RTi A9's, A7's or A5's

[brendonvodden]

I am looking at build a HT system well 80% movies and 20% music. A really like the A9's I am also wanting to go with a big sub. If I am going to spend and good amount of money on a sub, do I need to go with the A9's or should I drop down to the A7's r A5's?

[danz1906]

The A9s are great, but with a Good Big Sub you could use the A7s or A5s.

[comfortablycurt]

Personally, I'd take the A5's with a real nice sub. IMO, the A5's have the best mid-range of the RTi series towers.

The extra bass extension is negligible for the most part...you're going to have the mains crossed over at roughly 80hz anyway...and the A5's are easily capable of producing sound well below 80hz.

[Montoya]

I agree I have rti-12 but if I had to do it over again I would choose the a5's way easier to drive with a receiver. In my opinion with the bigger towers an amp is a must to get everything they have to offer.

Personally, I'd take the A5's with a real nice sub. IMO, the A5's have the best mid-range of the RTi series towers.

The extra bass extension is negligible for the most part...you're going to have the mains crossed over at roughly 80hz anyway...and the A5's are easily capable of producing sound well below 80hz.

[comfortablycurt]

I agree I have rti-12 but if I had to do it over again I would choose the a5's way easier to drive with a receiver. In my opinion with the bigger towers an amp is a must to get everything they have to offer.

That's another good point, that I forgot to mention. The A5's don't need nearly as much power as the A9's to sound great.

Most receivers will drive the A9's...but not very well. They'll be running out of steam a lot quicker.

[packetjones]

Depending on your overall budget and the AVR/amp that you will have, I would recommend the 5's and a Large sub. If you have a large space to fill or large amounts of available power then i would step up to the 9's. The general consensus around here is that it comes down to the 5's and 9's. There are not as many opinions on the 7's really. I have the 5's and like them a lot. I am currently looking to upgrade my sub to compliment them.

[leroyjr1]

Both A9's and A5's with a good sub will do. It all depends on your budget.

[NewHTguy]

If you truly are 80% HT, I'd vote for the 5's and a good sub. Easier to drive the 5's and a good sub will give you the bass. If music were a higher priority, then you might want to go with the 9s.

[wutadumsn23]

Looks like the 5's have it, lol. Welcome to Club Polk OP.

-Jeff

[brendonvodden]

I do have a fairly big room, 16.5 x 40 x 8 front half of room home theater back half pool table and bar, on the side ten foot opening to hallway.

[Murray1]

I do have a fairly big room, 16.5 x 40 x 8 front half of room home theater back half pool table and bar, on the side ten foot opening to hallway.

I have the same size room and love my A5's and CSiA6 center. Anyone with same size room and speaker config have suggestions for 5.1 rears. Considering RTiA3's or FXiA6's.

[packetjones]

I have the A3's as rears and really like them. My room is not as big, approx 15x25x8 and they sound great. I have not tried any of the FXi speakers so i can not really comment on those. I think it depends on where in the room the speakers are located related to the seating position. If there are no walls to bounce the dipole off of then the A3's may be better.

I am sure someone else will have comments on these 2 as well.

[Murray1]

packetjones,

Where do you have your A3's located relative to the seating position? Watched Pearl Harbor last nite and could only imagine if I had rears.

[renowilliams]

packetjones,

Where do you have your A3's located relative to the seating position? Watched Pearl Harbor last nite and could only imagine if I had rears.

I have the rti6's that are basically the same as the a3's and I have them at ear level, behind my seating position on either side. You will not be disappointed with the RTI A5s for H/T setup. As stated, you want at least a 12" sub and the bigger the center channel the better. I am very happy with my setup.

Good Luck

[domflane]

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/speaker-setup-guide/index.html

This is a great guideline on where to place your speakers. I use regular bookshelves as rears and love them. I wouldn't mind trying the FXi's though.

[mystik610]

I do have a fairly big room, 16.5 x 40 x 8 front half of room home theater back half pool table and bar, on the side ten foot opening to hallway.

All the more reason you'll want the A5 + a good sub over the A9's. In a room like that, you'll really have to be careful where you place the sub. You'll have a lot more flexibility with placement with a separate sub....and as far as bass management goes, placement is the most important factor (more important than the size of the driver even!).

The A5's also have larger mid-bass drivers.

[packetjones]

packetjones,

Where do you have your A3's located relative to the seating position? Watched Pearl Harbor last nite and could only imagine if I had rears.

I have them located behind my seating position. I am hoping that when i move i will be able to put them more to the sides than they are now. Currently they are directly behind me.