In this review, we will be comparing 700F and RTi A9, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Paradigm and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm 700F and Polk RTi A9 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Paradigm 700F and Polk RTi A9 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Paradigm 700F and Polk RTi A9 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both 700F and RTi A9 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Paradigm 700F |
Polk RTi A9 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.5-inch |
2 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
3 x 7-inch
|
700F features a 1" Tweeter , a 5.5" Midrange and 2 x 5.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, the RTi A9 features a 1" Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 3 x 7" Polymer composite Woofer .
Frequency Response
700F has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas RTi A9 has a frequency range of 30-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the RTi A9 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 700F's min frequency of 45Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
700F and RTi A9 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 700F sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the RTi A9's is at 90 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Paradigm 700F a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk RTi A9, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
700F can handle a max power of 500 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 700F has a max power handling value of 180 watts RMS , 320 watts less than the RTi A9.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both 700F and RTi A9 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Paradigm 700F's Posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
700F has a rear firing port whereas RTi A9 has a front firing ports. Polk RTi A9's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Paradigm 700F with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Paradigm 700F's and Polk RTi A9's external dimensions. Paradigm 700F has external dimensions of 1018.0 x 215.0 x 328.0mm ( 40-1/16 x 8-7/16 x 12-7/8inch) whereas Polk RTi A9 has external dimensions of 1221.0 x 272.0 x 547.0mm ( 48-1/16 x 10-11/16 x 21-1/2inch) .
Polk RTi A9 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 57mm wider, 203mm taller and 219mm deeper than Paradigm 700F.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Paradigm 700F is approximately 705.2cm2 / 109.3inch2 and base area of the Polk RTi A9 is approximately 1487.8cm2 / 230.6inch2. The 700F requires 53% less surface area than the RTi A9 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Paradigm 700F weighs 21.91kg / 48.2lbs and the Polk RTi A9 weighs 34.09kg / 75lbs. This makes the RTi A9 56% heavier than the 700F.
Here is a comparison of how 700F and RTi A9's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm 700F?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 700F:
Floorstanding loudspeaker
Grille
4 Rubber feet
4 Spike feet
4 Hex-nuts
2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
Owner's Manual
Online Registration Card
Unboxing Instructions
What's in the Box of Polk RTi A9?
Here are the items that come with the RTi A9:
Floor-standing speakerDetachable black cloth grille4 Screw-on spike feetOwners ManualOnline registration sheetPolk Audio product brochure
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
1018mm
vs
1221mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
705cm2 (215x328mm)
vs
1487cm2 (272x547mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
500 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 700F |
Polk Audio RTi A9 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
15-180 watts |
50-500 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
30-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
3 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-Infused Polypropylene |
Polymer composite |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.5" |
5.25" |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1018.0mm (40.1") |
1221.0mm (48.1") |
| Width |
215.0mm (8.5") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Depth |
328.0mm (12.9") |
547.0mm (21.5") |
| Weight |
21.91kg (48.2lbs) |
34.09kg (75lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
Real wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Cherry |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |