Question TSI500 Vs. RTIA5

[mario_capo]

I can get either of these for similar prices. Does anyone who has heard both of these have an opinion of which on is superior?? It seems like the RTIA5 is a better series with just one less speaker than the TSI500's. Thanks!!

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

I would jump that RTiA5 faster than I did my Monitor 70s which is the same as the TSi500. It's just an overall better speaker...even minus that one driver. One difference is that the TSi 500 is made out of MDF and is only I believe 0.75" thick. The RTi is made out of real wood and has a thicker enclosure. It should sound better and not as hallow. In any case, you could always get the RTi A5 as fronts for right now, and later down the road upgrade the fronts and use the RTi A5's as surrounds. That would be the route I would go if I had the money. Just a suggestion

EDIT: And your ultimate best bet, and sure thing, is to go audition them and see which one appeals to you the most!

[zweet77]

Originally Posted by mario_capo

I can get either of these for similar prices. Does anyone who has heard both of these have an opinion of which on is superior?? It seems like the RTIA5 is a better series with just one less speaker than the TSI500's. Thanks!!

Wow this question was tailor made for me!You should jump the A5's They are a step up from the 500's the only reason I have mine as surrounds is becase I picked them up super cheap after I already built my front sound stage.

[mario_capo]

Haha nice! You guys are awesome. Thanks for the input. So would you say the CSI A4 would be a good timbre matched center? That's awesome that you have both the speakers I am looking at zweet. I hear the TSI400's and loved em. I just figured the 5's would be that much better, and the RTI's being the next series up should sound amazing. But yes I do wanna audition them first. Is Amazon the best price I will find? Ebay didn't help at all for the RTIA's.

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

Originally Posted by mario_capo

Haha nice! You guys are awesome. Thanks for the input. So would you say the CSI A4 would be a good timbre matched center? That's awesome that you have both the speakers I am looking at zweet. I hear the TSI400's and loved em. I just figured the 5's would be that much better, and the RTI's being the next series up should sound amazing. But yes I do wanna audition them first. Is Amazon the best price I will find? Ebay didn't help at all for the RTIA's.

Is that the big center for the RTi line??? And yes it's the timbre matched center. It makes a world of difference, so make sure you get a CSi center. You want the CSi center with the 61/2" drivers on it. You will be more satisfied that way. If you like the 400s you should love the 5's. You would want to pick up a sub if you can because I have a feeling that the A5's might lack a little in the low end. Just a suggestion, maybe zweet can chime in for you.

[zweet77]

Originally Posted by Audiophile_At_Birth

Is that the big center for the RTi line??? And yes it's the timbre matched center. It makes a world of difference, so make sure you get a CSi center. You want the CSi center with the 61/2" drivers on it. You will be more satisfied that way. If you like the 400s you should love the 5's. You would want to pick up a sub if you can because I have a feeling that the A5's might lack a little in the low end. Just a suggestion, maybe zweet can chime in for you.

Yeah the csi a4 is the perfect match for the a5's to get the best sound in the lower frequenies you will want a sub especially for movies.Also If you don't mind refurbished I would recommend polk's ebay site or calling them and asking what they have.I have heard of some awesome scores going that route and they give you 1 year warranty on the refurbs.

[roxyv]

if you can get the CSIa6 for cheap then I would go for it. I have the a6 paired with my a5, isn't it everybody saying here we need to have a top of the line center speaker for that is where most of the dialogue will come out?