To LSi15 owners...

ranger

I have read really good things about these speakers. I plan on seriously upgrading my system this year (TSi400 fronts) and have a few questions about them.

1. For power, how about a Denon 3312ci and an Emotiva XPA-5?

2. Would I need to upgrade my CS20 center?

3. What rear speakers are recommended? (5.1 system, 17 by 17 room)

4. Are there ever any sales on these? Cheapest I have seen are 1500 plus as a pair. Does PolkDirect ever have refurbished on Ebay? Not neccesarily afraid of the amount, just wondering if they can be had for less.

5. And... are Salk Song Towers worth considering?

Still researching, thank you for your opinions.

DMara

ranger wrote: »

I have read really good things about these speakers. I plan on seriously upgrading my system this year (TSi400 fronts) and have a few questions about them.

1. For power, how about a Denon 3312ci and an Emotiva XPA-5?

2. Would I need to upgrade my CS20 center?

3. What rear speakers are recommended? (5.1 system, 17 by 17 room)

4. Are there ever any sales on these? Cheapest I have seen are 1500 plus as a pair. Does PolkDirect ever have refurbished on Ebay? Not neccesarily afraid of the amount, just wondering if they can be had for less.

5. And... are Salk Song Towers worth considering?

Still researching, thank you for your opinions.

My opinion:
1. That would be just fine. I've been running Denon receivers (AVR-2808ci & AVR-4810ci) and Emotiva amps (XPA-5 & XPA-2) with the Lsi speakers for quite a while, no complaint.
2. Polk LSiC should be the match.
3. LSiFX
4. Yes, PolkDirect does have the LSi on sale from time to time. You can also check our Flea Market for great deals; I bought my pair of ebony LSi15 from a fellow CP member that way. You can definitely find better deals.
5. I have now idea.

jimmydep

DMara wrote: »

My opinion:
1. That would be just fine. I've been running Denon receivers (AVR-2808ci & AVR-4810ci) and Emotiva amps (XPA-5 & XPA-2) with the Lsi speakers for quite a while, no complaint.
2. Polk LSiC should be the match.
3. LSiFX
4. Yes, PolkDirect does have the LSi on sale from time to time. You can also check our Flea Market for great deals; I bought my pair of ebony LSi15 from a fellow CP member that way. You can definitely find better deals.
5. I have now idea.

^^^^^^^ Spot on!!^^^^^^

I've made several purchases from Polk Direct on E-bay, and I would do it again.
You'll need to consider getting a decent sub for HT.

Nice system

Jimmy

EndersShadow

1. As stated above would work fine. However consider used amps since you can get a bigger better amp for the cost of a New Emotiva. Amps really havent changed in years so you can get a used amp and it still should perform good. For example I have a 15+ year old Carver and it runs my front 3 LSi setup (15's and LSiC) with no problem. I do plan to get a beefier amp when possible however

2. Yes it would be suggested you do so to a LSiC

3. Honestly you can go with any rears so if you have a set of speakers for your fronts now, you could move those to your rears and save some cash

4. As stated, check the Flea Market here, and Polk Direct. I wouldnt suggest buying from anywhere else, but thats just me.

5. Yes, Salk Towers are very good, however I do not believe they have a built in sub like either the 15's or 25's. They do go super low and there is a big thread on AVSFORUM about them I suggest you read. I also suggest posting on that thread to see if there is anyone local you can go listen to them at their house. Hearing them before purchasing ensure you like them.

I also will throw out Paradigm as a brand to check out. I really liked their Studio line, but got a deal on the LSi 15's and LSiC I couldnt pass up [/QUOTE]

ranger

Thanks for the responses. This Forum is great.

I am glad to hear the Emotiva is a good choice. I like new when possible.

I bought my TSi400's from PolkDirect and I couldn't tell the difference from brand new. Good looking speakers and they will make a nice 2 channel system for me in one of my bedrooms. Maybe the LSi15's will come up on PolkDirect, I am not in a hurry...yet, ha.

I will research Paradigm. And continue looking at the Salks.

For those of you who own LSi15's, do you like them a lot? What is the most you would pay for a pair?

EndersShadow

ranger wrote: »

For those of you who own LSi15's, do you like them a lot? What is the most you would pay for a pair?

I just got my set and I LOVE them. Regarding how much they are worth, it depends on what you are willing to pay for them lol...... Also keep in mind Polks updated LSi line is coming out soon and will drive the older line down significantly in price both new and used. So wait it out and strike when the price is low.

I have added the db840 sub to replace the stock on in my 15's and like it very very much. I will eventually modify the crossovers as from what I hear that makes another night and day difference.

You already have a good setup with realizing you need external amps for them which is the first step in getting to enjoy them......

bdtae5656

Check out EBay, paid $1,200 shipped three months ago!
Question # 3 I'd buy another pair of Lsi 15's for the rears

jimmydep

I bought my LSI-15's about 2 years ago and paid $725+ shipping and tax. I've been running a full LSI surround system with an Emotiva XPA-5 and it sounds excellent.
I also have a Sunfire Cinema Grand I swap in once in awhile, which has a better sound for music, but I prefer the Emo for HT.
I also have a vintage Marantz 250 which I feel sound the best for listening to music, but because of it's age I'm allittle hesitant to push it REAL hard.

For HT I think the Emotiva amp is a good choice.

Jimmy

Jetmaker737

I would steer clear of the emo amp unless HT is your main purpose. Since you're not in a hurry research some good used amps. Lots of info on this site you can search for.

I got my LSi-15's at Polk Direct a couple of years ago for about a grand shipped. In my current set up they sound absolutely stellar.

EndersShadow

Dont know if you saw this yet, but this is beyond a great deal. This is the LSi lovers dream in speakers:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119979

The mods for each LSi is at least 200 per speakers and your getting the top LSi currently out along with a modded center and if you wanted a full 5.1 the LSi 7's.

It seriously does not get better than this price wise. You just gotta deal with shipping which honestly for what your getting isnt that bad a deal.

If I had enough to get the front three I would be moving my 15's to surrounds and selling my LSiC for the modded one.....but I dont, so snag these before they go.

maxima

EndersShadow,
Face did the crossovers in my front three. Parts for the center were about $115 and the LSi 15's were about $320 for the pair when SoniCraft was having their sale. Well worth the money.

I don't completely agree with Jetmaker. My XPA-5 drives the LSi setup pretty well. Certainly not the end all but very respectable. If I upgrade the XPA-5, it will be with a Cinenova Grande.

EndersShadow

maxima wrote: »

EndersShadow,
Face did the crossovers in my front three. Parts for the center were about $115 and the LSi 15's were about $320 for the pair when SoniCraft was having their sale. Well worth the money.

No disputing its well worth the money. Thanks for letting me know approximate costs for the upgrades as they are ones I am thinking about doing as my christmas gift to myself

Those LSi's are a steal once you factor how much the upgrades cost and that your not having to pay for the work or downtime required to pull em out, fix em up and burn em in.

I am hoping to score another set of 15's or 25's that are modded once I get enough extra cash for it. Then I can move my current 15's to the back and possibly sell my sub and get a better one once I move into a house.

maxima

The LSiC is definitely much improved after mods. I often found dialogue difficult to understand before the mods, not so much now. As you've already stated, Jim's modded LSiC is a great deal for someone not wanting to deal with the cost/downtime.

EndersShadow

maxima wrote: »

I often found dialogue difficult to understand before the mods, not so much now.

Yeah, I think that one will be the first one I do as I have noticed this in a couple movies I watched. Plus with the center gone I can just use the L/R LSi 15s as a phantom center setup until it gets back

NewHTguy

ranger wrote: »

I have read really good things about these speakers. I plan on seriously upgrading my system this year (TSi400 fronts) and have a few questions about them.

