Mini Review LSi9 vs RTi 12/A9

nhhiep

Received my new Lsi9s for $510 yesterday. Just want to share my experience when compare to a 5 yrs old Rti12s set using same cable, source, and amp. I set them on top of the Rti12s in the same room playing the same type of music at normal volume. Initially, I bridged the amp to deliver 300WPC @ 8ohms. I bet the WPC @ 4ohms is even higher, just not listed in the manual. When testing the lsi9, I also tried the normal mode to deliver 175WPC @ 4ohms, same result, just not as loud.

LSi9: Cross at 60hz. Maybe it's not broken in or what, but it didn't meet my expectation. In term of smoothness, it's no better than the Rti12. From what I've been reading, since it's Polk's top of the line, I expect the tweeter to be much smoother and easier to listen compare to the Rti series. For such a small speaker, sound stage is very wide and plenty of tight clean bass (surprised me). I previously tested VA Bach Grand at Bestbuy and loved the smooth high end and expected the Lsi9 to sound as good. Heck, even my old Infinity Overture 1 (same MSRP and size) is smoother and easier to listen compare to the Lsi9.
Sad to say this but as the end of the day, it's still a Polk and sounds like one. Hopefully someday I can get a crazy deal like this on a VA Bach Grand

Rti12: Cross at 60hz. Kickass for HT. For music, it's as smooth as the LSi9. This says how good the Rti12/A9 is with proper power. Way smoother (less bright) than the Rti8, which I already sold.

I am not paying much attention to the bass because my Supercube I handles that.

Because I got it for very cheap, I will keep it and continue the break in process. Even yrs from now, I am sure I can get almost all of my money back if I sell it on CL.

Feel free to share your opinions, maybe I am doing something wrong here.

leroyjr1

Give it time to break in properly. It'll smooth out some.

heiney9

Be careful, most amps aren't rated to drive a 4 ohm load when bridged since they see 1/2 again that much load. Which means your amp is seeing 2 ohms or less at times.

The LSi's are a better speaker in every regard. Let them break in for about 300-500 hours.

H9

F1nut

Initially, I bridged the amp to deliver 300WPC @ 8ohms. I bet the WPC @ 4ohms is even higher, just not listed in the manual.

Bridged amps do not want to see less than an 8 ohm nominal load. The Lsi 9's are 4 ohm nominal. Bridged amps also produce more distortion. Don't bridge your amp running the LSi's.

heiney9

Also be sure to get some nice stands, filled with lead shot or sand. Expect to spend some $$$ for a suitable stand. Setting them on top of another speaker is probably the worst senario possible for speakers. Give them a fighting chance.

Most likely sitting them on top of the 12's puts them way to high for normal listening. So far you are batting zero for proper set-up.

H9

nhhiep

I read some of you mentioned about power. The thing is the Lsi9 only rated at 200W, while the amp can do 175WPC @ 4ohms. Plus on the AVR, I didn't even turn the vol pass -30. I think that is too low to get any distortion.

AMP is a HK Citation 5.1.

heiney9

The bridging causes more distortion regardless of power level. I used to own a pair of LSi 9's and I ran them very loud with a 30 wpc amp, so it's not about watts. It's about quality amplification and bridging a stereo amp can result is a lesser quality signal. Run it normal, no need to bridge anything.

This advice is to help you get the best from your set-up. Follow it or not.

H9

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

The bridging causes more distortion regardless of power level. I used to own a pair of LSi 9's and I ran them very loud with a 30 wpc amp, so it's not about watts. It's about quality amplification and bridging a stereo amp can result is a lesser quality signal. Run it normal, no need to bridge anything.

This advice is to help you get the best from your set-up. Follow it or not.

H9

+1000

pyrocyborg

I stopped reading when I read "I set them on top of the Rti12s"... well, not really, but it bugged me because a lot of people don't take the time to properly set a pair of bookshelf speakers. Sure a pair of bookshelf speakers set in a unfriendly environment won't sound that good: a pair of 1000$ bookshelf might even sound worst than a 100$ pair if it's not set properly. Also, as tweeter aren't at ear level, they will never sound good. You need to have them at proper level, and with correct toe-in to your listening position.

Then, you'll be able to listen and see if you like them. I just can't understand how you could call them bright and un-detailed when most pro reviewer could qualify this speaker as musical, laid-back and smoothly detailed... except if you did something wrong: might be your bridged amp too causing more distorsion.

Edit: I support those last posts! Give those speakers a chance to fight. If you got some quality stands (rated up to 40 lbs), or know someone who might give/sell you some, you might make them sing . They don't even need break-in to sound good. Sure, it might help them a little bit, but should sing right off the box... I mean, except for very stiff drivers, most of the break-in process is simply a psycho-acoustic adaptation. Those speakers sound quite right for their price.

heiney9

In my experience LSi's need a good amount of toe-in, in most traditional types of set-ups.

H9

codyc1ark

heiney9 wrote: »

In my experience LSi's need a good amount of toe-in, in most traditional types of set-ups.

H9

Hmmm... I hadn't heard that, however, I know what I'll be doing when I get home now.

I can't say I agree with the above review, mine are smooth as can be. But, they are at ear level, with proper stands that are filled with sand. I say get them properly set up, and let them break in, I know mine really settled in after about 3/4 weeks of using.

heiney9

In my set-up they did and if you read, many toe them in. But everyone has a different room/set-up so it does vary, but I can't think of an instance they should be facing perfectly forward if you are looking to get the best imaging out of them. Perhaps on a desk top sitting inches from you.

H9

devani

mines are toe-in as well....give it some time and those LSi will sing for you..

pyrocyborg

heiney9 wrote: »

In my set-up they did and if you read, many toe them in. But everyone has a different room/set-up so it does vary, but I can't think of an instance they should be facing perfectly forward if you are looking to get the best imaging out of them. Perhaps on a desk top sitting inches from you.

H9

True that, I don't think they do a good job off-axis. I do not really know about it, but I read that the Vifa tweeter had poor response off-axis, so it was better to toe-in those speakers for best accuracy, or else they can sound muddy.

heiney9

devani wrote: »

mines are toe-in as well....give it some time and those LSi will sing for you..

They won't ever sing unless he set's them up properly. I certainly understand the anticipation and wanting to hear them right away and "making due" setting them on top of a tower speaker. But don't review them at that point. The review is totally baseless since they weren't close to being set-up properly.

That's my only point.

H9

nhhiep

Now think about it more, maybe it's not the Lsi9. Maybe the Rti12/A9 sounds that good after it's well broken-in and pair with a high power warm amp.

What surprised me is how similar they sound

pyrocyborg

Maybe... but did you try to position them correctly on quality stands? I mean, I've heard 2000$ worth of speakers placed near a wall, and I could tell that they didn't sound any better than a properly set pair of Polk RTi4 minus the extra bass... Or a pair of 1000$ rear ported bookshelf set on wall.

Almost any bookshelf speaker will sound crappy when not properly set.

heiney9

Set them up properly and let them break in......you are jumping the gun and doing a disservice by reviewing them haphazardly.

H9

nhhiep

I ran into this review and definitely agree with the conclusions. The tweeter isn't as good as I expected.

Those looking for their speakers to have a smoother midrange and airier top end in this price range will find their way to something like the B&W CDM1NT, but in the process will lose the dynamic bass and punch of the Polks. For those whose listening tastes tend toward classical or jazz music, that may be the path to go, but it well be worth trying the Polk LSi9s to see how their approach will affect how you listen to music. For the rest of you looking for dynamic speakers for home theater, or who just want to rock, the Polks are well worth your consideration.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_3/polk-lsi9-speakers-9-2002.html

F1nut

I'm going to quote myself from another post in response to your comments.

They haven't broken in yet, you don't have them set up anywhere near how they are suppose to be and yet you've already judged them to be sub-par.

Doesn't say much for your credibility.

tonyb

....and this my friends is why most reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt.

heiney9

This has to be the most worthless thread I've read in a long time!

The OP doesn't bother to set the speakers up even close to properly, they aren't close to be broken in and he's already determined they are sub-par :rolleyes:

What a PUTZ.

H9

P.s. Not even a full day of listening.

B Run

I own the Rti12's and as much as i'd like to agree and think mine are better, in reality they are not. I would prefer the Rti12's for a movie theater experience, but the tweeters on the Lsi9's are fantastic. Let them break in, get them on good stands at ear level and then write a review.

Monster Jam

nhhiep wrote: »

Hopefully someday I can get a crazy deal like this on a VA Bach Grand

The LSi9 ringtweeter wasn't smoother than the RTi? That wasn't my experience. Even in a Fry's electronics superstore on bargain-bin receivers the LSi series tweeters have a pronounced smoothness to them relative to RTi speakers.

Audio is a very personal endeavor. What one prefers another would abhor.
Of all the speakers I have auditioned (flame suit on), Vienna Acoustics was HANDS DOWN the worst I listened to.

Good luck in your journey.

cnh

nhhiep wrote: »

I ran into this review and definitely agree with the conclusions. The tweeter isn't as good as I expected.

Those looking for their speakers to have a smoother midrange and airier top end in this price range will find their way to something like the B&W CDM1NT, but in the process will lose the dynamic bass and punch of the Polks. For those whose listening tastes tend toward classical or jazz music, that may be the path to go, but it well be worth trying the Polk LSi9s to see how their approach will affect how you listen to music. For the rest of you looking for dynamic speakers for home theater, or who just want to rock, the Polks are well worth your consideration.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_3/polk-lsi9-speakers-9-2002.html

B&Ws? Really? Don't even go there! Ice-picks in my ears! The Vifa has those tweeters for breakfast!

(Full disclosure, never liked B&W bookie sound!).

Something is definitely "wrong"! Oh, well.

cnh

michael1947

This is a very interesting chatter...Vifa eats B & W, film at eleven.

Upstatemax

You sound like the type of guy that would buy a puppy, not feed it and get pissed off when it dies...

michael1947

"Sad to say this but as the end of the day, it's still a Polk and sounds like one. Hopefully someday I can get a crazy deal like this on a VA Bach Grand."
Ya know, this is a Polk forum and that's a pretty immature remark. The guys and gals on this forum are a pretty good bunch and deserve a little more respect than that. And I'm thinking your remark was meant to be in the condescending/negative vein.

pyrocyborg

I wouldn't call the B&W slackers by any means, but... at the price you get a pair of LSi9 for, even at MSRP, you can't get any interresting B&W product (800 series and PM1 are the only who crosses my mind atm as worthy B&W). The fact is B&W is overpriced, and you can't get any decent deal on them as most dealer knows no other would do any deal. Polk, on the other hand, is always on sale (well, it might not be the case for LSiM serie, but you know what I mean). Sure, a pair of properly driven RTi12 can sing quite well, but it's still more bright than any model from the LSi line... and to be honest, a pair of RTi12/RTiA9 requires tremendeous power to sound "right", while a pair of LSi9 can work well with as low as 30-40w of clean power... and still, they don't quite sound the same, at least, from what I can recall.

Bass_Pedal

Mind boggling comments from the OP, I suppose the most obvious question might be, if you weren't interested in a speaker that "sounded like a Polk" as you so eloquently put it, why the hell would you buy them in the first place?

Power them, Place them, Break them in..... then pass judgment.

BeefJerky

Monster Jam wrote: »

The LSi9 ringtweeter wasn't smoother than the RTi? That wasn't my experience. Even in a Fry's electronics superstore on bargain-bin receivers the LSi series tweeters have a pronounced smoothness to them relative to RTi speakers.

Agreed. The first time I listened to LSi's were at Fry's as well. Their setup is extremely sub-par, yet the difference was very noticeable.

At home, in a semi-proper setup, they are even more smooth and airy. I originally had my LSi7's setup on top of my old R50 floorstanders, and they still sounded fantastic. However, they were pulled out a bit from the wall, and the tweeter was actually at proper ear level for my seating, so that probably helped. I currently have my LSi9's on stands, which helped improve them a bit more. Also, for the record, I don't toe-in, but it is a fairly small room.

cnh wrote: »

B&Ws? Really? Don't even go there! Ice-picks in my ears! The Vifa has those tweeters for breakfast!

While I don't despise B&W's the way cnh does, they are certainly not as smooth as the LSi's with the Vifa tweeters. Not even close really.

(Full disclosure, never liked B&W bookie sound!).

Really? You don't say? :razz:

Something is definitely "wrong"! Oh, well.

Agreed. And it's not LSi9's that are the problem...

Upstatemax wrote: »

You sound like the type of guy that would buy a puppy, not feed it and get pissed off when it dies...

I'd laugh, but this really doesn't sound far from the truth.