RTi A9's or LSi 15's or something else???

EndersShadow

I am looking to upgrade my fronts here in the next couple months and need some advice. I have heard that the LSi 15's are hard to drive, and I like the max RMS on the RTi A9's.

I was wondering what you folks thought between those two series? I plan on getting a Emotiva amp as well to power these should the Integra 5.9 I have not be up to the task.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions/advice/comments

nooshinjohn

I am inclined to lean towards the RTi A9's as I find them to be a bit more detailed in the lower end than the 15's... If however you can get a set of 15's and mod the crossover as others have done, I might change my mind. I have run the LSi15's up front for a bit when making some tweeks on the SDA's and was not overly thrilled with them.

McLoki

For both of those speakers, I would recommend an amp. (The rest of the RTiA home theater could run from the amp in your AVR though)

I like my LSi's - but RTiA would have been nice as well. If your focus is on HT - RTiA, if 2 channel is your thing - LSi's all the way.

danz1906

McLoki wrote: »

For both of those speakers, I would recommend an amp. (The rest of the RTiA home theater could run from the amp in your AVR though)

I like my LSi's - but RTiA would have been nice as well. If your focus is on HT - RTiA, if 2 channel is your thing - LSi's all the way.

Agreed, this sums it up.

EndersShadow

McLoki wrote: »

For both of those speakers, I would recommend an amp. (The rest of the RTiA home theater could run from the amp in your AVR though)

I like my LSi's - but RTiA would have been nice as well. If your focus is on HT - RTiA, if 2 channel is your thing - LSi's all the way.

Good to know. My main focus is HT, and regular TV watching. Dont really do too much music through them.

Would I be ok to start with the RTi A9's not connected to an external amp? I "might" have the money for one but want to grab the speakers up first and then perhaps amp them. I have a couple more questions for you guys while I am here:

1. Is the Emotiva UPA-7 a decent amp to power a 7.1 setup or should I be looking at something else?

2. Do you guys pair your stuff with a Polk sub or something else? I am also looking to upgrade and perhaps purchase a SVS 12" sub as I hear great things about it from AVSFORUMS.

3. Will my CSI1 center work ok for the RTi A9's or should I look to upgrade to the CSi A6?

4. Are Monitor 60's and Monitor 40's decent to use for surrounds or should I also upgrade to dipole FXi A6's?

cnh

I think you could use your speaker set as surrounds for a while as long as you get a Center that matches the RTI-A series.

SVS subs should do a great job for HT...with that set.

cnh

Nicknice

I have both the RTi A9's and Lsi 15's. They are both great sounding speakers, but I prefer the sound of the Lsi's (for music anyways). I have the A9's set up for stereo listing, so I can't really comment on how they sound in a home theater. To me the Lsi's just have more of a natural sound, especially on vocals, strings and cymbals. Hope that helped, just my 2 cents.

McLoki

EndersShadow wrote: »

Good to know. My main focus is HT, and regular TV watching. Dont really do too much music through them.

Would I be ok to start with the RTi A9's not connected to an external amp? I "might" have the money for one but want to grab the speakers up first and then perhaps amp them. I have a couple more questions for you guys while I am here:

1. Is the Emotiva UPA-7 a decent amp to power a 7.1 setup or should I be looking at something else?

2. Do you guys pair your stuff with a Polk sub or something else? I am also looking to upgrade and perhaps purchase a SVS 12" sub as I hear great things about it from AVSFORUMS.

3. Will my CSI1 center work ok for the RTi A9's or should I look to upgrade to the CSi A6?

4. Are Monitor 60's and Monitor 40's decent to use for surrounds or should I also upgrade to dipole FXi A6's?

The RTiA9's will be fine running from your AVR. The bass may just be a little sloppy and they just will not sound as good as they should. Unlike the 4ohm LSi's though - it will not be running anything out of spec. With that many drivers going - you should just have an amp for the best sound.

1. Emotiva is a decent budget amp. Personally - I like to purchase used but to each his own. I have not heard an emotiva amp, but I have heard second hand that they can be a little on the brite side. It may not be a great match with your RTiA's. (Just my opinion, but thats what you asked for). I would try and look at a decent Carver, NAD or Parasound 2 channel amp (used of course) - I think they may have more of a sound signature that will work better with your speakers.....

2. I really like SVS subs. I would also look into eD, epik or HSU. The older Polk subs were not that great and that is why not many on here ran them. Their newer micropro line though, is fairly small (if thats important to you）and sounds pretty good. They are the only Polk sub series I would really consider. Like everything else, they have trade offs (less impact than most SVS subs, but significantly smaller as well) but few would be able to argue your choice. You just have to list your requirements for a subwoofer and make an informed decision.

3. I would step up to the A6. I may be mistaken (probably) but I think the center you have now is matched to the Monitor line. It is not a change you have to make day 1, but it is something you should consider doing....

4. The decision between Dipole and direct radiating is made from a combo of room, placement and personal preference. If you already have them, I would certainly hook them up and decide what you think from there....

Enjoy,

Michael

EndersShadow

McLoki wrote: »

The RTiA9's will be fine running from your AVR. The bass may just be a little sloppy and they just will not sound as good as they should. Unlike the 4ohm LSi's though - it will not be running anything out of spec. With that many drivers going - you should just have an amp for the best sound.

1. Emotiva is a decent budget amp. Personally - I like to purchase used but to each his own. I have not heard an emotiva amp, but I have heard second hand that they can be a little on the brite side. It may not be a great match with your RTiA's. (Just my opinion, but thats what you asked for). I would try and look at a decent Carver, NAD or Parasound 2 channel amp (used of course) - I think they may have more of a sound signature that will work better with your speakers.....

Why just a 2 channel amp? Wouldnt I want to power all my speakers from the same amp?

McLoki wrote: »

2. I really like SVS subs. I would also look into eD, epik or HSU. The older Polk subs were not that great and that is why not many on here ran them. Their newer micropro line though, is fairly small (if thats important to you）and sounds pretty good. They are the only Polk sub series I would really consider. Like everything else, they have trade offs (less impact than most SVS subs, but significantly smaller as well) but few would be able to argue your choice. You just have to list your requirements for a subwoofer and make an informed decision.

That is really good info. I posted another thread awhile back on subs and kinda decided on the SVS sub based on the price at that time (which is why I mentioned it). When I upgrade to the A9's however I am willing to entertain re-opening that discussion.

McLoki wrote: »

3. I would step up to the A6. I may be mistaken (probably) but I think the center you have now is matched to the Monitor line. It is not a change you have to make day 1, but it is something you should consider doing....

4. The decision between Dipole and direct radiating is made from a combo of room, placement and personal preference. If you already have them, I would certainly hook them up and decide what you think from there....

I will probably upgrade to the CSi A6, but its good to know I don't have to change right away.

I think I might go with dipole because I my room setup here is more condusive to wall mount speakers rather than the towers I have now.

nooshinjohn

bump