RTiA9

by Russ, July 10, 2008

Strengths:

These are beautiful speakers and the sound quality is great.

Weaknesses:

None

Review:

I purchased these speakers because of their sound quality and appearence. Once I got them out of the showroom and into my living room I was amazed. The highs are brilliant and the bass tones are deep, low and punchy. What I didn't expect was the complete customer service I received. As I registered my speakers at Polk I wrote in the comment section that the grills were warped from packaging, I also noted that they would probably straighten out within a few days. The next day I received an e mail from a rep at Polk and he got all my personal information and sent me new grills.....that easy. That is almost as impressive as these speakers.....I love them.

by Alyn Pappas, May 22, 2010

Strengths:

Can handle massive amounts of power, and they look as tough as they sound.

Weaknesses:

Not great sounding out of the box. Needs proper break in and will benefit from equalization.

Review:

I've had my RTi-A9's for about a month now. I'm not your typical audiophile. I listen to a wide variety of music that includes rock, classic rock, heavy metal, hip hop, rap, jazz & club. I've been a car audio installer for 10 years and have worked with many components, as well as set up plenty of SQ cars. Little did I know what I would be in for with my new home audio venture. I bought my A9's after my old speakers were "accidently blown" at one of my house parties. Out the box, I wasn't impressed as I felt I should be. At first, all the reviews I read gave me a "false expectation" of what these speakers would do. They do require a lengthy break in period before they start to shine. Having a good receiver or home amplifier will help this. As of the writing of this review, I have an easy 150hrs of play time on them. Keep in mind, what audio components you have may change how well the out the box sound of these are. The technology and design behind the ports is well thought out. Very realistic bass, and very sneaky. Even without my sub going, they produce unique harmonics that would make you believe that there is a sub in play. Don't be fooled by the 3 7in. drivers. They can play very full and very low. Midrange is nice and smooth, and hasn't clipped under the hardest of rock that I have thrown at them. Vocals are up front and acurate. Live music sounds amazing. The tweeter is very nice, not at all harsh, but there are times I think that an additional tweeter would help. However, with the volume levels I've acheived with these, it's understandable that the tweeter will be the first to show any weaknesses in the audio signal. Going to the speakers, I have a PS-Audio PCA-2 pre-amp, DBX 2 channel 31 band EQ, 2 Crown CL-1 amplifiers, wired up with silver balanced interconnects. Speakers are BI-Amped, and see 550 watts rms per speaker. Polk isn't lying about the power handling of these beasts. Very loud, lifelike, and accurate at all volume levels. The A9's are very balanced, and have wonderful sonics. They have the ability to create a very wide and tall soundstage. When setup properly, a center channel is not needed. To sum it all up, these speakers are simply amazing. The sound is smooth and rich, and with the right amount of power and tuning, they will make the pickiest audiophile crack a smile. BI-Amping is a must in my opinion, as a little more power to the 3 7's is needed to keep them balanced.

by Howard Hull, November 9, 2009

Strengths:

Mid range and clarity for the price range is second to none. Plenty of punch in the bass, and in time they warm even more.

Weaknesses:

None and i doubt there will be

Review:

I've purchased these speakers along side the matching center and surrounds. I'm running them from a Onkyo Nr1007 Receiver bi–amping the fronts. I was blown away and trust me when I say you won't be dissapointed with them. Obviously I know they'd sound even better with a dedicated power amp but i'm still massively impressed with the performance.

by Mike Quast, August 7, 2008

Strengths:

Crystal clear sound at high volume levels. Out performs more expensive speakers.

Weaknesses:

Polk Audio refuses to throw my bail when the Police are called to my house.

Review:

WOW! WOW! WOW! This is coming from a serious audiophile. Ask my wife. It drives her crazy that I pick out every little detail in songs and music. These speakers DELIVER! I replaced my Paradigm Studio 60's with these. Now the Paradigms are nice. I am now using them as rear channel speakers. But in my humble opinion, these Polks are far superior. I am a drummer and bassist and it is nice to have speakers that I can drive to high volume levels without distortion. I bi-amped them with a Sunfire Ultimate Receiver driving the highs and an Adcom 7807 driving the lows. OH YEAH BABY!

by BigAl, January 25, 2008

Strengths:

Tight base, great transients, outstanding (electrostat level) transparancy and sense of spacing.

Weaknesses:

Cabinets have an awkward shape that make them difficult to move; be extremely careful with the stands, one wrong move can damage hardwood floors.

