Name: Polk Audio RTi A3
Brand: Polk Audio
SKU: 107RTIA3B
Rating: 5 (340 reviews)

Overview

by Crutchfield's

Enjoy rich, dynamic sound

The Polk RTi A3s feature Polk's exclusive Dynamic Balance® drivers for smooth accurate response. The woofers and tweeters undergo careful laser testing to help identify and eliminate unwanted resonances that can hinder a speaker's performance.

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Enjoy rich, dynamic sound

Thoughtful cabinet design

The asymmetric cabinet helps fight vibration for clearer sound.

The RTi A3 sports a newly designed asymmetric cabinet that helps deliver rich, clear sound by combating vibration and increasing rigidity. You'll enjoy remarkably clean mids and highs for a well-defined soundstage, along with tight bass. Plus, the cabinet's curved edges give the speaker a polished look, enhanced by a real wood veneer finish.

Great for home theater or stereo music setups

The RTi A3s do a great job with stereo music on their own, but you can team them with a powered subwoofer for even better bass. Or use two pairs as your home theater's front and surround speakers for dynamic, detailed movie sound. For larger rooms, the RTi A3s work perfectly as surrounds in combination with RTi tower front speakers.

Recommended center channel speaker: Polk CSi A6.
Recommended surround speakers: Polk RTi A3.

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Product highlights:

video-shielded
bass-reflex (ported) design
frequency response 50-26,000 Hz (-3dB)
handles 20-150 watts
1" Dynamic Balance® silk/polymer tweeter
6-1/2" Dynamic Balance polymer composite woofer
PowerPort® technology improves bass response without introducing distortion
8-ohm impedance
sensitivity 89 dB
dual 5-way binding post terminals
real wood veneer finish
8-3/8"W x 14-13/16"H x 14-3/16"D
warranty: 5 years
Our 60-day money-back guarantee

Priced per pair

MFR # AM3375-C

What's in the box:

Polk Audio RTi A3 owner's manual

2 Black bookshelf speakers
2 Self-tapping screws
8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
Owner's Manual
Template
Online registration sheet
Polk Audio product brochure

Reviews

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Polk Audio RTi A3 reviews

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340 reviews

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Details

Researched by Crutchfield's Stacey B.

Features & specs


Enclosure	Bass Reflex
Finish	Real wood veneer
Color	Black
Tweeter Type	Soft-Dome
Tweeter Size (inches)	1
Midrange Size (inches)	N/A
Woofer Size (inches)	6.5
Woofer Composition	Polymer composite
Woofer Surround	Butyl rubber
Power Range	20-150
Sensitivity	89 dB
Impedance (Ohms)	8
Frequency Response	50-26k Hz
Connector Type	5-Way post
Bi-amp Inputs	Yes
Height (inches)	14-13/16
Width (inches)	8-3/8
Depth (inches)	14-3/16
Weight (pounds)	16
Wall-mountable	Yes
Bracket Included	Keyhole
Recommended Stand Height (inches)	24-31
Parts Warranty	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years

The Polk Audio RTi A3 replaces these items:

Polk Audio RTi6

Product Research

Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options

Driver Technology

Dynamic Balance: Dynamic Balance is a proprietary Polk Audio technology using laser imaging to determine what combination of speaker materials create the least amount of resonance. Eliminating resonance in speakers results in a wide, smooth response and low distortion.

Polymer Composite Woofers: Each speaker features a 6-1/2" polymer composite woofer for smooth wide-range response with low distortion. For high performance durability, each woofer uses a butyl rubber surround.

Silk/Polymer Tweeters: Each speaker has a 1" silk/polymer dome tweeter that provides clear, detailed highs. Each tweeter features mylar bypass capacitors in the crossovers to extend high frequency response and improve detail and transparency. Each tweeter features low viscosity ferro-fluid cooling with a heat sink on the Neodymium magnet for superior heat dissipation, power handling and reliability.

Frequency Response: The overall frequency response is 40Hz-27kHz and the -3dB frequency response is 50-26kHz.

Enclosure Design

Damped Asymmetric Hex Laminate (DAHLI) Cabinet Design: All-MDF construction with massive asymmetric cabinet bracing ensures a resonance-free enclosure for accurate sound. The asymmetric design is made from a 6-layer laminate with 5 viscous layers to create the optimal shear damping (OSD) system. The elegant styling aside, curved cabinets not only result in a stronger, more rigid and acoustically inert enclosure, but the curved walls also produce less audible coloration from panel resonances.

Power Port Venting System: Each speaker has a rear-firing Power Port venting system built into its back plate for precise deep bass response. This venting system allows air velocity to slow gradually, vastly reducing air turbulence, and delivering greater bass efficiency than conventional ports.

Acoustic Resonance Control (ARC): Internal cabinet resonance can impart a "thick" character to voices. Polk's patented Acoustic Resonance Control port system overcomes this problem. In addition to the Power Port venting system, each speaker has a front-firing port that is tuned to suppress the internal cabinet resonance, resulting in smooth, natural midrange reproduction.

Anti-Diffraction Grilles: The floating anti-diffraction grilles minimize grille diffraction for spacious, 3-dimensional imaging.

Connections

Dual 5-Way Binding Posts: Each speaker has two sets of gold-plated 5-way binding posts connected by gold-plated jumpers. Using the dual 5-way binding posts, you can bi-amp or bi-wire the speakers.

Mounting Options

Wall Mounting: The Power Port back plate on each speaker has a keyhole slot, allowing the speaker to be mounted on the wall using the supplied 2-1/2" wood screws.

Magnetically Shielded: The speakers are magnetically shielded, allowing you to place them near your television without distorting the picture.

The Polk Audio RTi A3 replaces these items

Polk Audio RTi6

Bookshelf speakers

Black oak finish

17 reviews

Bass-reflex
frequency response 50-26,000 Hz
Dynamic Balance® drivers

Accessories

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Q&A

17 questions already asked

Are those speakers new or used?

[ Rachel Oct 07, 2020 ]

3 answers

Yes. I purchased them new at Crutchfield and still are very satisfied with them.

[ WILLIAM Oct 08, 2020 ]

I bought them new in January 2019.

[ Mark Oct 07, 2020 ]

they were New I love them the sound is amazing. I replaced a pair of infinity speakers on my surround sys

[ Willie Oct 07, 2020 ]

Bi-amp question- I have a Sony STR 1070 rated at 100W@ 6ohms... These are listed at a max 150W- Would the receiver overpower these? Do I need to look at something that is rated +200W, or can each input handle 150W?

[ JOSHUA Jul 04, 2019 ]

2 answers

Not at all. I have mine bi-amped on a Yamaha 95 was per channel reciever....never an issue I had them on a 100 way Sony before upgrading to the Yamaha. They are crystal clear at all levels. Highly recommended.

[ PATRICK Jul 18, 2019 ]

I have never bi-amped. Note that speaker impedance varies with frequency as far as I know. How the Mfg calculates the nominal impedance I do not know. There may be charts for this particular speaker-try on the web. If you overload it is usually the tweeter that opens up. You can place a fuse in the circuit if Bi-amping, the Mfg could suggest the value. I believe max handling is for music program only.; the rating does not cover continuous signal. Even ferrofluid needs some time to recover. I did not keep these speakers, I found them sharply peaked at narrow treble frequency spots. (Personal opinion only) You have to look at the type of power supply for the amp output stages- usually unregulated- which can cause the peak power not to actually be the rated power, essentially protecting the system but diminishing the punch. The only regulated output for the output stage that I know of was the Dynaco stereo 120. I believe a modern version of this regulation exists in the Behringer EuropowerEPQ900. ANYWAY: Ask Polk what they think, then ask the same from the receiver Mfg. Look at YouTube reviews For your amp & speakers. I have the EPQ900- IT HAS Limiter if needed, I have not enabled it. Speakers are KRK (passive) R6G3.

[ DEREK Jul 17, 2019 ]

[ JOSHUA Jul 04, 2019 ]

1 answer

Hi Joshua, thanks for your question. They Sony STR-1070 will actually be delivering slightly less power at 8ohm, than it is at 6ohm, since the Polk Audio RTi A3 are an 8ohm speaker you shouldn't have any issues with overpowering the speakers, even with bi-amping them. Feel free to chat with an Advisor online, or give them a call at 1-800-324-9695, they will be happy to answer any of your questions!

[ JESSICA Jul 16, 2019 ] Staff

These speaker appear to have a curve to the cabinet? Was curious about laying them on their side

[ MICHAEL Apr 06, 2019 ]

3 answers

The sides are certainly curved. You could lay them, but the speak face would not be perpendicular to the floor nor would you be able to stack them.

[ Daniel Apr 08, 2019 ]

I would think they are designed to be upright. Not that they would not work, but the sound field would be different. Vertically, as intended, there is lnteraction between the front radiators and the back port baffle where the wave goes around the curved part. Most likely it will be phase or frequency altered by this, as intended by the design engineers and measured by instruments. The speaker will not be damaged by placing it on its side, and the sound may not be noticeably different to the ear. The front and reflector waves are supposed to interact while going round BOTH sides of the speaker. It stands to be seen what the effect will be with only one side. Place one speaker upright and the other on its side, provide a mono signal and A/B between speakers. You may notice nothing. However the sideways one may sound different due to larger contact area with the shelf/table it is on. In this case try a pad under it. (Use a towel for a test.) Personally I have neve r laid speakers on their side, with the exception of the AR3a. In that case either way was ok; however these were square box speakers designed with an anechoic chamber, not with a computer. For me sound ( music) is a lifetime interest; I have been at it for 60 years. Yours is an interesting question. Investigate the effect of speaker placement in the room; there are articles available on the web. Best wishes...

[ DEREK Apr 06, 2019 ]

Mike. You are absolutely correct.The curved cabinet sides is a first for me also. Due to space limitations, I had to lay them down on their sides. I placed an inexpensive computer mouse pad between the entertainment cabinet, and the speakers rounded side. This served a two-fold benefit; speaker finish protection, and cabinet reverberation conductance into the cabinet. I bi-amped the speakers and the sound quality is absolutely amazing. This is my second Polk speaker acquisition from Crutchfield. I have absolutely no regrets, only good vibes of this awesome system.

[ PATRICK Apr 06, 2019 ]

Is this a good surround speaker? I have 7.1 RTIA7, RTIA3, FXIA6, CSi center. Was wondering if the rtiA3 was a wrong choice for L & R Surrounds. as my FXis are my rears.

[ justin Apr 02, 2019 ]

2 answers

I am using these with a turntable as stereo speakers, sorry I can't answer your question

[ John Apr 02, 2019 ]

I use them for my front and rear speakers since I bought 4 of them. They work very well and will put a ton sound out if turned up.

[ PHILLIP E Apr 02, 2019 ]

Is this a good surround speaker? I have RTIA7, RTIA3 and FXIA6, CSi center. Was wondering if the rtiA3 was a wrong choice for L & R Surrounds. as my FXis are my rears.

[ justin Apr 01, 2019 ]

4 answers

Yes, I am very pleased with the speakers I purchased from Crutchfield. Their support is superb!

[ JAMES Apr 04, 2019 ]

I would think they would work well as surrounds

[ LARRY Apr 01, 2019 ]

Personally I would use the FXIs as surrounds and the RTiA3s as rears. They would be good for that purpose. A lot of that depends upon the room layout. I am looking to add FXis as surrounds myself..

[ DAVID Apr 01, 2019 ]

I use them as my L/R units, along with 4 rears (overhead), a center speaker, and a deep bass. Very, very happy with the whole setup, and the advice I got from the Crutchfield folks. If you haven't give them a call, and they will steer you in the right direction.

[ DAVID Apr 01, 2019 ]

Can you send it to Czech republic if i buy it?

[ Samuel Nov 07, 2018 ]

1 answer

Thanks for your question. Crutchfield can only send items within the U.S. and U.S. Territories. We are not able to ship to international locations.

[ KENNETH Nov 09, 2018 ] Staff

What is the distance from the bottom of the speaker to the center of the tweeter?

[ TODD Jul 03, 2018 ]

1 answer

11.625 in

[ Robert Jul 03, 2018 ]

How much power are you feeding these?

[ Big Jun 19, 2016 ]

6 answers

I have 2 pair of these using 2 Denon receivers. different rooms one 90 watts, one 95 watts per channel. great sound!

[ RICHARD B. Jun 22, 2016 ]

One hundred watts per channel and they sound great. I had them originally connect to a Yamaha amp that put out about 30 watts per channel in my living room (this was temporary) and they sounded fine at low volume. But, on my new Denon receiver, they seem happier and sound really good. Probably could take 120 with ease.

[ JOHN Jun 21, 2016 ]

I have a Marantz SR7009 125w. They really could handle them.

[ ANTONIO Jun 21, 2016 ]

95 amps

[ JAMES Jun 21, 2016 ]

Connected to Denon 3311c 125Watts per. I re-allocated my in ceiling Front for Height and bought these to use as Front speakers. Mixed with surround and surround back in wall speakers (all Polk) sounds pretty good when the right content is playing.

[ Thomas Jun 21, 2016 ]

I am powering the Polk RTi A3 with a Yamaha RX-S600 which has 55 watts per channel at 8 ohms. I have no complaints

[ Bill Jun 21, 2016 ]

what size sub woofer recommend with rti a3 ?

[ RANDY Nov 24, 2013 ]

1 answer

This will depend largely on the room and system the speakers will be used in. Contact an Advisor by phone or chat for help choosing the best components for your system.

[ Jeff Nov 24, 2013 ] Staff

Do the RTI A3 speakers have a fuse? On one of my speakers the woofer has stopped working.

[ Sanitylost Dec 03, 2020 ]

1 answer

I'm not aware of any non-powered speakers that have fuses. If it were mine, I would find the correct hex-wrench, remove the woofer and take a look inside. Pretty sure you won't find a fuse. Most likely, Polk Audio has a replacement woofer for a fair price. It may be the crossover that burned out. Switch woofers with your other A-3 and see if it's the woofer. Good luck!

[ DAVID Dec 03, 2020 ]

Can these speakers be placed on the floor and still get good sound?

[ JOHN Nov 16, 2020 ]

5 answers

The tweeter should be at ear-height for the best sound, whether sitting, standing or laying down.

[ DAVID Dec 03, 2020 ]

Yes.

[ JOSEPH Nov 16, 2020 ]

Mine are on a wood floor and I think they sound phenomenal.

[ STEPHEN Nov 16, 2020 ]

I would not do that. Get a set of speaker stands or some fact simile of such - such as wooden plant stands or wooden pedestal end tables. Unless you're going to get on the floor to listen to them, I would elevate them.

[ CHRISTOPHER M Nov 16, 2020 ]

I think so,, depending on the type of floor and placement in the room.

[ Theodore Nov 16, 2020 ]

Can this speaker be wall mounted?

[ JOHN Nov 12, 2020 ]

5 answers

Yes. A paper template is included for planning your mounting location. Speakers have the bracket mounted on the back and mounting screws are included in the package. It takes 1 screw per speaker.

[ JIM Nov 12, 2020 ]

Yes. I stand mounted mine, however they have bumpers on the back of the speakers. They also include a template for marking out wall mounting.

[ HAROLD Nov 12, 2020 ]

Yes,there is a wall mount bracket on the rear of the speaker.

[ MICHAEL Nov 12, 2020 ]

Yes.

[ Walter Nov 12, 2020 ]

Yes, it has a mounting bracket on the back of the speaker. I don't have mine mounted though.

[ LYNN Nov 12, 2020 ]

Would these be ok in a 20 X 24 GR as L and R Mains and Surrounds? along with The CSi A4 center and 10" SUB.

[ MMurphy Feb 20, 2020 ]

2 answers

For that large of a room, they would be just fine for rear speakers, but not front left and right mains. I actually do use mine for front left and right mains, but my room is much smaller than yours.

[ JOHN Feb 20, 2020 ]

No get towers for mains for a room that lg

[ MARK Feb 20, 2020 ]

RTi A3 vs S20, anyone have an opinion? Seems similarly priced.

[ Carol Aug 01, 2018 ]

1 answer

Thanks for your question. For information on comparing two or more models I would recommend reaching out to an Advisor by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat. They will be able to help determine the differences and help you make the best choice for your system and your budget.

[ KRISTINA Aug 06, 2018 ] Staff

Can these speakers be positioned on the side rather stand up straight?

[ CHARLES A Apr 15, 2018 ]

10 answers

The sides of these speakers are cu4ved so, no, they can't be used on their sides. However 5hey are great sounding speakers and they look great too.

[ G. Scott Apr 22, 2018 ]

No, if you look from the top down onto the speakers they are somewhat tear-drop shaped and would rock instead of laying flat.

[ Michel Apr 16, 2018 ]

I would not; they are curved on the sides. I would presume also that sound dispersion (radiation pattern) is designed for vertical orientation. Side positioning would not be harmful in my estimation however.

[ HARRY DAVID Apr 15, 2018 ]

CHARLIE,YOU CAN PROBABLY POSITION THEM ANY WAY YOU WOULD WANT TO, I USE MINE AS HEIGHT SPEAKERS AND THEY SOUND GREAT. I WOULD BUY THEM AGAIN,GOOD LUCK.

[ ANTHONY T Apr 15, 2018 ]

Well you could, nothing preventing it. But it would look funny as the overall shape is quite rounded toward the back.

[ STEPHEN R Apr 15, 2018 ]

Not ideal, curved sides make very difficult. Best sitting up, They can be mounted to wall also. Awesome sounding speakers, punch way above their price point!

[ CRAIG Apr 15, 2018 ]

Yes, you can place them on their side (so it might fit in a shorter space?). If you do so, I would place the bottom/side on a protecting surface. Perhaps a small placemat, or piece of carpeting, would protect that beautiful cherry side from scratches.

[ RONALD E Apr 15, 2018 ]

No. The sides of the speakers are slightly curved front to back, and not meant to be positioned that way.

[ ELROY Apr 15, 2018 ]

No. They are wedge shaped. They do sound great!

[ Mike Apr 15, 2018 ]

The speakers have curved sides so that probably won't work. They are great speakers and I would highly recommend them. I also bought the matching center channel and they all sound great.

[ MICHAEL Apr 15, 2018 ]

Can these speakers be positioned on the side rather stand up straight?

[ CHARLES A Apr 15, 2018 ]

9 answers

First, these speakers are amazing. They have the best sound of any speakers that I have purchased in the last 35 years. I just took a good look at the speakers. The simple answer to the question is "No". Here's why: the speakers are curved from from to back. The speakers curve outwards from the front grille, then the curve continues around to the back of the speaker. (like the hull of a ship) That said, if someone were creative, he/she could design a custom mounting support system so that the speaker could be positioned on its side. Hope that this info helps. Rob C.

[ ROBERT Apr 16, 2018 ]

Mine are straight up but yes, I believe they can positioned on the side. Crutchfield, would you confirm?

[ Rafael A. Apr 16, 2018 ]

[ JEROME Apr 15, 2018 ]

While I have mine standing, I don't see any reason they can't be laid sideways. They're pretty great.

[ JEFFREY Apr 15, 2018 ]

There is no provision for mounting on it's side but you can probably rig something with a little creativity.

[ KELLEY Apr 15, 2018 ]

Charlie - The RTi's have curved side panels. If you were to place them in a horizontal position, they may rock a little and, therefore, may be a little difficult to maintain a consistent position. With that said, I love these speakers. They are beautiful and sound fantastic.

[ MARK Apr 15, 2018 ]

I think you could, I have mine standing up. Just have to be careful with the curved sides.

[ BRAD Apr 15, 2018 ]

Theyre rounded on the sides so not unless you put something under them to stabilize them and absorb the vibration.

[ Ben Apr 15, 2018 ]

No, because the sides are curved. Great speaker though!

[ RONALD Apr 15, 2018 ]

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