RTi VS LSi

jdavy

I have a nice RTi surround system. Is the LSi speakers better? Should I sell the RT's and get some LSi's? What does everyone think?

RuSsMaN

I think you should find some to go listen to.

danger boy

I would love to listen to the different LSI lines.. but no one in my city carries the LSI line. only the RTi line... and even that is very limited.

Also.. since some of us have a good deal of $ invested in our RT(i) line of speakers.. would it be a big advantage to up it to the LSI line?

Al

Dr. Spec

I demo'd a 7.1 LSi line-up with a B&K 507. LSi15, LSiC, LSiFX, LSi7 (x2) and SVS Ultra with Samson 1000.

My impressions? Smooth, detailed, refined.

Did it embarrass my system? No way. I would say my current system was 90% of the LSi system I heard.

Not nearly enough to make me sell my RTxxi and buy LSi.

Just my $0.02. YMMV.

Doc

ken brydson

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
I demo'd a 7.1 LSi line-up with a B&K 507. LSi15, LSiC, LSiFX, LSi7 (x2) and SVS Ultra with Samson 1000.

My impressions? Smooth, detailed, refined.

Did it embarrass my system? No way. I would say my current system was 90% of the LSi system I heard.

Not nearly enough to make me sell my RTxxi and buy LSi.

Just my $0.02. YMMV.

Doc

OK, Doc. I thought I was getting good at the acronyms....YMMV??

shack

Originally posted by ken brydson
OK, Doc. I thought I was getting good at the acronyms....YMMV??

I believe that is..... Your Mileage May Vary.....right Doc?

ken brydson

Originally posted by shack
I believe that is..... Your Mileage May Vary.....right Doc?

That makes sense. The best I could come up with is "Yo mama makes vodka".

Dr. Spec

Your mileage may vary.

MX (Sid) has come up with a few that stumped me lately. Can't remember them exactly.......TOTL and another one.....

Doc

shack

TOTL = Top Of The Line

danger boy

thanks ATC and Dr. I found both your posts helpful. I kind of thought that maybe that was the case. While i've heard mostly only good things about the LSI line of speakers... I can't justify dumping all mine and starting over.

If i were in the market for a whole new set up.. or starting from scratch.. i'd probably feel different.

I still want to hear em tho. I live in a **** backward part of the US. Where they don't carrry the LSI series. I can get them ordered.. but can not demo them.

jdavy

ATCVenom,

Thanks for your comments. I heard Paul Dimarco demo them today at HE2003. I agree with the music issue. The LSi's were awsome for music. As for the movie demo, my RT's sounded nearly as good. Most of music is still ejoyed on the SRS's.

Thanks to everyone else that commented as well.

Thanks Paul for the Demo.

James

Frank Z

Having owned a complete set of Rtxxxi speakers before getting my Lsi's I would have to say that the difference was HUGE! The Lsi's destroyed the Rtxxxi for both movies and music. Not everyone is going to agree, but the Lsi's are far superior in every respect to the other offerings from Polk. Does that mean that everyone that owns something other than the Lsi's should upgrade....NO! I'm simply stating my opinion, others feel that the improvement is not significant enough to warrant an upgrade, they are entitled to their opinion. I can tell you from first hand experience that when I demo'd my old RTxxxi speakers side by side with the Lsi and the difference was night and day! If possible, you should do the same and let your ears tell you whether or not the upgrade is justified. You might agree with me, you might not, but the only way to know for sure is to listen to the gear and not make your decision based soley on written opinions...mine included!

ezc

I had a full set of rti & upgraded to a set of lsi's. yes there was a difference but I found out one thing. My onkyo reciver which could drive my rti's well was now not powerful enough to drive the lsi's. I had to upgrade my reciver too! Now I can say my lsi's are much better than the rti's. But again if I had the better reciver would the rti's have sounded better? I learned one major thing with my upgrade the components in the system must match. I thaught I could get away with just the speaker upgrade but not so/.

mantis

It's what makes a good system great.......Matching.

Having Synergy though out is how the system as a system will perform at it's best.As all things in life,balance is key.


As far as the Rt vs Lsi......in my opnion there's no compare.I feel the Lsi perform on a different level hince them being top of the line and rightfully so.

The Rt line is a very solid well balanced line when working as a home theater unit.Music is where I feel they lack.

The Lsi line does everything well and excells at music.They are the very best sounding Polk speakers I had ever had the pleasure of owning or listening 2.

TroyD

While I think that the LSi is a better speaker, primarily due to the tweeter, I've never found the RT or RTi speakers to be not musical, quite the contrary actually. The RT25i got a rave review from Stereophile about a year ago and the RT series was a perennial Stereophile Class C pick.

BDT

mantis

It's all a matter of opnion isn't it Troy........love the sig by the way.;)

TroyD

Piss off Dan

mantis

There is a place I'd like to to visit Troy......then stay.Go there please

robodell

I recently acquired a pair of LSi15s. I spent about 3 1/2 hours in a local electronics store (IEI in Hazlet, NJ), where I demo'd just about every high end speaker they had (mostly Polk and NHT). The LSi15 was by far the best sounding speakers they had (with exception of the LSi25, which sounded the same as the LSi15).

I listened to LSi7, LSi9, LSiC, LSi15, LSi25, RTi150, RTi70, RTi100, RTi FX1000, and some other mfgs. The NHTs were the only ones that came close to the Polks - very clean mids and highs, but lacked bass and cost more $. The LSi15, LSi25, LSiC, RTi150, and surrounds were in a nice HT layout driven by a Yamaha RXZ1. All other speakers were in a store shelving area driven by a Yamaha stereo reciever.

In the "shelving area", it was hard to get a good feel since the LSi7 and 9 have a rear port which vented behind all the other speakers that were lined up, seriously distorting the bass. The LSi9 have a surprising amount of bass for their size - almost surreal. The LSi7 don't - I would definitely recommend spending an additional $200 for the LSi9. The RTi70 and 100 sounded good, but not as good as the LSi9.

In the HT area, I compared the RTi150 and LSi15. It was a quick decision. Of course, listening tastes vary, but in my opinion, the LSi15 is clearly in a whole different league than the RTi150. The RTi150 midrange blares, while LSi15 is crystal clear. Also, I know the 150 is noticably better than the 70 and 100 based on a side by side demo at a local Circuit City, so I didn't bother comparing those to the LSi15. Also, the LSiC is an incredible unit - I can't wait to add it to my setup. Unfortunately, the LSiFX surrounds were not on display.

I guess power is an issue too. The LSi are 4 ohm, while the RTi are 8 ohm (I assume). I didn't realize how much of an issue it was until I started shopping for HT receivers. I have a 13 year old 60W (8 ohm) Onkyo stereo reciever that is also rated to drive 4 ohm. At lower impedence, it delivers more power (approaching 210W at 2 ohm according to the manual) - it drives the LSi15s just fine. It doesn't even heat up very much. I do have to turn up the volume a bit more, but never more than half way. At higher volumes, it doesn't sound as good - the fidelity seems to be compressed. Not many receivers that are in my $ range will drive 4 ohm.

Overall, I am very happy with the LSi15, and would probably be just as happy with the LSi9 with a sub. I have a room setup issue that I am noodling over right now, so I haven't heard their full potential yet.

TroyD

Originally posted by mantis
There is a place I'd like to to visit Troy......then stay.Go there please

I can't even argue with you because I haven't a clue as to what you are talking about....I've left you alone since your last tirade. Extend me the same courtesy.

If however that is a threat of physical violence, I'd recommend laying of the doughnuts for a little while.

jdavy

Robodel,

Thanks for the added information. I am starting to lean toward the upgrade. The question is will my HK AVR7000 drive a 4ohm speaker system? I think I can talk my wife into letting my upgrade my speakers but not the amp as well. We have two kids under the age of two and $ is always an issue.

So again the question is can the Harmon Kardon AVR7000 drive a 4ohm speaker system?

Thanks,

James

mantis

Troy,

If however that is a threat of physical violence, I'd recommend laying of the doughnuts for a little while.

So you do just make up as you go along.Hell my man Hell,a nice way to tell you 2 go to hell.****..........

Just don't reply to anything I write and I'll extend you the same courtesy..........

Dr. Spec

If the AVR7000 has pre-outs, then you could aways add an Adcom amp like Gonzo did.

Doc

HBombToo

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
If the AVR7000 has pre-outs, then you could aways add an Adcom amp like Gonzo did.

Doc

I run my h/k as a pre/pro only and am happy with it. I know it could be better but I have a pretty good balance ATT.

HBomb

pjdami

First of all, the RT line of speakers are a fantastic value for the money you spend. Very hard to beat in their price class. We all know that. I had to convince a coworker yesterday who is about to do a home theater system to not get Bose. For the budget he gave me, I recommended he take a listen to the RTi line from Polk.

I happily owned the RT35i's along with my PSW 350 for two years for both music and HT. My brother owns the RTi70s along with a CSi40 center and for HT his setup is killer. I remember watching a "Band of Brothers" scene on DVD with all the bullets flying all over the place and hitting metallic helmets and stuff and it was killer sounding IMHO.