Review:

From the time my dad brought home the Altec-Lansing corner horn back in the early 60's (with the Harmon-Kardon Award Series 300 amp) I've come to love fidelity in the recreation of recorded sound. These speakers are the first to truly surpass the wonder of that first experience. They offer no coloration, only the music, just the music. Exceptional transient response, tight bass, and the sense of space! Rivals the best. I am so incredibly pleased with these speakers I can't begin to tell you. As a jazz enthusiast I can tell you they are well suited for anything from Billie Holiday to Weather Report.

by Pat. G, June 23, 2009

Strengths:

Incredible detail for both music and H/T. High's, and low's, both adding and enhancing to an already very realistic and enjoyable ride! Handsome design is icing on the cake!

Weaknesses:

Absolutely none from a performance standpoint. The size make's these behemoth's a little awkward to muscle, but the reward's are great!

Review:

This speaker is really a masterpiece! The array of twin 5 1/4 inch mid's, in unison with the three 7 inch bass driver's, really make for a compelling listening experience, be it H/T or music. Everything you want in a speaker and more: Dynamics, Soundstage, Detail, Power, Polk cover's all the base's with this Monster! Simply the best, and most enveloping pair of speaker's i have ever owned.

by Tom, December 4, 2009

Strengths:

Excellent mid range. Powerful bass. Precision highs. Very intimidating footprint.

Weaknesses:

None I can find.

Review:

Just upgraded from RTi A7's to these RTi A9's. The rest of my set up is CSi A6 center, FXi A6 surrounds and FXi A4 rear surrounds along with a SVS PB12 plus sub. Front 3 channels are being driven by a Emo XPA-3 200 WPC amp and surrounds are driven by a 140 WPC Onkyo AVR. I simply could not be more pleased. This grouping of equipment anchored by the RTi A9's as front towers is the best I have ever heard. And the RTi A9's in stereo mode is awesome as well. The 9's have a rich, full sound with impressive depth and clarity. I cannot imagine anybody being disappointed in these speakers. When one combines the amazing performance of these speakers with the equally amazing value and service available through the official Polk ebay store, there can be no regrets here. Thanks again Polk!

by Mike Ellis, October 31, 2007

Strengths:

Purely amazing speaker. Music sounds better than live.

Weaknesses:

None at all.

Review:

I have always been a fan of Polk Audio and specifically the RTi12s that are sold where I work. But today I had the pleasure to unwrap a pair of RTi A9s. Wow was I Excited, and once they were hooked up I was impressed. The looks of the speaker alone are far superior than the 12s especially with the grill off. And the sound production is more accurate. Better highs and mids. I had both the A9s and the 12s in the same room where I was able to go back and fourth. I would actually rank these above any other speaker I have herd to date by any manufacturer including: Bose, Perodine, Focal, Martin Logan, Boston Acustics, B&W, MB Quartz. Good job Polk!!!! 6 Stars.

by sottey, January 8, 2009

Strengths:

Brilliantly balanced, clear & crisp sounds at all volume levels

Weaknesses:

None

Review:

I have spent months finding the perfect speaker with many man hours spent visiting businesses which carry medium to high end audio equipment. After listening to speakers from A to Z, I decided to buy according to listening pleasure & specifications which in-turn amounted to weeks more of added research on the net. When I first came across the Polks it was the A7’s which originally impressed me since the specs were fairly remarkable. Little did I know that it had a papa. Papa RTi A9’s. These speakers have fantastic clear crisp highs which make you say to yourself, ”What the blazes was that” when certain notes are warmly impelled outward to gently tap your ears drums. The lows are amazing. You’ll be tempted to fire your masseuse since these speakers deliver seriously deep massaging vibrations. I am sure she (masseuse) will understand after she listens to them and experiences the subtle sensations from the small of her back right down to the quivering of her toe nails. I like these so much that I’m giving them a birthday. Great job Polk.

by Rich Dahl, October 17, 2008

Strengths:

Wonderful highs that blend with the mid-range and lows, and the real cherry finish is just stunning

Weaknesses:

Absolutely None!!!!!!

Review:

I absolutely think this are the best speakers you can buy in the 2,000 to 5,000 price range.I sold my Bowers,Wilkins and Paradigm signature s8 to buy these and I still had over 4 grand left over.They are very well built and the sound quality is just amazing,these are true full range speakers you will not need a sub-woofer for the lows.

by Ryan Franklin, May 14, 2010

Strengths:

Value Build quality

Weaknesses:

Edgy Sound, need a power amp to push, unpredictable sound.

