RTi A5 vs Ascend 340SE vs Aperion 4T vs PSB T45 vs Axiom M22v2?

Menasor

Just wanted to start to thread to discuss these speakers. I've heard from things about the 340SE, 4T, T45, and the M22v2's respectively. They're also all around the same price (since the A5's are retail speakers, I'm using the $500 shipped Polk Direct price as a reference).


RTi A5 - ~$500 shipped
Ascend 340SE - $598 shipped, ~$500 shipped b-stock
Aperion 4T - $650 shipped
PSB T45 - $500-600 in black?
Axiom M22v2 - $470 shipped


How would you guys rate these speakers? Which would you take and why?

renowilliams

I don't know about the other speakers but I have RTIA5's as my fronts. You don't mention whether you mostly do H/T or 2 channel but I can tell you that the A5's are great H/T speakers and also sound good for 2 channel. I would not say that 2 channel is their forte though. It all depends what your priorities in listening is.

Menasor

renowilliams wrote: »

I don't know about the other speakers but I have RTIA5's as my fronts. You don't mention whether you mostly do H/T or 2 channel but I can tell you that the A5's are great H/T speakers and also sound good for 2 channel. I would not say that 2 channel is their forte though. It all depends what your priorities in listening is.

I do love my A5's and I'm about 70%HT/20%Games/10%Music. Just curious as to what people who have been accustomed to Polk sound have to say about the others.

Ron Temple

I've heard a full blown Ascend setup a couple of times, 340SEs across the front and 170SEs for surrounds. There's no glaring weakness in them...neutral, detailed, image well, good looking in a basic black sort of way. They don't dig quite as deep as the A5s, they're an MTM on a stand that makes them look like a floorstander. I prefer the Polk sound a little better, but that's me...many wouldn't. They just didn't grab me...just a nice sounding speaker. Haven't heard the Aperion or Axioms.

Ender

Personally, I really love the Ascend's clean sound. As Ron mentions, it's not grabbing, but they just function really well and seem to keep from coloring the sound which I really like in my speakers.

Todd Lee

I recently bought RTiA5's. When I was shopping, I was looking at 340se's, and M22's. I was able to listen to A5's locally, which made me feel much more secure in my purchase. 340se's have a great reputation, but I would have constantly worried about my kids knocking them off the stands, which goes for any bookshelf speakers.

A family member has RTi8's, which I really liked, but felt that they were a tad too bright. The RTiA5's seem to go a little deeper, and since purchasing them and pairing them up with a good sub, I've found that I listen to music so much more now than I used to.

I auditioned some PSB B25's, and T55's locally. I actually liked them quite a bit more than I thought I would. The B25's sounded fantastic, much better than I thought a bookshelf would sound. Up until then, I hadn't even considered owning bookshelves. The T55's were nice too, but I wasn't too big on the looks of the PSB's.

Basically, I played it safe and went with the Polks...


Oh, is the price you listed for the A5's in your original post for a pair? If so, I'm going to be pissed. I payed $630 for my pair, shipped.

Menasor

Todd Lee wrote: »

I recently bought RTiA5's. When I was shopping, I was looking at 340se's, and M22's. I was able to listen to A5's locally, which made me feel much more secure in my purchase. 340se's have a great reputation, but I would have constantly worried about my kids knocking them off the stands, which goes for any bookshelf speakers.

A family member has RTi8's, which I really liked, but felt that they were a tad too bright. The RTiA5's seem to go a little deeper, and since purchasing them and pairing them up with a good sub, I've found that I listen to music so much more now than I used to.

I auditioned some PSB B25's, and T55's locally. I actually liked them quite a bit more than I thought I would. The B25's sounded fantastic, much better than I thought a bookshelf would sound. Up until then, I hadn't even considered owning bookshelves. The T55's were nice too, but I wasn't too big on the looks of the PSB's.

Basically, I played it safe and went with the Polks...


Oh, is the price you listed for the A5's in your original post for a pair? If so, I'm going to be pissed. I payed $630 for my pair, shipped.

Yeah it's Polk Direct refurbished price. They sell for $379.99 a pair and after tax and shipping comes to about $490

Menasor

Thanks for the replies about the Ascends. Pretty much reaffirms what I've heard about them. No glaring weaknesses, but not much personality. I would definitely be interesting to hear them side by side though. I would have to say that the A5's win hands down based on looks.

markmarc

The Aperion 4T's with a sub are really fine performers. Easy to to setup, much smoother treble than the RTiA's. 30 day trial (that can be extended if you call) and free shipping both ways.

The Ascend 340's when setup just right can do some pretty impressive things.