Why are LSi15s on sale cheap?
Comments
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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. Especially if you can get lsi15s for $850 shipped, to me that's the best value in polks entire lineup of speakers.
I've become so used to the sound of my A9's that I don't think I could ever switch them out. I plan to put money into them just for that purpose. -
I have been using 4 LSi15s in my HT/surround SACD playback system for over 5 years. Never had a problem, and pushed them to 110 db on occassion. Perhaps a crossover mod might get a bit more performance, but I am happy with the sound as is. Upgrading the speaker cables to Mapleshade, and ICs to MIT really helped the sound. Tweeter frying is usually distortion/clipping from the amp, and since I am using a Sunfire TGA-5400 (800w/ch at 4 ohm) I'm not to worried about clipping.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. -
BlueFox you are doing just what I keep thinking about. I am stuck between buying another set of LSi 15's for my surrounds, OR modifying the xovers of the speakers I have lol....
I assume your running the LSiC center?"....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) -
EndersShadow wrote: »I assume your running the LSiC center?
No. I started out with the LSiC, but upgraded a couple of years ago to the PSB Synchrony One center. It dropped right in without any recalibration being needed, and works great.
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/synchrony/Synchrony-One-CLumin 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. -
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. Especially if you can get lsi15s for $850 shipped, to me that's the best value in polks entire lineup of speakers.
Power requirements are comparable for the LSi15 and RTiA9 however, the 15's 4 ohm rating might be a deterrent to some.
My statement was based on observation that the 15s seem to linger for some time at only $850 while when a pair of cherry A9s come up for $995, they're gone in no time. The A7s I bought last January for $650 were all gone in a day. Additionally, some of the reviews were a bit mixed for the 15s; more uniformly positive for the A7/A9. Again, this may depend on amplification equipment used.
I didn't intend to denegrate the 15s in any way; no doubt an excellent unit but there is a definite market preferance for the A9 to the 15 from where I stand. It would be interesting experiment to A/B them. Incidentally I'm very pleased with the performance of my A7s. Were the 15s available for $850 back then, I'd have probably went with them.
Not sure what the "HT" designation means in reference to music.Main:
McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
Vintage:
McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass -
I recently bought the LSi15s and they are phenomenal speakers. I agree with Lietuvis91. I certainly wouldn't go for RTis over the LSi, esp with the great deals on the LSi on closeout. I wouldn't worry about buying from Acoustic Sound Design or from Sound Distributors (same company--different name). They are authorized dealers and I've bought LSi speakers through both and they were great to deal with and come with the full 5-year warranty.
So here's the killer deal I got, just FYI...
- Purchased the LSi15 left channel speaker through Amazon ($508) + they included a free Polk PSW111 sub!
- Purchased the LSi15 right channel speaker through Acoustic Sound Distributors ($499) and got them to match the Amazon deal, so got another free PSW111. Sweet! (Not using the PSW111s but am selling them to help offset the cost.)
- Purchased a very hard to find LSiC center channel speaker (open box but still brand new for $250!!) through Sound Distributors, along with another pair of LSi7s for $399.
- Already had a pair of LSi7s for back channel speakers (bought through Fry's for $499 and included a free PSW111!
I would just say - don't wait too long as the LSi speakers are on closeout and once they're gone, they're gone. That's why I jumped at buying them while I could...even though I didn't *need* them. -
Oh...forgot to mention. Acoustic Sound Design and Sound Distributors have a coupon code online (TV15) for 15% off, which means the LSi15's are only $933.30 a pair with no tax (except in NV) and free shipping. The LSi7s come to only $339 with that special. Great deals! And if you need an LSiC, Sound Distributors has a few left but will sell them only with other speakers (which is why I bought the second set of LSi7s with the LSiC).
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Power requirements are comparable for the LSi15 and RTiA9 however, the 15's 4 ohm rating might be a deterrent to some.
The 15's 4 ohm rating is why their power requirements are not comparable.2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Power requirements are comparable for the LSi15 and RTiA9 however, the 15's 4 ohm rating might be a deterrent to some.
My statement was based on observation that the 15s seem to linger for some time at only $850 while when a pair of cherry A9s come up for $995, they're gone in no time. The A7s I bought last January for $650 were all gone in a day. Additionally, some of the reviews were a bit mixed for the 15s; more uniformly positive for the A7/A9. Again, this may depend on amplification equipment used.
I didn't intend to denegrate the 15s in any way; no doubt an excellent unit but there is a definite market preferance for the A9 to the 15 from where I stand. It would be interesting experiment to A/B them. Incidentally I'm very pleased with the performance of my A7s. Were the 15s available for $850 back then, I'd have probably went with them.
Not sure what the "HT" designation means in reference to music.
HT stans for Home Theater.
