n00b question: LSi15 or LSi9?

Chukar

Hello All,

I'm a n00b at all this stuff. I had a pair of Polk Audio tower speakers when I was in college about 16 years ago. I don't remember the model name. I am now building a new system.

I just bought an amp and receiver from Rick88: a Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH Receiver & an Adcom GFA-7500 Amp. The amp puts out 225W x 5 at 4 ohms. The receiver supports 7.1 home theater. I am planning on getting a subwoofer (which is another question I have - I'll ask that on another thread). But if anything below 80Hz is getting sent to my subwoofer, should I get the LSi15 or should I instead get the LSi9? I plan on mainly using the system to listen to music but I also want to build a home theater.

The only difference I can see between the LSi15 and the LSi9 is that the LSi15 has an 8" subwoofer, which won't be used if I get a separate subwoofer, correct? I would probably have to buy stands for the LSi9 speakers, I don't have any bookshelves to place them on. Space is not a real concern. Would it be cheaper to get the LSi9s than the LSi15s? Would I be sacrificing anything quality-wise by getting the bookshelf speakers over the tower speakers?

Thanks for any thoughts. Cheers.
Chad

PSOVLSK

I have both the 9's and 15's and I use the 9's with a sub in my HT and the 15's in my 2-channel system without a sub. I would say that yes, it will be cheaper to get the 9's )esp. if you buy used). And no, you will not be sacrificing anything quality wise. As you mentioned, you'll need to budget for some good speaker stands. I have Sanus stands which have worked well for me.

veerapaneni

I had both of them and i prefer Lsi15 for the sound.

BlueFox

I have 5 LSi15s, and a pair of LSi7s. Personally, I would buy the 15s since they come with a built-in speaker stand.

dorokusai

The LSi15 is a glorified speaker stand and the subwoofer is marginal at best. LSi9, or even the diminutive LSi7 would always be my choice.

resperc

I have never heard the 15s, but I will add my praise to the 9s. They sound really good and for their size, the bass is pretty impressive.

HHStuart

One disadvantage to LSi15's is that you have to be careful about placement. Since the woofer displaces to the side you have to make sure it is not too close to the side wall.

jimmydep

I have the 15's and love them, but they can be a little tricky to place in a less than perfect room.

mantis

When I owned both the LSI9's and LSI15's I thought the 15's mid range was cleaner and tighter. The LSI9's "bloat" meaning they sound like they are forcing out what it's trying to play instead of being clean and clear like the 15's. If you do a side by side you can hear a difference in the midrange clarity.

I do however like the LSI7 idea. using them all around would be killer. I also like them over the 9's.

Chukar

Thanks for all the thoughts, guys. You've given me more to think about. When placing the LSi15s, should they be at least two feet from the back or side walls? Does that also apply to the LSi9s? Thx. Chad.

grimmace19

I own both and the exact amp you just bought. Hooking them up side by side with all things equal the only difference was the improved bass from the 15s. I love both pairs but for my needs with my pets stands that aren't hidden behind furniture just don't cut it for me thus the 15's were a much better option up front. I'd say get both and use the 9s for backs like I have going and you wont look back.

I suppose if I had one gripe about the speakers is that my 9s and 15s don't exactly match as far as the cherry finish goes. Thankfully they are on opposite sides of the room and you can't tell because of the shadows and whatnot.

mantis

xcapri79 wrote: »

When you compare these speakers, it really depends on who is listening, what they are playing, and what equipment they are using.

I've done non-scientific two channel comparisions between the LSi25's, LSi15's, LSi9's, and LSi7's. For me it all depends. I like them all and that is why I own multiple pairs of these speakers, except for the LSi9's and LSiFX's.

I do agree that the LSi7's are the most underrated in the LSi lineup and certainly the best bang for the buck of the LSi's. They are by far the easiest LSi to drive and like the LSiFX's, they can be mounted on the wall, which is useful for home theater applications. The Harman Kardon HK3490 stereo receiver with a pair of LSi7's is my choice for an economical and great sounding two channel system.

If you prefer the physical presence of a floorstanding speaker, you can't go wrong with a pair of LSi15's or LSi25's. The LSi's sing beautifully.

