Ready to get my LSi9s modded...

philipjr
philipjr Posts: 45
edited January 2012 in Speakers
Hi all - been a while since I posted. I am looking to get my LSi-9s modded, and had a few questions:

1. What will it cost?

2. Who can do it for me?

3. Would I have to ship the whole speakers to you? Is there a way to avoid that due to the expense involved in shipping heavy speakers?

4. Would I buy the crossover components separately or would that be included in the price?

Just want to know the ins and outs of the process and what I need to do to get the ball rolling.

Thanks guys!

Phil
Polk LSi-9s and Micropro 2000 sub
Asus Xonar Essence ST 24-bit soundcard ASIO
Kimber PBJ interconnects
Emotiva USP-1 analog preamp
Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks
JRiver media player (upsampling to 24/192)
Post edited by philipjr on
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Comments

  • blueboxer
    blueboxer Posts: 621
    edited January 2012
    Check out the DIY section, think there are a couple threads on modding the LSI speakers. I think VRSTRYKER is still doing mods as well.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    blueboxer wrote: »
    Check out the DIY section, think there are a couple threads on modding the LSI speakers. I think VRSTRYKER is still doing mods as well.

    He changed his forum name to VR3.
    "....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)
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited January 2012
    What's going on Phil? I can answer 3 & 4, you do not ship the speaker just pull the crossover out and he orders the parts and it's included in the price. I've read a lot of threads on it and it definitely sounds tempting, especially for the Lsi's.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    @ B Run, personally since its the 9's I would ship the entire speaker to him so he can mount them in the speaker. The cost of shipping will be a little bit, but if the OP is wanting him to do the boards for him, it might be worth the extra cost both ways so when he gets them back they are totally plug and play.

    I know if I was to have him mod my LSiC, I was planning on shipping the actual speaker to him. My 15's I would hand deliver due to their size lol.....

    I am probably going to have mine done locally so I dont have to ship.

    @PhillipJr: where are you located? This might help us figure out if there are folks close to you that might be able to help.... VR3 is in the NC area
    "....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)
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited January 2012
    I think Trey (VR3) has figured out how to make the large caps fit without doing a 2 piece crossover like Ben did for my LSi9s. He'd would have to confirm - if so, I think Op would be ok just sending the crossovers themselves.

    Aside from perhaps labeling the speaker leads so you don't forget what is what, it's not that complicated. The entire xo is typically stacked behind the bind posts plate. Trey did a very professional job w/ my RTi A7s and CSi A6 - just slide the XOs back in, screwed them in and reconnected the leads to the drivers.

    Of course if you're close enough, doesn't hurt to simply drop the speakers off :)

    It's totally worth it for the LSi9s btw.
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited January 2012
    He lives in Austin, he actually sold me some polks on craigslist a while back.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    Hey guys!

    I can definitely do the LSi9 without having them and would not need to mount anything in the enclosure!

    Will PM/Email the OP tonight.

    Thanks
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • philipjr
    philipjr Posts: 45
    edited January 2012
    Wow thanks for all the responses guys! Always get such great help on here. As Brandon mentioned, I am just out of Austin, specifically in the Cedar Park area. If anyone is in the area that does this mod that would be awesome. I am trying to come to terms with the idea of being without my system for any period of time. Sounds painful LOL.

    Vr3 - let me know what you would charge, any options on crossover components, what they would cost, and your recommendations. Also, give me an idea on turnaround time if I sent them to you 2-day shipping. If not too pricey, I may be able to pull the trigger on this soon.

    Anyone who already has had this mod - what are the biggest improvements you notice(d)? They sound pretty damn good as it is, but from everything I have read on here, it is like buying new speakers, but for a lot less cash layout...

    Phil
    Polk LSi-9s and Micropro 2000 sub
    Asus Xonar Essence ST 24-bit soundcard ASIO
    Kimber PBJ interconnects
    Emotiva USP-1 analog preamp
    Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks
    JRiver media player (upsampling to 24/192)
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  • philipjr
    philipjr Posts: 45
    edited January 2012
    By the way, would there be any soldering necessary on my end when I get the modded x-overs back? I would need to pick up an iron and some solder - haven't done any soldering in years...

    Phil
    Polk LSi-9s and Micropro 2000 sub
    Asus Xonar Essence ST 24-bit soundcard ASIO
    Kimber PBJ interconnects
    Emotiva USP-1 analog preamp
    Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks
    JRiver media player (upsampling to 24/192)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    philipjr wrote: »
    By the way, would there be any soldering necessary on my end when I get the modded x-overs back? I would need to pick up an iron and some solder - haven't done any soldering in years...

    Phil

    You would need to reconnect it to the speakers and screw it in. No solder needed
    "....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)
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  • philipjr
    philipjr Posts: 45
    edited January 2012
    Nice. I think I can handle that without destroying anything LOL

    Thanks for the fast reply. Look forward to hearing from Vr3.

    Phil
    Polk LSi-9s and Micropro 2000 sub
    Asus Xonar Essence ST 24-bit soundcard ASIO
    Kimber PBJ interconnects
    Emotiva USP-1 analog preamp
    Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks
    JRiver media player (upsampling to 24/192)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    PM sent
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • philipjr
    philipjr Posts: 45
    edited January 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    PM sent

    Got it sir - just replied...

    Phil
    Polk LSi-9s and Micropro 2000 sub
    Asus Xonar Essence ST 24-bit soundcard ASIO
    Kimber PBJ interconnects
    Emotiva USP-1 analog preamp
    Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks
    JRiver media player (upsampling to 24/192)
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,227
    edited January 2012
    philipjr wrote: »
    Anyone who already has had this mod - what are the biggest improvements you notice(d)? They sound pretty damn good as it is, but from everything I have read on here, it is like buying new speakers, but for a lot less cash layout...

