TSI500 or RtiA7 with Denon AV790

Xuser

Hi, I've listened to a set of Polk Tsi400 and 500 at a local store recently. It seems the Tsi500 has better range of frequency than the 400. I could hear the bass guitar a lot clearer than the 400. Hence, I've narrowed down my selection to the Tsi500 or Rtia7. The sales person told me the Rtia7 (they don't sell this) difference is just the lower frequency. They give more bass than the Tsi500 according to him.
Would I better off with a set of Tsi500 with my Denon AV790 receiver? The speakers will be about 12 to 15 feet away from me and a relatively low ceiling. The right speaker will be close to a wall (back and right). Left speaker just close to the back.
Is the wood on the Tsi500 real wood?

Zeros

The RTi series is a set above the TSi series. I don't think the TSi's have real wood veneer like the RTi series.

The RTi series has a completely different tweeter and woofers, so you will hear a much bigger difference than just low frequencies compared to the TSi series.

Menasor

Xuser wrote: »

Hi, I've listened to a set of Polk Tsi400 and 500 at a local store recently. It seems the Tsi500 has better range of frequency than the 400. I could hear the bass guitar a lot clearer than the 400. Hence, I've narrowed down my selection to the Tsi500 or Rtia7. The sales person told me the Rtia7 (they don't sell this) difference is just the lower frequency. They give more bass than the Tsi500 according to him.
Would I better off with a set of Tsi500 with my Denon AV790 receiver? The speakers will be about 12 to 15 feet away from me and a relatively low ceiling. The right speaker will be close to a wall (back and right). Left speaker just close to the back.
Is the wood on the Tsi500 real wood?

That sales person is wrong. The RTi A7 is a clear step above the TSi500. However, they need a lot of power, and your AVR790 may not be enough to drive them to their potential. The TSi's are also warmer than the RTi's in sound so they definitely sound different.

Xuser

Thks. The Denon AV790 is rated at 90w per channel. Is this not enough to power the RtiA7? Are both the Tsi500 and Rtia7 too much for my room size?
I do have a sub and my listening is 80 HT movies and 20 music. If the speakers are great, it might changed to 50/50 ;-)

Zeros

I can't speak for the A7's but I run a pair of Rti8's with the same receiver (AVR-790) and have no problem. The Rti8s are more equal to the A5's though.

Xuser

Hi Zero, what is the dimension of your room and how far are you away from the speakers? Do you like to crank up your music/movies?
My guess is that with real wood, music/movie sounds are tighter, won't u think?

Zeros

My room is 13 wide by about 22 deep, but it is open on the back right side to another room.

I do not crank it too much because due to having two young kids who are usually sleeping when I am using the room.

coolsax

if you're not cranking it I would think that the AVR should give you plenty of power then... but i could be wrong

lmacmil

coolsax wrote: »

if you're not cranking it I would think that the AVR should give you plenty of power then... but i could be wrong

Don't mean to hijack this thread but you could answer a question I have about the monitor towers. How much do the carpet spikes add to the overall width? I have a very tight space and if those things add 2" overall to each speaker, then they won't fit in my setup. Thanks.

To the OP, I currently run an old Onkyo receiver rated at 70wpc @ 6 ohms. I am running 8 ohm speakers that are no doubt less efficient than the Polks in a 15x20 carpeted room and don't have any problems getting to a volume level my wife complains about.

Xuser

coolsax wrote: »

if you're not cranking it I would think that the AVR should give you plenty of power then... but i could be wrong

No, no cranking...maybe on occasion if I feel like it.
My major concern is clarity and no resonance. If there is a big difference between the Tsi500 and Rtia7, then I will have to find out if the 7 is worth the money. Locally, the 500 is retailed at $820 and the 7 is at $1260 a pair Canadian dollars. Big difference in $$$ here.

lmacmil

Xuser wrote: »

If there is a big difference between the Tsi500 and Rtia7, then I will have to find out if the 7 is worth the money. Locally, the 500 is retailed at $820 and the 7 is at $1260 a pair Canadian dollars. Big difference in $$$ here.