Agreed,
I ran all mine off a a few B&K amps including a AVR307 , Rotel separates , tried a Denon avr3801 but they sucked the little life it had right out of it , Pioneer Elite vsx49 which had crazy power and they actually souned really nice on it.
Overall I like the B&K on them the best in the avr307 , that was a great match.

angelsfann02

I was leaning so much towards the Lsi9's until I began to factor in the cost of good speaker stands which I see Lsi9 owners asking alot about. If the 9's & 15's are close (performance & sound wise) I would go with the 15 because while it may be a glorified speaker stand, its better looking i.m.o than any aftermarket stand I have seen. Also when you factor in the price of buying good stands, and the price of the 15's nowadays, I' d say its about equal. The physical footprint should be as well...polkie experts please correct me if i'm wrong.

jkrepner

angelsfann02, I agree that once the stands get factored in you might be better off with the 15's. I went with the 9's because a) we have cats that seem to live to destroy things with what we call "correct paw feel" which is speaker grill material for sure!. And b.) the smaller 9's have more future flexibility perhaps in a small listening room one day or second system. C.) Though not much smaller, the footprint is still less so I think you get a bit more wiggle room in regards to placement.

If you can do the 15's, why not?

EndersShadow

jkrepner wrote: »

angelsfann02, I agree that once the stands get factored in you might be better off with the 15's. I went with the 9's because a) we have cats that seem to live to destroy things with what we call "correct paw feel" which is speaker grill material for sure!. And b.) the smaller 9's have more future flexibility perhaps in a small listening room one day or second system. C.) Though not much smaller, the footprint is still less so I think you get a bit more wiggle room in regards to placement.

If you can do the 15's, why not?

I am going w/ the 9's and plan to wallmount them using the Pinpoint AM40 mounts (~40 bucks). This will allow for a super clean look on my wall once I get the Plasma I want mounted on the wall.

Also since the LSiC is wallmountable saves me a good amount of space as well.

So you might also look into wallmounts rather than speaker stands, might save you some extra cash.

dorourke07

Wall mounting 9's might be a bit odd looking when surrounding a plasma screen. The depth difference between the 2 inch deep tv versus the 15+ deep speaker might be too extreme for some, just MHO.

EndersShadow

dorourke07 wrote: »

Wall mounting 9's might be a bit odd looking when surrounding a plasma screen. The depth difference between the 2 inch deep tv versus the 15+ deep speaker might be too extreme for some, just MHO.

True, and I havent ruled out using the 7's either which are a little shorter (and have keyhole mounts built in), but you also have to add in a couple inches for the wall-mount + Tv which realistically is about 6 inches give or take, so there will be a difference, but you would still have some of that same issues if you used stands.

Plus if you have a big enough TV that wont matter, on a small 32" Tv you would notice it much more than on something like a 65"

Another option would be finding some cheap DVD/CD racks with a decent top and using those as your stands. I have seen Ikea bookshelves used for this and also as entertainment units (when laid down on their side)

angelsfann02

dorourke07 wrote: »

Wall mounting 9's might be a bit odd looking when surrounding a plasma screen. The depth difference between the 2 inch deep tv versus the 15+ deep speaker might be too extreme for some, just MHO.

I'd have to agree. Especially if its in the main living area where many people including finicky wives and judgemental in-laws might see them hanging gloriously on the walls ( not everyone appreciates our passion). In a dedicated theater room maybe it wouldnt matter as much.

EndersShadow

angelsfann02 wrote: »

I'd have to agree. Especially if its in the main living area where many people including finicky wives and judgemental in-laws might see them hanging gloriously on the walls ( not everyone appreciates our passion). In a dedicated theater room maybe it wouldnt matter as much.

I also agree, but in my case the Wife would prefer if they hang off the wall. Also since the 21" deep entertainment center isnt going anywhere the depth wouldnt look too off since they will be spaced a little to either side of it.

Gives her more room on top the entertainment unit for pictures (gotta let her get something to keep her happy )

If you had wallmounted TV, speaker and a in-wall equipment rack then I totally agree on all counts.

Also my in-laws and parents know I am crazy already