Best setup for LS90?

goldeneye
goldeneye Posts: 4
edited December 2010 in Speakers
I recently bought a pair of LS90s off a guy and they seem to be in awesome shape. I am new to the audiophile scene and was wondering what would be a good setup to start with in order to bring out the sound. I'm quite new to this, but I think the sound is a little soft and the treble is a bit tin-sounding...but that could be due to the equalizer...I don't really know. The bass is excellent. It's nice and deep. I just think there is some great potential hiding in these speakers and I don't even know it.

Which amplifier should I get? The previous owner said he had a separate amp for the tweeters and subwoofer. Should I set it up the same way? How would I do that (2 channel, 4 chanel, etc.?).

What wattage should the amps be?

This is kind of over my head at the moment. I hope you guys can help me out :)
Post edited by goldeneye on

Comments

  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited December 2010
    What are you doing with them ? Is this a stereo system or a theater system?

    If this is a 2 channel stereo system then I suggest using a Cambridge Audio Integrated
    http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=292&Title=Azur+840A+%28Version+2%29+Class+XD+amplifier
    I'm so impressed with these units. For the money I have yet to hear anything better. I think they found a way to bring high quality 2 channel sound and not break the bank. With your speakers you don't need anymore then this.

    If you are looking to do theater then a completely different conversation will take place before I can recommend something.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited December 2010
    Didn't you just ask this in another thread? It's not necessary to double post man.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited December 2010
    Welcome, it would help if you tell us what your using now to drive the speakers and what the rest of the gear is plus what cables your using. Everything matters.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited December 2010
    congrats,


    that is an awesome speaker that gets some respect here for all the right reasons.

    the bad news is they love power, but the good news is they are far more easy to drive than the notorious LSi series.

    get a good used 2 channel amp (and I assume you need a preamp as well
    )

    parasound, Carver, Hafler, B&K, Rotel (I powered a pair I owned with rotel amps with great results). others will chime in.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
  • goldeneye
    goldeneye Posts: 4
    edited December 2010
    Hey,

    I have them currently hooked up to my home theater receiver, which I believe is a 100w 5 channel Yamaha receiver.

    Although it's hooked up to my home theater receiver, I am planning to use these as speakers. I have them connected with monster cable (I think it's 16 gauge) and banana plugs. The thing is, there are two pairs of jacks in the back--a lower and upper pair (I'm guessing for tweeter and sub?). I only connected one pair at the moment, so that might already be robbing my speakers of some power.
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited December 2010
    I'm using mine in my HT rig driven by a Carver TFM 45 through an Onkyo NR1007, used as a pre that's driving my center and surrounds. Don't bother trying to bi-amp unless you explore it with separates...just not worth the trouble. Just leave the bridges in place and use either the top or bottom posts. Regarding the speakers, they do provide very profound bass, a clean midrange, image well and are a tad shrill up top. By this I mean, the tweeter is clean, but in comparison to the RDOs in my SDAs, they are precise, but slightly nasal. Shrill is too harsh a description I suppose. All in all, they are a very nice speaker, that with the right gear, really shine. There do some things better than the SDAs in my 2 channel rig. The imaging is more precise and they are more placement friendly. They are a great rock speaker. The suggestons for an integrated or pre/pro - amp combo will be a nice starting point. They will run on an AVR easily, but will really shine on better gear.

    Good luck.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE