Theater-like sound??

cokewithvanilla

I have been using my LSi series speakers mainly for music and playing games. When I put in a movie, I can't help but notice that there seems to be something lacking.... lack of immersion maybe

Do you need theater style horn speakers to get that theater style sound?

Marcinko7

What do you have driving the speakers and what sub?

McLoki

I have noticed with my LSi's that with laid back components (amp, pre, source, wires, etc.) they become a little to "uninvolving" for really good home theater.

I have changed my componets around picking things that are described as brite or detailed and it has made a huge improvement. I now get the sound I really like, but it took work to get it that way. It seems like laid back is a very good thing for music, but not so much for home theater.

My NAD pre/pro was way to laid back so I changed out the opamps in it and it matches much better now. (although I would really like to just get a new pre)

Bens silver cables work very well for LSi's in a home theater setting. (in my opinon)

My Cinepro is actually prety neutral. If I were to suggest an amp for the LSi's, I think an Acurus like this one would make a good match. (This is what I was actually looking to purchase when I stumbled across my Cinepro)

Anyway - you are not alone in your feelings. I do not think horns are neccesary, but I do think you have to plan out your theater to get the sound you want. It is very difficut (and expensive) to just stumble into the sound you want.

mystik610

what kind or surrounds are you using? dipoles, imo, create a theater like 'spaciousness'

cokewithvanilla

mystik610 wrote: »

what kind or surrounds are you using? dipoles, imo, create a theater like 'spaciousness'

Lsi fx. currently mounted in the rear, set to bipole. Should I mount them on the sides and set them to dipole? Not much sound comes out of em in any case.

packetjones

My first thought is what amp and sub are you using? Mainly the sub though.

Marcinko7

Get an SVS sub - you'll be totally immersed.
I watched War of the Worlds and didn't see my cats for two days - they were immensly immersed!

Bernal

packetjones wrote: »

My first thought is what amp and sub are you using? Mainly the sub though.

+ 1.

Sunfire + LSi + Velodyne.....



01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's and SUNFIRE Cinema Grand
03) OPPO BDP-83SE Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio
04) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
05) DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
06) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
07) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
11) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
12) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround back speakers)
13) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround back speakers)
14) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES 12"(High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...p?userid=98096 (Not updated)

reeltrouble1

nothing wrong with your speakers, have you balanced the system with a meter and test tones at the listening chair? Most movies have the majority of the sound coming from the front stage, there is little on the discreet surround tracks for most of the movie, you can go rear or side surrounds or both, if your just using one set of surrounds most likely use dipole, the drivers in each surround speaker fire out of phase so the sound seems less localized, if you use both rear and sides then the rear are generally placed closer together and set to bi-pole. Nothing is written in stone. Polk subs are just fine they go boom like the others, the type of sub in HT makes little difference, just how deep it can play, but most of the sub information is above 30 hz in movies, still very deep bass.

The blu-ray machines and discs do offer better sound tracks from some movies. If you change your AVR you will get a different sound, better?? well takes sometime to determine this, lots of people hear the new AVR and think its better for a while, then tire of it, for a serious HT possibly a dedicated pre and amplifier.

Have fun.

RT1

concealer404

What are you driving the speakers with?

texas ed

What are you pushing the speakers with? I saw the question asked but did not see the answer..+1 on the SVS sub.I run the PB13 ultra and couldn't be happier. eddie

acmf74

Marcinko7 wrote: »

Get an SVS sub - you'll be totally immersed.
I watched War of the Worlds and didn't see my cats for two days - they were immensly immersed!

very funny! and yes that was a killer movie for sound

cokewithvanilla

Sorry I never replied. Been busy.

Same setup as usual... B&K 7270, DMC-1.

I finally got the rears wall mounted (it took years... sad, i know) and I was testing out the speakers.

I have wall mounts for side and rear speakers, I had intended it to be 7.1.. but the LsiFX speakers seem to be lacking something. I am glad I held off on two pairs, perhaps 9's would be better?

Right now I have a lot to figure out... the other day, music sounded good... now the voice is coming from the rear right corner of the room... lol... time for some spl testing...

Can anyone recommend a good test track?

SivaNevets

forward speakers is more involving and non-fatiguing when it comes to HT.
RTI lines are better for HT.

zingo

I do think horns are the ultimate ticket for HT, but as stated above, not the only good solution.

Have you run Avia or another HT calibration disc?

If you can turn-up the treble on your pre/pro a little. It sounds like heresy coming from a 2 channel guy to mess with the tone controls, but theaters can over emphasize the highs, which may be the sound you are missing.

LeftCoast

I had the opportunity to listen to both the RTi a9 with matching center and surrounds vs. the LSi 25 with it's matching center and surrounds in the theater demo room at Fry's Electronics in Burbank, Ca. The sub they used was the same for both setups: DSW pro500. Also both setups were powered by the same avr: a high end Yamaha.

I thought the LSi set up would be better for music but the RTi's were better for HT. I asked Kim at Polk Audio his opinion, and he agreed. There is a certain aggresisiveness with the RTi's that lends itself better for movie watching. Especially the center channel.

just my opinion

mantis

As I agree with the above post , both ways will lack something.

LSI are excellent musical speakers. But for theater they just don't deliver that punch you are looking for. You can try different gear and such but you will not reach that "theater sound" goal with LSI.

RTI series speakers are excellent theater first speakers. They punch you in the face and explode with every single detail at their price level. I like the RTI series a lot for theater systems. I have Installed thousands of them and every single theater I did delivered smiles and awe's. I love them for this.
But for music they are so so. They lack the involvement the LSI's bring , they lack the detail and space. The Lsi's sound like a high end speaker while the RTI sound like a good quality mid level speaker.

It's tuff to have both in one system. It also matters on your level of importance. I changed out my music first speakers and entire system to get that "theater sound" and I'm pleased with my musical performance and I don't pick it apart like I use to in the past. I now enjoy the music instead of demoing it. I love movies just as much as music and I found having a theater first system is more enjoyable then a music first system.