New Rti A9 Vs RTi 12 VS LSi 15

[bobt]

Ok to me, I don't see the difference between the "new" Rti a9 and the RTi 12.
They seem to look exactly the same. Has anybody heard the "new" 9's.
The other thing I don't understand is I thought the LSi 15 & 25 were the top of the line stuff.
Basically no comparison to the RTi 12. But there are price "wars" going on with these speakers. RTi 12 are going for 699. The LSi 15's are like 840. Thats a pair, and the LSi 25 are down to 700 each.
Whats going on? is Polk dumping these speakers, to make room for a new series or something?
I mean at these prices I will go for the LSI 15's...which I assume are better then the RTi 12's.
Is that a correct assumption, or am I comparing apples to oranges here?????

[cfrizz]

Welcome BobT.

Yes most prefer the LSI's over the RTi line. However, It cost a lot more than just the speakers to run them well.

These are 4ohm speakers & require a LOT of power to get them to operate to their full potential. That's 200wpc minimum. So unless you are willing to get a receiver with preouts for separate amplification & then get the separate amplification, or just get all separates from the get go, it might not be worth it to you.

[bobt]

Well the power is not a problem. Plus these are going to be used in a 2 channel stereo system.
I already have a pair of SDA 1C's That the LSi 15's would be replacing.

I would move the 1C's to TV duty..

I have an Adcom preamp, Onkyo integra M-504 power amp, Sony XA3ES cd player.

I think the Onkyo would do the job, but if not, I would Biamp the speakers and buy a Adcom amp. Use the Onkyo for the bass, Adcom for the Highs.

I would think this is more then enough to run this speaker correctly.
Hopefully this will sound better then the 1C's........thats the question?

[cfrizz]

Only YOU can decide that. I know that they will definately sound different. Whether or not you like the difference remains to be seen.

[bobt]

Well thats the problem...I can't audition these speakers ...nobody around here has them..so I'm flying blind.
I have to assume that the LSi 15 is one of the top of the line speakers from Polk...(as the SDA 1C was) so after 20 or so years...I would.."assume" the new speakers were better.
But I get the feeling that , thats not the case...at least from some people.
So I'm flyng blind here, I can't listen to the RTi12 nor the LSi 15..I would assume the 15 is the best..but thats just a guess.
I would have to buy these ..unheard, online..so thats why I ask.....

[john22614]

I love my LSi's....but I only bought them after I heard them. I wouldn't buy anything on line that didn't include a thirty day trail period with a free shipping return option....especially for speakers as heavy as the 15's. And, I'd make sure I had a big enough vehicle to get them to the carrier if I didn't like them enough to buy them. Having said that, my hunch is you will like them.....I expect to use mine for a very long time. The RTi's were too bright for me....the LSi's are more laid back and the sound seems to come from deeper within the speaker. For me, they have a beautiful, rich tonal quality that I really like.

[joix]

Has anyone heard the new RTi A9´s. If so, how are they and would you recommend them.

[dorokusai]

They're better than the RTi12 but not the LSi15.

[Shmenan101]

I agree that the RTi A9 sounds too bright. I didnt give a listen to the LSi at Tweeter but I compared the A9 with a speaker from Focal and it wasn't nuetral enough for me. I assume thats what the LSi would get you.