Scholarship = LSi9s

GoBigBlue
GoBigBlue Posts: 212
edited August 2011 in Speakers
I was just informed that the University of Kentucky refunded me $3,489.87. I think it's time for me to take the plunge into the LSi world. Before I do, I want to see what you guys think of this setup and any modifications/suggestions you all would make.

[Pair] LSi9 - $649 from Polk Direct
Harman Kardon HK3490 - $299 from Newegg

I know the LSi are power hungry speakers, but do you all think the HK's 120 x 2 @ 4 ohms is adequate for a 10 x 12 room?

It's going to sit near my desk and will be solely for music. I'm still broke so I have to keep stick with a "budget" receiver.
Post edited by GoBigBlue on
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  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited August 2011
    It will be fine so long as you don't crank the volume way up.
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,466
    edited August 2011
    Go with the newer LSi-M703's.


    It has been said that angels reside withing those pretty little boxes.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • TouchOfEvil
    TouchOfEvil Posts: 967
    edited August 2011
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Go with the newer LSi-M703's.


    It has been said that angels reside withing those pretty little boxes.

    i wanna hear the angels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:biggrin:
    Living Room Rig:D
    Rotel RSP-1069/Rotel RMB-1095/Rotel-1072/Polk lsI15's W/modded xoverW/DBsubs/Polk LsiC/lsI7's/Klipsch sub-12"the weak link"/DLP Mitsubishi 65"
    Xbox360/PS3/WII
    M.Br. setup:)
    Emotiva MMC-1/Rotel RMB-1075/Polk BlackStone TL350's/Velodyne SPL1000/Samsung 51" Plasma
    Computer Rig:
    Rotel RB1050/Tannoy DC4's/Klipsch RW-10d/ImodIpod/HK AVR230 for now....
    Headphones-Ultrasone-HFI780's w/LittleDot MK Vamp Portables Panasonic HJE-900's
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    I don't plan on really cranking them, anyway. I just want to get good sound with them at moderate levels.

    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Go with the newer LSi-M703's.


    It has been said that angels reside withing those pretty little boxes.

    I probably shouldn't have looked at those; I need them. I only see them at Crutchfield for $750/ speaker
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited August 2011
    I ran my LSi 9's from my 3490 for a while and it was fine.

    However, it does have preouts, when you want to jump into seperates you're good to go!

    The 3490 will drive them pretty well, but a good seperate amp really opens them up.

    Now I'm going to feel like Dad... If you just got that chunk of change, and I guessing you're like I was in college, broke. Don't blow it ALL on speakers.

    I know it seems crazy on a board like this, but I would buy the LSi 9's (you can get the pair for less than one LSiM 703).

    If you want to spend it all, then the LSi 9's would allow you to get into seperates off the bat, all new interconnects, speaker wire, speaker stands... The $1,000 less that the LSi 9's cost can get you into a nice pre and amp combo easily.

    I think you'll see/hear more bang for your buck working on solid entire system rather than dumping it all into just the speakers...

    That's just my opinion though...
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    Awesome advice! Thanks for bringing me back to reality! How was the sound quality of the Lsi/HK combo? And how much better is it with the amp? My thoughts are I can buy the setup now and ask Santa for a Parasound amp later.

    I'm assuming that the LSi9 by the selves are a step up from Monitor 60s so I can probably enjoy them without an amp for a little bit.

    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I ran my LSi 9's from my 3490 for a while and it was fine.

    However, it does have preouts, when you want to jump into seperates you're good to go!

    The 3490 will drive them pretty well, but a good seperate amp really opens them up.

    Now I'm going to feel like Dad... If you just got that chunk of change, and I guessing you're like I was in college, broke. Don't blow it ALL on speakers.

    I know it seems crazy on a board like this, but I would buy the LSi 9's (you can get the pair for less than one LSiM 703).

    If you want to spend it all, then the LSi 9's would allow you to get into seperates off the bat, all new interconnects, speaker wire, speaker stands... The $1,000 less that the LSi 9's cost can get you into a nice pre and amp combo easily.

    I think you'll see/hear more bang for your buck working on solid entire system rather than dumping it all into just the speakers...

    That's just my opinion though...
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited August 2011
    GoBigBlue wrote: »
    Awesome advice! Thanks for bringing me back to reality! How was the sound quality of the Lsi/HK combo? And how much better is it with the amp? My thoughts are I can buy the setup now and ask Santa for a Parasound amp later.

    I'm assuming that the LSi9 by the selves are a step up from Monitor 60s so I can probably enjoy them without an amp for a little bit.

    The sound quality was fine through the H/K, but it lacked some depth and muscle.

    Once the parasound was hooked up, the highs gained some nice sparkle, the mids were more present and the bottom end picked up greatly and was nice and tight.

    I guess the best way to describe it was that someone took the sheet off of the speakers.
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    Is a Parasound HCA-1000 adequate amplification?
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,228
    edited August 2011
    How about this Parasound?

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122956
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited August 2011
    GoBigBlue wrote: »
    Is a Parasound HCA-1000 adequate amplification?

    Well another forum member just got a Adcom 90x2 amp and seems to be enjoying his LSi 9's quite well:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122936

    So considering that Parasound is 200x2 @ 4 ohm I would assume you should be fine :biggrin:
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    How about this Parasound?

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122956

    That would work as well though its only 125x2 @ 4 ohm so the HCA-1000 will be a bit better.

    Most folks say give the LSi's as much wattage/current as you can as they seem to like it :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited August 2011
    I didn't give you my written permission to reference my thread ES!

    All kidding aside, I'm very happy with the SQ so far from the Adcom I just picked up vs. my receiver on my LSi9's. I haven't heard the 7's, but people only have great things to say about them. I don't think you'll be unhappy with 7's, but as I like to say, you'll never have the 'what if' factor if you go with the 9's. I would say my 9's are on a different level now with some dedicated power, I still can't believe that I get fairly deep/clear bass out of these little speakers. Good luck, decisions like this suck
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    Nice plug, PSOVLSK. That is tempting, so let me think about it. I won't be able to crank these speakers anyway so 125 watts sounds acceptable.

    I'm afraid to get the 7s because I'll probably be doing this upgrade thing within the next month. I'm hoping these things get adequate bass; I don't want to buy another subwoofer.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited August 2011
    GoBigBlue wrote: »
    Nice plug, PSOVLSK. That is tempting, so let me think about it. I won't be able to crank these speakers anyway so 125 watts sounds acceptable.

    I'm afraid to get the 7s because I'll probably be doing this upgrade thing within the next month. I'm hoping these things get adequate bass; I don't want to buy another subwoofer.

    What sub do you have now?

    Most agree the 7's with something like a DSW2000 would fill in all the bass you need.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    I just ordered the DSWpro 550 or something like that off newegg.
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    I would recommend the LSi7's as a better fit for your HK3490 receiver.

    Interesting. Care to explain?
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited August 2011
    Maybe if you find someone in CT area willing to pickup and ship you can get these:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123017
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    I need an ebony pair. I'm trying to decide whether I should spend an extra $50 to get a warranty for refurbished LSis from Polk Direct or get a new pair without a warranty.
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  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited August 2011
    Get the lsi7 it seems a lot of people here like them better to the 9 also maybe get a good integrated amp from audiogon. There are a lot of choices in there

    Good luck
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    I'm all for saving money, but not at the expense of quality. I'll have to look into the 7s a little more before I cross them off my list. I don't plan on using a subwoofer so I feel the 9s would be more appropriate. I can't imagine what I'd do if I got the 7s without hearing the 9s. I have no good HT stores that carry Polk LSis.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited August 2011
    The warranty is worth an extra 50 bucks. Plus as most that have bought from Polk Direct will tell you they look New In Box, no blemishes at all normally.

