RTi A5 or RTi A7

Iammancini

Hey guys, this is my first post and i have done some searching but havent come up with the answer im looking for. I am currently thinking about adding two more sets of Polk Audio speakers to my set up. Im just starting with my surround sound, trying to replace my harman kardon stuff for polk. I currently have RTi A3's and really enjoy them, i think they sound incredible. Now i am looking into moving the A3's to my rear speakers and using RTi a5 or A7 for my fronts.
My main problem is the cost of the RTi A7, are they worth the extra money when compared to the A5. Can the RTi A7 work (temporaily without a sub) while producing deep bass. I enjoy listening to music but also like to feel the rumble of deep bass when watching movies. I have the option of selling all of my Harman Kardon speakers and putting the money towards RTiA7, but this would leave me with no sub, or i can keep the sub and get RTiA5. The sub is a 10" Harman Kardon that will eventually be replaced. Ideally i would love to get the same amount of bass from my tower speakers as you can get from a dedicated sub (my fathers old technics tower speakers for instance produced adequate bass but by using 2 12" woofers)

So long story short, do RTi A7 produce loud bass that could possibly substitute a dedicated subwoofer, or should i save the money and get RTi A5.

Just on a side note i have heard both speakers at future shop. I didnt feel like the RTi A7 were making much bass, but i also feel that the setup had something to do with this.

Thanks, Iammancini

leroyjr1

Add more power and the lower end on the A7's will come alive but it'll never compare to a good powered sub.

SivaNevets

the A7s are powered by cheap yamaha receivers @ futureshop, the bass sound much weaker than A5s. A7s are usually 900$ CDN a pair at futureshop and A5s were $600 a pair last week @futureshop.
i am in almost identical situation as u. i have RTI6 as front (same as RTIa3) and thinking to move them to rear and replace front with A5/A7. The weakness of RTI6 /RTIa3 i (and some other folks in this forum) is the weak mid bass, some say this also applies to A5 so I assume its an driver issue. but again im not gonna power A7 with an extra amp (consider the cost, lots ppl are in my situation). i think i may go to A7 if they are on some really good sale. the other option im considering is simply get another PSW10 (i already own 1), to let dual sub balance the bass. i found when crossed RTI6 and CSIA4 at 60hz the bass sound more balanced than 80hz right now. I think maybe an additional PSW10 can improve the over all bass so I can cross everything at 80 or 100 hz.

sTiLlLeArNiNg

I "auduitioned" both and preffered the a7's over the a5's

Where/when can you get the a7's for $900/pair? They just came down in price to $650ea not to long ago.... They did however have a special a week or two ago i think you got the pair + a CSiA 6 for $1100???

The Futuresh1t that i visit has all their demo speaker's hooked up to any one of the top line receiver's they have in stock, whether it be Yamaha, HK, Denon or Pioneer....

Usually in audio sale's you would want to have the product sound as good as it could right? I know i wouldn't buy something if it sounded like crap!

danz1906

WElcome to the Club!
Go for the A5s with a sub.

superjunior

welcome to club polk!

Iammancini

maybe i would be happier with the A5's and a good sub. The sub i have now is a 10" sub but the construction is not to my standards. It is covered in plastic, maybe a sub with a nice wood box is a better option.
Do you guys feel you get the same quality out of a dedicated sub as you do with subs in a tower speaker. To me it just seems like you can always tell that there is a dedicated sub, that is seperated from the rest of the system. Probably just a set up issue

packetjones

I was debating purchasing the same speakers. I have decided to go with the 5's. From what everyone says the 5's have better midrange and sound great with a sub. To get good base from the 7's you will need a lot of power so an external amp may be needed. I finally decided on saving $ and getting the 5's and putting the $ that i saved into a better sub. Plus it is less likely that i will need an amp to push the 5's compared tot he 7's.

Hope that helps.

ultraneight

Check out New Egg for a good price on RTi A5 s & A7 s I just bought some today, free shipping, best price.

Iammancini

so i finally got to hear the RTi A7 properly at my futureshop along with the RTi A5. Let me start off by saying both speakers sound incredible, but after listening to some two channel audio ,i feel the RTi A7 are the better speaker (go figure the more expensive speaker is better). They do not produce deep bass, however for listening to music i would say they produce the ideal amount. The speaker sounds very full, highs mids and lows all cometogether nicely, where as the RTi A5 seemed to be missing some of the lows / mids. Keep in mind that both speakers were played with subs off, so im sure it would be even harder to decided if a sub was playing.
So as a conclusion, i will be holding off on the RTi A5's and saving up for the A7's. Newegg has an incredible deal on them however I live in Canada and they wont ship here. I also need to figure out what duty would be on something of that value.

bklynNupe

Welcome to the forum.
I will say a5 and a sub without a doubt if those are your two choices.
Do a search on this forum, you will find all lengthy discussions on the entire Rti Series.
You can certainly learn a lot, I did.

sentra02boy

found the A5s for 600 for the pair on newegg.com A7s are on sale too but i went with the A5s:)

bklynNupe

Congrat.
Do you have a AVR, amp?

ls7z06

If you are looking for a deal.... might want to check out Polk's own ebay store where they sell refurb'd equipment. Major discounts compared to brand new. I am not trying to sell you on this.... just pointing out a budget friendly option.

KsKMafio

guys is in Europe they cost a fortune compared to the US or Canada...I feel sick

A5 1000US....

danz1906

Iammancini wrote: »

so i finally got to hear the RTi A7 properly at my futureshop along with the RTi A5. Let me start off by saying both speakers sound incredible, but after listening to some two channel audio ,i feel the RTi A7 are the better speaker (go figure the more expensive speaker is better). They do not produce deep bass, however for listening to music i would say they produce the ideal amount. The speaker sounds very full, highs mids and lows all cometogether nicely, where as the RTi A5 seemed to be missing some of the lows / mids. Keep in mind that both speakers were played with subs off, so im sure it would be even harder to decided if a sub was playing.
So as a conclusion, i will be holding off on the RTi A5's and saving up for the A7's. Newegg has an incredible deal on them however I live in Canada and they wont ship here. I also need to figure out what duty would be on something of that value.

You will be happy with the A7s.

Graboid

I have been a happy A7 owner for about a year. I just love these speakers and enjoy listening to just about everything with them. I did get an HSU sub to grab that deep bass and they match up just perfectly.

domflane

I just faced the same decision, but chose the a5's for the price difference. I'm currently running cerwin vega v12f's with a polk psw 650 on an harman kardon avr354. I think the bass from the sub will be more than enough so I just went with the a5's. They should be here this week so ill let you know how they sound.

packetjones

I was deciding between the same speakers. I ended up getting the 5's. The showed up the other day. I got 1 day of listening before i had to pack them back up. I am getting new carpet in the house and had to move everything into the garage while they are installing. I can not wait to get it all hooked back up and get some good listening time. I will post my impressions once i get more time to listen to them.

From the one day i had i really liked them. The bass sounded good to me but i did not get in any movie time only music. I think you will be happy with the 5's as well.

over50

I just bought the RtiA5 about a week ago. I can tell the difference from my M70. I was going to buy the A7 or A12 and desided on A5 with a good sub. No regrets here.

Lietuvis91

over50 wrote: »

I just bought the RtiA5 about a week ago. I can tell the difference from my M70. I was going to buy the A7 or A12 and desided on A5 with a good sub. No regrets here.

wow... old thread there, bud!

So in what ways are the a5 better than m70s, curious to know.

over50

More detail. More clear sound. I hear things on the A5 that i never had before, and its not old age . Also my front and surround are all same series which helps.

gp4jesus

ls7z06 wrote: »

If you are looking for a deal.... might want to check out Polk's own ebay store where they sell refurb'd equipment. Major discounts compared to brand new. I am not trying to sell you on this.... just pointing out a budget friendly option.

ditto. bought my RTi A7s there, January '10; $630 including shipping! recomend an external amp; 4 ohm load below 125 hz

cheers tony