Biggest "Bang for the Buck" mod LSI-15

Brasiliaflyer
Brasiliaflyer Posts: 67
edited December 2012 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Hey All,
Just curious what everyone thinks is the best mod on the lsi-15 from a point of cost/benefit?
The mods I've heard of:

Sub replacement - about $120, and I've heard its pretty easy.
Crossover - about $350, not very easy
Dynamat - $?, probably easy
Replace stock wiring - $?, probably not too bad

Any other mods I haven't heard of yet?

Thanks!
Post edited by Brasiliaflyer on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited January 2012
    Brasiliaflyer wrote: »
    Hey All,
    Just curious what everyone thinks is the best mod on the lsi-15 from a point of cost/benefit?
    The mods I've heard of:

    Sub replacement - about $120, and I've heard its pretty easy.
    Crossover - about $350, not very easy
    Dynamat - $?, probably easy
    Replace stock wiring - $?, probably not too bad

    Any other mods I haven't heard of yet?

    Thanks!

    Crossovers. I did the sub mod and while it made it better, the crossover mod is like night and day from what I understand. Its next on the list for me.

    Really your list is like 2 modifications because:

    When you replace the crossovers normally you replace the stock wiring AND when you replace the subs you normally dynamat the port tube and/or the drivers at that point (you could also dynamat the drivers when you do the crossovers).
    "....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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2012
    Leave it alone, and enjoy it. Free.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited January 2012
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Leave it alone, and enjoy it. Free.

    That's no fun - this is the diy mods and tweaks forum!
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,210
    edited January 2012
    That's a tough question IMO. I've done the XO mod, sub mod, and added dynamat. I think each mod is about equivilant to the price paid. That being said, I had to pay someone to do my XO mod, so if you will only be out the cost of parts and the time you spend doing the mod then I'd say it's the best bang for buck.

    You are correct that the sub and dynamat mods are very easy. Also, look for buy one get one free at Crutchfield for the sub.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiovue
    audiovue Posts: 21
    edited January 2012
    What hios Dynamat mods, i am made crossover and wiring mod and now i am mod the woofer but not shure if i take db840svc or mm840svc because i know without ruber suround on db840svc have 20.3 mm and i dont know how for mm840svc and never take the time to really take good mesure and when you go on polk website you have just 20.32 mm buti suppose is the diameter of the cone not the outside of basket, because for flish fitting in ls
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiovue
    audiovue Posts: 21
    edited January 2012
    What is the Dynamat mods.
    I made croosover and wiring mods but now it is the time to mods the woofer and i see the db840svc and MM840svc bot impossible to have the axact maesure of outside basket of the MM840svc. The max allow for Lsi15 diameter it is 20.8 mm.
    I know the db840svc have 20.3 mm without ruber surround but i do not have this diameter for the MM840svc.
    Thans for qucik response.
    Regards
    Robert
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2012
    Woofer replacement is more about specs than size, please use the correct one.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiovue
    audiovue Posts: 21
    edited January 2012
    you suggest take db840svc? (because the stock woofer not great one.)
    Regards
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited January 2012
    audiovue wrote: »
    you suggest take db840svc? (because the stock woofer not great one.)

    Yes the dvc would cause problems.
    "....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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drapolas
    Drapolas Posts: 12
    edited December 2012
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    That's a tough question IMO. I've done the XO mod, sub mod, and added dynamat. I think each mod is about equivilant to the price paid. That being said, I had to pay someone to do my XO mod, so if you will only be out the cost of parts and the time you spend doing the mod then I'd say it's the best bang for buck.

    You are correct that the sub and dynamat mods are very easy. Also, look for buy one get one free at Crutchfield for the sub.

    I am thinking about the subwoofer mod on my LSi15s, and I want to do it the right way. I will most likely go the Armacell insulation tape route. I tried removing the grills and it was fairly easy so I'm encouraged. Crutchfield has the buy one get one half off offer right now.

    How much dynamat do I need, and what internal areas should I cover? There are a few Dynamat sizes on Amazon.com: 2 sheets of 10 by 10", or 4 sheets of 12 x 36"

    Thank you for your feedback!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ddward
    ddward Posts: 4
    edited December 2012
    Face: Do you recommend the woofer upgrade?

    Thanks, Dave
    Sunfire cinema grand amp, Marantz sr6500 pre/pro, Polk lsi15 mains, Polk lsic center, Polk lsi7 rears,
    Def tech sub. Blue Jeans interconnects.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited December 2012
    A good amp.
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2012
    ddward wrote: »
    Face: Do you recommend the woofer upgrade?

    Thanks, Dave
    Yes, I do.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,649
    edited December 2012
    Drapolas wrote: »
    I am thinking about the subwoofer mod on my LSi15s, and I want to do it the right way. I will most likely go the Armacell insulation tape route. I tried removing the grills and it was fairly easy so I'm encouraged. Crutchfield has the buy one get one half off offer right now.

    How much dynamat do I need, and what internal areas should I cover? There are a few Dynamat sizes on Amazon.com: 2 sheets of 10 by 10", or 4 sheets of 12 x 36"

    Thank you for your feedback!

    STOP!

    You do not need Armacell, your stock gaskets are too new to need replacing and the speaker is not a sealed design.

    Do not apply Dynamat to the inside of the cabinets. The only place you apply Dynamat is the steel driver baskats.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited December 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    The only place you apply Dynamat is the steel driver baskats.

    It should also be noted that some folks recommend damping the LSi port tube as well. Not sure what that adds but YMMV
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter