Editor,
I am upgrading my 5.1 system this winter and was planning on using the Polk RTi A9s for the speakers (plus an SVS sub). However, I saw your recent report on the Aperion Verus Grand speakers and was intrigued. Do you have any experience with the A9s and how they might compare to the Verus? FYI, I am not a real audiophile, but I recognize and prefer quality.
The five-speaker Polk system is about $1000 less than Verus system ($3100 vs. $2100). The primary cost difference is in the center-channel and surrounds. I will be pairing the speakers with an Onkyo TX-NR5008 AVR. Finally, I will be using a Panasonic 65" 3D TV (TC-P65VT25). Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Best Regards,
Dave
I've not had any recent experience with the Polk RTi-series speakers, but I have heard them in the past. They are solid performers. The Aperion Verus Grand speakers are on a whole other level, though, at least in terms of build quality. What I heard briefly from them at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest also suggests that they have sound quality to match. Is it worth the extra money to go with the Aperions? I'd say yes, if you can swing it. Speaker technology improves in an evolutionary way every year and I know from talking with the Aperion folks that they put a lot of engineering expertise into this new line. For instance, the tweeter is their own design and quite advanced over some of the other units you see at this price point. So although I rarely advise people to spend more than they had planned on equipment, in this case I think it might be worth it. I have a set of Towers being shipped to me for full review as we speak. . . . Jeff Fritz