Review:

I have been debating on whether to write this review for a few months because of how mixed I am about these speakers. Just to categorize my background I work part time doing home theater installs for a friends company….so I have about 3 years with installing systems. I have seen everything from cheap to exotic systems and everything in between. I have personally used Polk in more home audio configurations than any other speaker....Mostly in wall and ceiling speakers for multiroom setups...I love Polk speakers for in wall/Ceiling. Buying these speakers seemed a natural fit since I just purchased an Emotiva XPA-2 to power a set of towers and I needed a new setup for my personal home theater. I purchased the Cherry RTI-A9's as an end of year bonus treat to myself. My setup includes a Pioneer SC07 Receiver and the emotiva amp, with a PS3, a Customer Home theater PC, and a furman power conditioner. I will classify my review into three categories. 1) Build Quality 2) Sound Quality 3) Value. Build quality: This has to be the strongest point of these speakers....they are absolutely gorgeous, and they look fabulous in any configuration. Packaging was great, and for the weight of these speakers you really need a large vehicle to transport them. The design and layout of the speakers definitely give a wow factor…..more so than any other speaker ive seen. Sound Quality: This is where I struggled with these speakers.....I configured my SC07 with the emotiva amp using the microphone and then custom tweaked some of the settings.. The speakers seemed too edgy, the take a lot to push, you really have to crank them up to get really good sound from them....and once you do they do put out a bright sound albeit not very warm. The speakers seemed very unpredictable and always made me wonder how they would sound with the next song I played. I never felt confident in their ability to produce music...which was very disappointing to me. Value: I believe this is where Polk shines and they do represent a great value to someone getting into the higher end home theater arena. Overall, make sure you have a power amp to push these...even my class d amp in my sc07 wasn’t strong enough to push these...the emotiva xpa had enough just not to my satisfaction. As a result I recently sold these speakers on EBAY and purchased the PSB Image T6 Speakers and system....all I can say is wow what a warmer speaker and 100% more satisfied more predictable large sound stage with a much smaller footprint.

by Colin Guenther, March 15, 2008

Strengths:

Open, transparent, full spectrum sound. The speakers let the music come through, without drawing overdue attention to themselves.

Weaknesses:

None that I have yet uncovered (nor expect to)

Review:

I recently purchased a pair of these speakers, sight unseen, based on what I had read about them, and my confidence in the Polk brand name (I already owned a less expensive pair of Polk floorstanding speakers plus two sets of bookshelf speakers). The Polks were meant to replace a pair of Boston Acoustics T1000 speakers I had purchased 20 years ago. I think there is one adjective that can best describe the RTi A9s: full-range. These cover the full audio spectrum, from sparkling treble to deep bass. I have built a significant collection of Telarc CDs over the past 15 years, including those which have been re-released on SACD; and the bottom end is there, more than I have heard on any other speaker, without any lingering overtones. The midrange is also superb, bringing out nuances in recordings of female voices that I hadn't heard previously. All in all, I am very pleased with my purchase, not least in the fit and finish of the cabinets.

by Larry, April 6, 2009

Strengths:

HA HA Everything Polk did here, DID IT RIGHT!

Weaknesses:

NONE!!!! if you can't handle the size or weight send them to me i would love to have another pair. LOL

Review:

With out a doubt the best set up i have ever had. They are a hungry monster that is for sure. I have them teamed up with the Pioneer SC-07, and the Emotiva XPA-3 Can't go wrong here. The clarity, and bass response of these badboys is something to hear. I don't even use the sub when listening to 2 channel music, you don't need it trust me if powered right. This review is also for the CSi 6, FXi 6 (2 SETS), DSW PRO 500, and the DSW PRO 600. 7.2 channel here folks. This set up shakes the house. Living in HT, Music Heaven.

by Kenny, September 3, 2009

Strengths:

None Now

Weaknesses:

I didn't listen to enough speakers before I made my choice.

Review:

I should have listened to my buddy. We compared the Monitor Audio GS10's with A/B Speakers and there was a definite winner. The GS10's had a big advantage on clarity especially at higher levels. Now I'm stuck. Polk audio won't let this one get posted though. I tried before and it changed my email address.

Polk Response:

Speakers are extremely subjective. Much like food, what sounds (or tastes) great to one person may sound horrible to the next. Thanks for trying though.

by G. Bradley, December 22, 2007

Strengths:

Everything is so perfectly balanced.

Weaknesses:

Power hungry. You will need a very high quality, high power receiver to enjoy what these really have to offer.

Review:

Just bought a pair of these monsters. Absolutely amazing all around. Sound quality is by far the best I have ever heard. Highs and mids are impeccable. Bass is clean, very tight and punchy, and shockingly loud. As far as the looks are concerned, you have to see them in person. Particulary on either side of your entertainment center. No picture does them any justice. Very intimidating and mean looking. I get the same reaction from everyone, "WOW". If you got the extra money, buy a pair. They will not let you down!

by Karl D. Cripe, September 27, 2008

Strengths:

Binding post variety of hook up a bonus.It performs like you expect a Polk to sound. Craftsmanship and choice of materials a bonus

Weaknesses:

None other than break in period. It pays off in long run.

