My new RTIa9's verses my SDA-SRS

lbristow

Ok, I have had my RTIa9's for a few days now and I will say that they do not sound as good as my SDA-SRS set up. But then again, what does I have it hooked up to my NAD 372, which was running my SDA's. I will say however that they sound great, am I am not at all disapointed in any way:) The RTIa9 is a great speaker, whith excellent sound and great bass. If I did not own the SDA's then I would say this is one of the best I have heard. Good job Polk:D

kawizx9r

lbristow wrote: »

Ok, I have had my RTIa9's for a few days now and I will say that they do not sound as good as my SDA-SRS set up. But then again, what does I have it hooked up to my NAD 372, which was running my SDA's. I will say however that they sound great, am I am not at all disapointed in any way:) The RTIa9 is a great speaker, whith excellent sound and great bass. If I did not own the SDA's then I would say this is one of the best I have heard. Good job Polk:D

Lol dont worry, I get that same feeling when running my RT1000P's soon after listening to my SDA's. Makes me want to part with some of my speakers just to dedicate my living room to my sda's, that and get more pairs!

nooshinjohn

I had a similar experience when running my LSi-15's for a couple days. The SDA SRS 1.2TL's blew away the LSi's in every catagory on all types of music. I am glad you like the RTia9's, but am curious what a newb feels logging in here and hearing the grand plus he spent on new speakers is outclassed by a pair that is twenty years old...

lbristow

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I had a similar experience when running my LSi-15's for a couple days. The SDA SRS 1.2TL's blew away the LSi's in every catagory on all types of music. I am glad you like the RTia9's, but am curious what a newb feels logging in here and hearing the grand plus he spent on new speakers is outclassed by a pair that is twenty years old...

do not get me wrong, the RTI is strong, very strong. I would recommend them to anyone. They are great speakers, just not as good as the sda. I paid under $900. for these, my sda's were twice that:eek: Ordered the NAD M3 for my SDA setup, can't wait for that to show up.

kawizx9r

Lasareath wrote: »

That's why DarqueKnight has like 5 pairs of SDA's in his House!!!

I saw his shrine, I can't even begin to imagine owning that many pairs lol. Honestly though I take a look and read every thread regarding any type of sda-srs and tell myself, I wonder how that would sound and how I would utilize it in my setup. I'd like to step things up and go vintage Polks all around, my towers may be old but they're not yet considered vintage....that and I'd like to get my ears on some rta's or larger monitors

leroyjr1

For music like my SDA, but for HT I like the rti a9's better.

kevhed72

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I had a similar experience when running my LSi-15's for a couple days. The SDA SRS 1.2TL's blew away the LSi's in every catagory on all types of music. I am glad you like the RTia9's, but am curious what a newb feels logging in here and hearing the grand plus he spent on new speakers is outclassed by a pair that is twenty years old...

I view the A9s as a very good speaker that handles both HT and rock music very well, and as a "gateway" speaker to SDAs and a second 2-ch system some day. If I found a pair of SDA's in a yard sale, I would by in a minute.

cnh

Just what exactly are we talking about here?

And are your SDAs modded? Do they have original tweeters in them?

Because those tweeters are a bit harsh!

SDAs that size are ALWAYS going to outdo other speakers on the LOW END....the physics favors the monster Cabinet.

But are you saying that your mids and highs are also 'better' on non-modded SDAs because I don't know if I could agree with that?

Just curious....also that SDA-effect is NOT always there. Some recordings sound better than others. Some have almost NO effect!

SDAs are nice speakers but I find them a bit fickle unless properly modded--as most above have....their SDAs are not 'original' parts!

Tweaking SDA cross-overs and dropping in RDO tweeter replacements does sort of make them 'different' speakers from the 20+ year olds that they are? No? Brings them up to CODE in the MODERN age?

In short, allows them to compete against new Polks? Which at the very least have better tweeters.

cnh

lbristow

I have not done anything to the SDA's (yet). I think the 9's are a little more sharp myself, but all of this is just opinion. Overall the SDA's are just amazing:eek: And the RTIa9's just exceptional, if that is a bad thing:)

mmadden28

Give the RTi's a chance to break in. I heard they take awhile-and my own experience is that it took awhile before my RTi12's really made an impact on me. But that could have been any # of little changes here an there--even as little as adjusting the Toe-in slightly or moving them into the room by a couple inches (a couple inches in front of the front plane of the entertainment center).

You might also consider trying a higher wattage amp- or at least a different amp ---SYNERGY. Not all amps sound fantastic with all speakers, and vice-versa.

Are you running with or without a sub?
Are you comparing HT or Music between the RTiA9's and the SDA's?

While I love most music through my RTiA9's, I find the LSi9s so much sweeter in the music dept. And now with my SDA SRS 2's---holy mackerel!!! Of course I haven't tried my SDA's out in the HT arena--I am quite happy with the different speakers all doing thier current duties.

gtu2004

so for HT purpose, which is better?

lbristow

gtu2004 wrote: »

so for HT purpose, which is better?

RTIA9's, you can toe them in if needed, put them in a corner etc.

leroyjr1

Ibristow

Give them both more power on see how they sound.

lbristow

Hell, I am giving the 9's 150w cot. power. This is NAD watts by the way, and the M3 I have comming for the SDA's puts out 180w cont. and something like 480 into 4ohms, which is more than adequate:rolleyes: For some reason those that are reading seem to think I am complaining about the A9's not being a very good speaker, which is quite opposite of what I am getting at:) I think they are great, just not as great as the SDA's.

mmadden28

I'm not thinking that--I understand you are quite happy with them---I just know that the RTiA9's like lots of power, perhaps 200+--so its just a suggestion. If you try it, let us know if you hear any difference between the NAD and the M3 on the A9's. Worth a try right?

Also let them break in before doing comparisons-a few days may not be enough - probably need a few hundred hours on them-just sayin'--But as said the RTiA9s and the SDAs are different beasts anyway.

megasat16

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I had a similar experience when running my LSi-15's for a couple days. The SDA SRS 1.2TL's blew away the LSi's in every catagory on all types of music. I am glad you like the RTia9's, but am curious what a newb feels logging in here and hearing the grand plus he spent on new speakers is outclassed by a pair that is twenty years old...

Sorry John! I humbly disagree. If you think 1.2TLs blew away LSi15, it's quite apparent to me that you have not found the correct setup for the LSi15.

It's not to say SRS1.2TL is not superior to LSi15, it'll be a close call if you have a good pre and an amp with enough juice to feed. Sorry but SunFire amps are not perfect match for LSi15.

SRS1.2TLs is 8 ohms rated so I believe it's a lot easier load on the amps. But feeding more power should make it sounds superb. LSi15 will need amps with High Current so if you haven't tried already, you should try the current tab in your SunFire Amp.

megasat16

lbristow wrote: »

Hell, I am giving the 9's 150w cot. power. This is NAD watts by the way, and the M3 I have comming for the SDA's puts out 180w cont. and something like 480 into 4ohms, which is more than adequate:rolleyes: For some reason those that are reading seem to think I am complaining about the A9's not being a very good speaker, which is quite opposite of what I am getting at:) I think they are great, just not as great as the SDA's.

I think you like the SDA sound effects which uses technology similar to Bob Carver's Sonic Holography. It's pretty cool effect if you like it and you can get the similar sound using RTiA9 with Carver Sonic Holography Preamp. I've tried it and I must say they works very well. It's brings another depth but I think it's not suitable for every kind of music (especially instrumentals and classical).

I think you also should give more time for RTiA9 to break in. I think the break-in time will be around 100 hours if you push them hard or longer if they are not pushed too hard.

Montoya

I can honestly say my rti-12's never came to life until I put over 500 watts a piece to them. At 200 watts per speaker those speakers are barely being used to what the full potential is. I paired up the rti-12 to a set of carver 1.0t mkII and was amazed 1000 watts per speaker pure bliss.

mmadden28 wrote: »

I'm not thinking that--I understand you are quite happy with them---I just know that the RTiA9's like lots of power, perhaps 200+--so its just a suggestion. If you try it, let us know if you hear any difference between the NAD and the M3 on the A9's. Worth a try right?

Also let them break in before doing comparisons-a few days may not be enough - probably need a few hundred hours on them-just sayin'--But as said the RTiA9s and the SDAs are different beasts anyway.

nooshinjohn

megasat16 wrote: »

Sorry John! I humbly disagree. If you think 1.2TLs blew away LSi15, it's quite apparent to me that you have not found the correct setup for the LSi15.

It's not to say SRS1.2TL is not superior to LSi15, it'll be a close call if you have a good pre and an amp with enough juice to feed. Sorry but SunFire amps are not perfect match for LSi15.

SRS1.2TLs is 8 ohms rated so I believe it's a lot easier load on the amps. But feeding more power should make it sounds superb. LSi15 will need amps with High Current so if you haven't tried already, you should try the current tab in your SunFire Amp.

I tried using both the current and voltage source outputs and to be fair, ran them in the same bi-amped configuration using the same music selections on my turntable.... Henry Mancini, Julian Lennon's Valotte, Rush, and Linda Ronstadt's What's New. I found the imaging of the LSi's to be somewhat thin and lacking in depth and bass to be somewhat on the muddy side as it lacked the punch and tightness I have come to expect from my TL's... Don't get me wrong, the LSi's are no doubt a fine speaker and will continue to serve well in the surround role for years to come, but for my taste, it is go big or go home.:)

megasat16

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I tried using both the current and voltage source outputs and to be fair, ran them in the same bi-amped configuration using the same music selections on my turntable.... Henry Mancini, Julian Lennon's Valotte, Rush, and Linda Ronstadt's What's New. I found the imaging of the LSi's to be somewhat thin and lacking in depth and bass to be somewhat on the muddy side as it lacked the punch and tightness I have come to expect from my TL's... Don't get me wrong, the LSi's are no doubt a fine speaker and will continue to serve well in the surround role for years to come, but for my taste, it is go big or go home.:)

Well, SRS 1.2TL is like the Grand Slam of SDA series. So, why not compare it to LSi25 with 10" Built in sub. The bass in LSi15 would be less than 1.2TL for sure. But other aspects such as Vocals, and Mid-Bass will not be much less than 1.2TL if you could try with other amps. May be SunFire and LSi15 has not much synergy.

