rtia9 or lsi15 for music

holt
holt Posts: 131
edited January 2010 in Speakers
I'm saving up for an upgrade to my current system for listening to music. I'm vasillating between the rtia9's and the lsi15's. I also plan to replace the center with the appropriate center speaker for either speaker.

With the amp I have (not planning on upgrading that any time soon), which gives 160w/channel at 4 ohms, it looks like the rtia9 is a more efficient speaker, but is more power hungry. With my amp, which is 7 separate mono blocks, I can bi-amp the fronts/center and let the receiver handle the rest so that is an option if more power is helpful.

I really don't know what would be a better speaker for about 40HT/60music, so I would appreciate your thoughts. I have some time to save up for this....

Thanks!
Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
Anthem Pre2L SE
Marantz cd5003
Proceed amp 3
Sherwood Newcastle A-965
Signal ll IC's
Polk lsi-15s
Polk lsic
PSW505
Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
Samsung ln52a650
Post edited by holt on
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Comments

  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    I vote LSi15s. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Murray1
    Murray1 Posts: 193
    edited January 2010
    RTiA9's are bright little puppies. Go with the LSi 15's
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  • holt
    holt Posts: 131
    edited January 2010
    I had a feeling that the lsi would do the music better, but I sure like the looks of the a9, that is one sexy looking speaker! With the synergy of my other components in play, I imagine I don't need more leaning to "bright". Thanks for your opinions!
    Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
    Anthem Pre2L SE
    Marantz cd5003
    Proceed amp 3
    Sherwood Newcastle A-965
    Signal ll IC's
    Polk lsi-15s
    Polk lsic
    PSW505
    Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
    PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
    Samsung ln52a650
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  • Krazyz1
    Krazyz1 Posts: 256
    edited January 2010
    I have A9's and find them very universal. They are a tad power hungry but feed them well and the results are worth it. Powering mine with Rotel RB-1090.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,020
    edited January 2010
    Either one will do fine. I would suggest a better power source though.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • engage
    engage Posts: 10
    edited January 2010
    I just picked up the Lsi15s on Saturday and love them, but I haven't heart the Lsi9s or the RTi A9s

    The 15s are replacing my RT1000is and my son has Monitor 70s. There is a significant difference between the Lsi15s and these speakers. The entire range seems cleaner and more defined, but what really stands out is the mid-bass. I'm very surprised how clean the low end is on the Lsi15s considering that they are non-powered.

    I have an old Velodyne VA-1015 subwoofer now, I have have been running the Lsi15s in direct mode to avoid the Velodyne because it is so mushy compared to the Lsi15s. My Rythmik D15SE shows up tomorrow, however:D

    Concerning power, I have an Onkyo TX-NR807. On Saturday, I ran the Lsi15s on from the receiver only and had no issues in sound quality or volume. On Sunday I added a pair of Outlaw monoblocks and I can't say I notice any difference (Honestly, I didn't think I would), but I have the peace of mind that my sound system won't die in the middle of a movie.
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  • holt
    holt Posts: 131
    edited January 2010
    If it came down to cost, the A9's could be had cheaper from the few sources I found.... I wish they had these speakers at the Polk ebay outlet but I have yet to see them. It seems the highest they have (at least for now) is the a7's.

    As far as power, if need be I can bi-amp the front stage for now. I can't think about another amp until next year and all though I know there are better and more powerful amps on the market, this one is has been good so far as a first amp and has made a big difference for the monitor 70s. Anyway, I have to save up so I have time in making a decision.
    Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
    Anthem Pre2L SE
    Marantz cd5003
    Proceed amp 3
    Sherwood Newcastle A-965
    Signal ll IC's
    Polk lsi-15s
    Polk lsic
    PSW505
    Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
    PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
    Samsung ln52a650
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited January 2010
    The LSi's don't show up too often on polkdirect. The A9's, however, are usually there and can be had for about $1100 shipped for the pair. A friend of mine just picked up a mint pair of LSi15's for $550 on CL. Keep your eyes open, the deals are out there.
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited January 2010
    I have the LSI-15's and have listened to the A-9's and IMHO the LSI's are superior for music, but the A-9's will do HT better. I chose the LSI's because 80% of my listening is music. One of the things I've learned about the LSI's is that the speaker sounds better every time I upgrade anything in the signal path.

    I bought mine from Polk on e-bay and even though they were refurbished they looked and sounded like brand new.

    Jimmy
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  • holt
    holt Posts: 131
    edited January 2010
    I'm leaning towards the lsi's right now, even though I think the A9's would make me happy if I found a really good deal on them...... I may be wrong, but I feel the lsi-15's may be more forgiving on power, but I'm a noobie and have no earthly clue...... Thanks for all your inputs!
    Pioneer vsx-9130txh-k
    Anthem Pre2L SE
    Marantz cd5003
    Proceed amp 3
    Sherwood Newcastle A-965
    Signal ll IC's
    Polk lsi-15s
    Polk lsic
    PSW505
    Polk Monitor 30 surrounds side and back
    PS3 with modified 500 gig hd
    Samsung ln52a650
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited January 2010
    holt wrote: »
    I'm leaning towards the lsi's right now, even though I think the A9's would make me happy if I found a really good deal on them...... I may be wrong, but I feel the lsi-15's may be more forgiving on power, but I'm a noobie and have no earthly clue...... Thanks for all your inputs!
    The LSis are the load. The A9s respond to current flow, the LSis need it. There's a higher ceiling, as stated with the LSis for music...also...amped correctly, I think they can be every bit as dynamic, just more laid back.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited January 2010
    Murray1 wrote: »
    RTiA9's are bright little puppies. Go with the LSi 15's

    +1 10char
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