Review:

CLARITY !! Crystal clear sound. Never had a tower before, but easily gets the job done with no indication of straining. I've had just as many compliments on the cabinets as I have on sound quality. Money well spent. I like them so much , I bought a second pair ! Sonic performance beyond my dreams. If you think they sound awesom out of the box , add a EQ and youll get weak in the knees. The speakers open up even more , not that there was a issue minus EQ.Would HIGHLY recomend to anyone !!!!

by Adam, September 20, 2009

Strengths:

every thing. great range of sound

Weaknesses:

big and heavy.

Review:

great speakers. all i have to say is you have to see and hear them to believe. also get the cherry finish it makes them look as good as they sound.

by steven, April 11, 2009

Strengths:

Crystal clear. Beautiful midrange and treble...unreal bass for a tower in this price range.

Weaknesses:

requires a good amp...not really a weakness...but that's all I can find - otherwise flawless

Review:

I have listened to Totem Acoustics, Paradigm, and Monitor Audio before buying the A9s...for several thousand dollars difference there is NO WAY I'd ever buy the other towers. The difference in sound quality is so minute I think the others should be embarrassed to be charging what they are. The best value I have found in speakers yet...if you think 2k is too much to spend, then you haven't heard these speakers. Paired with my Denon 989 receiver this system has never disappointed. Thank you Polk!!

by Mario, December 25, 2010

Strengths:

Good power handling. Nice wide spectrum range. Good heavy weight to keep them from vibrating. Good solid build with interesting design. Bi-amp option.

Weaknesses:

Not really a weakness, just nature of speaker having numerous drivers. Some unwanted induced current, and a need for high-powered amp, high-current to drive these.

Review:

Purchased pair of these RTIA9's from Future Shop on boxing day. I waited entire year to buy these Last year I bought also RTIA7's from same store at boxing day for similiar deal. So I'm using 9's for mains, and 7's for rears. Both driven by Yamaha receiver, bi-amp, at 110 wpc rms, high-current. Also using Velodyne 400 wrms sub. Would like to get some Macintosh or Bryston amps, but will have to settle for used ones, since I can't afford $3000 for these. Very nice sounding speakers, but need to be equilized. I used my loptop with sound software to achieve this. Using high quality full range mic and pink noise. 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz. It's usually a 2 day ordeal. Slightest sounds, even from outside, such as passing car, with my windows closed, throws off the settings, so I always fine tune on the following day. Sound is very nice, I do find that at higher volumes they do have slight distortion, not because my amp is cliping or overdriving the speakers, just unwanted current being induced by speakers themselves. Not a big issue. Unless you have other speakers to compare, side by side, such as Martin Logan, you won't notice that. My wife was showing me Energy speakers at similiar price, but I don't like miss-matching speakers, creates un-balanced sound. So to re-cap; 1. First, out of the box, give them time to brake in, 100 hrs at low vol. 2. You have to get these bad boys equilized. 3. Get a descent clean amp, preffered, have these bi-amped, 100 wpc min, high current is a must. 4. Good gauge of wire is important. 5. Like any tower, you should accompany these with a quality sub. p.s. WAF (wife approval factor), what on earth is that? You only live once, been married for 22 years and don't need my "mommy" to tell me which speakers I can or can't buy, LOL.

by john johnson, June 18, 2009

Strengths:

Top notch fit and finish, outstanding clarity and amazing bass response

Weaknesses:

Complaints from neighbours

Review:

I was drawn to these speakers originally because of the cherry finish matching the woodwork in our new home. I had also read other reviews and was impressed how everyone raved about them. When I hooked them up to a mere 130 watts I was blown away with the clean, natural sound. I listened to all kinds of different music and heard things that I didn't know were in there. And the bass response is amazing. Can't be beat for the price.

by Rayhan, October 31, 2008

Strengths:

These speakers are well balanced,extremely well built,Bass response is excellent can hil real low,great imaging in high and mid.

Weaknesses:

Absolutely none.....

Review:

This is a excellent Speakers,much much better than its predecessor RTI12 along with others non Polk branded Speakers with much higher price range ,Bass is very tight and hit realy low,u can actually feel the punch even in very low volume. Vol. is set to -50....it sounded great....Its high,Mid and low all sounded with great details and imaging.............................. Also Speakers by himself looks beautifull and it realy worth the money I paid for.

by Dennis S, December 11, 2008

Strengths:

Sensitivity, Performance & Good looks in black.

Weaknesses:

Still trying to find one. Need a crane to pick on of these babies up.

