Why are LSi15s on sale cheap?

rob69

Hi all,
I'm new here, and this is my 1st online post ever, so don't know what I'm doing yet.

Anyway, quick question: I'm thinking of buying set of LSi15s to start building 2ch music only system.
I see that an online seller "acoustic sound design" has them on sale for only $1098/pair, and all the other places have them much much more expensive ip to $1699/pair.

Why are they so cheap at this seller?
It's a lot of money for me, so I'm a little leary of buying online unseen and getting them in the mail.
Is this seller trusted good one?
Is this deal of century or should I beware.

Thought some of you might have experience buying from them??
Thanks in advance for your help.

jtgranby

I do not think they are an authorized seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi15-Ebony-Tower-Loudspeakers-Polk-Audio-DEAL-/390320723097?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ae0ed9499e

You will be better off buying from Polk and there great customer service.

Jim

la9ers

The LSi15's are discontinued, I believe 1699/pair is the MSRP price and the lower price your are seeing is a discounted price. Ebay has the lsi15?s for 899/pair refurbished (still new) from Polk direct.

michael1947

Not to worry. Welcome to the Forum. I just checked web prices and 999.00 is the new norm for most on line retailers including amazon. Go to Polk direct's e-bay store where you can get them for *899.00 including free shipping, now that's a deal.

jimbo1421

I don't know anything about "acoustic sound design", but you really should look at Polk's eBay store, http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct. LSi 15s for $899.95. The warranty period is shorter, but otherwise in like new condition.

Jim

rob69

Thanks guys, I will take a look at Polk's ebay store as you suggest.
I think I can better take my time and not jump for what looks like good deal so quick.

My budget is limited and I'm not sure what's best bang for buck for just 2ch CD music. I thought Polk would be good because they are sometimes on sale for lot less than MSRP.

I need to read some of the current posts to get my mind around it better.
I will come back tomorrow and do a separate post of what I'm thinking about and looking at to get some feedback from you all.

Thanks for answering my question so quickly,
Rob

zeppage2

I bought from Acoustic Sound Design a few years ago with no issues...

tonyb

If your budget is limited, keep in mind the LSI's would need an amplifier as they are 4 ohm speakers. So maybe include that into your budget constraints.

rob69

Yes, I'm thinking about getting an emotiva xp-2 2ch Amp or two upa-1 monoblock Amps, and a usp-1 pre-amp, but not 100% sure yet. A lot to think about.

cnh

It's a good time to get the LSis from Polk, you get the warranty, and a great price because they're being closed out. So don't dally too much. Who knows how much "stock" is actually left?

Also, if you need some amplification, one of our members dpowell has some primo Parsasound amps that would serve you "WELL":

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?128214-Parasound-HCA-1200ii-2-Channel-Amps-(3)

cnh

rob69

I haven't looked at parasound gear, but will take a look.
Thanks.

chumlie

Not gonna find a better deal for dollar than those Parasounds cnh linked you with.

jephdood

I wonder what is 'refurbished' about the ones from Polk's Ebay store? Are they store returns? Demos? If one were to order some, is there a risk they arrive with some kind of physical blemish? I've heard most say they arrive looking like new.. but, is that true 100%?

chumlie

Seems to be the general concensis they are just like new. I'm sure Polk would take them back otherwise.

burts

Aoustic is authorized payed about 1350 for my lsi 15 2 months ago

philipjr

I have bought many refurbished speakers and subs from the Polk eBay store. All arrived looking and performing like new, in original packaging and everything. This is actually Polk the company, not some guys Polk store. I had RTi-A series at one time and they were refurbs. They sounded great for what they were intended to do. Big fan of Polk refurbs, since I have never had issues with any I have purchased. As far as the Parasounds go, they are great amps, and you can usually find used ones in good condition on Craigslist or whatnot, and of course on here or Audiogon. B Run ran Parasound for a while (may still) and he loved them. As far as the Emotivas go, they are simple, well built, and a lot of bang for the buck. I run two of the UPA-1s myself and they are way more power than I need for my application. 400Wrms each at 4ohms, and don't sound dirty at all. For the money you lay out, they are hard to beat. They have balls. Have fun and keep us posted!

Phil

NewHTguy

ASD is an authorized dealer.
http://www.polkaudio.com/dealerlocator/online.php
I bought my Lsi7s from them and a Lsic. My Lsi7 had a very minor scratch and they were prepared to pay for the return shipping. However, the scratch was so minor that he gave me a small price reduction and I kept them. The LsiC was perfect cosmetically (it is still sitting in the box). If they had Lsi9s I would have bought them also.

NewHTguy

Forgot to mention. I called ASD for the best price.

62caddy

Rob69: 100% agreed with with going w/refurbished from Polkaudio/eBay. They're indistinguishable from new. $899 delivered and 2 year warranty- can't beat it with a stick.

NewHTguy

I would call ASD and ask about the price. They matched Polk's ebay price and did not charge tax. Also, since they are selling new, you get a longer warranty. FYI, I have no affil with them. I just stumbled upon them when I was buying Lsi 7s and was shocked at the deal.

rob69

Good advice guys. Thanks! Once I get my taxes done and get refund, I will be able to start making decisions.

Parasound and Emotiva gear seem to be good performace at value. After thinking about it, I'd like to buy new and baby it and make this my last stereo for a long time.

Based on what I've read and past experience with old set of Polk Monitor 50s, I think the LSI15s are still at top of my list and within my ~$1100 budget. These seem more than enough for my listening of regular music CDs and CD-Rs at medium to moderately high volume levels (mostly Rock,R&B, Jazz Vocal&Sax, all piano).
My only concern with LSI15s is what I've read about fried crossovers and tweeters, and lower quality/capacity crossover components???????????????????

Friends have told me to also look at the following to compare to LSi15s:
- Magnepan MMG $599
- Aperion Versus Forte $1099
- Wharfedale EVO2-50 or Diamond 10.6 $999 (EVO2-50s is sale price - are now on sale at MusicDirect.com for 60% off MSRP)
- Energy RC70 or Veritas 6.2 $999 (both are sale price - are now on sale at Vann's for 50% off MSRP)
- Emotiva ERT-8.3 $1199 (now on clearance for about 25% off)
- Paradigm Monitor9 $1100
- Monitor Audio Silver RX6 $1250

How do you folks think the LSI15 compares to these alternatives?
It really bugs me that I can't go to a dealer and hear them all myself and make an informed decision like the good old days.
Have to have blind faith I guess.
In any case, forums like this give some good advice and food for thought, so I am grateful for that.

Thanks,Rob

jephdood

rob69 wrote: »

My only concern with LSI15s is what I've read about fried crossovers and tweeters, and lower quality/capacity crossover components

Hmm.. dang. Guess I need to do a little more research on this before I think about picking some up myself. :sad:

beerbarrelpolka

I just noticed the LSi15's are on-sale at E-bay Polk Direct for $850 through Jan 31st.

acmf74

I bought from them and my experiences from them were very positive.

PS they are a authorized Polk dealer.

62caddy

rob69 wrote: »

Good advice guys. Thanks! Once I get my taxes done and get refund, I will be able to start making decisions.

Parasound and Emotiva gear seem to be good performace at value. After thinking about it, I'd like to buy new and baby it and make this my last stereo for a long time.

Based on what I've read and past experience with old set of Polk Monitor 50s, I think the LSI15s are still at top of my list and within my ~$1100 budget. These seem more than enough for my listening of regular music CDs and CD-Rs at medium to moderately high volume levels (mostly Rock,R&B, Jazz Vocal&Sax, all piano).
My only concern with LSI15s is what I've read about fried crossovers and tweeters, and lower quality/capacity crossover components???????????????????