If you have the opportunity to listen to them in the same setting, with the same music, listen with your eyes closed. If you know which one you are listening to, you may think the 7 is better just because it's more expensive. It's almost impossible for your expectations not to cloud your judgment.

I suspect the differences will be subtle and that the 7 will not be worth 50% more than the 500.

Slinger182

Xuser wrote: »

No, no cranking...maybe on occasion if I feel like it.
My major concern is clarity and no resonance. If there is a big difference between the Tsi500 and Rtia7, then I will have to find out if the 7 is worth the money. Locally, the 500 is retailed at $820 and the 7 is at $1260 a pair Canadian dollars. Big difference in $$$ here.

Check out the Polk direct eBay for some great deals on some refurbs. I got my 500s for 420 a pair shipped and I think the A7s are like 600 plus shipping.

Xuser

Slinger182 wrote: »

Check out the Polk direct eBay for some great deals on some refurbs. I got my 500s for 420 a pair shipped and I think the A7s are like 600 plus shipping.

Thks but the Polk ebay direct store only ships to the US. I'm located in Canada. Damn!

andrew_mac

I'm sorry to say, I really don't think that receiver will have enough power to run the rti A7's. The A7's really need an external amp to come to life from my experience.

I've heard the A7's with an Denon 3808 (130W/ch) and although it does do the job you can tell the speakers aren't reaching their potential. At -10db those speakers should take a your windows out.

If you AVR has analog outputs then you could always make do for now and upgrade to an external amp later. If it doesn't have the out puts then I think you would be much better off with a less demanding speaker - Like the rti A5's or A3's. Good luck with whatever you decide.

cnh

+1 although you can run 7s with that amp you will not hear their real potential..

Personally I don't care as much for the 7s as I do for the 9s...the 7s are too forward for me..so I'd save my cash and go with the TSIs..plus the veneer on the TSIs is NOT real wood..to answer your question.

If I have an AVR with Pre-outs I'd think about the RTI-A9s and maybe move 7s back for surround duty in the future. With a better AVR the RTIs would be my choice--but not the 7s as fronts.

cnh

Xuser

I know what you guys meant about not having enough pwr to run the RtiA7. I'm 70% for the Tsi500 and 30% for the 7. My dilemna is also about the make of the cabinets. The Tsi500 is not real wood but the 7's are. From what I heard, real wood is the way to go for good clean quality sound without the resonance. I might be mistaken here but is it true?
I'll probably get a separate amp in the future if needed or upgrade my Denon 790.

Upstatemax

Xuser wrote: »

I know what you guys meant about not having enough pwr to run the RtiA7. I'm 70% for the Tsi500 and 30% for the 7. My dilemna is also about the make of the cabinets. The Tsi500 is not real wood but the 7's are. From what I heard, real wood is the way to go for good clean quality sound without the resonance. I might be mistaken here but is it true?
I'll probably get a separate amp in the future if needed or upgrade my Denon 790.

The A7's only have a real wood VENEER, they are made out of an MDF/laminate just like the TSi.

The only difference is in the veneer (looks wise), RTi is real wood while the TSi is fake wood.

Xuser

Ok I see. Thks for the info. So does the real wood Veneer makes a difference in sound resonance?

Upstatemax

Xuser wrote: »

Ok I see. Thks for the info. So does the real wood Veneer makes a difference in sound resonance?

No, just looks nicer...

Xuser

Well, it seems like I can get hold of a new set of Rtia7 for C$950 including shipping! That is so tempting except I'm not 100% sure it will sound decent with my current amp. When I said decent, I meant I want to get to hear all instruments without cranking it up. Since my current Denon amp has the pre-out, I can always opt for an external amp for more power.
With the Tsi500, I'm sure the local dealer can let go for C$750 a pair.
Hmmm.....difference is $200 now.

Slinger182

Since you have the pre-outs I would get the a7s. I love my 500s but if I had pre outs I would have gone with the a7s or a9s.

Xuser

I was able to get slightly below $700 for the 500. If I ever need to pre-amp in the future, I can always either sell them, move them over to another room or if they will fit well as rear surround speakers?