Replace Rtia5's with Rtia9's ?

bklynNupe

I'm wondering how much of a difference and sound will I achieve if I replace my a5's with a9's? I use my system for HT and music, with music being the stronger priority.
I would also think that I would need to add an additional emotiva xpa-2 to be bridged?
Has anyone on the forum owned ( or listened to) both in a similar set up for comparison?
I'm just wondering if the a9's would give me significantly stronger two channel performance?
Thanks



Onkyo 806
emotiva xpa-2 to fronts ( Rtia5’s).
emotiva xpa-3 for center ( csia6) and surrounds ( fxi3’s)
SVS PB-12-NSD sub
Pro-Ject III Xpressions
Belles Soloist 3 preamp
Bellari VP129
Pro-Ject USB
Music Hall DAC 25.2
Mac Mini

Samsung LN46A650

Toolfan66

I'm just wondering if the a9's would give me significantly stronger two channel performance?


Yes!! Go for the A9's. if you used your A5's more for HT i would say stay with the A5's, since you say more for music I say get the A9's. The lower end is killer and i am also using the XPA-3

Larry.

nooshinjohn

Have you considered going vintage Polk for the two channel?

bklynNupe

Thanks for the quick response, any clue where I can get my hands on some used ones???
Full price is a bit steep for my champagne tastes.
I know Polk used to offer the refurbs on ebay but I have not seem them in a very long time! Also, I guess will need that extra amp to make them work their magic?

Thanks,
Brad

bklynNupe

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Have you considered going vintage Polk for the two channel?

Sure, I have read great things about certain SDA models, but what are my chances of getting my grubby little hands on some with what seems to be big demand?

nooshinjohn

excellent actually. They are always out there on CL/Ebay, and may even save you some coin. For the money you will spend on the 9's you can get sda-srs and even have some cash left.

Toolfan66

bklynNupe wrote: »

Sure, I have read great things about certain SDA models, but what are my chances of getting my grubby little hands on some with what seems to be big demand?

Craigs List for SDA's just keep looking. As for refurb A9's call Polk at least once a week. Not all refurbs make it to ebay.

nooshinjohn

yes.. refurb is the way to go for the 9's, but you could STILL get a set of srs for the cost of the refurbs. Don't get me wrong as I love the 9's and the way they sound, but they are no match for the shear presence and soundstage the SDA's deliver. For my money, that is the way I would go.

leroyjr1

I had the A5's and A9's. For a mix of music and HT I liked the A9's because I could use just them without a sub with great results. I actually sold my A9's because i went with a seperate 2 channel/music setup in a different room. With a really good sub you can get by with the A5's.

bklynNupe

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

Craigs List for SDA's just keep looking. As for refurb A9's call Polk at least once a week. Not all refurbs make it to ebay.

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep my eyes peeled.

nooshinjohn

here are a few to get your feet wet. the audiogon set appears to be quite nice for the money and he will ship them. The pair on Ebay would be very nice as well, but you would need to go get them.
The pair on CL appear to be close to you but are a much older design than the others and I know nothing about them..


http://cnj.craigslist.org/ele/1194905433.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-SRS-Signature-Reference-Speakers-SDA-II-See_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1234Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem27a8cabc45QQitemZ170335583301QQptZVintageQ5fElectronicsQ5fR2QQsalenotsupported

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1248973333&/Polk-SDA-2-speakers

bklynNupe

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I had the A5's and A9's. For a mix of music and HT I liked the A9's because I could use just them without a sub with great results. I actually sold my A9's because i went with a seperate 2 channel/music setup in a different room. With a really good sub you can get by with the A5's.

I currently have a SVS PB-12-NSD sub with my a5's. I'm just thinking I might be able to kick a little more **** with the a9's.

leroyjr1

bklynNupe wrote: »

I currently have a SVS PB-12-NSD sub with my a5's. I'm just thinking I might be able to kick a little more **** with the a9's.

With a amp the A9's are the bomb!!!

leroyjr1

No need for another XPA 2. The one is more than enough for the A9's. You'll just be wasting your money.

Toolfan66

Something to think about with the SDA's.

1. Is it what you want in your HT?
2. Depending on what SDA's come available, do you have the room for them?

If you find some SDA's do your homework on them. What condition are they in, if they need a little work what is involved, how much are you willing to put into them if so, and the size of the ones you found to fit where you need them.

I have the A9's and i will not be putting SDA's in there place. I have a set of SDA2's in the bedroom and they sound fantastic. I also have a set of SDA SRS 1.2's that will be a 2 channel set up only for Music in the livingroom.

IMO i say if you can get your hands on the A9's get them, and if you can find some SDA's for a great price to play with do that as well. Of course all this if it's in your budget.

Good Luck with what you find and what you go with,

Larry.

cnh

I don't own Rtis but I've auditioned them numerous times and have voiced my opinion here often. I'm with Tool....The Rti-A9s = the most 'musical' of that series. The tweeter is more contained by the crossover and Dapolito array. The array handles more of the range above 1.8khz, that along with the crossovers mellow this RTIs tweeter out. I should point out that I'm not a fan of the HT tweeter in this series. But I like the A9s.

So yes....go for them. Take a listen and see if you agree or disagree?

cnh

bklynNupe

I might be in for a bar fight up in here, but some of the SDA’s are not sexy.;)

HOWEVER, I have seen a lot of folks refurb their own and they do look amazing! The problem is I just can't hear them!
I have one multipurpose setup in my living room for music and HT. I will eventually look for some SDA’s before they are all history. I’m sure if I ever heard a pair I would jump on them right away. It just really looks like a DIY project that I’m sure I can get into, but I just don’t have the space yet in my large ( for NYC standards) apartment.

If absolutely necessary, I bite the bullet and get the a9’s at full price.

Tell me something, what if I went for the Lsi25’s from Polk on ebay, I guess I would have to swap out my center channel. I don’t know if that applies to my rears as well? I’m just wondering would this also be a big leap upwards?
Forgive me if I’m not comparing apples to apples! This is just a thought. I’m just trying to figure the best bang for my bucks.

Toolfan66

bklynNupe wrote: »

If absolutely necessary, I bite the bullet and get the a9’s at full price.

Tell me something, what if I went for the Lsi25’s from Polk on ebay, I guess I would have to swap out my center channel. I don’t know if that applies to my rears as well? I’m just wondering would this also be a big leap upwards?
Forgive me if I’m not comparing apples to apples! This is just a thought. I’m just trying to figure the best bang for my bucks.

I myself would not mix the LSI' series with the RTI' series.

bklynNupe

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

I myself would not mix the LSI' series with the RTI' series.

no, I guess I wasn't clear.
I didn't suggest mixing the series, but rather thinking of any possible gains in price (ebay) and performance by switching out fronts, center and surrounds for the lsi series.

Thanks,
Brad