    Phil

    I've had my 15's modded and hope to get the 9's done in a couple of months. Here's a thread where I posted my thoughts on the mod: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?111538-LSi-15-mod&p=1492658#post1492658

    I was listening to Steely Dan "Gaucho" SACD before the game tonight and I just sat back and thought, "Man, this sounds really good."
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • blueboxer
    blueboxer Posts: 621
    edited January 2012
    Trey,

    I still have that cash you paypal'd me and now with two systems up and running maybe we can finally get the mythos or lsi done. You're in Austin, tx?

    Sonny
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    blueboxer wrote: »
    Trey,

    I still have that cash you paypal'd me and now with two systems up and running maybe we can finally get the mythos or lsi done. You're in Austin, tx?

    Sonny

    I believe Trey is in Western NC. The OP is in Austin, TX.
    "....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)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    blueboxer wrote: »
    Trey,

    I still have that cash you paypal'd me and now with two systems up and running maybe we can finally get the mythos or lsi done. You're in Austin, tx?

    Sonny

    We can mod either brother man!

    I just decided it was the right thing to do to send your money back since we never did anything! :)

    Look forward to helping you in the future!

    I am in the Charlotte area
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • blueboxer
    blueboxer Posts: 621
    edited January 2012
    That is what I thought I recalled, figured Austin would have been a cool place to relocate and I would never turn down an excuse to cruise there and see some old college friends. We will have to look at the Mythos again, since shipping just those crossovers would be way easier than the whole 15. LOL

    PM the cost for the Mythos versus LSi's. Would do the whole front three of both series.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    I still have all the parts for your Mythos - so to do those just send the money back to me - hehe

    As far as the LSi15, I would need a parts list as I have not done them. I would not need your LSi15 speakers to mod them, I should have plenty of room and I will discuss with you a new mounting method I am willing to try - just needing a volunteer but to expand for the readers at hand...

    I am going to try to move to anodized aluminum binding post plates, get "Vr3 Audio" plates and drill my threaded rods through them and attach them to the outside of the plate - thus making them stronger and it would look cool as ****! :)

    Thoughts?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    To expand further -

    The anodized plate at the top would say Vr3 Audio

    The bottom would then have an engraved plate that says something along these lines

    Speaker: Polk Audio LSi15
    Components: Clarity Cap ESA/SA/PX
    R Values: **** Ohms (T), **** Ohms (w)
    OEM Serial #: 3424324324
    Modified For: Blueboxer (your name)

    Just an example - I could technically have whatever you wanted put on there...

    Put some nice heavy duty insulated gold binding post.. I could do all of that for very little money too - thought it would put a cool touch to the mods! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • blueboxer
    blueboxer Posts: 621
    edited January 2012
    Are you referring to external crossover or just going way trick on internal ones? So debating on which ones to go with first!!! Anyone do the Mythos yet?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    They would still be internal but they would be so beyond badass looking it would make your eyes melt... :)

    I have not worked on the mythos yet, but should not be an issue at all! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    VR3 let me think on that.... Looking @ all front three of my LSis in May. Might be willing to drive the speakers down to you in a weekend if we can do a quick turn around....... Will PM you when it gets closer.....
    "....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)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    I can do these "Fast" however the LSi series is freaking difficult - particularly stacking them on the binding post plate.. it adds an extra bit of difficulty - it takes me roughly 4-6 hours a speaker to complete the modifications... this includes, stripping, building, testing, packing...

    So yes I can offer fast turn around - usually try to stay around one week... I can only do so much so fast :)

    My ultimate goal is to provide you guys with top notch, affordable and speedy modifications but want to make sure atomic bombs wont shake them either :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    I can do these "Fast" however the LSi series is freaking difficult - particularly stacking them on the binding post plate.. it adds an extra bit of difficulty - it takes me roughly 4-6 hours a speaker to complete the modifications... this includes, stripping, building, testing, packing...

    So yes I can offer fast turn around - usually try to stay around one week... I can only do so much so fast :)

    My ultimate goal is to provide you guys with top notch, affordable and speedy modifications but want to make sure atomic bombs wont shake them either :)

    Understand Trey. So we are clear you wouldn't need to pack em as I would pick up and drop them off in person. That and it would be 2 Lsi 15s and the lsic as well. I like your idea of not using the stock crossover so I can keep them in case I need them later :smile:
    "....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)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    I would still technically need the stock crossover - particularly for the inductors... of course we can replace inductors too and do point to point... :)

    Woooo hoo!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    VR3 wrote: »
    we can replace inductors too and do point to point...!

    I figured you might like a challenge
    "....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)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    Yeah - replacing the inductors would definitely require the speakers to be here... probably remove the subwoofer and mount them inside the enclosures with quick disconnects so you can still easily remove the crossover for removal - we could really trick those things out!!

    I love modding speakers! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2012
    Wow the ideas expressed here with the plates... epic! I can't wait to get my xovers done.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,786
    edited January 2012
    It will be EPIC -

    I am even thinking about coining the different versions - perhaps the standard cup + breadboard be called the Castle and the Anodized plates would be the Fortress...

    The threaded rods I use have button caps that are high polished stainless steel so it would look beautiful on the exterior and strong as a rock! :) Probably would find a replacement for the breadboard as well with something of a higher density... Hmmm

    Thanks!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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