Polk Audio RTiA7 Mod Thread

[VR3]

This should be a fun one - quite a few caps on a small board.

I am thinking of getting larger spacers for this one and extending the wires to the binding post... This should allow for easier positioning of the caps.

Should be fun none the less. I searched the forum for a previous mod thread and did not see any....

I believe the parts list on this one will be -

Clarity Cap PX on the midbass/woofers and Clarity SA or ESA on the tweeter. Mox resistors most likely.

[jbooker82]

I guess your going to be forging your own path on this one. I tried looking too and couldn't find anything. Post up some before and after pics when you get to them.

josh

[VR3]

I think we have this Josh!! OH YEAH!

See your PM

[VR3]

Im tickled silly - wait till you guys see what I came up with!!

HAHAHAH!!!

This is so exciting. Im such a freakin nerd that this excites me.

But I cannot wait to do these and any others like this.

I could have potentially stumbled upon the definition of awesome! :)

Woo Hoo!

[VR3]

Check this out!

I can put whatever the hell I want on this crossover now and not miss a beat!

[VR3]

My plan was to cut a piece of plywood to put at the very bottom and top -- mount the smaller assortment of caps at the bottom and solder to the board..

Put the larger caps at the very top...

And keep the resistors on the board...

Should be freakin SWEET

[VR3]

Actually I think for weight distribution reasons I am going to mount the original boards upside down and put the larger caps near the terminal cup. Should prevent the plastic from flexing over time.

[McLoki]

Just stating the obvious before you get to far....

You have no issues with depth correct? (i.e. - there is not the back of a woofer 3" inside the crossover hole....) Other than that - looks great.

Michael

[VR3]

11" plus

Thanks!

[Toolfan66]

You might just push me to do my A9's!!!!

[VR3]

Do it!! :)

[Toolfan66]

I wish polk offered another tweeter for the RTiA series, I know wishfull thinking as I know they would sell very few anyway but if you had a smoother tweeter for music, and as beautiful as these are? would be awesome!!!

Maybe your upgrades will smooth them a little. Don't get me wrong I love my RTiA 7.2 HT setup!!!

[VR3]

Yeah the RTi series in general has always been bright.

On this one we are using Clarity Cap PX and Clarity Cap ESA on the bypass caps - it should definitely smooth them out

[Face]

When upgrading caps, there's no need for the bypass anymore, IMO.

[Outfitter03]

I would be a little concerned about the bolts interacting with the inductors. Maybe you could get some made from nylon.

[VR3]

I dont think it will be a big issue... the bolt is not running through the inductor...

[VR3]

I will say this - this is going to be slick as s$%t!

I bought some breadboard from Ratshack and cut it to size - already installed the new binding post on the terminal cups - ran some wire and mounted the base to the set up.

Should be extremely cool!

[EDUBAG]

please keep posting on this and with pics. i own a pair of a7 and would love to get them to their potential.

regards,

eduardo

[VR3]

Ill try to post as many pics as possible.

With anything in life... Im waiting on parts. HAHA

[mrbiron]

Yes pictures pictures pictures......then let us know when you want to do A5's

[VR3]

Mrbiron - send them this way! I will be happy to modify them!

[gp4jesus]

Pics, pics, & more pics please!

Thanks

PS what's your take on the MR HP filtering or divider between the MR & subs? Mine has neither. "Why" later thnx

[gp4jesus]

Some extensive reading before you finalize your mods.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...citor+shootout

Cheers Tony

[VR3]

Nah - Clarity Cap is the way to go.

MR, ESA, SA, PX - all are superb caps and are like the cocaine to my tweeters! :) ;)

[VR3]

I will say that out of the caps I have tried I also really like Auricap... I have had excellent success with them taming bright tweeters! :)

[kevhed72]

So.....would you possibly be up for modding my A9s for a fee by chance?

I cannot solder for S--- and have too many other unfinished projects around the house

[VR3]

Yep! See my mod thread - or shoot me a pm

[VR3]

Just a fwiw --

I charge 20 per board on this series and then 30 additionally to alter the board configuration. Reason is mostly parts (threaded rods, nuts, breadboard, dh lab wiring - alot more soldering and alot more time...

So basically parts of your choice + labor...

This one with new binding posts came to about 350... (with a CSia5 thrown in)

Thanks gents

[gp4jesus]

Nah - Clarity Cap is the way to go.

MR, ESA, SA, PX - all are superb caps and are like the cocaine to my tweeters! :) ;)

I take it you've read Ben's Capacitor Shootout. Haven't read it in quite a while; can't recall his conclusions.

I want you to make informed mods as you will find more than a few A7 owners not entirely pleased w/the sound, myself* included. If yours are new, allow 50-100 hours break-in. They'll soften/sweeten considerably by then.
* I believe I can correct the flaws w/active XOs and bi/tri-amping

I'm confident the new, not-yet-broken-in, caps will sound sweeter still; when broken in, even more so!

I mentioned in an earlier post about mid range HP filtering. Could you see any? I couldn't. One of my reasons to bi-amp.

In the same post, a divider between the mid range and subs. Could you see one? I couldn't. Another reason to bi-amp* (and do closure mods!)
* want to tri-amp my '7s; bi-amp the center & surrounds. I have amps & XOs so why not!

These last 2 issues are points of contention I've had w/both Polk Customer service and a forum member who shall remain nameless for the moment. I'd greatly appreciate 3rd party confirmation on these.

thanks for indulging me by reading this far. tony

[VR3]

Id like to note I do not actually own these speakers. I am just modifying the crossovers for a Polk member...

Sonicaps are no where near the quality level of the ESA or MR unless you are buying Platinums...

Sonicaps and SA series seem to be on the same level and the PX are a lower end cap that is more affordable than Sonicaps and much* nicer than Dayton... IMO

But again - I do not own these speakers and no nothing more than what is in front me...