When you go to a B&W dealer, you most likely always have Rotel around to show off there speakers with at least. B&W is a fantastic speaker company and rightfully so.

Good luck with your new speakers. Very fine choice. You also can stay as long as you like. Most of us are very friendly.

Dan

Our local retailer ( americantv) had the lsi series all running off AVR's. Needless to say they didn't sale many and now only deal with the RTI series all running off avr's.

RutgersFTW

Electronics-Expo in East Brunswick has the LSi setup coming off a mid-range Denon (I think 29XX or something close). They sound good but not great, and the RTi As powered by a humble Sony STR-DG720 in the next room do sound more involving and exciting, so something is probably not right in their audio cosmos.

I guess it's a common problem. But isn't Polk moving away from/upgrading the current LSi line soon? Maybe they'll make them more efficient somehow.

Erik Tracy

RutgersFTW wrote: »

Electronics-Expo in East Brunswick has the LSi setup coming off a mid-range Denon (I think 29XX or something close). They sound good but not great, and the RTi As powered by a humble Sony STR-DG720 in the next room do sound more involving and exciting, so something is probably not right in their audio cosmos.

I guess it's a common problem. But isn't Polk moving away from/upgrading the current LSi line soon? Maybe they'll make them more efficient somehow.

Yeah...we need some juicy gossip on the Polk "skunk works" projects!

Just what are those mad sonic scientists up to???

Erik

jwhitakr

We've already heard from more than one source that there won't be any "move away from/upgrade to the current LSi series" in 2009.

You'll have to take another guess as to what the mad sonic scientists are up to these days.

Face

What's wrong with the LSi's efficiency?