    That way you have a warranty for 5 years. Thats less than 10 bucks a year for 5 years for the warranty.... do you really need the money that bad????

    That way if something happens your covered. I only buy gear from folks I know or from authorized vendors. That way you cant get screwed if things get messed up in transit (which happens waaayyy to often).
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    Polk Direct it is. What would I do without you?

    I just bought a Parasound from another Polkie on here rated at 125 x 2 @ 4 ohms. Will that sound better or the same as the HK 3490 rated at 150 x 2 @ 4 ohms? I figure the amp is feeding it a dedicated, clean stream of power.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited August 2011
    GoBigBlue wrote: »
    Polk Direct it is. What would I do without you?

    I just bought a Parasound from another Polkie on here rated at 125 x 2 @ 4 ohms. Will that sound better or the same as the HK 3490 rated at 150 x 2 @ 4 ohms? I figure the amp is feeding it a dedicated, clean stream of power.

    Your correct, it should sound better at the same volume due to it being dedicated.

    I think you will be very happy :)

    Now do yourself a quick favor, hop over to MITCABLESEXPRESS.com and buy a set of 50% discounted EXp interconnects and speaker wire :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited August 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Now do yourself a quick favor, hop over to MITCABLESEXPRESS.com and buy a set of 50% discounted EXp interconnects and speaker wire :smile:

    +1.

    If that does not float your boat, check out Signal Cable and the "Ultra" speaker wire.

    I have the EXp2 wire from MIT in my 2ch system now and I'm going to still order the Ultra's and decide what one I like best. The other one, I will put on my RTi A7's in the HT...

    As for interconnects, I'm going to be ordering all new ones from Signal very soon.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited August 2011
    If you do check out Signal Cable (which I have a set of) tell him your a Polk Forum Member... it will get you a discount :smile:

    Personally I just got the Analog 2's myself, but it was because I needed 5 for my 5 channel amp.

    For my 2 channel I am debating his silver wire....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited August 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    If you do check out Signal Cable (which I have a set of) tell him your a Polk Forum Member... it will get you a discount :smile:

    Personally I just got the Analog 2's myself, but it was because I needed 5 for my 5 channel amp.

    For my 2 channel I am debating his silver wire....

    I was dead set on the Analog Two's...

    Now you have me thinking Silver also!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited August 2011
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I was dead set on the Analog Two's...

    Now you have me thinking Silver also!

    I would start w/ the Analog 2's, or EXp's and then maybe after hearing how they sound, think about going w/ Silver Resolution. That way if you dont like it, you have the other set to fall back on.

    If you do go with the MIT EXp (which honestly you should for the price) make sure you get BOTH interconnects and cables. Heck at their price if you dont like them, sell em here or on Audiogon and you probably can make all your money back on them.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2011
    I'll toss in another vote for the 7s, and it has nothing to do with saving money. Many people like the 7 better, regardless of price, I happen to be one of them.
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    Do you think the 7s are better geared for music as opposed to HT? I'm going to use these speakers without a sub and 100% for music. I figure the bass is better in the 9s but I haven't really done research to compare the two spec. wise.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited August 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    I would start w/ the Analog 2's, or EXp's and then maybe after hearing how they sound, think about going w/ Silver Resolution. That way if you dont like it, you have the other set to fall back on.

    If you do go with the MIT EXp (which honestly you should for the price) make sure you get BOTH interconnects and cables. Heck at their price if you dont like them, sell em here or on Audiogon and you probably can make all your money back on them.

    I was looking at the EXp 1 interconnect, but they only have them in HUGE runs on sale...

    I don't know what the heck I would do with 3 sets of almost 19' cable.

    I need 3'.
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  • GoBigBlue
    GoBigBlue Posts: 212
    edited August 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Now do yourself a quick favor, hop over to MITCABLESEXPRESS.com and buy a set of 50% discounted EXp interconnects and speaker wire :smile:

    So no Walmart speaker wire? :tongue:

    This is going to sound dumb, but what are interconnects and what are they for?
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