Review:

I baught these on Dec/4th/07, after reading tons of online reviews on a host of other speakers. I was actually going for Definitive Technology BP7004s but ended up buying these. The pricing was the selling point. I wasn't initially happy with the speakers 'cause the bass was literally missing, and since they threw in a free sub, I thought that was the reason for the sub. I acidentally fixed the problem when to press a button on my EQ & these two knuckle-heads exploded. The lows are deep & tight while the highs came clear and crisp. What's more impressive is that, they're so sensitive I've hardly turned my ADCOM GFP-750's volume pass #3 position before neighbours start knocking on my door. Talk about a speaker I baught online without first listening to it. Well, for the poor free sub, I had to toss out on Ebay.

by Audio Guy, January 30, 2009

Strengths:

Sound better in the mid range than Revel F12. Solid wood cabinet.

Weaknesses:

Clearity is not as clear or clean as the Focal 826V

Review:

My review is based on the comparison to these speakers side by side in a 22x20 ft room. Equipments are blueray and 170W per channel, 0.05THD receiver. First, the RTiA9 sounds better than LSi15 and LSi25, no doubt. However, comparing to the Focal 826V the mid range RTiA9 is not as clear as or cleaner than the Focal 826V. The RTiA9 does produce more bass than the 826V. A lot of audio critics highly phrase the Revel F12 so my friend got it. Comparing side by side, the F12 has more bass than the RTi A9. However, the RTiA9 sounds clear and cleaner in mid range than the F12 due to the way the midrange placement. The RTiA9 produces vocal sound seems to dominate over the music meanwhile the F12, the music is seems to be the same or slightly dominating over the vocal sound. The 826V is the most clean and clear in mid range than the RTiA9 and F12. However, 826V lacks in bass and require a sub. The 826V would be the ideal for listening to classical music. Conclusion Focal 826V-very clear mid range vocal; require a sub RTiA9- overall good mid range vocal and bass Revel F12- good solid bass- warm speakers

by Wasabi Shiba, January 24, 2011

Strengths:

Highs, mids, and bass are all clear and accurate. Great looking as well as great-sounding.

Weaknesses:

Review:

The RTIA9s and a Harman Kardon HK3490 are now the foundation of my home theatre 2.0 system. The highs and mids are clear and detailed, and the bass is accurate and punchy without being boomy. No need for a subwoofer. This setup is all I need for its great sound quality for various applications (music and H/T) and its simplicity.

by MIKE GOODRICH, October 5, 2007

Strengths:

GREAT ALL AROUND TONE

Weaknesses:

Review:

These things sound GREAT! I am a retailer for Polk Audio. The A9's sound so much better than the RTI12 towers. The low frequency response is incredible. Great all around tone.

by Rod, June 1, 2008

Strengths:

Beutiful sound nice punchy bottom end.You will not find a better speaker for the money.

Weaknesses:

I had a hard time getting a pair,but worth the wait

Review:

"WOW" I went and listened to alot of speakers around $1000-$4000 price range.These are far the best sounding and they look great. I bought the cherry,great finish.they are hungry for power so i bi-amped them through mh yamaha rxv 2800. GREAT PRICE for a speaker of this caliber.If you are looking'give them a listen.

by Justin Roy, August 23, 2009

Strengths:

Punchy clean sound, amazing high's, excellent mid range, low freq is intense and youy can feel and hear every little detail. Easily in the same league as B&W, Paradigm & Elac.

Weaknesses:

Are quite big, but so are most tower speakers of this quality and standard. Other than that, none what so ever!

Review:

WOW! Amazing sound and value for these big boys! Quite possibly the best sounding speaker under $10k. I have tested all the big boys, Tannoy, Paradigm, B&W, Elac, Mission, Monitor Audio, Boston Acoustics etc etc.. Polk are outstanding and i rate them 6 STARS if i could! PS: A must with any Denon Amplifier/Receiver. The best for AVR4308.. (Shivers up my spine)

by Pons, September 21, 2009

Strengths:

build quality, sound quality

Weaknesses:

MSRP price point is tad high IMO

Review:

I just picked up a pair of these RTi A9's from a shop that was blowing them out for $588 C$ and all I can say is wow these sound incredible, much fuller/warmer than the Energy C500 I was using before (which are now used for the rears). I'm powering them with a vintage Sony TA-N77es amp that is 2x 200W (8Ohm, 20Hz...20kHz, THD 0,004% RMS)I can only conclude that once these are broken in they'll be amazing. The only thing I'd like to see from them is a little more bottom end but then again the sub takes care of that with a seamless transition. Not sure if they're worth the MSRP but at the price point I paid my wallet and ears are very greatful.

by Kristopher Almaguer, March 29, 2010

Strengths:

All around sound is perfect for movies and very very detailed mid's and highs :)

Weaknesses:

Not enough bass from woofers

Review:

I bought these used and i have to say they sound AMAZING, i have upgraded my stereo twice already and they sound better and better with more power. I know they will sound even better with more than 120 WPC but for now i am happy. There was ONE thing that i did notice. The 2x 5 1/4 mid's have WAY too low of a frequency. When i turn up the bass they FREAK out to the point were they are ready to explode, while the 3x7' inch woofers are not. Why must the mid's take the bass punishment and not the woofers?

by Paul, April 27, 2010

Strengths:

Sexy with out the grill, cherry finish, awesome sound, and the last pair of speakers you will need to buy.

