RTi series and watts

quadzilla

It's true what several have already said on here: the RTi series really is really power hungry. Now that I have 600 watts running into each of my RTi 12s, I'm finally hearing everything they're capable of, and they are truly a durned fine speaker. When I was running them off my AVR and only pushing 135 watts/chan., they sounded OK, but not great. I added one 300 watt/chan. amp, and things sounded a lot better. Putting one amp on each channel in bridge mode to give 600 watts/chan., and they sound absolutely phenomenal. Nice wide and deep sound stage that extends beyond the actual placement of the speakers, and a great sense of space around each instrument, even at lower volumes. I've been planning on upgrading to the LSi series or maybe Paradigm, but now I'm not so sure.

MLZ

It suprises me that a speaker with an efficency rating of 90dB and a Recommended Amplifier Power 50-500 w/channel needs 600 watts per channel. I drive my RTi 8's (efficency rating of 90dB and Recommended Amplifier Power 20-250 w/channel) with a Onkyo A-9555 (85Wpc into 8 ohms) and am happy. Maybe I'll look around and borrow a more powerful amp and see what I hear.

I guess you can never be have too much power.

danger boy

all speakers will sound better with more power.. except Bose.

Montoya

I had the same experience running 500 watts per speaker on my rti-12.

quadzilla

I think a lot of it is that the amps have so much head room for dynamics now, that they're able to really feed the speakers. I do know that the dynamics and, therefore, definition is where I've heard the biggest improvements. When I was running them off my AVR, especially at higher playing levels, the sound was always somewhat compressed and lacked the punch I was after, though was still quite good. This is what caused me to decide to go down the path of more power. So this is more the difference between good and great, than the difference between sucks and good.

leroyjr1

Put a rotel 1092 class d amp on my rti a9's and it made a huge difference. 500 watts @8 ohms.

quadzilla

Yeah, when I can afford it, I want to move off these pro amps and to something designed more for home applications. But for now, there's nothing wrong with these Mackie's other than the fan noise, which I hope to address soon.

kevhed72

I just scooped up an Adcom 545 ii of Ebay and I cannot wait to see the difference vs. running my A9s off my AVR. Although this amp is rated at only150 wpc, I am expecting a vast improvement.

leroyjr1

kevhed72 wrote: »

I just scooped up an Adcom 545 ii of Ebay and I cannot wait to see the difference vs. running my A9s off my AVR. Although this amp is rated at only150 wpc, I am expecting a vast improvement.

Rated 100watts @ 8 ohms

kevhed72

Not sure why I was thinking the ii version had more power than the 545.
Oh well, should be here in a couple of days and I'll post "review" this weekend.

dbaldus

You should be careful when generalizing and saying that "RTi series are power hungry" as my pair of RTi70s did not benefit whatsoever from an added external amplifier. I have gone through an Emotiva LPA-1 and a Rotel RB-1080 with no difference in sound other than being able to go louder than I would ever want to listen at. At lower volumes, the difference was minimal if anything.

However, pairing my new Parasound HCA-2200II with my SDA 2Bs has made an enormous difference so I DO believe in amps, just not with my 70s.

Don't mean to be a jerk, but I don't want people around here with RTi70s to fall into a trap thinking that their speakers are going to sound amazing with some additional spending like I did. Your 12s have the woofers in them, which is probably why you're noticing the difference with more wattage.

Just my two cents

kuntasensei

As an RTi70 owner, I thank you. 'Cause I've totally been eyeballing a XPA-3 for my RTi70/CSi40 front soundstage.

dbaldus

kuntasensei wrote: »

As an RTi70 owner, I thank you. 'Cause I've totally been eyeballing a XPA-3 for my RTi70/CSi40 front soundstage.

Unless you have a very weak receiver (like an entry-level Sony, Pioneer, etc.) then I would have to doubt that an amp would make any difference at all.

FYI, I have listened to a Harman Kardon AVR 247 (mid-level receiver) and a Denon 3803 (mid to high-end Denon from a few years back) and compared them to an Emotiva LPA-1 and a Rotel RB-1080 and didn't notice any difference whatsoever between the setups.

dbaldus

Oh, and you are welcome

treitz3

Gentlemen, disregard watts. They are a guideline but do not speak as to what will hit your ears. Get a high current amp and you see what I mean. Case in point. I have a 180 watt amp that's high current that will absolutely SMOKE the sound out of another amp that I have that's rated at 375 watts.

That said, better amplification [not better numbers] will absolutely change the dynamics of the RTi series. You get an amp that's capable? It may well just bring the speakers speakers beyond your wildest expectations.

kuntasensei

dbaldus wrote: »

Unless you have a very weak receiver (like an entry-level Sony, Pioneer, etc.) then I would have to doubt that an amp would make any difference at all.

FYI, I have listened to a Harman Kardon AVR 247 (mid-level receiver) and a Denon 3803 (mid to high-end Denon from a few years back) and compared them to an Emotiva LPA-1 and a Rotel RB-1080 and didn't notice any difference whatsoever between the setups.

I'm running them off an Onkyo 705. I think it'll do for now. I just had upgradeitis. I'm okay now... I dodged the XPA-3 and got an Oppo BDP-83 recently, so I won't need to upgrade anything for at least a month or so.

cdn5003

I currently have an Adcom 535 powering my Rti10's. I noticed an improvement over the Onkyo 706 when I added the amp but I don't think I am getting everything I can out of them. The 535 is rated at 60 wpc and the Rti10's are rated for up to 300.

They sound quite good, especially for movies, but I think with more power I can get better dynamics and more response from those 7" woofers.

I am looking to get an Adcom 545 or 555. Would the 545 be a worthwhile upgrade or should I spend a little more and get the beast 555?

I am thinking the 555 would be a better investment. That way I never wonder what could have been.

also what carver amps would be a good match as an upgrade for me?

treitz3

As for Carver amps? The M-500t, M4.0t or the M1.5t would all do those speakers justice. A TFM-45 or above will make them shine as well.

TNRabbit

I see your 400 wpc and raise you 800 wpc.

Sherardp

Man you guys are power monsters, I can only see you 525 wpc on my fronts. As for the remaining wattage I'm a$$ out.

ckhirnigs113

Haha, that's good to find out about the Rti70s. I currently have them running off a Harman Kardon Avr 354 and they sound great. I had also been looking into Emotiva, but I will try and be content now. Thanks for the tip!