RTi A5 or RTi A7 and do I need an amp?

Alkaar

I can't decide being a n00b at this and all. This is the setup I'm thinking of

Fronts: RTi A7
Center: CSi A4
Surround: RTi A1
Subwoofer: eD A2-300
AVR: Onkyo 706

Question is do I need to have a power amp with this setup? I like the sound of the RTi A7 but an amp is a bit more than I wanted. Probably be the XPA-3 but that's $500 more than I'd wanna spend. I like the bass of the RTi A7 but some say i could get the RTi A5 and the sub could handle that. Also if the RTi A5 would sound better since it's less power hungry if I don't want the amp would that be a better option? Being a n00b and all maybe a power amp is a bit much for a first time surround sound system and I don't know if I'll be able to tell the difference if I got one. Any advice would be a great help! Almost ready to pull the trigger but just can't decide. Thanks!

Kex

Alkaar wrote: »

I can't decide being a n00b at this and all. This is the setup I'm thinking of

Fronts: RTi A7
Center: CSi A4
Surround: RTi A1
Subwoofer: eD A2-300
AVR: Onkyo 706

Question is do I need to have a power amp with this setup? I like the sound of the RTi A7 but an amp is a bit more than I wanted. Probably be the XPA-3 but that's $500 more than I'd wanna spend. I like the bass of the RTi A7 but some say i could get the RTi A5 and the sub could handle that. Also if the RTi A5 would sound better since it's less power hungry if I don't want the amp would that be a better option? Being a n00b and all maybe a power amp is a bit much for a first time surround sound system and I don't know if I'll be able to tell the difference if I got one. Any advice would be a great help! Almost ready to pull the trigger but just can't decide. Thanks!

Welcome Alkaar. Everything you suggested makes perfect sense, so you have done some homework!

I do think an amplifier will be a bigger advantage with the RTi A7 than with the RTi A5. Neither should sound bad, per se, without an amplifier, but the A7 may not be much of an improvement, if at all, when compared to the A5 and driven solely by that receiver. It really depends if you want to buy an amplifier in the future, and how long you will have to wait before you can do so.

One other thing: if you get the A5, you could invest the difference in price an a CSi A6 center instead: highly recommended by most users here, especially with largish speakers such as those.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/specs.php#center

TouchOfEvil

Never heard the A7's so i can't say much about em.
The A5's can be driven without an amp fairly easy. What you will notice if you run a amp is a large jump in the bass department and the highs may lay back a bit. For me this is what happened anyway.
Also the A5's will make some decent bass but again i'm running a amp so they do so a little better.
What i have read alot is that the A5's are better in the midrange department because of the two midrange drivers vs the single on the 7's. Just something to think about.
I run my A5's with a sub and honestly it's more than enough bass. IMO.

Alkaar

Jeez you guys respond fast! Much faster than the Polk thread over at avsforum. Yea I had read a lot of recommendations for the CSi A6 over the CSi A4 but when I went over to J&R to listen to them it was a bit hard to tell the difference. Though they were running the fronts as well so it was hard to tell the difference though I haven't received any bad advice yet!

So is there really an advantage to having your fronts with more bass if your subwoofer is adequate enough? I know there was a thread here about that. If that's true I might rather go with the A5's to have better mids and let my subwoofer pick up the lows that the A5's can't reach.

I suppose I could up my receiver a little bit but that wouldn't get as much juice as the XPA-3 would. Also this is mostly going to be 10% movies 90% gaming if that helps. Seems like running the speakers, TV, amp, and AVR would be a bit nuts on the utility bill as I do play a decent amount of games on it and I'll probably use it for plain TV watching too since the TV speakers are garbage.

Retro152

I have the A-7's and the A-1's on order. I already have the Csia6, all powered by a Yamaha 663. I heard the 7's before purchase and loved them, but i will be adding an amp, probably 5 channel. Do yourself a favor and get the a6 like Kex suggested if you go for the 5's. Awesome center! Good luck.

danz1906

The RTiA5s with a good sub is a great combo:D

Vankor

I personally have some Rtia7's, and I love them, was still enjoying them without using my sub! Which is a monster, but cylinder subs rock. But I have an a4 center, I got it long before I got the a7's, so is it worth trading up for an a6 center (plus it's so big)? Cash is strapped now so would it make that big of a difference?

Retro152

Vankor, I personally noticed a marked difference in clarity for dialogue and vocals with the a6. I upgraded from the csi3 center in preparation for the arrival of my A-7's. The a6 being the recomended center for the Rtia line. Good highs and lows too.

leroyjr1

The RTi a5's and a good sub and you'll be good to go. Doesn't need a amp to push them but adding a external amp will make them sound a lot better.

trinidesignz

I second that...Leroy hit the nail on the head. I love the a5's even my wife pulled out all the old movies and watched them over the weekend and she was loving it. Nice mid range, but I would surely say get a good sub. I tried it with out a sub and those a5's where weak in the low bass bad.

dfranks

TouchOfEvil wrote: »

Never heard the A7's so i can't say much about em.
The A5's can be driven without an amp fairly easy. What you will notice if you run a amp is a large jump in the bass department and the highs may lay back a bit. For me this is what happened anyway.
Also the A5's will make some decent bass but again i'm running a amp so they do so a little better.
What i have read alot is that the A5's are better in the midrange department because of the two midrange drivers vs the single on the 7's. Just something to think about.
I run my A5's with a sub and honestly it's more than enough bass. IMO.

Very well put. My A5's with a sub on just my receiver was nice. I just added an Acurus 2X150 and the improvement in sound is exactly as you have stated above.

TouchOfEvil

If your 90% gaming i don't see any reason to go with the A7's honestly. The 5's with a nice sub to handle the low stuff will be more than enough. Plus you don't spend the extra green on the amp etc. So instead upgrade to a bigger better sub lol j/k.

manman

another +1 for the A5 w/ sub. I like them a lot more than the 7's (actually I'm basing that more on the rti10 to be honest, but the A7 is the newer version of the 10, same drivers slightly different cabinet). Like was said- a5 + sub will give you plenty bass without giving up midrange.

Personally I also like the csi a6 over the csi 3 which again is the older model of the a4. The dialog seemed more 'full' to me with better definition over a wider range. I don't know if it would have been worth the retail difference in price to me, but I got a great deal on a barely used refurb and it was more than worth it to me.

javygonx

I have A7s and Onkyo 706 with RTi4 as surrounds. You dont really need more power for those speakers. You can take "Kex" Opinion, or keep the A7s. It sounds great. By the way seems you dont want 7.1 ch so far. Set the system Bi-Amp. I tried with my Onkyo 706 and A7s and the voices are more clear, bass sounds great too.

BTW I have a Marantz SR6003 now, And Im testing both systems. I will post tests later. But to be honest if you get Onkyo 706 for $575 or less, and the Marantz for $995 take the Onkyo 706. its not much difference.

Alkaar

TouchOfEvil wrote: »

If your 90% gaming i don't see any reason to go with the A7's honestly. The 5's with a nice sub to handle the low stuff will be more than enough. Plus you don't spend the extra green on the amp etc. So instead upgrade to a bigger better sub lol j/k.

That is true most of the lows I'll be hearing are explosions and what not. Maybe some occasional low bass song but that isn't the focal point of my viewing. I was actually looking at the Onkyo 806 and it's only $60 more for an advertise 30 more WPC which I'm thinking about now.

Alkaar

To talk some tech the frequency ranges of the below are...

RTi A5: 30Hz-27kHz
RTi A7: 20Hz-27kHz
eD A2-300 sub: 18Hz-100Hz

It almost seems like if I go with the A7 it would make my sub worthless and as Vankor stated the A7's sound fine without a sub because they can go low enough on their own. Even though the A5's might not have as large of a range as the A7's, the A5's with a sub probably beat out the A7's. Think I'm leaning towards A5's with the sub this way I'll get my decent lows and I'll have an extra mid-range driver. Could always get another A2-300 if I want more bass. Now if only polkdirect would stock up on some more A5's.

Dune

I'm anxiously awaiting my a5's(friday). I got mine for 282 each(black) from amazon. I thought that was a great deal. Can't wait to get them going. Good luck with yours.

leroyjr1

Alkaar wrote: »

To talk some tech the frequency ranges of the below are...