Musically, the RT line hold their own also but they are not LSi's. Very different sounding to me. The RT's are more forward sounding and the LSi's are more laid back but detailed. The LSi's have this "ambience" to them...the way the sound kind of envelops you. The LSi's I find also do a fantastic job of taming the brightly recorded cds that are being produced. I am extremely sensitive to sibilance and am on a journey to minimize this effect as much as I can without losing detail at the same time. I find the RT line and the Paradigm Studio speakers that I have to share a similar type of sibilance whereas the LSi, although not totally eliminating it, makes it easier to listen to.

To upgrade to the LSi line becomes a major financial decision. Not only will one have to purchase the speakers, but also electronics upgrades as well as cables may be necessary to be totally be happy with them. If one can afford it....then try it out. But in my opinion its not worth getting up to your neck in debt over. There is nothing wrong with the RT line if one is happy with the way it sounds.

HBombToo

Originally posted by pjdami
There is nothing wrong with the RT line

Agreed.

Twin

jdavy

I tend to agree with most of the comments here on the forum. I think HK is only soso. The AVR7000, their once top of the line, is a great amp and value. It sounds great with the RTi's. If I do decide to move up and get my sound system to approach the sound quality of the SRS's, I will need to get the LSi speakers with an new amp.

(I have moster cables and wires thoughout my system and the DVD player is tops so they will stay.)

I will have to sell the old system to pay part of the cost.

I do not know if it is nessasary for me to do this upgrade. I will go to my local dealer that just started to carry the LSi line to demo with my music and movies and go from there. So far the best LSi prices from a dealer seems to be crutchfield.

1st Big question is it worth the trouble?

2nd Big question is can I sell my HK7000, 800i, fx500i and cs400i for enough $ to let me get a new amp, the LSi15, the LSi center channel and the LSi FX and only have to spend out of pocket, about $1000?

I will try and answer the first question soon and write back for the group. This may take a while since I want to listen at the dealer for a few hours and I seem to spend most of my time with our new baby. (Rachel was born 5-19-03)

Regardless I am glad this issue has gathered so much interest.

Thanks,

James

TroyD

Originally posted by mantis
Troy,


So you do just make up as you go along.Hell my man Hell,a nice way to tell you 2 go to hell.****..........

Just don't reply to anything I write and I'll extend you the same courtesy..........

Aw, **** it.

I DIDN'T say anything to you Dan. I gave MY opinion on a subject and you had to make a smartass comment and I told you to piss off. If you poke me with a stick, don't be surprised when I respond in kind.

I WON'T reply to your comments and I HAVEN'T replied to your comments. WHY? First, according to you, I don't know **** anyway. Second, I SKIP most of your posts because I can't stand to read your self-righteous, I never start anything, paranoid, I know everything, I sound like a friggin' walking Tweeter advertisement ****.

Also, how's that house coming? What is now 3 or 4 YEARS?

And while your at it, if you want to tell someone to go to hell or whatever, be direct. You may think you sound like a wise kung-fu zen master but in reality you make absolutely no sense.

Troy

danger boy

lets not have this thread end up in the HOS.

thanks, Al

mantis

Troy has this button and I just know how to push it.......LOL

Troy funny post man...good one.Relax.

The house STILL isn't done.This is not a good subject to be kicking me with.I have had 6 different closing dates.The newest one is June 21,2003.My builder is the worse I have ever seen.I wanted to back out of the deal a long time ago but the wife wants this house so I stay.It's been a aweful experience,I'll never build another one.

For the record it's been 2 years and 4 months.

mantis

Is that all you got Troy???Are you finished now?

I DIDN'T say anything to you Dan. I gave MY opinion on a subject and you had to make a smartass comment and I told you to piss off. If you poke me with a stick, don't be surprised when I respond in kind.

So touchy these days,can't take what you have dished out in the past.....You made me ****.

I WON'T reply to your comments and I HAVEN'T replied to your comments. WHY? First, according to you, I don't know **** anyway. Second, I SKIP most of your posts because I can't stand to read your self-righteous, I never start anything, paranoid, I know everything, I sound like a friggin' walking Tweeter advertisement ****.

Showing your true colors here........This is what you live for ****,You have nothing better to say....sounds like hints of jealousy to me.Can't figure out why but thats how it reads ****.

And while your at it, if you want to tell someone to go to hell or whatever, be direct. You may think you sound like a wise kung-fu zen master but in reality you make absolutely no sense.

Where does the Kung Fu Zen Master crap come in???

There is a place I'd like to to visit Troy......then stay.Go there please