Polk Audio RTi A9 Speakers

Description

The Polk Audio RTi A9 is a large, three-way floorstanding speaker that was the flagship of Polk’s RTi series. Designed for both stereo playback and home theater, it combines a substantial bass-driver array with a sealed midrange-and-tweeter enclosure. Its three 7-inch woofers and Polk’s PowerPort Plus venting are intended to deliver strong low-frequency output, while two 5.25-inch midrange drivers and a 1-inch tweeter handle voices and high frequencies. Polk lists a frequency response extending down to 18 Hz, though actual bass performance depends on the room and placement.

The RTi A9 is tall and substantial, standing just over four feet high and weighing 75 pounds. Its real-wood veneer finish gives it a furniture-like appearance, and its dual five-way binding posts allow bi-wiring or bi-amping if the rest of the system supports those options. With a nominal 8-ohm impedance, 90 dB sensitivity, and a recommended amplifier range of 50–500 watts per channel, it is compatible with a wide range of amplifiers. The manufacturer recommends solid amplification for listeners who want to use the A9 at high levels.

In a Sound & Vision review, the RTi A9’s “huge dynamic range in movies” stood out, and the reviewer said it “equaled or bettered the dynamic range of most of the speaker systems I’ve reviewed.” The review also noted “exceptional dynamics and detail.” Its main reservation was a tendency toward low-treble brightness, especially when listening on axis; the reviewer recommended auditioning the system to see whether that character suits the listener.

Those impressions suggest the RTi A9 may particularly appeal to home-theater listeners who value impact, strong output, and a lively presentation. But its size and bass capability call for sensible placement: leave space around the speakers where possible, experiment with toe-in, and consider how the bass interacts with the room. The Sound & Vision reviewer positioned the pair at least three feet from the front and side walls during testing, but that was a review-room setup, not a universal placement rule.

Overall, the RTi A9 is a capable, full-size speaker for listeners seeking energetic movie sound and strong bass from a single tower.

• Type: Three-way, floorstanding speaker
• Midrange drivers: 2 × 5.25-inch Dynamic Balance polymer-composite cone drivers
• Bass drivers: 3 × 7-inch Dynamic Balance polymer-composite cone drivers
• Tweeter: 1-inch Dynamic Balance silk/polymer-composite dome
• Bass system: PowerPort Plus venting
• Frequency response: 18 Hz–27 kHz
• Frequency response (−3 dB): 30 Hz–26 kHz
• Sensitivity: 90 dB (1 W/1 m)
• Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
• Recommended amplifier power: 50–500 watts per channel
• Crossover frequencies: 120 Hz and 1,800 Hz
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 48.625 × 8.875 × 21.375 inches
• Weight: 75 pounds each
• Inputs: Dual five-way binding posts