RTi A5: 30Hz-27kHz
RTi A7: 20Hz-27kHz
eD A2-300 sub: 18Hz-100Hz

It almost seems like if I go with the A7 it would make my sub worthless and as Vankor stated the A7's sound fine without a sub because they can go low enough on their own. Even though the A5's might not have as large of a range as the A7's, the A5's with a sub probably beat out the A7's. Think I'm leaning towards A5's with the sub this way I'll get my decent lows and I'll have an extra mid-range driver. Could always get another A2-300 if I want more bass. Now if only polkdirect would stock up on some more A5's.

I wouldn't go off them specs. The RTI'a7 's will not hit 20 hz. For movies you'll need a sub regardless of withever speaker you pick.

leroyjr1

Dune wrote: »

I'm anxiously awaiting my a5's(friday). I got mine for 282 each(black) from amazon. I thought that was a great deal. Can't wait to get them going. Good luck with yours.

Great deal. Let us know how you like them. The hardest part is waiting.

javygonx

its true what leroyjr1 says.. Even with your A7s you will need a sub for movies. For music is nice, but anyways, a sub in music will help alot too..

Alkaar

Did some more research and more on the A5 side. Does seem like if it's mostly movies/games I can let my sub handle that and let the front handle the mids and highs which is what they're suppose to do. Seems like A7 would be more for music since you can just listen to music at 2.0. Also I read that most suggest I should cross at 80 hz which would mostly defeat the purpose of having the A7's. I'll let everyone know which one I do end up going with. Still got some time before I can officially pull the trigger.

dkwrrt

HEY HERE'S MY TWO CENTS, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED GOING WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF RECEIVER. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS AND THERE IS A BUNCH OF DIFFERENCE IN BRANDS. RIGHT NOW I THINK THE MARANTZ 5003 ON EBAY NEW IN THE BOX IS A BETTER RECEIVER THAN THE ONKYO AND I OWN A 705. FROM ALL REPORTS MARANTZ IS AWSOME AND IF YOU HEAR IT OMG. AND THE SPEAKERS ARE RIGHT ON WITH THE RTi'S. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

dkwrrt

Oh by the way, the 5003 new in the box is 799. No tax and free 2nd day air.

leroyjr1

javygonx wrote: »

its true what leroyjr1 says.. Even with your A7s you will need a sub for movies. For music is nice, but anyways, a sub in music will help alot too..

Yes it's true.

Alkaar

Figured I'd post an update. Finally decided on the following.

Fronts: RTi A5
Center: CSi A6
Surround: RTi A3
Subwoofer: eD A3-300
AVR: Denon AVR-2809CI

I went to J&R for one last listen and yea the midrange on the A5 is better but you really gotta pay attention and the bass ain't so bad honestly so decided to go the A5. Upped the surrounds and center and subwoofer. Also didn't like how the Onkyo 706 and 806 were having blue dot issues and the Onkyo 876 was butt expensive. Found the Denon AVR-2809CI for $861 shipped with some PMing. Now's the waiting game for the speakers to show up on polkdirect! Man pushing my budget but rather buy something I like than to have buyer's remorse!

comfortablycurt

javygonx wrote: »

I have A7s and Onkyo 706 with RTi4 as surrounds. You dont really need more power for those speakers. You can take "Kex" Opinion, or keep the A7s. It sounds great. By the way seems you dont want 7.1 ch so far. Set the system Bi-Amp. I tried with my Onkyo 706 and A7s and the voices are more clear, bass sounds great too.

BTW I have a Marantz SR6003 now, And Im testing both systems. I will post tests later. But to be honest if you get Onkyo 706 for $575 or less, and the Marantz for $995 take the Onkyo 706. its not much difference.

Wow...I think you're the first person I've ever seen report an improvement through bi-amping with an AVR. Most people have reported that it wasn't worth the cost of the extra speaker wire...lol

External amplification is good for any speaker though. Most AVR's don't really have an efficient enough power section to really drive most speakers. They can do a good job with it most of the time, but speakers will always benefit from better cleaner power. Sure the A7's, don't "need" more power, but they will benefit very very much from it. External amps will help open up any speaker though. It's not necessarily about having more power...it's about having better power.