Revised September 7th 2019

The Polk Audio RTi A7’s, a Mid-Fi offering, with an Audiophile prowess. Coming in at $582.00 each the A7 Towers pack qualities that are quite unexpected at its price range. Let’s dive into the details of the Polk Audio RTi A7. Each RTi A7 is made comprised of a one 1” silk polymer composite dome tweeter, one 6.5” polymer composite mid driver, and two 7” polymer composite woofers, all blending seamlessly.

Coming in at 55 pounds the A7’s is not the standard Mid-Fi variant, and it shows. We have a combination of quality wood veneer, not vinyl, and high-quality plastic finishing pieces being built with above average quality materials. In addition to this, chrome plated hardware. All fitment is top notch, even at this price level.

The main event, how does it sound?…

Vocals are something that can be quite challenging to duplicate, and accurately at any level. For this I used Linda Ronstadt’s album, Canciones de mi Padre, an album dedicated to her Mexican American roots. This is an extremely challenging album for the upper-midrange and above frequencies, as Linda belts out her heart. The A7’s was able to keep up with her singing, not breaking up while doing this. Speakers of this price range are not often able to perform to this ability, and for the better.

To not stay so laser focused in one area and look at the speaker we will use Mark Knopler’s 2019 offering, Down the Road Wherever. Mark’s voice is smooth and never chesty, even as a baritone, which can dominate in some recordings. During this album a steel guitar is used, and sounds natural in both in mid and upper registers.

One thing that is fantastic and in common with that of Linda Ronstadt album was that of bass reproduction. Instruments, including electric bass, as well as acoustic variants are produced quite well and never without control. To do some, heavy lifting as it were, I pulled from my collection Yello’s, Toy. This is where The A7’s really woke up. If you want to know if these can reach down low? The answer is a simple yes, and with tight controlled bass.

One of many challenges speakers under $1,000 encounter, is convincing spatial stereo separation. And the challenge for all speakers is does it have the ability for spatial stereo separation? And, Can you become lost in the music, painting a 3D landscape? My go to album is The Division Bell by Pink Floyd. Vocals are sweet, David Gilmour’s guitar travels through space, and the bass stays grounded on this recording.

To answer the question of spatial separation. The RTi A7’s indeed paint a sonic image without sounding unexciting. Gilmour’s voice is filled with excitement, though it is in “Coming Back To Life” in particular we listen for seperation. It is here the speakers show true imaging and refinement. Gilmour’s guitar delay causes massive effects of “flying”. This flying effect comes across convincingly with the A7’s something I was surprising with these speakers.

If there was something to criticize on a speaker at this price point it would be that poorly recorded material is emphasized when played on this speaker. But this is a given with speakers of a higher quality.

Overall this is an excellent Mid-Fi speaker, that delivers, and handily. Never chesty, tight bass, and sweet vocals. Spatial separation was excellent, and decidedly convincing.

Equipment used:

Tidal and Qobuz
Schiit Modi 2 DAC
Roon Server
Emotiva PT-100
Emotiva A-300

Music Used for Review

Canciones de mi Padre
Linda Ronstadt
https://tidal.com/browse/album/59561586

Down the Road Wherever
Mark Knopler
https://tidal.com/browse/album/98491597

Toy
Yello
https://tidal.com/browse/album/77622079

The Division Bell
Pink Floyd
https://tidal.com/browse/album/55391524

Sensitivity (1 watt @ 1 meter)

89 dB

• Lower and Upper -3dB Limits

35 Hz → 26,000 Hz

Recommended Amplifier Power Per Channel

20 watts → 300 watts

For more information follow this link.
https://www.polkaudio.com/products/rtia7