RTi A Series Questions

5against1

I have been lurking for a while and apologize in advance for starting another thread on the merits of models in the RTi A series, but am interested in your advice for my specific listening habits and room configuration.

For front channels, I am considering the RTi A7 and A9. My listening breakdown will probably be 75% music, 25% HT. I have liked the sound of both the RTi A7 and RTi A9 in stores, but listening in a store scenario is always different than having the speakers in your own home. From reading other threads, a lot of you seem to prefer the RTi A9 for music, but that is a lot of coin for the upgrade, so I am interested to know your thoughts and whether the A9s are worth the extra cost.

Currently I have a 5 year old Onkyo 6.1 receiver with 125 watts/channel (the model escapes me at the moment), but will eventually be upgrading, likely to one of a Denon 3308, Denon 4408, onkyo 876, or Onkyo TX-NR06. The system will be in my living room, which is open to the dining room and kitchen, thus lacking a wall to the left of the viewing/listening position. Accordingly, I am planning a 5.1 system and will have the two additional channels available for biwiring the fronts should that make a difference in sound quality of either.

Also, for rears I am considering A3s or FXi 6s. I am thinking that the FXi 6s may offer more home theater flexibility since I will be going 5.1 and the room almost requires me to place my surrounds on the back wall. However, my sense is that the A3s would be more musical if I were to listen to 5 channel audio. Any opinions there?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

ballen823

I'm sure others with more expertise with chime in, but I currently run A7's with A3's for my surrounds and absolutely love them for HT. But, I'm the opposite of you - 75% HT and 25% music.

I went with the A7's due to my room size, and the A9's being overkill for it (though I still look at the Polk eBay site trying to justify that purchase almost daily). With the A9's though, you will need external amplification if you want to get the most out of them.

The problem with the A7's is the lack of midrange punch. I notice it, but it's not as big a deal for me as it doesn't affect my HT viewing. I do miss it when listening to music though, but they are by no means slouches for music.

For the surrounds, I would definitely recommend the A3's if you have the space for them. They sound tremendous for surround purposes - I've never heard the FX's, but can't imagine them sounding as good as the A3's. No matter which mains you buy, I would recommend the A3's for your surrounds if you can fit them in there.

The A7's seem to have somewhat of a bad rep around here though. I love them, and while I would love the A9's, it's also about a $1000 difference in price to truly get what you are paying for (amp and speaker price difference).

Good luck!

jimmydep

ballen823 wrote: »

I'm sure others with more expertise with chime in, but I currently run A7's with A3's for my surrounds and absolutely love them for HT. But, I'm the opposite of you - 75% HT and 25% music.

I went with the A7's due to my room size, and the A9's being overkill for it (though I still look at the Polk eBay site trying to justify that purchase almost daily). With the A9's though, you will need external amplification if you want to get the most out of them.

The problem with the A7's is the lack of midrange punch. I notice it, but it's not as big a deal for me as it doesn't affect my HT viewing. I do miss it when listening to music though, but they are by no means slouches for music.

For the surrounds, I would definitely recommend the A3's if you have the space for them. They sound tremendous for surround purposes - I've never heard the FX's, but can't imagine them sounding as good as the A3's. No matter which mains you buy, I would recommend the A3's for your surrounds if you can fit them in there.

The A7's seem to have somewhat of a bad rep around here though. I love them, and while I would love the A9's, it's also about a $1000 difference in price to truly get what you are paying for (amp and speaker price difference).

Good luck!

Very well put, Balen

I've heard the A-9's and was very impressed with the range of sound. I think they would be an excellent choice for music and an even better choice for HT.
+1 on external amplification.


Jimmy

5against1

Thanks for the advice so far. It sounds as though the A9s are the way to go for fronts.

Does anyone have any experience with the Polk eBay store? I have noticed that they have a few pairs of A9s posted at a significant discount from retail price. However, I noted they are refurbs with the usual refurb disclaimer about potential blemishes/defects/etc. Has anyone ever gotten anything from the eBay store that had a truly objectionable defect?

Norm Apter

I bought a few things from the Polk e-bay store without any defects at all.

But there are several threads (with many tesimonials) dedicated to this issue. Just click on the "search" function and enter "Polk e-bay" or something to that effect as keywords, and many threads should appear.

Retro152

Welcome to the Forum! ballen823 summed it up pretty well IMO. Givin your listening habits, A-9's without question. The A-7 is a dynamite speaker, as i did own them prior to purchasing the A-9's, but do lack for midrange. The A-9 is by far the more musical of the series. You have already expressed your intentions, go for it: AVR upgrade, pre-out capable to accept an external amp, Polk A-9's, (you will benefit greatly adding the amp for these speaks):D Rti-a3, or the Fxi-6, for surrounds, and this will be an awesome setup!:D



Pat.