Weaknesses:

If they are to big, don't buy them. Eviction notice on door. Need house to let these really perform.

Review:

These bad boys are replacing a Bose AM 10 system, and these sound 1000 times better. Such a quality product, I wish I had boughten them long ago. From here on in, it is Polk all the way!

by Mike, January 18, 2009

Strengths:

Great Sound, rich and clear. Full range of sound, is very clear, and they have a great WAF (wife acceptance factor)!

Weaknesses:

Size... they are huge. Do not be fooled, these guys are VERY big. They ship via freight so do not be surprised!

Review:

WOW! What more can one say? These guys arrived in two HUGE boxes. My wife was as excited as I was. First, the A9's were replacing A5's, so we already had a good idea wht we were getting into, however... These guys blew away all expectations. The sound is so true and clear, there is plenty of base in the speakers and yet they are not muddled. These guys perform music as well as a good movie.

by eric, June 11, 2009

Strengths:

clear sound..can really feel that the singer is singing in front of me..lol

Weaknesses:

none

Review:

Just been set up with a pair of this n RtiA3 for surround back...one word...SWEET

by Chuck, August 26, 2010

Strengths:

Fit, finish & build quality is outstanding, decent mid tones.

Weaknesses:

Low & high, non-crisp sound.

Review:

I'm hoping my new RTi A9's sound better once they're broken in. I have the RTi A9's connected to a Yamaha RX-V3900 A/V receiver. My vintage Pioneer HPM 1100's sounded much better. The 1100's had better lows, much better mid & crisp highs. Before I made the purchase, I contacted several electronic stores in my area for an evaluation, no one had a pair RTi A9's on hand, but of course the sales people "assured" me they sounded great (of course). I miss my Pioneer HPM 1100's.

by MUSIC MIKE, October 30, 2010

Strengths:

I was always turned off by drivers smaller than 6.5 inches as I always thought there was this boxy sound to them. The A9 has two 5.25 inch drivers that are completely cut off by the three lower bass drivers. I was worried at first but when I listened to them I heard things in my music that I never heard before. I had this new sense of clarity that midrange is very important in music and added a whole new depth that I never knew existed. The curved sides are also a unique touch that I have only seen on high end Paradigm speakers. Its a refreshing change from the usual square box

Weaknesses:

None really. But would not have bought them brand new and would have settled on the A7 just based on price alone. They are freakin' heavy too. A little loud in a condo set up but I suppose its good to drown out my neighbors whiney kids.

Review:

Originally had the A7, but returned them for the A5 over Boxing Day just to save a little dough.Thought I did not need such deep bass or big speakers. Could not buy the A9 in Canada anyway so at the time I could not compare. Over several months, a nagging high end problem in the A5s got to me. It worked great for home theater as the problem wasn't as obvious but when it came to stereo sound it bugged me a little too much. I regretted bringing back the A7s as the high end issue wasn't there, just a slight lack of upper midrange that hid the vocals a little. Just never made sense why that high end issue is not there as the tweeter is exactly the same. Then I found a perfect mint pair of A9s in the local used market and boy, was I lucky. Listening to these, which were well broken in by the previous owner, was an instant improvement over the A5.

by Claudiofrk, January 17, 2011

Strengths:

As RTI A9 tem o gabinete em formato de meia onda, começa largo na frente e vai estreitando no fundo, muito lindo e bem acabado. O tamanho e peso impressionam muito quem veem pela primeira vez.

Weaknesses:

Ainda nao encontrei.

Review:

Antes de comprar a RTI A9 fiquei atentado em comprar as RTI A7. Mas ao ver as especificacoes tecnicas e nunca ouvir uma RTI A9 fiquei impressionado pela resposta de frequencia de 18Hz a 27Kz. Esta resposta de frequencia não encontrei em nenhuma outra caixa acustica frontal de qualquer outra marca. Bom, já que são as unicas comprei-as e não me arrependi. O som que elas produzem são excelentes mesmo sem subwoofer, surrounds, center, que é meu caso. Estas caixas dão bom peso de graves e nem precisei comprar um ou mais subwoofers. Elas sozinhas dão conta do recado. Apesar do alto preço delas praticado no Brasil valem cada centavo.

by Frank Marquardt, January 29, 2011

Strengths:

Really beautiful cabinetry, crystal clear sound from the tweeter and mid-range to a you won't need a Sub anymore Bass. Sound stage is simply awesome.

Weaknesses:

NONE

Review:

I have had the RTI-A9's for over a year now and they never stopped impressing me. I have them connected to a Denon 3808ci 130 watt per channel receiver with a built in graphic equalizer. Everyone who has heard my speakers is impressed with how clear the sound is. They present an amazing sound stage in stereo. I bi-wired both speakers, selected bi-amp on the Denon and the sound produced was even more pure. I will have to say that without a graphic equalizer, you will never know just how good these speakers can be. The EQ allows you to fine tune these speakers to suite your individual taste. The really great thing is the flexibility of RTI-A9's. No matter what your audio taste is, these speakers combined with an EQ will deliver! Depending on your receiver, these speakers may not deliver the low end bass you hear about. With the EQ , you don't need a Sub Woofer. They really pump out the bass, rattling the picture frames on the wall! So, if you are considering buying a speaker that has endless audio possibilities with mega bass capability, fantastic mid range and crystal clear highs , buy the RtI-A9's, you will never be sorry. And you can take that to the bank!

by Olly, September 14, 2011

Strengths:

These monsters will steal your heart but not your wallet

Weaknesses:

None at this point of time though I keep reading that they require more power. Will explore that in the future

Review:

I did many a audition before finally settling down on the Polk RTi A9. Sounded good right out of the box but as the hours started rolling by the sound started getting sweeter and sweeter to a point where now i simply find it unbelievable. The sound clarity, punch and dept is clearly audible. I am driving these with the new Denon 3312 at 125 watts - 8 ohms and boy are they made for each other. I will be definitely adding a power amp in the near future to fully exploit the potential of these monsters. These two have been a best buy since my previous audio purchase I made 23 years ago. Technics SUV65A amp and Technics SB C450 BS Speakers which are still working just fine. The cherry color is just awesome

by Jerkis, December 1, 2012

Strengths:

Excellent clarity, separation, and accurate handling of wide frequency range. Cherry finish is beautiful, but the real beauty is how wonderful they sound.

Weaknesses:

Very large and very heavy (but that's to be expected with a proper set of speakers).

Review:

I auditioned these alongside Klipsch RF-7s ($1,600 per speaker) and the RTiA9s beat them hands-down. The main difference was how clear and defined the highs and upper mids were compared to the horn-loaded design of the Klipschs -- even the RF-7s, at more than double the price point, muddled the highs and mids something fierce. The RTiA9s, on the other hand, sound open and airy, with proper separation between the highs and upper mids, and between the lows and lower mids. I have an entry level receiver (HK 3390) at only 80WPC but the power is more than sufficient to make these things sing -- I can only imagine what a properly-powered setup would sound like. All in all, I have no reservations about recommending these speakers, and I will be enjoying them for years and years. If you can audition them somewhere, definitely do it -- but bring your credit card, as you will definitely want to bring them home with you!

by ronman79, April 25, 2013

Strengths:

Big, great sound, beauty, and they're Polk...

Weaknesses:

BIG (if that's a problem for smaller areas)

Review:

These towers are an amazing pair! I debated whether to go with them or not, being that I don't have a dedicated home theater/media room, and don't currently have a separate amp for them. However, they are gorgeous in the room, and my high power Onkyo 876 pushes them really well. I am wanting to go up when I can. Looking at Emotiva.

by Owen Youngblood, December 10, 2009

Strengths:

Wood veneer finish is very attractive. Accurate reproduction at all volume levels.

Weaknesses:

Made in China! Oh well, what isn't these days?

Review:

My dual-stacked Advents finally pooped out for the last time. It was time to get serious about replacing them instead of another rebuild. I got interested in Polk Audio products !! I still do not understand why they were marked down so much...speakers still in original packing/boxes, not returns. At any rate, they sounded great right out of the box! After driving them a little over 20 hours I am finding that they are a much better speaker unit than I was hoping for. In a word, they are accurate will literally part your hair. I am driving them with a Rotel RB 981 (120 wpc) paralleled with with a Difinitive Technology sub. Bi-amping these is a future possibility!

by Edgar Lefort, May 15, 2010

Strengths:

None yet.

Weaknesses:

Review:

Well made, Solid wood, no distortion at all, Worth every single penny.

by DL, September 4, 2010

Strengths:

Clean accurate output, beautiful cabinet, and quality drivers.

Weaknesses:

They are middle of the road in the $1700 speaker world, but few have as beautiful cabinets, and that got a 5 star from me.

