Mantis Offical Review Hang out of the LSIM703's.

donaldfagen

I'm glad you brought up the word "consensus" because I really think we were in complete agreement last night. Often when you get a group of people together you get vastly differing opinions, particularly when it comes to the highly subjective art of evaluating speakers, but last night in PA we seemed to be of one mind.

Regarding amps, we used only two, but they were in two separate leagues!

mara5

Kinda figured it would be one-way with the speakers, since Mantis had given them such rave reviews. Now trying to guess which amp. Hope it's one of the ones I'm interested in.
P.S. I think you guys are gonna cost me some $$$$$!

donaldfagen

mara5 wrote: »

...was hoping Mantis would get something up. Really want to hear what the consensus was on the 703's, also which amp sounded best.

In case you haven't found it yet, or if anyone else is interested, the final reviews are here: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?126293-Final-Review-of-the-LSIM703-s

ohskigod

FWIW, I own a set of very modified LSi9's and got alot of seat time with the LSim 703 at polkfest

The LSim703 were my favorite part of Polkfest bar none. built very well, top notch fit and finish. pleasing and well balanced from top to bottom. i am huge fan of them. Just the jumpers alone make you just say "NICE!!!.

that said, they are a significant improvmement over the LSi9 stock, there is no arument there (10x better? cmon, but yes..significantly improved)

are they better than the LSi9 modified (or at least mine?) I'll say this, they could be. that said, if anyone from here out was considering buying a pair of LSi9's to modify, for god sakes dont. buy the LSim703 and call it a day. I can say unequivicably that if you buy 9's to mod now, you are a moron. Hate to sound blunt but it's true.

now the 1499.00 question, should modded 9 owners run out and buy these? Maybe, because I imagine no modded 9 sounds the same, especially depending on how much work was done. Mine in particular are ridiculously modified.....external crossovers in there own box.....definitely silly (basically whatever Trey reccomended, I responded with "okie doke") . My god I love how they sound now, so put me in the huge fan of the LSiM bookie but will not buy it yet, as I would have to hear them side by side first. (not having external boxes where people ask me what they are would be a huge plus, that I admit)

For those who think I am saying this to justify my money invested, lets remember I sold my AR9's after my modded 9's broke in. Really not regetting it at all (though of course I am sure I will miss them nostalgically down the road, but I digress.

I'll say this, if you own 9's and just havent modded them yet, sell them and get the LSiM 703's. I'm gonna piss some people off here, but we really might be at a place where modding LSi9's just shouldnt be anymore. A bold statement I am sure, but thats my mindset at the moment.

for anyone else new to he Polk or LSi world, the LSiM703's are bat **** crazy good. No Joke, I did drool over them at polkfest because I was thrilled Polk put out such a good product. If anyone Mods these, they need to be slapped

ohskigod

added note, I REAAAAALLLLYYYYYY want to do a head to head in my house, my modded LSi9 vs the LSiM703. I remember saying that at Polkfest too

mantis

The LSIM703's smoke the original LSI9's. I'd like to hear a mod pair.

Serendipity

The LSiM703's sounded really good for music at PolkFest. Better than many other speakers I've heard for the price.

However, since the 703s at PF were used for music only, I didn't get to hear how they performed on video games, concert DVDs, movies, or streaming media (music videos, for example).

As a result I cannot say much more or comment on the speaker's HT/game performance as it was used for strictly music at PolkFest.