RTi A3 Getting the upper mids and lower highs under control

cbelsches

Has anyone tried to tame the upper mid/lower high frequency of the RTi A3? I do not have the cross over schematic nor the specifications of it but I believe from my experience that it could be tailored a bit. Kind of a low cross over point I believe. Looking for anyone who has tried to tackle this subject and would welcome any information. I have a good working knowledge of cross over design just to clarify the depth of my question.

leroyjr1

What gear are you using? 2 channel or HT?

cbelsches

Using a Denon Receiver and have a DSW1000 Sub. Speaker are on speaker stands that put the tweeter level right at eye level, so I am guessing that is not helping alot. One thing about these speakers is you can really tell the difference in recording quality and the mixing. Live well recorded sounds GREAT.. Studio.. not so much. Also very evident as to which source was recorded in Analog then digitized vs the direct digital recording. Older source material really does sound much better. Bit more than you asked.. uh :eek:

Menasor

Do you have the Audyssey Flat curve on your receiver? That would fix everything

cbelsches

Not really sure what that is. A Sound equilizer would be helpfull I guess although I try to limit what is in the audio chain. Every thing will cause some distortion; if I can use that term. I was thinking more of cross over vs baffel plate vs driver placement on the baffel. I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, that Polk uses a 12db per Octave cross over with the cross over point at 2.8khz. The RTi A1 has a cross over at 1.9khz also with a 12db per octave. The RTi A1 has a smaller bass/mid driver and yet has a lower crossover point. This speaker is rated at 150W in which I am driving it with a 80W Dennon, DRA-397. This should be a good match as I Normally will not operate it above -10db setting; 0db is reference setting. Above that I could understand issues. It almost seems like cone breakup on the bass/mid driver but am not sure. I have not seen any material on the web at all regarding this issue. I have read reviews in which it was stated that this effect I am referring to has been noted by others. Maybe of bass/mid driver change, in which a very close match would have to be made due to the fs, VAS and Qts of the driver. Due to the placement of the tweeter and the way the mounting plate is made, replacing the tweeter is pretty much out of the question. So this puts me back to the possibility of tailoring the cross over to try to eliminate this “beaming” at moderate levels.

Menasor

cbelsches wrote: »

Not really sure what that is. A Sound equilizer would be helpfull I guess although I try to limit what is in the audio chain. Every thing will cause some distortion; if I can use that term. I was thinking more of cross over vs baffel plate vs driver placement on the baffel. I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, that Polk uses a 12db per Octave cross over with the cross over point at 2.8khz. The RTi A1 has a cross over at 1.9khz also with a 12db per octave. The RTi A1 has a smaller bass/mid driver and yet has a lower crossover point. This speaker is rated at 150W in which I am driving it with a 80W Dennon, DRA-397. This should be a good match as I Normally will not operate it above -10db setting; 0db is reference setting. Above that I could understand issues. It almost seems like cone breakup on the bass/mid driver but am not sure. I have not seen any material on the web at all regarding this issue. I have read reviews in which it was stated that this effect I am referring to has been noted by others. Maybe of bass/mid driver change, in which a very close match would have to be made due to the fs, VAS and Qts of the driver. Due to the placement of the tweeter and the way the mounting plate is made, replacing the tweeter is pretty much out of the question. So this puts me back to the possibility of tailoring the cross over to try to eliminate this “beaming” at moderate levels.

If you're going through all that trouble to tailor the sound of the RTi A3 to fit you, why not just get another speaker that you actually like?

cbelsches

Yea, have thought of that. Fault of mine, the amount of pain that I have to go through before I give up. I have to admit good advise.. If I can find something that is not too expensive.. ie less than 900 a pair.

Menasor

cbelsches wrote: »

Yea, have thought of that. Fault of mine, the amount of pain that I have to go through before I give up. I have to admit good advise.. If I can find something that is not too expensive.. ie less than 900 a pair.

Do you really need to stay with Polk? If not, there are so many options for you at $900/pr. Ascend Sierra-1's are probably the most music bookshelves under $1k


http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html

coolsax

The Sierras are really gorgeous.. based on all the reviews of them I'd love to get my hands on them some day to listen to them..

cbelsches

Ascend Sierra-1's.. I can see why you said one day get to listen to them.
Thank you for your response. Still you never know. I will have to keep a look out for them just to listen.

Menasor

cbelsches wrote: »

Ascend Sierra-1's.. I can see why you said one day get to listen to them.
Thank you for your response. Still you never know. I will have to keep a look out for them just to listen.

Buy them and if you don't like them, send them back within 30 days. You get a 30 day trial. I bet you will be amazed and keep them!

Menasor

Also you might want to look the PSB Imagine B and Paradigm Studio 20.