LSi15 vs. RTiA9?

[danlarson]

Can someone contrast the LSi15 versus the RTiA9 speakers? They are in JUST ABOUT the same price range (not quite)-- if you were putting together the ultimate system for music and ht on the side, which system would you want to build? Music is much more important to me than HT, but HT is a required factor.

[curved]

IMO, LSi15 hands down!!

[ben62670]

The LSI 15's are very nice speakers. You will need an amp to run them properly.
Ben

[maximillian]

The LSI's are in general better for music although some people prefer the RTi for hard rock music. The LSi's do real well with HT applications too, but some people are disappointed with the LSiC center. The best system depends on your personal tastes.

[Sami]

Your question has been answered, but here's another confirmation: LSi15's. :)

[megasat16]

+1 to all the answers above.

[leroyjr1]

Your question has been answered, but here's another confirmation: LSi15's. :)

I'm a go against the grain and say RTI A9.

[suprafantx]

I have Lsi series speakers and RTi10 speakers. I found Lsi is much much better than RTi for both music and HT. I do not have RTiA9 but I think they are the same class with RTi. Go with Lsi so you do not have to upgrade RTiA9 to Lsi.

[dave7310]

Glad i found this place!

I have an old pair of Cerwin Vega A-15's that i drive with a Carver M-1.ot amp.

I'm very interested in the RTI A9's to replace them but nobody sells them around here so i can listen to a pair.

The only good audio store around here sells B&W's.
The B&W 683's mid range really sounds good, bass is ok. (until you push them )
Even with a sub i don`t think i`d be happy at higher volume?

I have a feeling the RTI A9's would be perfect for me, but without hearing them i'm not going to shell out almost $ 1700.00 !

Any ideas?

[Monster Jam]

Listen to them for yourself; tone is very much a preferential matter. BTW, I think the better comparison is LSi15 vs. RTi12.

[maximillian]

Perhaps try to find a local Polkster that you can try them out. You really want to hear them. The A9's are huge; besides the price it's the shipping that is going to be a hassle if you don't like them. Realize that some people are not content with either line of Polk speakers.

A place to save you some money is to try the user PolkDirect on Ebay, it's Polk method of selling factory direct (typically refurbed ones). They have a few pair of black A9's for $850. These are factory refurbed but people say that they look like brand new, and they come with a warranty.

[danlarson]

Dave-- I got the A9s on Amazon, which has a GREAT return policy where they will pay the shipping even. But don't even THINK about buying the A9s without a dedicated amplifier-- I got an XPA-5 which is coming in the mail today. I am considering this my home audition for the A9s, and am still up in the air for the verdict until after I hear them with an amp. I am also considering Distinctive Technologies, although that's quite a bit more dollars.

[danlarson]

Oh, and the A9s excel at high volume. The put out some serious bass... you could even do without a sub, but I have a PSW 500 I'm using with it as well. If you like to crank it, A9s are for you! Dave- I see you have an amp... GOOD, you'll need it! :) I'm planning on bi-amping the A9s and single-amping the A6 (center) and powering my surrounds from the receiver.

[jkacura39]

Im new here. thinking about buying a pair of a9`s. I have a onkyo 806, would this reciever do the job and make them sound decent or would I HAVE to get an external amp??

thanks

[Chitown_Badger]

Im new here. thinking about buying a pair of a9`s. I have a onkyo 806, would this reciever do the job and make them sound decent or would I HAVE to get an external amp??

thanks

You probably wouldn't have to get an amp. Though others will tell you that an amp will add punch at all listening levels and would make a particularly noticeable difference at high levels.

[dave7310]

Oh, and the A9s excel at high volume. The put out some serious bass... you could even do without a sub, but I have a PSW 500 I'm using with it as well. If you like to crank it, A9s are for you! Dave- I see you have an amp... GOOD, you'll need it! :) I'm planning on bi-amping the A9s and single-amping the A6 (center) and powering my surrounds from the receiver.