Review:

I feel this is a music speaker that also works as part of a surround system. First, great speakers like these deserve a high end amp (top line Marantz, Pioneer, Parasound, etc.), and a low amp will not allow them to perform at their best. These speakers don't need attenuation by adding bass or treble, as that would be a weakness in the amp side. A really good 125 watt amp will work, but better shoot for a 200 watt to give the most accurate sound. There is competition in this price range, but these big guys handle themselves very well.

by RON B, February 8, 2011

Strengths:

a Very wide spectrum range. Crystal clear Bi amp available Good spacing sound for music and movies a like a good blend.

Weaknesses:

VERY VERY HEAVY little stands for the feet are easy to break when moving. Need a amp to get it really moving which i haven't done yet . Not sure i will.

Review:

Simply Awesome. Made me fall in love with my old cds and got me scouring the net for sacd of my favorite artist. I hear details in songs that i never heard before even with other polks.( same set-up) These speakers are so worth the money. My home theater is seriously awesome thanks to these four babies. Im thinking about adding another pair to complete my 7.1 set-up. I got them black because my whole set up is black. Great for music and movies. P.s. Very important- need about a month to break in so don't judge right away on the sound. They will get even better with time. My set-up Onkyo TX- NR 5007 Oppo BDP- 83 Pioneer ELite Pfo 151 pfd Frnt lft rght surround lft n rht r all Polk rti A9 Surround back r FXi A6 Center CSi A6 subs two dsw pro 500

by Dave, March 22, 2012

Strengths:

Clarity that rivals many more expensive speakers. Strong fast bass (when biamped with an AVR or powered with the right amp).

Weaknesses:

They require a lot of power.

Review:

Just listened to the RTi A9s in a local Fry's with the Onkyo TX-NR3009. They set up the speakers for me in biamp configuration. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but biamping these with the Onkyo NR3009 is a night and day difference. There is much more overhead (we lowered the volume by 10-15 dB and had more powerful sound. The clarity and bass were exceptional, even in the super large room at Fry's. I've made up my mind to buy them. I will post an in depth review once I get them hooked up and broken in at home.

by Geoffrey, June 16, 2012

Strengths:

Can handle incredible amounts of power, very heavy, very beautiful and makes a classy addition to any set up and to any home decor.

Weaknesses:

Have a tendency to sound harsh when underpowered.

Review:

There's not much I can add that hasn't been said already. These are awesome speakers. I've upgraded these from Monitor 70's and have gained a great deal in clarity and detail. And though nothing beats a great sub woofer for H.T, these A9's put out some great bass for 2ch music. I first started listening to the RTiA9's driving them with 200wpc, for H.T. it was fine, for music, it sounded sharp with a bit of a shrill sounding tone in the high end. Once I added an amp pumping out 300wpc, these babies smoothed right out. I had a few CD's, but since the addition of these A9's, I'm doing a lot more 2ch listening and my CD collection has grown immensely. I really enjoy the sound of my RTiA speakers which consist of the A9's, CSiA6 center and FXiA6 surrounds, but what really adds to the reward, is when guests come over to watch a movie and the response is generally the same; "Wow, this sounds better than the theater". Highly recommended.

by tom norris, January 13, 2011

Strengths:

THEY EASILY FILL MY ROOM WITH SOUND!!!

Weaknesses:

NONE.

Review:

PERFECT FOR MY ROOM. GREAT SOUND AND SUPER BASE.

by Greg Acton, May 6, 2012

Strengths:

Astonishing build quality. Great sound no matter what you're doing.

Weaknesses:

You will get used to great sound quality and listening to anything else could make you upset.

Review:

I have a pair of RTi A9s connected to my computer. I use them for listening to music, watching TV, and playing video games. These things handle anything you throw at them with ease.

The Perfect Vision, June 7th, 2008

—Steve Guttenberg

“If you have a hankering for big speaker sound, you’ve come to the right place. The RTiA9’s gorgeous wood and luscious curves are icing on the cake.”   

[ Open Review ]

"Right off the bat, the RTi A9s hit you pretty hard with a crisp, punchy sound. They threw a deep, wide soundstage with very good imaging...

High Points
• The RTi A9 provides a superb overall level of performance and musicality, with great soundstaging, a smooth and detailed high end and midrange, and punchy, extended bass.
• The RTi A9 provides an impressive amount of design and technology, and looks fabulous in both of its finishes.
• The RTi A9 sounds as big, if not bigger, than its large footprint would suggest, with dynamics and bass capable of filling even very large rooms."

[ Open Review ]

hometheater.com, 2008

—Thomas J. Norton

"...The Polk system was tremendously effective on movie soundtracks. With Ratatouille (uncompressed PCM on Blu-ray), I heard every detail, from the patter of “little feet” to the subtlest pot-to-pan clank in Gusteau’s busy kitchen...

The Polk system impressed me the most with its huge dynamic range in movies. It equaled or bettered the dynamic range of most of the speaker systems I’ve reviewed, some of them far more expensive..."

[ Open Review ]