In reference to your reasoning, as it pertains to market preference, following your logic, if the M70s and M60s sell better than RTIA speakers, that somehow proves their superiority? That's a little like saying that Honda is better than Acura because they sell faster and have great reviews. That just doesn't add up.
I will agree with you on the fact that both RTIA and LSi are great speakers, and leave it at that.Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:
M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires
Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :
LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3 -
Lietuvis91 wrote: »That's a little like saying that Honda is better than Acura because they sell faster and have great reviews. That just doesn't add up.
I will agree with you on the fact that both RTIA and LSi are great speakers, and leave it at that.
Why not? If Hondas and Acuras cost the same, one would outsell the other.
I understand what you're trying to say but in your example the units are not priced identically; in mine, they are. (Or close)
OP's Query: Why are LSi15s so cheap? I was merely attempting to answer his question, nothing more.Main:
McIntosh: MC 2155, MC 2125(x2), MR 80, C 32, MQ 101; Snell J7; Polk: RTiA7, RTiA9;
Pioneer PL-518; A/T 440 MLa; Yamaha CD
Vintage:
McIntosh: MX110Z, MC 2505, MC 240, Thorens TD 145; Shure V15III; Altec 14, Boston T1000; Yamaha CDX 393 CD; Yamaha Cass -
Love my LSI's - ditto the posts that they do love and NEED power for best performance.
As for which speaker to choose - of course anyone will always give a positive vote for what THEY bought.
RTI's "not so good for music" ??? I'd say they are a great speaker....gotta listen to choose
For me, the RTI's sounded too "up front" and while the soundstage was certainly fine, IMHO i just couldn't hear the instruments alone- it was speakers I was hearing
LSI's ? I hear the instruments not the speakers if you catch my drift>
I actually took a very long time listening to many (with my eyes, and wallet closed ) so as not to be swayed by prior brand opinion or price
and honestly was NOT even really considering Polk - major LSI fan now
MANY threads out there on LSI amp needs --even started one myself and got great advice here
Good luck!Onkyo TX-SR804 receiver
Parasound 5250
LSI 15's
LSI C
LSI FX's
PSW1000 Sub
OPPO 93
Sony CDP-C315 CD
Monster AC line cond
Audioquest, Blue Jeans & Monster wires/connects
40" Sony Bravia XBR6 -
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. Especially if you can get lsi15s for $850 shipped, to me that's the best value in polks entire lineup of speakers.
I agree 100% thats why I just sold all seven of my Rti's and ordered a pair of Lsi 15's,center,and two pairs of 7's :cheesygrin: -
EndersShadow wrote: »...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.
Thanks for explaining. If modifications are optional upgrade to get the best out of LSI15s, I can understand. I was just worried that they might have a weak spot that is a common problem that might eventually need to be fixed.
Several of the small portion of the forum posts I've got the chance to read so far mentioned the crossover and tweeter problems, but maybe I just picked the wrong bunch to read.
Someone mentioned that these sorts of problems often have to do with amplifier choice, so some minority might be overpowering/abusing the speakers due to their system or listening habits. That makes sense to me too.
Thanks for all the good feedback! -
Bingo! This is exactly what my ears told me when I listened to them as well. The LSi's are really in a different league in my opinion.Love my LSI's - ditto the posts that they do love and NEED power for best performance.
As for which speaker to choose - of course anyone will always give a positive vote for what THEY bought.
RTI's "not so good for music" ??? I'd say they are a great speaker....gotta listen to choose
For me, the RTI's sounded too "up front" and while the soundstage was certainly fine, IMHO i just couldn't hear the instruments alone- it was speakers I was hearing
LSI's ? I hear the instruments not the speakers if you catch my drift>
However, as some have already stated, if you try to drive the LSi's with just an AVR (especially a lower end one) you will not hear what they really have to offer. I truly believe that this is part of the reason that some may not be happy with the LSi series but are with the RTi series. The RTi series are easier to drive for a typical AVR since they are 8 ohms.
I've heard the LSi's driven with a higher end Onkyo AVR, as well as my Pioneer Elite AVR, and they sounded very good on both. However, these AVR's are much more capable than the typical consumer AVR. That being said, once I added 3 Marantz monoblock amplifiers (180w/ch @ 4 ohms) to drive the fronts and center, the LSi's sounded even better. -
...so some minority might be overpowering/abusing the speakers due to their system or listening habits
It's more likely that they are underpowering them. You're much more likely to damage a speaker by running it at volume levels that your amp has to strain to reach, so, the more power the less likely you are to damage your speakers, especially at high volume levels.2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Exactly ^^^^
Trying to reach higher volumes on an underpowered system is a recipe for disaster.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 -
First time posting here! I own a pair of 15's, 7's, and a C. Can someone please help guide me to where I can find out some info on how to modify my crossovers.
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All good info. I think you need 8 heads to really understand this audio stuff. Taking the time to hear and understand different people's different points of view helps a lot.
Quick question about power : How much is too much power for LSI15s, assuming I'm sometimes listening to music at moderately loud volume levels that you have to yell over to be heard, but not too loud that the windows are shaking?
The reason I ask:
I'm thinking about buying an Emotiva xpa-2 2ch Amp - 300W@8Ohms/500W@4Ohms $799
or two Emotiva upa-1 Monoblock Amps - 220W@8Ohms/350W@4Ohms $698 for both.
Since the xpa-2 is only $100 more, I'd like to get it so I have extra room to grow in future if I can someday afford even better speakers.
Since the LSi15s specs say max recommended amp is only 250W@4Ohms, can I run them on an xpa-2 500W@4Ohms if I'm careful that I don't go too too loud? .. or am I better off and safer with the lower powered upa-1s 350W@4Ohms?
If possible, I'd really like to get the xpa-2 now, then have option of better future speakers down the road without having to buy a new amp in future.
I saw someone above said too much power is usually not a problem, but I don't really know anything about this stuff, so don't want to do anything stupid. I gather that even if I run the xpa-2 at say 50% volume or less, the more powerful amp may hit some temporary peaks that can be very high. Will these temporary high highs hurt the speakers?
As always, I appreciate your thoughts.
Rob -
No, you can never have too much power as the speaker will draw what it needs. Too little power is where trouble starts. Because an amp is rated say at 500 watts per channel in 4 0hm doesn't mean it is throwing out that power all at once continuously. An amp stores power to be very basic about it, and when quick transients or loud passages come into play, it quickly adjusts to that. Something AVR's have a hard time doing based on a mediocre power supply shared by so many channels.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 -
Found an ebay link (no longer for sale but the link is still up) for Lsi 15 fronts/center for 1369 free shipping from acoustic sound design. Is that a good deal? Or can a better deal be had from that company with coupon codes I'm missing here.HiFiStereoGuy wrote: »Oh...forgot to mention. Acoustic Sound Design and Sound Distributors have a coupon code online (TV15) for 15% off, which means the LSi15's are only $933.30 a pair with no tax (except in NV) and free shipping. The LSi7s come to only $339 with that special. Great deals! And if you need an LSiC, Sound Distributors has a few left but will sell them only with other speakers (which is why I bought the second set of LSi7s with the LSiC). -
Hey jeep123 -- if you contact Sound Distributors I bet they can make you a great deal on a pair of the LSi15s with the LSiC. Either call them or use the chat option on their web site (if it pops up). If you buy directly off their web site, the coupon code is TV15. The only way they'll sell you one of their few remaining LSiCs is if you buy other speakers with it, like the LSi15s or LSi7s. The LSiC that I bought from them was supposedly an open box item, but it was still sealed up with all the original factory packaging and it was in brand new condition. The great thing is, you get the full 5 year warranty buying from them, but from the Polk eBay store you only get a 2 year warranty. Good luck.
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Wowza. Just in the past day, both Acoustic Sound Design and Sound Distributors have sold out of most of their stock of all LSi speakers. Looks like they've only got a few LSi7s in stock.
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Just found out Sound Distributors has 1 pair left of the LSi15s. Get 'em while you can!
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<Sorry for the triple post.> Just FYI...I bought that last pair of LSi15s from Sound Distributors ($940). I'll add them to my HT system for the surrounds (thanks, BlueFox, for the idea) and use the LSi7s for the rear channels. So that'll leave me with one brand new pair of LSi7s still factory sealed in the box which I'll need to sell.
The new LSiMs should go on clearance in about 10 years...so time to start saving for those! -
Incidently HIFI, what are you driving all these 4 ohm speakers with ?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 -
An Adcom GFR-700 rated at 265 watts (4Ω) x 5. I'll be using an Adcom GFA-535 to drive the rear surrounds (LSi7s), when I get them hooked up.
BTW...the rep at Sound Distributors said they may get some more of the LSi's from Polk. If they do, he will let me know and I'll post a note here to let the forum know. -
Too bad they're out of Polk Lsi9s.MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s -
Yeah...the LSi9s have been gone for a while now, as well as the LSi25s. Those would have been really sweet.
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I am so tempted to pick up a pair of lsi15s and stick my 9's in the rear. God knows I don't need anymore gear! This thread is killing me.Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:
M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires
Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :
LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3 -
Lietuvis91 wrote: »I am so tempted to pick up a pair of lsi15s and stick my 9's in the rear. God knows I don't need anymore gear! This thread is killing me.
Its now or never. Your not going to find them for this price anytime soon, especially still with a warranty AND free shipping. Shipping is normally what kills the 15's from getting sold, that or they get shipped and get damanged in process.
I LOVE my 15's personally and while the 9's are nice, I dont see my 15's going anywhere EVER!"....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)
