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Polk Audio RTi A5: Review

Posted to Speakers 2009-12-09

The Polk Audio RTi A5 are compact tower speakers designed with either a cherry, or matte black wood finish. They are floor standing loudspeakers, so you need to ensure you have the room for placement however they don't take up too much space. Key to this RTi speaker range is its curved cabinet style that gives greater sound performance as well as steering away from the typical box-like look of many other tower speakers.

The speaker has two 6.5 inch midbass drivers that are made from a balance of mineral/polymer composite material. Physical dimensions of the speaker are 40-1/4" High x 8-7/16" Wide and 15-3/4" Deep, which is a little larger than other tower speakers you can find. The unit weighs around 40 pounds so once there are in place they are not the easiest to move around. Polk has included 5 year parts and labor warranty to help add some comfort to your purchase.

Rating:

3.2 out of 5

Performance

The patented bass porting technique that Polk has designed enables a more crisp and clear sound across the lower bass range. Through the use of the bass vent located on the rear of the speaker any port noise or muffled dialogue is drastically reduced. Midrange performance is also handled with an Acoustic Resonance Control (ARC) port that manages internal sound resonance to ensure that midrange vocals and sound output does not suffer any degradation. The high quality gold plated connections also contribute to a better overall sound quality.

Ergonomics

The RTi A5 range is available in two separate finishes which will allow it to fit into most home decors. The tower speakers fit well into any existing home theatre configuration that you may have which is also a welcome addition. The signature teardrop style of the cabinets is a new design feature that really adds a different look to an otherwise traditionally boring piece of home theatre equipment. Their ergonomic design also helps enhance the sound quality that is being produced.

Summary

With the Powerport and ARC port design the bass output in the RTi A5 series is quite impressive in the low and mid ranges. With only 1 tweeter there is not a lot to offer in the mid and high range sound output, though in a basic home theatre setup it is hard to notice. Worth purchasing if you are looking for some tower speakers that have a different look to them.

Pros

Tear drop style design
Two 6.5 inch drivers
Powerport and ARC port
5 Year Warranty

Cons

Lacking in the high end

Recommended accessory:

Monster Cable XPHP BIG-100 : Clear Jacket Time Correct Advanced Speaker Cable