LSi 15 or LSi 7 w/dsw pro 400 sub?

Thinker1920

Trying to decide between LSi 15's for $899 or saving a little and getting LSi 7's w/ a DSW PRO 400 sub for $650, any thoughts?

Thinker1920

would there be a large difference in sound for the extra $250?

EndersShadow

Thinker1920 wrote: »

Trying to decide between LSi 15's for $899 or saving a little and getting LSi 7's w/ a DSW PRO 400 sub for $650, any thoughts?

Better idea would be the LSi 7's and then the difference between them and the 15's on a different sub. Doesnt have to be Polk for the sub. Some real quick companies to look at would be Elemental Designs, SVS, HSU, Outlaw Audio, and some others I problably forget.

Thinker1920

I can get the DSW PRO 400 for $250 are those in the same price range? b/c they seem like some pretty nice brands

jbooker82

You can get the DSW Pro 440wi from new egg on sale during the weekends for $249. It will have double the wattage. Or you can get the 550wi for $299

PSOVLSK

EndersShadow wrote: »

Better idea would be the LSi 7's and then the difference between them and the 15's on a different sub. Doesnt have to be Polk for the sub. Some real quick companies to look at would be Elemental Designs, SVS, HSU, Outlaw Audio, and some others I problably forget.

I might actually prefer the 7's with a sub, so I'd agree with Enders. Or you could just pocket the $250.

The prices jbooker gave look good also.

jbooker82

Or if you want the DSW Pro660WI for $349

Thinker1920

what do you think about the PSW505 12" just noticed it on newegg for $229 it's 300 watts Continuous Average Output
Dynamic Power Output: 460 watts.

cfrizz

If you are going to go with a Polk sub, go with the DSW Pro 400. I have one and it is absolutely fantastic. My brother has the LSI 7s with the DSW Pro 500. Having the sub allows the 7s to shine at what they are good at which is mid range, everything gets kind of muffled when they are struggling to hit the really low notes.

The other thing I will tell you is that if you really want the LSI 15s, then don't settle for the 7s just because they are a little less money. If you have to wait & save more money to get the 15s then do that. Don't just buy something to say you bought it, especially if it is not what you really want.

Welcome to Club Polk Thinker!

Thinker1920

also was wondering if anyone could suggest a affordable stereo receiver/amp for them, If I had the money, I was toying with the idea of a miniwatt N3, but I would like to spend less.

Thinker1920

cFrizz Thanks you're right I keep going back an forth, The LSi 15's are nice but they are big and if I put them upstairs they'd have to go near a baseboard radiator (hot water) it doesn't get real hot but I would be a little nervous about it, right now theres monitor 60's up there in a stereo setup with the livingroom tv, downstairs is the family room with monitor 70's cs2 center and monitor 40's for surround with 2 psw10 subs, and an onkyo tx sr876 which I really like, I got it for $400 at a local audio store it was bench tested and met all specs. The only thing is that we don't spend a lot of time in the family room beside watching movies, so I was thinking of either the bedroom or the living room for them but as I said I'm a little nervous about them being close to the radiator.

Thinker1920

Does anybody know if polk audio direct does black friday sales or is the current free shipping the best one could hope for?

EndersShadow

Thinker I have the 15's and while they put out a good amount of bass from those dual 8's, you need to keep in mind they are passive and need a fair amount of power to sound their best. Thats why I suggest the 7's + sub. The 7's need far less power to shine and are just as good as the 15's minus the sub. You then add the sub thats got it own power so your not worrying if your amplification is up to snuff.

If you have the amp power for the 15's they sound good, though I suggest you switch the stock woofer with Polk db840's.

Also depends on room size. The 15's need quite a bit more space than the 7's to really shine.

So it might help us if you list what your running these with and the size of your room.

Thinker1920

the bedroom's 12x20 and I would use the b speaker connection on my onkyo tx sr876 which is 140 wpc, the livingroom's 14x25 (I think) and I would use a sony amp that I think it's 110 or 120 wpc. I was toying with eventually getting a miniwatt n3 and trying that since everyone seems to really like it.

tonyb

The LSI line are all 4 ohm speakers. If you plan on using just a receiver, it isn't going to cut it on any of them except maybe the LSI 7 bookies. Keep that in mind..

Thinker1920

my onkyo has a setting to adjust for 4 ohm speakers, and the N3 is able to adjust too. ( the sony probably wouldn't work though )

Joe08867

Thinker1920 wrote: »

my onkyo has a setting to adjust for 4 ohm speakers, and the N3 is able to adjust too. ( the sony probably wouldn't work though )

Your Onkyo may have a setting for 4ohm but it isn't going to be able to make them sing. LSi's are power hungry speakers and prefer there own dedicated amp.

I would go LSi7's and a sub if it were my money. The 15's are nice but they can't hold up to a sub and placement is easier with the 7's.

Thinker1920

sounds like LSi 7's then, what does everybody think about the Miniwatt N3?

EndersShadow

Thinker1920 wrote: »

sounds like LSi 7's then, what does everybody think about the Miniwatt N3?

I honestly dont think it will sound that good given its only 3.5 watts per channel. Their might be adequate current, but you might not be able to get it loud enough for your liking w/o distortion.

However I will be the first to admit I dont know much about tubes. I do know the amp looks to be rated for 4 ohm loads.

Talk to ReelTrouble1 about that amp.....

Thinker1920

thanks EndersShadow! :-)

cfrizz

Thinker1920 wrote: »

my onkyo has a setting to adjust for 4 ohm speakers, and the N3 is able to adjust too. ( the sony probably wouldn't work though )

What that setting actually does is restrict the current even more than what is being put out to protect the receiver from getting too hot.

This is why we always recommend a receiver with preouts and a separate amp of at least 200wpc @ 8ohms.

jbooker82

Thinker1920 wrote: »

what do you think about the PSW505 12" just noticed it on newegg for $229 it's 300 watts Continuous Average Output
Dynamic Power Output: 460 watts.

Why buy Polk's top of the line speakers and cheap out with a mediocre sub. Especially when you can get the DSW Pro440wi for $30 more bucks.

BlueFox

LSi15s. My front speakers are LSi15s, and I had LSi7 as my surround (rear) speakers in my 5.1 HT. However, after upgrading the rears to LSi15s I rarely use the sub (PSW1000) anymore. There is more than enough bass for me in movies with 4 LSi15s.

I wouldn't waste my time with a two-channel sub. Plus, the LSi15s come with a built-in speaker stand, and it is very hard to knock them over. You will be picking the LSi7s up off the floor every few weeks.

dorokusai

LSi7 + Subwoofer.

BeefJerky

BlueFox wrote: »

You will be picking the LSi7s up off the floor every few weeks.

Not if you get a good pair of speaker stands, and they don't have to be very expensive either. I use a set of DR Pro SMS1BK stands that you can get from Guitar Center. They are well built, can take shot or sand, and are very stable even without it. Plus, they're only $99 a pair, so you can't beat the price either. They are rated to hold up to 65lbs, and they hold my LSi9's (33lbs) just fine, and they've never been knocked over.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/DR-Pro-DRPRO-SMS1BK-WOOD-STUDIO-MONITOR-STAND-105794002-i1535185.gc#close

dorokusai wrote: »

LSi7 + Subwoofer.

Agreed.

P.S. If your speakers are being knocked over all the time, it's probably not the stands that are the problem...

NewHTguy

After owning my Lsi25s for a few months I sold my Velodyne SPL-1200R, which was awesome but seemed unnecessary. So I am inclined to agree with the previous claim that you don't need a sub with the Lsi15s.

I just ordered Lsi7s, REL T3, and HK3490 for an office rig. Thanks to Dawgfish for giving me a heads up that Vanns was running a sale for $399 (no affil). In my case, the room is fairly small so towers just won't work. For what it's worth, I think you should let your room and layout make the decision.

dorokusai

NewHTguy wrote: »

I just ordered Lsi7s, REL T3, and HK3490 for an office rig. Thanks to Dawgfish for giving me a heads up that Vanns was running a sale for $399 (no affil). In my case, the room is fairly small so towers just won't work. For what it's worth, I think you should let your room and layout make the decision.

That sounds like an awesome setup....GREAT choices!

NewHTguy

Thanks. I can't wait to try them out!

jbooker82

I would go 7's with a sub. That way you can place the sub independently from the towers. Tower placement might not be the optimal placement for a sub. Let alone the fact that the sub is cramed in the side of a tower. Where if your running a seperate one the encloseure is built for optimal performance.