Polk LSi 15 Setup Question

spinteews

Hello,

I'm a noob to all this HT stuff and had a few questions about my recent setup. Any help would be appreciated...

I picked up the following speakers...

Polk LSi 15s, front bookshelf
Polk LSi Fx, Rear surrounds
Polk LSi C, Center
BIC Acoustech PL-200, Sub

The receiver that I have hooked up to this 5.1 setup is a Denon AVR2112CI. Someone told me this may not be enough power? So far it works... (tested it for an hour and have not really cranked up the sound yet...) Where the Denon is sitting in the HT cabinet, I installed 2 fans in the back to draw heat out of the cabinet so I hope there will be no overheating issues...

What do you think of this receiver and speaker setup? Did I do the correct thing or do I need more power? I have all speakers ran with 16 gauge RCA speaker cables. Would you recommend going to a 14 or 12 gauge? The rear FX Surrounds I ran about 30-40 ft of the 16 gauge and don't know if I should go to a lower gauge...

I also have a 35 ft coaxial subwoofer cable for the sub (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=3976&seq=1&format=2) Is this the right cable?

I've setup Audyssey but will need to redo it again. When it ask to place the microphone ear level and then run the test, do I need to hold it up to my ear where i'm sitting in the room or do I need to place the microphone on something so it wont move?

Thanks again, all these are noob questions since this is my 1st HT setup... excited but also not sure if i'm doing things correctly...

If anyone have any suggestions on speaker stands, that would be great. Something to hold up the LSi 15s and LSi FX.

Mike

Joe08867

1st, I don't think you have enough power to run that setup with the Denon. LSi's like bigger amplification than most Receivers can dish out. Does the Denon have preouts? If so maybe you can look into a separate amp for the LSi15's and LSiC.

When running the Audyssey it is best to place the microphone where you sit and leave it there. Holding it can work but you need to stay very still. Moving the mic will mess up the results. If you have a small microphone stand that would be ideal.

jon s

to be frank, the Polk speakers you have are 4-ohms, which mean they draw more current than 8-ohms speakers. If you do not drive them too loud, the receiver should be okay, but if you want to move some air, you will probably blow out the amps and speakers. Most owners will agree that the Polk LSi speakers work best with a separate power amp if you want to get a decent output from the speakers... most likely something with 150-200 watts per channel. You basically need an amp with a big power supply (which means it would weigh about 50 lbs or more) in order to supply the current the speakers will require...

falconcry72

Hi Spinteews. Welcome to CP!!!:biggrin:

Those are great speakers, congrats!

This can be a very informative and helpful forum, but be careful, your wallet will get lighter very quickly. With that last bit in mind, I'm going to recommend that you upgrade everything around those speakers.:evil:

1) Almost no receiver in the world is capable of driving the LSi's to their full potential, and when using an under-powered receiver (like yours) you run the risk of clipping at high or even medium volumes, which could damage your amp, your speakers, or both... so be careful with that volume knob until you upgrade!

1.a) The best solution is to use separate components, ie, a surround processor plus an external 5-channel power amp (200ish w/channel), or a receiver with pre-outs plus an external 5-channel power amp. Unfortunately, your Denon does not have pre-outs, so it is of no use to you. Sorry.

1.b) The other option is to just get a more powerful receiver. Now, while there are many receivers out there that are capable of driving those speakers safely and sounding good, none will drive them to their full potential. Good options are one of the Pioneer SC series of Elite receivers, or a Denon that's higher up on the food chain, like a 4xxx series at 140w per channel or so.

2) Speaker wire: upgrade. Ideally you would use well-made speaker cables instead of wire, but if you must go cheap monoproce or the like, use 12 gauge. I think a good compromise would be to use Monoprice 12 gauge for your surrounds and then some good stuff for your fronts and center.:

http://signalcable.com/ultraspeaker.html

3) Your sub cable is cool, just use as short of one as possible, but I think 35ft is fine.

4) Yes, use something to prop up the mic at ear level, then get out of the way.

5) The LSi-15's are Floorstanders, not bookshelves... you don't need stands. Can you mount the fx's on the wall?

Good luck, let us know how you're progressing! You got some great speakers, now you just gotta make'em sing!:cheesygrin:


Cheers,

Ben

tpl12blk

Thanks so much for this! This is exactly what I was looking for

falconcry72

tpl12blk wrote: »

Thanks so much for this! This is exactly what I was looking for

reported.

spinteews

Wow great advice and info.

Yea, originally I got the Denon 2112CI and was just going to stick with the Polk Monitor 40's all around and a CS1 center with a BIC F12... but I saw a deal on the LSi's and couldn't pass it up... Found out later that my Denon has no pre-outs so I may need a new receiver... For now I may just not turn up the volume so much until I can figure out what to do...

I made a mistake, my fronts are LSi 7s which is the bookshelf speakers. I was going to get some Sanus (http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-BF-24B-Speaker-Stands/dp/B00006JQ5N/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318020185&sr=1-20) stands but not sure about the quality...

As far as mounting the FX to the wall, I think i'd rather use stands instead if possible. I'm thinking maybe I should swap out my 16 gauge for 14's all around or is it really gonna be beneficial to go 12 gauge? I'm just using the typical RCA speaker cables from amazon.com.

Thanks again for all the help... my wallet was hurting getting this whole setup and it looks like it will continue to hurt... might have to keep it the way it is for now and slowly but surely upgrade...