My Carver will give me around 350wpc, AND i could always buy a second M-1.0t , flip the Mono switch on the back of both amps and have 1000wpc !
(might be too much?) lol

How`s the midrange on the RT9's?

[danlarson]

Midrange rocks at high volumes- I am going home now to install the xpa, so I haven't heard them yet with the right amp.

[danlarson]

Ok, just added the XPA-5 to the setup... and I wouldn't even THINK about running these speakers without an amp. And I'm only running them at low volumes since my daughter is sleeping... If you're not willing to add an amp-- buy other speakers.

[leroyjr1]

+1 for an external amp. Makes a huge difference. Polk Direct eBay store has the Rti a 9's for $849 plus shipping.

[Polkzilla]

I have the RTiA9s paired with an Outlaw RR2150 and it's a match made in heaven, no other external amp needed.

[Pepi28]

Im new here. thinking about buying a pair of a9`s. I have a onkyo 806, would this reciever do the job and make them sound decent or would I HAVE to get an external amp??

thanks

;)You'll be fine running the a9's with your onkyo. You can always buy an external amp later on down the road when the money is right. ;)

[danlarson]

I disagree with Pepi-- I would NOT consider these speakers without an amp. This is after hearing them with and without a dedicated amp. Don't even bother without, go with a smaller speaker and you'll hear more sound. They are freaking beautiful with the XPA-5 however.

And my conclusion-- I will stick with the RTi-A9s, I'm pretty happy with them with the amp. The entire RTi A setup sounds freaking sweet when it has enough juice.

[jkacura39]

Thanks pepi...... also thanks danlarson.... im going to get the a9`s and get an amp down the road when I can afford a nice one. I also have the csi a6 center... would i be ok getting a 2 channel amp for the a9`s or should i get a 3 channel and power the center also?? any opinions is appreciated.

thanks

[curved]

I would look at a 3 or 5-channels. I like the Adcom 5503. What would you be looking to spend? Do you prefer new or used?

[mmadden28]

Thanks pepi...... also thanks danlarson.... im going to get the a9`s and get an amp down the road when I can afford a nice one. I also have the csi a6 center... would i be ok getting a 2 channel amp for the a9`s or should i get a 3 channel and power the center also?? any opinions is appreciated.

thanks

Good plan. I would try to at least externally amp the front stage (right, left and center). The center channel is something like 70-80% of a surround sound mix in Home Theater applications. You want the dialog to shine.
XPA-5 IMO is a great choice and its on sale right now with free shipping

[jkacura39]

I would look at a 3 or 5-channels. I like the Adcom 5503. What would you be looking to spend? Do you prefer new or used?

I would prefer used--- cost savings. ill look into the Adcom 5503. i hear alot of people here say that Adcom is good.

[jkacura39]

Good plan. I would try to at least externally amp the front stage (right, left and center). The center channel is something like 70-80% of a surround sound mix in Home Theater applications. You want the dialog to shine.
XPA-5 IMO is a great choice and its on sale right now with free shipping

Ive seen that xpa-5... looks bad ass.... thanks for the advise

[danlarson]

The XPA-5 *is* bad-ass. I love it. I'm converting my setup (umm, my new setup...) to B&W but keeping the XPA I think. It's a great piece of gear you're going to use for a long time. Sounds freaking great.

[danlarson]

Ok, as I said in another thread-- I'd recommend the B&W 683 over the polks after hearing them both in my house. Forget about the rtiA9 unless you're listening at high volume ALL the time. But the XPA-5 rocks):

Jkacura, hopefully you read this before you buy the A9s.

[jkacura39]

Ok, as I said in another thread-- I'd recommend the B&W 683 over the polks after hearing them both in my house. Forget about the rtiA9 unless you're listening at high volume ALL the time. But the XPA-5 rocks):

Jkacura, hopefully you read this before you buy the A9s.

Already bought the a9`s.... ill just not listen to the b&w`s so i dont get pissed about it ;] thanks for the info though