Rti A5 vs. LSi 9

Bluto

I am enjoying my RTi 5s and wanted to ask if LSi 9s would be a significant upgrade?

leroyjr1

For music yes for HT no.

Toolfan66

+1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^

lanion

+1 but the benefit depends on your amplification a great deal.

VXR8

leroyjr1 wrote: »

For music yes for HT no.

Hi leroyjr1,

Just curious as to your above quote? I personally have noticed an improvement in both aspects - I previously had the RTi10s. I initially got the LSi9's and recently got the LSiC and LSi7's. HT sounds that much better now that it is all timbre matched (was running a CS350-LS and LS-f/x with the LSi9's until the upgrade).

Thanks in advance.

maximillian

leroyjr1's statement is very general. The specific answer depends on personal taste and equipment. To get the most out of the LSi's you need good, clean external amplification. If you don't have that or are unwilling to purchase an external amp, then you really shouldn't get them.

Then personal taste will vary the response. Some people don't like the laid back sound of the LSi's while others prefer it. As leroyjr1 mentioned, generally speaking, people who are more into HT prefer brighter sounds while people more into music prefer warmer sounds. Thus for HT the RTiA series is better while the LSi's are better for music. However, some people prefer LSi's for HT as well.

I am more of a music listener but sometimes use my system for HT. I started out with a RTi and converted to LSi's. For me the RTi's were fine for HT but I preferred the LSi's for music. While converting I had the CSi5 with LSi9's. It was OK. Then I changed the center to an LSiC and the front end was so much better. For HT sounds were not as concentrated to any one speaker but I had a much better soundstage. So matching the front is very important. For music I only listen to the LSi9's and I love them better than the RTi6's. However, some people have mentioned that they prefer RTi's for heavy metal music more than the LSi's.

Then there are others that don't like either speaker series and they want better sound. Some prefer vintage Polks and others prefer a completely different speaker from another manufacturer.

Again, generally people adhere to this trend but your ears are the ultimate judge. The best advice is to listen to the speakers before you buy them. See if you can find either a good music store (OK) or a local polkie (preferred) to audition them first. The other option is to be patient on the Flea Market section and pick up some used LSi9's to try out. You will be able to sell them very close to what you paid for them if you don't like them.

cnh

+1

I am certainly one of the people Max is talking about...after hearing a dozen or so top notch speakers in a two channel setup with a tube stage CDP and various power amps...I pretty much went for the LSIs every time. I found even more expensive speakers were not as smooth and warm as the LSI-9s..they sounded 'bright' even a bit 'harsh' to me..and LIVE music, at least IMO does not sound like that. So I understand what Leroy meant but I also think Max is right...

Let YOUR ears decide!

cnh

maximillian

I could have probably stuck with RTi's for HT. I do like the LSi's for HT better though. Especially for games where there a lot more harsh sounds compared to movies. There are some games that gave me the shrills with the RTi6's.