How BIG do you want to go?

messiah

1.2tl vs. lsi15 = close call? That would be not even close. The specs are not close, the reviews are not close. Dynamic range? Once again, not close. Just do a poll, which speaker would you rather have. Yeah, it's not the the speaker with the lesser frequency range, and runs at 4 ohms.

leroyjr1

Not a big fan of the LSi series so I'd take a pair of SDA's anyday over a pair of LSi's. Doesn't even have to be the big boys either.

megasat16

messiah wrote: »

1.2tl vs. lsi15 = close call? That would be not even close. The specs are not close, the reviews are not close. Dynamic range? Once again, not close. Just do a poll, which speaker would you rather have. Yeah, it's not the the speaker with the lesser frequency range, and runs at 4 ohms.

Close call as in how both speakers sound. Not the SPEC! I know what the spec said. Have you heard LSi15 with proper amplification? It has no SDA effects. I give you that. But Dynamic Range? LSi15 have all the Dynamic Range SRS1.2TL can do. And Depth and Width and Imaging. But SDA sounds larger than life due to SDA effect. If you like it, it's cool. If you don't like it, how do you turn it off? I've tried LSi with MANY MANY DIFFERENT AMPLIFIERS and in my experience, I could literally face the speakers to the wall and sit behind them to listen to LSi15 and still hear dynamic and clarity from them.

I would still get SRS 1.2TL if I found one locally but blew away LSi15? Hell NO! You just need to make LSi15 sings their best and they will be a close call (less SDA effect and less bass).

kevhed72

Montoya wrote: »

I can honestly say my rti-12's never came to life until I put over 500 watts a piece to them. At 200 watts per speaker those speakers are barely being used to what the full potential is. I paired up the rti-12 to a set of carver 1.0t mkII and was amazed 1000 watts per speaker pure bliss.

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm wondering what others say the minimum power to bring the A9s to full potential would be? 200, or would something less do it for the A9's. Anyone's thoughts...

leroyjr1

kevhed72 wrote: »

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm wondering what others say the minimum power to bring the A9s to full potential would be? 200, or would something less do it for the A9's. Anyone's thoughts...

Less than 200 watts will get you by but the more power you feed them the better they sound.

bluecomet

I have the SDA SRS, SDA SRS 2's, SDA CRS+, SDA 1C's and SDA 2B's and the first four of my list sound better than the Lsi series strickly for music. I believe the Lsi 25's sound better than the SDA 2B's. I have the Lsi 25's, Lsi center, Lsi f/x and 7's and think they are superior when it comes to HT. That's what there built for and working together in a system they are fantastic. Yesterday, I was listening to my Lsi 25's for music and they sounded excellent. I love the powered subs but then I ran the same music on my CRS+ speakers which I just put back the original SL2000 tweeters in. Yes leroyjr1, I am talking about the ones I just bought from you and I felt they sounded better than the Lsi 25's. They have a much greater soundstage and I felt the musicians were actually in the room. I can't get over the sound that comes out of so called book shelf speakers. This is from the CRS+ speakers, the smallest SRS speakers. Getting into the larger SRS speakers it is not even close. The one Lsi speaker that is very impressive is the F/X speaker. The best home theater effect speaker I have ever heard. I never heard the A9's, so I can't comment. From what I have read they are excellent speakers if your system can't handle 4 ohms.

megasat16

May be SDA does the trick of bringing music closer to the listener.

lbristow

Have the M3 hooked up to the SDA's, power seems limitless, sound is exceptional. Only one complaint, the damn thing weighs 51lbs:eek: this is a good thing though. Sending my Xovers to Ben to have them reworked, as my original problem was no cancellation signal from the left speaker. Curiously, with the M3, when I turn the balance from side to side I am now getting sound from the left when balanced to the right, like I am supposed to With my NAD 372 I would get no sound at all when balanced to the right. Any thoughts I would haul the M3 down to the basement and try it out on the A9's, but I am afraid I may have a stroke carrying it down there. I think it may be easier the carry the A9's back upstairs.














a

curved

messiah wrote: »

1.2tl vs. lsi15 = close call? That would be not even close. The specs are not close, the reviews are not close. Dynamic range? Once again, not close. Just do a poll, which speaker would you rather have. Yeah, it's not the the speaker with the lesser frequency range, and runs at 4 ohms.

Specs don't say everything - do you like Klipsch:rolleyes:

It's a matter of preference.....also finding the best components to go with the speakers to bring out the best in them.