Rti/Fxi vs Rtia/Fxia , any sound differance ???

stereo55
stereo55 Posts: 418
edited February 2009 in Speakers
Curious , how much of a sound differance/improvement is there between the RTi/FXi vs the newer RTia/FXia .

Reason I ask , is that I just purchased a pair of new FXi3's from Newegg to replace my RTi4's as rears (eh , forgot about Polk Direct :p ) . The FXi3's are still brand new unopened , but was wondering if I should sell the FXi3's and grab some FXia4's off of Polk Direct instead .
Iam also thinking of replacing my CSi3 with a CSia4 , as I already a have bid going on one at Polk Direct . (I too will eventually replace my T90e's with some RTia5/a7 later down the road , $$ permitting ) .

Iam not sure if its even worth the hassle atm to sell the FXi3's from Newegg , as I only paid $150/pair ; unless there is a major sonic/sound improvement (clearity/soundstage , etc) with the newer Rtia/FXia series ; and/or too keep things more timbre matched with my future upgrades in mind .

Any comments are much appreciated , TIA ...
SDA-2B's ~ Pair SDA-CRS's ~ ,*** Main listening: Maggies MG1 ~ Polk SDA 2B's ~ Monitor 10's , 3-pairs (2 pairs moded into SDA's w/SDA-2B/CRS cross-overs) , * DCM TF600's * Mission M71/M72 *** Main brdrm FRT: RTiA-5's /Presence RTi-4 / LSI-704 Cntr / Rear FXI3's ~~~ Assorted Main listening rm : , 2- Heathkit W-5M /tube mono blocks (Parasound P/HP-850)* * 2- Altec Lansing 1590b's/mono blocks (Yamaha C-45) * CM Labs 35D * Dynaco ST-70 ~ Occasionally ~* Yamaha CR-820/A-760 ,* Sansui AU-317/AU-217 * Carver 900 rec *2-Dynaco ST 120* 1 Hafler DH-220* Marantz 1040 ... more
Post edited by stereo55 on

Comments

  • kneedragger37
    kneedragger37 Posts: 108
    edited February 2009
    I asked the same question when I was looking at RTi A3's/CSi A6 vs. RTi6's/CSi5. The RTiA's looked AWESOME, but the RTi's didn't look bad and were about half the price. Everyone said go ahead and get the RTi's -- the RTiA's sound improvement would be negligible, especially compared the the $400+ I would save by going with the RTi's.

    Of course, then I called Polk Direct and they got me the RTiA's (refurb) for the same price that the RTi's would have cost.... best of both worlds....
  • stereo55
    stereo55 Posts: 418
    edited February 2009
    RTi's -- the RTiA's sound improvement would be negligible

    Ok, thats what I needed to know . ;)
    SDA-2B's ~ Pair SDA-CRS's ~ ,*** Main listening: Maggies MG1 ~ Polk SDA 2B's ~ Monitor 10's , 3-pairs (2 pairs moded into SDA's w/SDA-2B/CRS cross-overs) , * DCM TF600's * Mission M71/M72 *** Main brdrm FRT: RTiA-5's /Presence RTi-4 / LSI-704 Cntr / Rear FXI3's ~~~ Assorted Main listening rm : , 2- Heathkit W-5M /tube mono blocks (Parasound P/HP-850)* * 2- Altec Lansing 1590b's/mono blocks (Yamaha C-45) * CM Labs 35D * Dynaco ST-70 ~ Occasionally ~* Yamaha CR-820/A-760 ,* Sansui AU-317/AU-217 * Carver 900 rec *2-Dynaco ST 120* 1 Hafler DH-220* Marantz 1040 ... more
  • stereo55
    stereo55 Posts: 418
    edited February 2009
    Ok , hooked up the FXi3's ..... HAPY HAPPY HAPPY , they aren't going anywhere ! :D
    SDA-2B's ~ Pair SDA-CRS's ~ ,*** Main listening: Maggies MG1 ~ Polk SDA 2B's ~ Monitor 10's , 3-pairs (2 pairs moded into SDA's w/SDA-2B/CRS cross-overs) , * DCM TF600's * Mission M71/M72 *** Main brdrm FRT: RTiA-5's /Presence RTi-4 / LSI-704 Cntr / Rear FXI3's ~~~ Assorted Main listening rm : , 2- Heathkit W-5M /tube mono blocks (Parasound P/HP-850)* * 2- Altec Lansing 1590b's/mono blocks (Yamaha C-45) * CM Labs 35D * Dynaco ST-70 ~ Occasionally ~* Yamaha CR-820/A-760 ,* Sansui AU-317/AU-217 * Carver 900 rec *2-Dynaco ST 120* 1 Hafler DH-220* Marantz 1040 ... more
  • dbaldus
    dbaldus Posts: 730
    edited February 2009
    stereo55 wrote: »
    Ok , hooked up the FXi3's ..... HAPY HAPPY HAPPY , they aren't going anywhere ! :D

    Could you just comment on the difference between the Rtis and the Fxis for surround sound?