1. For power, how about a Denon 3312ci and an Emotiva XPA-5?

2. Would I need to upgrade my CS20 center?

3. What rear speakers are recommended? (5.1 system, 17 by 17 room)

4. Are there ever any sales on these? Cheapest I have seen are 1500 plus as a pair. Does PolkDirect ever have refurbished on Ebay? Not neccesarily afraid of the amount, just wondering if they can be had for less.

5. And... are Salk Song Towers worth considering?

Still researching, thank you for your opinions.

I am running a CS20 with my LSi 25s and there's no obvious timbre mismatch to my ear. In contrast there was a timbre mismatch when I had Rti 10s up front. So the Lsic is better but what you have should not be bad.

ranger

I would prefer a new set of speakers and not have to pay big shipping costs.
Also, I am leaning toward ebony and I don't know how old his were. However, thanks for the heads up, I had not seen that. PolkDirect might be my best route if I stay Polk.

1. Aren't the 15's comparable to the 25's as long as you have a decent sub?

2. In what way are the 25's improved after the crossover mod? Can you do the same mod to the 15's?

EndersShadow

1. Yes

2. They supposedly sound much clearer and are faster and stronger lol. I havent heard a set myself but plan to mod mine in a year or so. You can mod the 15's as well but its a PITA to do yourself and costs about 230ish

cheddar

EndersShadow wrote: »

I do not believe they have a built in sub like either the 15's or 25's. They do go super low and there is a big thread on AVSFORUM about them I suggest you read.

Although the polk webpage lists the specs of the 15s and 25s on the same line as a 'subwoofer', the 15 really has just an 8" unpowered woofer. And the instruction manual lists it as a woofer vs the 25's manual listing a 10" powered subwoofer. You'll need a real subwoofer to dig really deep on HT soundtracks. Although a separate amp improves the bass on the 15s with real punch for music IMHO.

EndersShadow

cheddar wrote: »

Although the polk webpage lists the specs of the 15s and 25s on the same line as a 'subwoofer', the 15 really has just an 8" unpowered woofer. And the instruction manual lists it as a woofer vs the 25's manual listing a 10" powered subwoofer. You'll need a real subwoofer to dig really deep on HT soundtracks. Although a separate amp improves the bass on the 15s with real punch for music IMHO.

Yup, I apologize if it was taken as the 15's have a powered woofer. It is not self powered but runs off whatever you have connected. As I have an external amplifier it goes pretty deep compared to my Monitor 60's

Even the 25's I would still say you will prob want an sub with them since placement for a sub matters a great deal.

My point was more than most if not all Salk speakers only run 6 1/2 woofers rather than 8's or 10's.

cheddar

Understandable since polk's own website lists it as a subwoofer. However, when thinking of towers, I usually think of drivers around 5.25-6.5" as midranges, 8"-15" as woofers, and a powered woofer with an LFE input as a subwoofer...

clutchy

NewHTguy wrote: »

I am running a CS20 with my LSi 25s and there's no obvious timbre mismatch to my ear. In contrast there was a timbre mismatch when I had Rti 10s up front. So the Lsic is better but what you have should not be bad.

I was running a CS20 with LSi9's and couldn't hear a mismatch until i dropped the LSiC in there and then it was night and day difference. I still can't figure out how i didn't hear it.

Seems like such a waste to be running LSi25's and not get the matching center.

devani

clutchy wrote: »

I was running a CS20 with LSi9's and couldn't hear a mismatch until i dropped the LSiC in there and then it was night and day difference. I still can't figure out how i didn't hear it.

Seems like such a waste to be running LSi25's and not get the matching center.

ditto, I would get LSiC to match 15 or 25....i was glad that I did....

jimmydep

I agree...get the LSIC, you'll hear the difference.

ranger

Thanks for the feedback guys. The only things I am still uncertain about are the rear speakers....and whether the Salk SongTowers are worth the extra coin.

I gotta admit, I am even considering the LSiM 705. I want a kickin' system!