RTiA9 for music or movies?
Hello, I keep coming across different opinions of these speakers, as for movies/music. I am looking to replace my big, ugly CV CLS215's, and am considering the a9's, but for music only. I have a 500wpc amp, so plenty of power. Just concerned that they may not sound as good as the CV's. I listen to mainly rock, and funk so I really like my bass. My other more expensive option is Klipsch RF7ii's. I really like the a9's but have no way to audition any locally. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Post edited by LukeCage on
Comments
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I owned the rtia9 for a very brief period of time . I thoroughly enjoyed them for both types of listening but I feel they stood out more for home theatre use . They're definitely no slouch in the bass department . As far as comparing them to your cerwins , You shouldn't expect the same bass , but then again I feel they're two completely different types of speakers and musically wise I'm sure you'll like the polks over the cerwins ... If you feel the bass is too weak you could always get a designated subwoofer.Yamaha V1800 receiver along with a NAD 2600a and 2700a .
Sda 1c - my new favorite speakers
Rta 8,11tl,15tl
Monitor 10 and 12
Marty sub 18" still in the works
Klipsch sw12-2
Hobbies turn into addictions . -
FYI I'm still pretty new to this hobby so you might want to wait for a more knowledgeable person to chime in . What type of amp are you using ?Yamaha V1800 receiver along with a NAD 2600a and 2700a .
Sda 1c - my new favorite speakers
Rta 8,11tl,15tl
Monitor 10 and 12
Marty sub 18" still in the works
Klipsch sw12-2
Hobbies turn into addictions . -
With quality power and sources the Rtia9's are very good with music. What amplifier are you planning on using?Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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I think it'd be a nice upgrade. The mids and highs will definitely be cleaner and it will most likely be a tighter punchier bass, I feel like CV's are boomier and fatter on the low end and more geared towards blasting party music. Just my .02!
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Thanks for the fast replies. I really don't expect the same bass as the CV's produce, but I do want to rattle the walls if I'm in the mood. I expect a tighter bass with the a9's which will be
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Welcome to Club Polk!
IMHO, the Rti-A9s are the most capable with music of the entire Rti-A series towers. And they are also an even better HT speaker. They're a good compromise between the two genres.
However you really DO need a quality amp with a lot of power to make them sing as they should.
And though a PRO amp has power it's not going to be the best match with Rti-As because the sound will not be smooth and musical, and the Rti-As tend to the bright and forward side, which a PRO amp will only accentuate.
I'd look at something like an Adcom GFA 5802 300 watt x 2 @ 8 ohms and 450 @ 4 ohms. Or something from Parasound, B&K, etc. in that same or even higher POWER class.
Pair that to a nice pre by one of the manufacturers above or any other well known audio brand and you'll be happy.
Good Luck!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
Fry's in Austin has RTIA series. Think there's one in SA.
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^That's where I got my Rti12's.
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Thanks for replies everyone! I just ordered a pair(cherry) from Crutchfield. I will let you know what I think after listening to them a week or so, just in case someone else has a similar question. Cheers!
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The A9's driven with a quality high powered amp will definitely rock n roll with pounding bass. That said, I agree with cnh, a pro amp with the A9's is not a match made in heaven. A beefy Parasound would be a good choice.
I'd give them more than a week to break in.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I also have a Pioneer SX1080, that I just had recapped, resoldered, and cleaned, it's a real beast. I will also try it out with the a9's. If the sound is bright with the amp, that's okay with me, I would prefer that over warm sounding. But yeah, I will eventually get me another hifi amp. The McIntosh I had was old and I didn't want to sink any more money into it than I already had(repairs), so I sold it. The QSC has been fun though.
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I'm just going to say it. You could have got these:
afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
Lol, those are MONSTERS!
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The A9's are a different animal than the CV's your used to. If you like a bright fatiguing sound, pairing the A9's with the QSC amp will get you there. Just be careful on the volume dial or you'll be buying new tweeters very soon. The CV's can take more punishment, they are built for loud, but not necessarily sound quality. The A9's, while built well won't take that same punishment. Take it easy on the volume dial.HT SYSTEM-
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Sony 4k BRP
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Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
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Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
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B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Luke, welcome! And congrats on your new purchase. With your amp, I know you're going to fall in love with your new A9's, you'll be amazed at how great they can sound with a solid source...........bass????? Let me show you something, note, I'm currently running without subs and in the pic, my mains are running off of a single 300wpch amp at the time of the photo, the amps are currently monoblocks.
While watching the movie Tron Legacy, this is how much power these bad boys (A9's) require under heavy lifting........anyone with an XPA-2 had this many lights lit up at one time??? Incl 2 reds??
