Audio Systems: Speaker comparison, high fidelity speakers, high fidelity

Question
Hi there, I need an expert comparison between the Polk rti a9 and the Yamaha soavo 1. Pls mention as much details as possible in a clear way. My receiver is onkyo tx nr616.

Thanks.

Answer
There is quite a cost difference.  There is an impedance difference; the Yamaha is rated at 6 ohms and the Polk 8 ohms.  Technically, either speaker will work just fine with the Onkyo rcvr but the Yamaha will take a little more power - even though they are rated at the same sensitivity or 89db.

You can find many reviews online for each model and it may help you draw some conclusions. However, in the long run so long as the technical features are satisfied - which they are - the balance of the decision is sound quality and your ears.  Every person hears sound differently and it is very subjective.  One person may like the sound of speaker A but others like the sound of speaker B.  That is a personal decision.  The best solution for you would be to audition each speaker.  And, if possible audition them together in the same room where you can compare the difference.  

You will need a subwoofer for either of these systems as neither of them by themselves have sufficient bass extension to get down to the low bass register of modern music.

Finally, sound quality is not an objective test.  There is no universally accepted test procedure to measure it in the laboratory.  The human ear has hearing capabilities that instrumentation cannot duplicate.  Further, preference for sound character and the type of music one tends to choose while listening become important factors in the purchase decision process.  

Therefore, I wish you best luck with your decision between these two find systems.

PS:  Some say the "east coast sound" which the Polk might have vs the "Japanese sound" which the Yamaha may have is a deciding factor.  I do not accept this view because the final voicing of high fidelity speakers now days is done by trained engineers who have much experience in consumer taste and do hours of comparisons and blind listening tests before finalizing the nuances of the drivers and crossover networks and such.  It is much more of an art than a science.  Both Polk and Yamaha are good at this 'art'.  Thank you.