LSi Questions..I'm back :)
Hi All,
I was a Polk lover since the 80s, my first Polks were an incredible pair of SDA SRS speakers, then in 1987 we bought a home and a couple years later I traded them in (due to limited space)for a set of Polk Towers. Then the kids came and I ended up trading them in again due to space again for a set of B&W monitors. Well now we're remolding our living room and one wall will have all bookshelves with a fireplace and a big screen TV built in. Well now the B&Ws are too tall to fit into the shelves so I need true bookshelf speakers and there is only one speaker I am interested in and that is POLK!! I miss my old Polk speakers, the B&Ws are nice and clean sounding but they never did give me the listening enjoyment that I had with my old Polks. The imaging and depth of the sound was always incredible with Polk. I did my Polk research and found the LSi series is the way to go. Being 4 ohm speakers I already decided on an NAD T752 or T742 receiver now my decision is LSi 7's or LSi 9's. Looks like the shelf sizes (16" deep and 17"high) will accommodate either so my question for those who have listened to them for much longer then a half hour at the local HiFi dealer is what are your thoughts on the LSi7s and LSi9s head to head. I am trying to get as much info before heading out to the closest Polk dealer who carry the LSi series(which unfortunately is 45 minutes east or one hour north or 1 and half hour southwest of my home). Circuit City and Best Buys put all of our local High end stereo stores out of business and it seems CC does not carry the LSi line. So please help me in my info seeking mission. Thank You all in advance!!!
I was a Polk lover since the 80s, my first Polks were an incredible pair of SDA SRS speakers, then in 1987 we bought a home and a couple years later I traded them in (due to limited space)for a set of Polk Towers. Then the kids came and I ended up trading them in again due to space again for a set of B&W monitors. Well now we're remolding our living room and one wall will have all bookshelves with a fireplace and a big screen TV built in. Well now the B&Ws are too tall to fit into the shelves so I need true bookshelf speakers and there is only one speaker I am interested in and that is POLK!! I miss my old Polk speakers, the B&Ws are nice and clean sounding but they never did give me the listening enjoyment that I had with my old Polks. The imaging and depth of the sound was always incredible with Polk. I did my Polk research and found the LSi series is the way to go. Being 4 ohm speakers I already decided on an NAD T752 or T742 receiver now my decision is LSi 7's or LSi 9's. Looks like the shelf sizes (16" deep and 17"high) will accommodate either so my question for those who have listened to them for much longer then a half hour at the local HiFi dealer is what are your thoughts on the LSi7s and LSi9s head to head. I am trying to get as much info before heading out to the closest Polk dealer who carry the LSi series(which unfortunately is 45 minutes east or one hour north or 1 and half hour southwest of my home). Circuit City and Best Buys put all of our local High end stereo stores out of business and it seems CC does not carry the LSi line. So please help me in my info seeking mission. Thank You all in advance!!!
Post edited by Paul T on
Comments
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The Lsi9's are a an awesome speaker all by themselves, although some could argue the need for a sub. The 9's go deep enough for my 2 channel lisyening that I haven't bothered with one. Most people that hear them for the first time are really amazed at how deep they go for a "Small" speaker. At about 4olb they are anything but small.
The 7's on the other hand, while still a great speaker, realy need a sub to handle the low end. I Had mine set up on my old Rt800i speakers while I was waiting for my 15's to arrive and they really sounded great in my HT! It was cool to see peoples reactions when I told them the 7's where on, not the 800's.
I would caution against putting either speaker on a shelf, they will sound many times better if you can get the tweeters at ear level and get them farther out into your listening room. -
Welcome to the forum Paul and welcome back to Polk.
I echo Frank's statements totally. I also own the LSi 9 and they have some amazing bass for such a small speaker. Talk about a "small" speaker that plays big. If space is not an issue, go with the LSi 9.
I see that you have done your homework with what to drive the LSi with. The NAD receiver will fit that duty excellently. -
I agree with much of what has been said. The 9's are one of the most impressive bookshelf I have ever heard. The low end response from these little guys is amazing.
I have had a lot of time to listen to the 7's and the 9's side by side. Both are incredible speakers. IMO the 9's have a little more mellow sound, which I tend to like, but I'm sure some consider that a weekness. Both have impressive lows for their size, and like any Lsi speaker the highs are incredible.
I'm not sure if this is an option for you, but this is my suggestion. If the shop will allow it, take home a pair of each and try them out as long as you can and return the runners up. Keep in mind too that even though the 9's have superior bass response, it may not be needed if you are going to have a sub in the system.
Well that's my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps.
Oh and by the way. IMO the cherry finish is awsome.
Happy listening!HT
Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600
2 CH
Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500, -
I'll throw my .02 in....
Either way (7's or 9's) is a win/win situation. I would caution as well about the shelf as these suckers are deceptively big and heavy.
As far as sound, I like 'em both. For music, I think neither NEEDS a sub. I'd give the edge to the 9's all around but the 7's are a VERY close second, primarily for bass response.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Thanks guys for your words of wisdom...
I guess my new concern is has to be space.. The bookcases are going to be 16" deep so I a bit worried the LSi 9s may be a tight fit.. Mostly if I have to angle them inward a tad.. Not sure exatly where the sweet spot will end up until the project is done, I belive the speakers will end up about 12 feet apart and the seating will be probably 10ft from the speakers.. if my thinking is correct I may have to ange inward a bit and the shelf will only allow 1/2 inch space behind them so that will allow very limited adjustment where the 7's allow aprox. 5 inches behind them,,, might have to go with the LSi 7's and a sub.. Wish I could get a extra LSi 7 for the center... would be nice front setup...