Ron Temple

This isn't a statment about the lack of midbass/midrange punch in the A7s. I haven't heard that particular speaker, but punch...kickdrums...stomach crunch...weight...lives around 100hz. To bring it out in A7s or A9s, you need serious current. Most, if not all, AVRs just can't deliver it. That's one of the reasons why the power handling spec for these speakers is so high. It gets better with serious amplification (generally).

leroyjr1

Ron Temple wrote: »

This isn't a statment about the lack of midbass/midrange punch in the A7s. I haven't heard that particular speaker, but punch...kickdrums...stomach crunch...weight...lives around 100hz. To bring it out in A7s or A9s, you need serious current. Most, if not all, AVRs just can't deliver it. That's one of the reasons why the power handling spec for these speakers is so high. It gets better with serious amplification (generally).

The midbass on the A7's is great but for me vocally not up to par.

danz1906

Welcome to the Club!
The A9s are a great speaker for Music and Movies!

leroyjr1

I've owned all three A9's, A7's, and A5's. My opinion is for 100% HT I like the A5's the best with a sub. 50/50 mix ( HT/ Music) definately the a9's. My only negative about the A9's is I feel they should've been 6 1/2 mids in a ported design still sealed off from the 3 7" woofers.

Retro152

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I've owned all three A9's, A7's, and A5's. My opinion is for 100% HT I like the A5's the best with a sub. 50/50 mix ( HT/ Music) definately the a9's. My only negative about the A9's is I feel they should've been 6 1/2 mids in a ported design still sealed off from the 3 7" woofers.

Can you imagine? its perfect.:D Polk audio engineers would probably have that badboy at 5' high and 3' deep. LOL. Love the concept though.:D



Pat.

5829bmg

I was running the a7s just off my avr and they sounded pretty good for HT but seemed to miss the middle for music. When I added my amp they became a whole different animal but still missed something in the middle. I chose to pair them with the a9s and another amp and that filled in what was missing for me. Im no expert but power seems to be the real key.At moderate vol say -25 they fill the room with serious authority and I run with the subs off for music because they just dont need it. I got the a9s from Polk Direct they say refurbs but I dont know I looked at EVERY screw and terminal on them and they have never been touched and not a scratch anywhere. Even the boxes had never been opened.

leroyjr1

Retro152 wrote: »

Can you imagine? its perfect.:D Polk audio engineers would probably have that badboy at 5' high and 3' deep. LOL. Love the concept though.:D



Pat.

No, the current box is plenty big.

SivaNevets

which one is more musical? A5 or A7? particularly lower male vocal notes

Fongolio

Until two weeks ago I ran a pair of A7's (recently purchased a pair of SDA-1C's) and as stated above a high current amp is what brings them to life. I was using a a Pioneer Elite with 115 watts and they sounded good but when I put them on a switch for two channel and added the Carver TFM-25 with 225 watts they sounded very authoritative; and with HT I needed a sub, but with the Carver none required. I would imagine the A9's would love power even more. Whichever one's you purchase consider a high power amp to drive them.

leroyjr1

SivaNevets wrote: »

which one is more musical? A5 or A7? particularly lower male vocal notes

Just music and no sub I'd go with the 7's but with a sub vocally the a5's are better.

renowilliams

For me it was an easy decision, when I chose the A5's over the A7's. Music lives in the mids for me and the A7's are lacking there. Initially, my A5's sounded bright on the Yamaha RXV-861 but after the speakers had some playing time on them and I switched to a Pioneer elite avr the world changed. I use my setup for about 90 percent H/T and 10 percent music. For H/T I am very happy with the A'5s. As far as music is concearned, the 5's are sufficient but eventually I will be adding new speakers and a power amp for 2 channel listening.



Tim

5against1

If I were to get an external amp to drive the A9s, would my setup essentially be:

-Center and surrounds connected tothe speaker level outs of the AVR
-Two channel external amp connected to L/R pre-outs of AVR
-A9s connected to speaker level outputs of external amp

If so, is there a shortcut to manage volume levels of the AVR onboard amp and the external amp such that the speakers are at appropriate volumes relative to each other?

renowilliams

My understanding is, that you would use your avr as a pre/pro. By doing this you would control the sound levels on all speakers. Someone with more knowledge will likely chime in.

mdk5068

Not to mess with the thread, but is it possible to bi-amp the a5's? One amp channel to highs and one to lows? Was curious because it only has one 5-way binding post?

leroyjr1

mdk5068 wrote: »

Not to mess with the thread, but is it possible to bi-amp the a5's? One amp channel to highs and one to lows? Was curious because it only has one 5-way binding post?

Yes you can but it's not worth it. The top terminals are for the one tweeter and the lower terminals are for the two 6 1/2 mid drivers.

Fongolio

5against1 wrote: »

If I were to get an external amp to drive the A9s, would my setup essentially be:

-Center and surrounds connected tothe speaker level outs of the AVR
-Two channel external amp connected to L/R pre-outs of AVR
-A9s connected to speaker level outputs of external amp

If so, is there a shortcut to manage volume levels of the AVR onboard amp and the external amp such that the speakers are at appropriate volumes relative to each other?

You will have to tweak the speaker levels in the AVR but the one volume control will work them all. In fact some auto calibraters will work on the pre outs as well. Your avr manual may cover this.

mdk5068

Thanks!

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Yes you can but it's not worth it. The top terminals are for the one tweeter and the lower terminals are for the two 6 1/2 mid drivers.