Keep in mind, the A9's exhibit more bass through H.T. than 2ch, but the 2ch is nice and tight.Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
I believe only a low quality pro amp would be an issue with sound, just as a low quality home amp would be. I certainly couldn't tell any difference going from the Mcintosh to the GX5, other than fan noise, which really isn't bad at all. I know this is definitely frowned upon by "audiophiles", but it works very well for me. That being said, home amps are much more sexy, such as Mcintosh and Emotiva. One of those brands will prolly entice me back to home amps. Here's a link with more on the subject that's very interesting:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=418666
cnh[/QUOTE] -
I certainly couldn't tell any difference going from the Mcintosh to the GX5
That says a lot right there as they couldn't have a more different sound signature.
As for ther AVS link. He went from an AVR that cannot drive his speakers to a separate amp, even though it's a pro amp, so of course it will seem better.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Welcome to Club Polk Luke! So long as you are happy with what you are hearing, then rock on.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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Welcome to Club Polk Luke! So long as you are happy with what you are hearing, then rock on.
Right on Bro! -
She's a lady!Home Theater
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erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
Ya know, I've got a problem with the as long as you like what you hear stuff. It's really of no help to those that don't know any better.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Jesse
You could have said nicer...like "get out and listen to gear"...lol
2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
Luke, welcome! And congrats on your new purchase. With your amp, I know you're going to fall in love with your new A9's, you'll be amazed at how great they can sound with a solid source...........bass????? Let me show you something, note, I'm currently running without subs and in the pic, my mains are running off of a single 300wpch amp at the time of the photo, the amps are currently monoblocks.
While watching the movie Tron Legacy, this is how much power these bad boys (A9's) require under heavy lifting........anyone with an XPA-2 had this many lights lit up at one time??? Incl 2 reds??
Keep in mind, the A9's exhibit more bass through H.T. than 2ch, but the 2ch is nice and tight.
Nice! Yeah I had my lights go nuts in a spot in the newest star trek movie the other week.. First time I seen them go that nuts hehe. I have that movie and now i'm gona have to watch it! Crap kids going to bed in a minute.
... Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
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Oppo 103
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Luke knows there is more gear out there to explore when and if he wants to. Right now he is simply enjoying what he has, as well he should. This isn't a race.
I know we like spending everyone elses money, but only Luke will know when he is ready to spend more.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
What do you mean by this statement?
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I would think if you're running out of lights you're running out of headroom?
FWIW I rather enjoy the A9's with music. While they are forward sounding and a tad on the bright side compared to other much more expensive speakers that my ears really like, they're a fantastic compromise in a split home theater and music system.
The more high quality power the better. I've gone from AVR 140wpc, to Parasound HCA-1206 135wpc, Parasound HCA-2003 220wpc, and finally Parasound HCA-3500 with 350wpc and boatloads of current, each power increase sounded better, but IMHO 220wpc was a sweet spot in terms of bang for the buck. You can find lots of good amps around there for $5-800 where a good 300+wpc seems to be $1200 minimum in the used market.Up
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Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500 -
Inspector 24 wrote: »I've gone from AVR 140wpc, to Parasound HCA-1206 135wpc, Parasound HCA-2003 220wpc, and finally Parasound HCA-3500 with 350wpc and boatloads of current, each power increase sounded better, but IMHO 220wpc was a sweet spot in terms of bang for the buck. You can find lots of good amps around there for $5-800 where a good 300+wpc seems to be $1200 minimum in the used market.
Inspector - Your trip up the amp ladder was a strong incentive. I poured over the FM, audiogon, CL & ebay in pursuit of >= 300 wpc. In the end, I ventured into pro amps, & will stick w/Yamaha P7000s' 700 wpc using EEE topology. The attenuators are set - 3 dB & the clipping indicators never come on, nor do the fans. My guitarfactory "demo" was $600. The only downside of 2-channel listening is poorly mastered CDs! -
Definitely have enough power!
If you ever get the chance definitely check out some Parasound or similar gear. I've never heard pro audio stuff on home speakers so my opinion doesn't carry much weight, but based on so many other's experiences there seems to be a lot better sound to be had with non-pro audio gear. If I ever get the chance I'd be curious to hook one up and discover what my ears have to say about it. Up
LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000
Down
LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500 -
Inspector 24 wrote: »I would think if you're running out of lights you're running out of headroom?
Right. In the pic, one 300w amp for the mains, one 300w amp for the rears. I have since put the two amps back to monoblocks. I have headroom to spare.Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