Friends have told me to also look at the following to compare to LSi15s:
- Magnepan MMG $599
- Aperion Versus Forte $1099
- Wharfedale EVO2-50 or Diamond 10.6 $999 (EVO2-50s is sale price - are now on sale at MusicDirect.com for 60% off MSRP)
- Energy RC70 or Veritas 6.2 $999 (both are sale price - are now on sale at Vann's for 50% off MSRP)
- Emotiva ERT-8.3 $1199 (now on clearance for about 25% off)
- Paradigm Monitor9 $1100
- Monitor Audio Silver RX6 $1250

How do you folks think the LSI15 compares to these alternatives?
It really bugs me that I can't go to a dealer and hear them all myself and make an informed decision like the good old days.
Have to have blind faith I guess.
In any case, forums like this give some good advice and food for thought, so I am grateful for that.

Thanks,Rob

You might also want to consider the RTi12 and RTiA9. Both seem to be more desireable than the LSi15. Can't speak for your ears but FWIW- I really like the RTiA7.

rob69

Thanks for all the feedback,
I need to mull it over a little while getting my taxes finished.
I wish the LSi15 sale went a few more weeks. $850 sounds like good price.

I was originally thinking of RTiA7 or RTiA9, because they are also on sale once in a while; but a friend told me they are best for HT and not so much for music. Did you like the RTIA7s for music? I gravitated to the LSI15 as I talked to more people, and the sale price helps.

The more people I talk to or the more I read, the more difficult it gets. I have to try to find places where I can hear these speakers with my own ears, and rule some in or out. But simpler said than done.

Does anybody know for sure what the truth is with people saying the crossovers in LSi15 are not up to snuff and sometimes fry or need to be modified for better sound? That's the only thing that I've heard to make me pause.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Later, Rob

jephdood

rob69 wrote: »

Does anybody know for sure what the truth is with people saying the crossovers in LSi15 are not up to snuff and sometimes fry or need to be modified for better sound? That's the only thing that I've heard to make me pause.

I'd like to know this as well...?

EndersShadow

rob69 wrote: »

Does anybody know for sure what the truth is with people saying the crossovers in LSi15 are not up to snuff and sometimes fry or need to be modified for better sound? That's the only thing that I've heard to make me pause.

jephdood wrote: »

I'd like to know this as well...?

Its not that they are not up to "snuff", its that they are the weakest part in the chain. The LSi's are their own are great speakers (I have been running mine for almost a year and LOVE THEM). Modifying the crossover simply brings them up to par with the rest of the parts (drivers, cabinets, ect) making them sound as good as speakers sounding much more in price.

Keep in mind this is "Club Polk", we are not always content with the "standard" and look to pull that last 10% of performance out of them. 99% of most people would never think of or even need to modify their crossovers. We are the 1% lol......

So if you get them you may never need to modify the crossovers, but its an option if you wanted to do it later on.

polkfarmboy

You can mod any speaker to make them sound better and the only cossovers I have heard in the lsi being fried is by a member here that has left the forum since doing shady work

Lietuvis91

62caddy wrote: »

You might also want to consider the RTi12 and RTiA9. Both seem to be more desireable than the LSi15.

I just don't see how this is true. They might be more desireble by people who do not have the gear to run lsi series speakers, or those building dedicated HT setups. But I really don't see how you would pick rti12 over lsi15, especially if music is a good portion of your use for the speaker. Especially if you can get lsi15s for $850 shipped, to me that's the best value in polks entire lineup of speakers.

falconcry72

Lietuvis91 wrote: »

I just don't see how this is true. They might be more desireble by people who do not have the gear to run lsi series speakers, or those building dedicated HT setups. But I really don't see how you would pick rti12 over lsi15, especially if music is a good portion of your use for the speaker.

I agree. The LSi wins hands down for music, and even if they're primarily for HT, as long as you got the juice, they'll be more clear and accurate, just as they are with music.