Finally listened to my LSI15's
Brasiliaflyer
Posts: 67
So a few months ago I came to the realization that I didn't like my Klipsch RF-82's. They were fine, but something seemed off when I listened to them. Its like they were lacking refinement or something. . . So one day I get this idea to put them up on craigslist. Sold them two days later for more than I paid (bought them used).
Next, I started researching speakers. I knew that I was done with the horn loading, but since I was going to buy used again, I knew I wouldn't have a chance to audition the speakers in any sort of decent capacity. I stumbled upon a few reviews of the LSI15's. Glowing reviews, actually. The more I read about them, the more I thought they would be what I was looking for. Well, a few week later I stumbled upon a set of LSI15's and the LSIc in pretty good shape (just a few small scuffs on that high gloss finish). I brought them home, hooked them up to my Pioneer receiver and wasn't overly impressed. . . they just didn't have much life in them! I did some more research on this website, and realized they needed some external power to sound good. So I unhooked them, and started looking for a decent amplifier.
I found a B&K AV5000 on ebay for a really good deal (at least to me). It came yesterday, and I finally gave my LSI's what they deserve and they sound great! Really happy with them, especially over the RF-82's. They just work! Smooth and refined. Now, I'm going to start the search for some LSIfx's and complete my system!
Now, a question for people more familiar with the LSI's than me: I have read on multiple posts that the LSI15's do best with lot of power and current. Some suggest 300 watts + for them. My AV5000 is only rated at 185 into 4 ohms. My LSI's are as loud as I would ever want them to be. So, in what ways am I going to benefit if I fork over $800+ for a multi-channel amp capable of the additional power? Is the sound going to be better at more moderate listening levels? I guess I wouldn't know what I'd be missing, but then again, I don't want to miss anything.
Next, I started researching speakers. I knew that I was done with the horn loading, but since I was going to buy used again, I knew I wouldn't have a chance to audition the speakers in any sort of decent capacity. I stumbled upon a few reviews of the LSI15's. Glowing reviews, actually. The more I read about them, the more I thought they would be what I was looking for. Well, a few week later I stumbled upon a set of LSI15's and the LSIc in pretty good shape (just a few small scuffs on that high gloss finish). I brought them home, hooked them up to my Pioneer receiver and wasn't overly impressed. . . they just didn't have much life in them! I did some more research on this website, and realized they needed some external power to sound good. So I unhooked them, and started looking for a decent amplifier.
I found a B&K AV5000 on ebay for a really good deal (at least to me). It came yesterday, and I finally gave my LSI's what they deserve and they sound great! Really happy with them, especially over the RF-82's. They just work! Smooth and refined. Now, I'm going to start the search for some LSIfx's and complete my system!
Now, a question for people more familiar with the LSI's than me: I have read on multiple posts that the LSI15's do best with lot of power and current. Some suggest 300 watts + for them. My AV5000 is only rated at 185 into 4 ohms. My LSI's are as loud as I would ever want them to be. So, in what ways am I going to benefit if I fork over $800+ for a multi-channel amp capable of the additional power? Is the sound going to be better at more moderate listening levels? I guess I wouldn't know what I'd be missing, but then again, I don't want to miss anything.
Post edited by Brasiliaflyer on
Comments
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Well, what you have now is good, a better amp will bring some more pleasure especialy at lower listening levels. If you plan on LSI surrounds, your going to need an amp for those too, so a multi channel amp may be your best bet.
Other option is to move the amp you have now to the surrounds and get a new 3 channel amp for the front. If it was me though, I'd get a B&K muli channel amp and call it a day.
Here's a 3 channel
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1329580601&/B-K-Components-Reference-4430-HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Actually, the av5000 I have is a five channel amp. I've had my eye on those 4430's for a while. Lots of power. I may try and snag a 7250 in the near future.
Anyway, you do think the sound quality will improve with more juice... Hmmmm... -
We know the sound quality will improve with more power. Welcome to Club Polk and enjoy your LSI's.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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Also keep in mind many here modify their LSi speakers to make them sound better. Some of these modifications include redoing the crossovers with new parts, adding a Polk db840 Single Voice Coil sub to replace the stock 8" woofer and dynamatting the driver baskets.
These modifications also make them sound even better. I did the db840 mod and it was about as easy as it gets. I have now had my LSi 15's for about a year and am looking into doing the crossover modification on my 15's and LSiC.
More power will make these speakers sound better, as will any of the above mentioned modifications. Enjoy the music and the ride
"....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)