PSOVLSK

Those stands are not very good. I have a pair and they are no longer being used. Go ahead and spend the extra to get a decent pair or you'll be like me with a cheap pair in storage. Here's a link to the ones I use. They're not the best, but I've been very happy with them.
http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-SF-30B-Steel-Speaker/dp/B0006885FS/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318044501&sr=1-9
Not sure about your budget, but the well regarded Pioneer SC-35 is on clearance at Costco for $750 and Best Buy for $799. You'd have pre-outs, but you wouldn't need them since the Pio would power the 7's sufficiently.

wout

I ran my LSi15s with a huge monster of an amp. I got this whimpy sound out of it. Then I hooked up my old NAD 320BEE and low and behold the LSi15s came alive and the monster was sold into slavery and the NAD stayed on to power a setup that has given me a lot of pleasure. Even after four years of listening I marvel at the sounds from these awesome LSi15s. NAD - Polk is a great combo.

Now moving into a new house, smaler but with dedicated music room, nope not a HT, just for music. I just bought and received a NAD c375 and I can't wait to hook it up. It is middle of night and can't wake up the family just yet..:biggrin:

I'll post a new thread for the comparison between the older smaller NAD and the new NAD big boy.

tonyb

In surround mode, that receiver just isn't going to get the job done. In 2 channel,maybe you'd be ok. Bottomline is you need an amp to run all those 4 ohm speakers or risk damage to the speakers and/or receiver. It may sound OK to you now, but by the time it doesn't sound OK, the damage will have already been done.

Dawgfish

spinteews wrote: »

Wow great advice and info.

Yea, originally I got the Denon 2112CI and was just going to stick with the Polk Monitor 40's all around and a CS1 center with a BIC F12... but I saw a deal on the LSi's and couldn't pass it up... Found out later that my Denon has no pre-outs so I may need a new receiver... For now I may just not turn up the volume so much until I can figure out what to do...

I made a mistake, my fronts are LSi 7s which is the bookshelf speakers. I was going to get some Sanus (http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-BF-24B-Speaker-Stands/dp/B00006JQ5N/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318020185&sr=1-20) stands but not sure about the quality...

As far as mounting the FX to the wall, I think i'd rather use stands instead if possible. I'm thinking maybe I should swap out my 16 gauge for 14's all around or is it really gonna be beneficial to go 12 gauge? I'm just using the typical RCA speaker cables from amazon.com.

Thanks again for all the help... my wallet was hurting getting this whole setup and it looks like it will continue to hurt... might have to keep it the way it is for now and slowly but surely upgrade...

The others are right, you may be able to power these with your avr at low to moderate levels, but you will not get the full potential out of these speakers until you add a seperate amplifier. If you are looking for a good deal on a great Denon AVR with pre-outs, Reeltrouble1 here on the board has one for sale in the For Sale section of the board. It's a Denon AVR-2809 and he is asking $399 for it. It has pre-outs and having owned one myself, I can tell you it's an outstanding AVR. Just wanted to give you a "heads up."

tonyb

raone32 wrote: »

Someone told me this may not be enough power? So far it works... (tested it for an hour and have not really cranked up the sound yet...) Where the Denon is sitting in the HT cabinet, I installed 2 fans in the back to draw heat out of the cabinet so I hope there will be no overheating issues...


roofers

Of coarse it will work, you'll get sound, but think of what your doing as a silent killer. By the time you start hearing funny noises, the damage will have been done.

burts

falconcry72 wrote: »

Hi Spinteews. Welcome to CP!!!:biggrin:



2) Speaker wire: upgrade. Ideally you would use well-made speaker cables instead of wire, but if you must go cheap monoproce or the like, use 12 gauge. I think a good compromise would be to use Monoprice 12 gauge for your surrounds and then some good stuff for your fronts and center.:

http://signalcable.com/ultraspeaker.html


Cheers,

Ben

Holy crap those speaker wires are expensive, how can those be different then regular copper 12 gauge speaker wire? Im getting lsi front stage but i couldnt possibly justify expensive wire, isnt wire just wire.....

Ive seen and owned 200.00 miracle racing spark plug wires too but in the end the 40.00 ones was just as good

Esreuter

With the risk of being blasted, I will speak my experience and mind.
You don't need cables. As I understand by definition a wire is just a length of a single conductor.
A cable is system of more than one wire, with a termination and insulation.
If you want good sound then you want to focus on the importance of the conductors, copper, silver, gold, aluminum ect. Each will have their own properties.
Same goes for your termination type and conductor.
Remember a cable is a nice and neat package made for you. Again I'll absorb the blasts, but to save coin, I get pure copper wire and good terminations, then since I biwire to deal with the mess i get some .99 plastic cable ties, works great.
Now this is just my thoughts on cables versus making your own there are plenty of things to think about, gauge, length of run, conductor resistance and then the properties of the conductor.
It's all up to you, do you want asthectis and ease of use? Or have not so pretty wires but high performance and functional,
Cables are high performance too, not knocking them too much.

I hope my point is clear, I wrote this at a show store then ate lunch with parents, so I lost my train of thought.
Thanks for hearing me.

Esr

nhhiep

sorry, but there is on way in hell that you can get good sound from your AVR. it's not even rated for 4ohms. if you're lucky, you can get 2 front speakers perform at their minimum at low volume. I am pretty sure that if you keep driving all speakers with that AVR, soon you speakers will die or maybe the AVR will go into protective mode most of the time. have you tried to turn the vol to at least - 20 db yet? which is not that loud anyway, but you will soon see smoke