    I've been on the fence as to whether or not to upgrade my R15 rears to Fxi30s or 50s and am interested in what you noticed as a difference.

    2-channel
    Squeezebox Touch| MSB Analog DAC | Audio Research Ref 40 Anniversary Edition| Pass Labs X350.8 | Wilson Audio Sasha 2

    Home Theater
    Arcam AVR 550 | GoldenEar Triton One | GoldenEar SuperCenter XXL | GoldenEar Aon 3 | JL Audio Fathom F113v2
  • stereo55
    stereo55 Posts: 418
    edited February 2009
    dbaldus wrote: »
    Could you just comment on the difference between the Rtis and the Fxis for surround sound?

    I've been on the fence as to whether or not to upgrade my R15 rears to Fxi30s or 50s and am interested in what you noticed as a difference.

    To answer your question in a few words .... more seamless soundstage .

    I was pretty happy with my RTi4's as rears for yrs , but after installing the FXi3's , the soundstage has become seamless . I never really noticed the gap in the rear soundstage before (for movies) ; but it became very apparent once the FXi's were hooked up and running trials (with very minor system setting tweaks) . Do to my placement (side walls/direct across seating/ 6" up) , I set them on di-pole right from the start ; and so far Iam very pleased . Ive yet to try the bi-pole setting . From my short experiance with the FXi's vs RTi's for rears , I must say the Fxi's were/are the defitite (prefered imo) way to go .
    SDA-2B's ~ Pair SDA-CRS's ~ ,*** Main listening: Maggies MG1 ~ Polk SDA 2B's ~ Monitor 10's , 3-pairs (2 pairs moded into SDA's w/SDA-2B/CRS cross-overs) , * DCM TF600's * Mission M71/M72 *** Main brdrm FRT: RTiA-5's /Presence RTi-4 / LSI-704 Cntr / Rear FXI3's ~~~ Assorted Main listening rm : , 2- Heathkit W-5M /tube mono blocks (Parasound P/HP-850)* * 2- Altec Lansing 1590b's/mono blocks (Yamaha C-45) * CM Labs 35D * Dynaco ST-70 ~ Occasionally ~* Yamaha CR-820/A-760 ,* Sansui AU-317/AU-217 * Carver 900 rec *2-Dynaco ST 120* 1 Hafler DH-220* Marantz 1040 ... more
  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited February 2009
    :D I have just ordered a FXi3 with POLK direct eBay store, cant be happy to lay my hands on 25th once it lands, being said thats on Ash wednesday cant miss the church in the evening,
    whoever owns this please give me a feedback on dipole or bipole config which is best set up am using 663 with almost square hall of 15 x 15 ft with open dining area of 10 x 8 attached to hall in the front area not the rear so the rear has only access to my Bed room. And also is there any difference between FXi A4, only difference i found was little cosmetic on the edges and the way the grill covers the A4 fully, 3 has the mid wood piece showing (i liked the look of this) and also weight with 3 weighing a bit close to .5lb more than A4
  • criteriadan
    criteriadan Posts: 25
    edited February 2009
    stereo55 wrote: »
    To answer your question in a few words .... more seamless soundstage .

    I was pretty happy with my RTi4's as rears for yrs , but after installing the FXi3's , the soundstage has become seamless . I never really noticed the gap in the rear soundstage before (for movies) ; but it became very apparent once the FXi's were hooked up and running trials (with very minor system setting tweaks) . Do to my placement (side walls/direct across seating/ 6" up) , I set them on di-pole right from the start ; and so far Iam very pleased . Ive yet to try the bi-pole setting . From my short experiance with the FXi's vs RTi's for rears , I must say the Fxi's were/are the defitite (prefered imo) way to go .ecstatic.gif

    So you they're worth getting? :o