In this review, we will be comparing RTi A3 and RTi A1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Polk Audio
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk RTi A3 and Polk RTi A1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Polk RTi A3 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Polymer composite Woofer
- 50-26k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:7.26kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 374.7" x 8.4" x 14.0"( 374.7 x 214.4 x 355.6mm )
Polk RTi A1 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Polymer composite Woofer
- 60-26k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-125watts
- Weight:5.44kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 304.8" x 7.3" x 11.5"( 304.8 x 187.5 x 292.1mm )
RTi A3 and RTi A1 are members of Polk Audio's RTi series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the Polk RTi A3 and Polk RTi A1 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Polk RTi A3 |
Polk RTi A1 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk RTi A3 and Polk RTi A1 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both RTi A3 and RTi A1 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Polk RTi A3 |
Polk RTi A1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
RTi A3 features a 1" silk polymer composite Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polymer composite Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the RTi A1 features a 1" silk polymer composite Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polymer composite Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1900Hz.
Frequency Response
RTi A3 has a frequency range of 50-26k Hz whereas RTi A1 has a frequency range of 60-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the RTi A3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the RTi A1's min frequency of 60Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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
RTi A3 and RTi A1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 89 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
RTi A3 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas RTi A1 has a max power handling value of 125 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the RTi A3.
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 RTi A3 and RTi A1 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RTi A3 and RTi A1 have back and front firing ports.
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 Polk RTi A3's and Polk RTi A1's external dimensions. Polk RTi A3 has external dimensions of 374.7 x 214.4 x 355.6mm ( 14.7 x 8.4 x 14.0inch) whereas Polk RTi A1 has external dimensions of 304.8 x 187.5 x 292.1mm ( 12.0 x 7.3 x 11.5inch) .
Polk RTi A3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 26.9mm wider, 69.9mm taller and 63.5mm deeper than Polk RTi A1.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk RTi A3 and Polk RTi A1 in scale.
Comparison image of Polk RTi A3 and Polk RTi A1 Size and External Dimensions
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 Polk RTi A3 is approximately 762.4cm2 / 118.2inch2 and base area of the Polk RTi A1 is approximately 547.7cm2 / 84.9inch2. The RTi A3 requires 39% more surface area than the RTi A1 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Polk RTi A3 and Polk RTi A1 on a Media Console
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 Polk RTi A3 weighs 7.26kg / 16lbs and the Polk RTi A1 weighs 5.44kg / 12lbs. This makes the RTi A3 33% heavier than the RTi A1.
Here is a comparison of how RTi A3 and RTi A1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk RTi A3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RTi A3:
2 Cherry bookshelf speakers 2 Self-tapping screws 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Template Online registration sheet Polk Audio product brochure
What's in the Box of Polk RTi A1?
Here are the items that come with the RTi A1:
2 Cherry bookshelf speakers 2 Self-tapping screws 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Template Online registration sheet Polk Audio product brochure
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
125 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
304mm
vs
374mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
547cm2
vs
762cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
382USD
vs
465USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Polk Audio RTi A3 |
Polk Audio RTi A1 |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-150 watts |
20-125 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-26k Hz |
60-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polymer composite |
Polymer composite |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Butyl rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2800Hz |
1900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
back and front |
back and front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
374.7mm (14.8") |
304.8mm (12") |
| Width |
214.4mm (8.4") |
187.5mm (7.4") |
| Depth |
355.6mm (14") |
292.1mm (11.5") |
| Weight |
7.26kg (16lbs) |
5.44kg (12lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Real wood veneer |
Real wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black, Cherry |
Black, Cherry |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-31" |
28-36" |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |