Replacements for the LsiM line

sgtmick63

Anybody heard of polk planning to introduce new speakers to replace the LsiM line?

rooftop59

I am no insider, but the LSi series ran for 10+ years, so I wouldn't be holding my breath.

tonyb

Lsim's are the newest line, why would you think they'd replace them already ?

sgtmick63

I've had mine for 4 years now looking to upgrade. I'm not really to impressed what I see coming out of Polk lately. Nothing really interests me from their line.

erniejade

I havent heard them but, i have read lots of good things on the lsim line. What didnt you like about them or what do you feel is missing from them?

Emlyn

I wouldn't expect the Polk brand to come out with anything more upscale than the LSiM speakers, as they are excellent for what they are. Maybe in a few years they'll refresh the current line, or stop producing them altogether. Definitive Tech speakers are supposed to be the more upscale speakers from the corporate family now. I'd probably look there or to GoldenEar Technology speakers for something different now if sticking to a US company.

Upstatemax

I've been very impressed with what I've heard from Focal and Totem.

If you're looking for better than LSiM, time to look outside of Polk...

WLDock

Upstatemax wrote: »

I've been very impressed with what I've heard from Focal and Totem. If you're looking for better than LSiM, time to look outside of Polk...

Exactly...pick your flavor....I was pretty impressed with the Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand and the Focal Aria 948 here recently...and it was a short listening session. There is SO many flavors out sound out there....crazy amount of speakers in the $3K-$6K range.

falconcry72

sgtmick63 wrote: »

I've had mine for 4 years now looking to upgrade. I'm not really to impressed what I see coming out of Polk lately. Nothing really interests me from their line.

Like others have mentioned, if you want to upgrade you'll have to veer away from polk. What are you trying to improve/change about the sound? Lots of speakers out there...

That said, I will say that the LSiM's are one of the rare speakers out there that need to be paired with equipment costing much more than themselves to really shine. My usual rule of thumb for a 2-channel setup is 50% on speakers, 50% on everything else... but the LSiM's break that rule. You need to spend several times their cost on components before you'll hear what they're capable of. They are extremely versatile in that way: they are very forgiving and can sound excellent with a budget receiver, but stick'em with some higher end gear and they really come alive.

maximillian

I know this is an older thread but the last comment raises some questions.... what aspect of the equipment is needed to get the most out of the LSiM's? Is it current requirement in the amps?

Legender

I've got them paired with parasound JC-1 monoblocks through a Linn 5103 preamp.... both costing MSRP significantly more than the LSIM 705s.
They sound awesome.
703s currently being driven by Adcom 200W amp and deliver well in my near field listening area.

tonyb

maximillian wrote: »

I know this is an older thread but the last comment raises some questions.... what aspect of the equipment is needed to get the most out of the LSiM's? Is it current requirement in the amps?

Kind of a subjective question. Everything has it's limits though. Good clean current every speaker can benefit from and should be at the top of the priority list. Upstream electronic and cabling also play a part. You simply put the system together until it pleases your ears, kinda like a jigsaw puzzle finding the right pieces that will synergize with everything else until your satisfied.

I would gather if your happy with the overall sound of whatever speaker you have, start upgrading the electronics and cabling for further benefits. If your at a point where upgrading the electronics and cabling is making little to no difference, then that would tell me that's a limitation of the speakers.

maximillian

That's what I gathered, but I was wondering if there was something specific that falconcry was referring to. Thanks.

I agree on the Adcom amps. I like them paired with LSi/LsiM speakers. Not the end-all solution but a great start.

tonyb

I don't think he was referring to anything specific. He was just stating the LSIM line responds well to better electronics than some previous Polk lines. In other words, the LSIM line has less limitations than the lower lines....in his view.