LS 90s - RT35s...new HT

Ron Temple

I started another thread about moving my 1Cs into another room and giving them a try properly setup. Well I liked it. At that time, I was considering buying some LS90s and RT35s locally off CL. I waited too long and let the deal pass.

Today, they were posted again. I called him and we're getting together on Weds. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm getting and I'm excited. I loved the LS50s and the 90s should be even better for HT and multi-channel music in the family room. I'm equally excited about moving the 1Cs into the living room, placing them properly and upgrading a stand alone 2 channel setup.

Sometimes it just falls in your lap. Yes the deal is very good. Not a steal, but worth it for Oak veneer and speakers in excellent shape.

ken brydson

Nice. Love my 50's. I'd kill for some oak 90's...

Ron Temple

I've passed on several pair over the years that really tempted me, but until I decided to split the rigs up, I just couldn't justify it. Yeah, I love the LS50s too. If the 90s are what I think they are, they'll not be a step down for HT and I'll still enjoy them for music. The SDAs will be much happier too.

Ron Temple

The 90s are mint and the 35s are close, however, one of the drivers may have some issues, per the seller. I didn't hook up the 35s, since they were free, I won't complain.

When I get a chance to bring them in and hook them up, I'll take pics.

Anyone know if the 90s featured veneer or is it vinyl. It's hard to tell, but I'm guessing vinyl. Kind of strange for such a nice speaker.

Polkie2009

Ron, I'm pretty sure the LS90's oak and cherry were veneer and the rosewood probably vinyl coated. Somebody else here may know for sure. Congrats on the new speaks, the one driver should be easy enough to replace.

wallstreet

Yep, you'll love the 90's. Polk still had replacements as of a few months ago. I bought two since movie sound guys love to drop in subsonic 30hz explosions at unexpected times.

Ron Temple

The 90s are perfect except for a slight discoloration on one of the cheap screens which will probably wash off. The seller revealed that perhaps one of the 35s drivers has a problem. Something he noticed years ago, but didn't the last time he hooked them up. He's an original owner and kept them in great shape. They haven't been played in awhile. He was using a PSB rig that fits his space.

I'm bringing them in shortly and will have pics up.

Ron Temple

Ron Temple

Brief review: Nice sounding speakers, balanced with a little bias toward treble in comparison to the 1Cs. I'll do some critical listening later, but I'm impressed. The bottom isn't as profound, but it's there. Very clean. A couple of CD tracks sounded better, a couple didn't impress nearly as much. Only had a couple of hours, then I started having a wonky surround channel when I tried a DVD A. I thought one of my Carver channels was out and had to pull it out of the loop. Turns out it's another pre-out gone bad on the HK. It's always something...should have upgraded that piece first.

Not that this is an upgrade. The 35s are fine and sound nice, but I'm used to the 2Bs in surround and they just don't compete. I'll keep playing.

falcon377

Congrats. Nice score.

ken brydson

Ron Temple wrote: »

The 90s are mint and the 35s are close, however, one of the drivers may have some issues, per the seller. I didn't hook up the 35s, since they were free, I won't complain.

When I get a chance to bring them in and hook them up, I'll take pics.

Anyone know if the 90s featured veneer or is it vinyl. It's hard to tell, but I'm guessing vinyl. Kind of strange for such a nice speaker.

Manual says black and oak 90's are furniture grade wood veneer. I scanned the manual for you. Might come in handy...

Polkie2009

Thanks for the info and manual pdf. Ken! I just picked up a used pair of these oak LS90's last weekend myself:) They sound great as my side surrounds. Ron, you lucky dog, you made out like a bandit on those speakers.

Ron Temple

That's kind of you Ken. I appreciate it. I've noticed the LS integrates with the CS400i even better than the SDAs which is nice. The trilam is a nice tweeter...not sure why they dropped it out of the RTi line. It's not a Vifa ring, but it's noticeably smoother than the silk domes.

Ron Temple

Polkie2009 wrote: »

Thanks for the info and manual pdf. Ken! I just picked up a used pair of these oak LS90's last weekend myself:) They sound great as my side surrounds. Ron, you lucky dog, you made out like a bandit on those speakers.

I paid the seller's asking price since he was kind enough to through in the 35s and the condition. Not an outstanding deal, but solid. Since the ebay guy wants $600 and there are a pair of blacks on CL currently that list for $525 (I doubt if either sell at that price), I did more than ok.

Ron Temple

The 90s are a pretty neutral speaker. There are times when I hear a layer of depth in the midrange, but no where near what the SDAs feature. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just different. Playing some tunes today I was really impressed. The bass is definitely there with the right material, the midrange is warm and the vertical presentation makes the soundstage fairly tall with a lot of transparency between the instruments. These won't be my goto music speaker, but I'm drawn to them. It's a nice change from the 1Cs. I won't say that imaging is better, but it's easier in this space. The 1Cs dominated it and the reflections layered all over the place. The 90s sound cleaner in here.