Polk Speaker Purchase Advice

[Gary C]

I am considering purchasing some polks for the first time. These would be the main towers for music and HT. I have a choice between two used speakers:

RTi A7

RTi 8

Which do you think is the better speaker? Thanks for your advice.

Gary

[Kex]

Gary C, I don't have either of those, but I would prefer the curved cabinet and newer design of the RTi A range in general. However, the RTi A7 is a big speaker, equivalent to the RTi10, rather than the RTi8, with woofers, as well as mid-woofers and a tweeter. A lot of owners have complained about the power needed to drive them properly, so I am wondering what type of receiver and/or external amplification you are using.

If you don't have something that's really able to push those hard, I would be more likely to go for the great deals on the RTi8, or, if you can find an equivalent deal, the RTi A5 rather than the RTi A7, especially if you have (or are expecting to add) a subwoofer.

P.S. Welcome to the Club!

[Gary C]

I have a Yamaha HTR 5650 receiver which I will be keeping (see link below)

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200186&CTID=5000400

It puts out 6 x 80 watts. How does that sound for enough power to handle the RTi A7's?

Thx

Gary C

[Kex]

I have a Yamaha HTR 5650 receiver which I will be keeping (see link below)

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200186&CTID=5000400

It puts out 6 x 80 watts. How does that sound for enough power to handle the RTi A7's?

Thx

Gary C
Not nearly enough IMO, and I don't think it has pre-outs for an external amplifier to be added (except for the subwoofer). With that model, I would not get anything bigger than the RTi8 or RTi A5. The cruel reality is that it very probably won't even drive those to their full potential. You will have to be careful if you have a large room, since pushing big speakers too hard with that receiver will actually exceed it's abilities, and damage the speakers. You might even want to consider a bookshelf RTi model, such as the RTi A3 or RTi6 because of this.

It's nothing against Yamaha (I have one too), it's just receivers of that level have their limits. With the right speakers, and a subwoofer, you'll still get an excellent Home Theater experience, so it's nothing to be sneered at.

[Gary C]

Thanks for the tips. A new receiver would be nice.

Gary C

[Motzart]

Looks to me it pushes 95Watt with 8ohm speakers.

My Yammy pushes 90watts x 6 and it's enough for me and my Polks.

[Gary C]

Yes, in dynamic mode it does shift 95w to the mains. Thanks for catching that.

Anyone know what the recommended min power is for either of these speakers?

Gary C

[Kex]

Looks to me it pushes 95Watt with 8ohm speakers.

My Yammy pushes 90watts x 6 and it's enough for me and my Polks.
Your speakers are a LOT smaller than what he is looking at, so yes, your receiver will work fine with what you have, and so would his. Neither will do a good job with something bigger than RTi8 or RTi A5 ... IMO.

[xcapri79]

I am considering purchasing some polks for the first time. These would be the main towers for music and HT. I have a choice between two used speakers:

RTi A7

RTi 8

Which do you think is the better speaker? Thanks for your advice.

Gary

The RTiA7 is the better speaker. What is your cost difference between the two?

That being said, the RTi8 is a very nice speaker IMO and I think would work fine with your receiver. The RTi8 along with either the CSi3 or CSi5 center channel and a good subwoofer make a nice setup.

If you go with the RTiA7's, I would recommend upgrading your receiver amp, since its woofers like power.

[Gary C]

Thanks everyone. All of this input will let me get going.

Gary C