Lsi15 $950 shipped. Any better speakers for same price?

Drenis

heiney9 wrote: »

The sub he has isn't too bad and he says it sound horrible. Taking a leap here, but if it's crammed in a corner somewhere in that room, it's no wonder it sounds like a$$. Hence my recommendation to go without. I was operating on the premise it can't be set-up properly so why have one. Also very near field listening isn't really the type of listening that requires a sub.

It's more about listening to the spatial cues, soundstage, micro dynamics. Not sitting out in the room feeling the slam. Equate it to a good set of headphones and that type of listening experience, do you run a sub when listening to headphones? Atleast that's how I listen to nearfield monitors less than 2 feet away in the dark. It's quite an experience, different than sitting out in the room with lots of volume

H9

That's an interesting analogy. Actually, and this is my fault, I didn't know what sub he was already using.

I like the fact I don't get DEEP lows in my setup.

heiney9 wrote: »

You need to get to work on your main rig

H9

You're right! In due time...

nhhiep wrote: »

I think you guys are confused of what I am trying to accomplish with my given space here. I am trying to get full range sound(mid 20hz-20khz) from a simple 2 channel setup. That is the reason why I was looking only at towers. I've no complains from the Lsi9 that goes down to 40hz. (Denon EQ fixes the brightness issue that I had). The Deftech SC I is only good to 35hz, so I want to put it out of the equation to simplify things. Basically, I'm looking for mid 20hz to 40hz that the Lsi9 lacks, which lead me directly to the Lsi15. hence, the question of this thread.

You will NEVER, read it again, NEVER, EVER get mid 20hz bass near field like that given the layout. Nothing will give you that.

Edit: I doubt that sub even hits 35hz.

cascius

Here's a thought: Is there any way you could move that audio rack elsewhere? If so you could probably center your desk on the wall and give a bit more room + angle to the towers. You might get a noticeable improvement that way.

Good lcuk,

- Olivier

PrazVT

Wouldn't purpose-built near field speakers be the best option for the bookies?

As H9 mentioned...if you don't like the LSi9s, you won't like the 15s. Especially when working w/ such limited real estate.

HHStuart

Since the LS15's fire the Bass out to the sides, they just won't work there. You won't be happy with them. You need at least 2 feet to the side of each speaker.

ravaneli

when I was reading about the sub in my car, everyone said it must be in the corner of the trunk. It sounds tighter in the corner. My polk DSW660 sounds tighter in the corner than in the middle of the wall. Why is it different with the sub of the LSI15?

nhhiep

I am not sure about subs in car because it's not like we have many options to put it. But from what I read for home; place the sub at the corner will give you more output, deeper, but less accurate. Place it in the middle of the wall for tighter, cleaner sound, but at a reduced output. Of course, this assumes we're using the same sub. ported vs sealed sub is another discussion too.

VR3

Definitive Technology Powermonitor 500

Batta bing, batta boom!

nhhiep

I am sure the Definitive Technology Powermonitor 500 sounds nice too. looks almost identical to my Infinity Overture 1 that the Lsi9 replaced. What I don't like about powered speakers is that at low vol, the built-in sub keeps cutting in and out, very distracting. I am not sure how low the sub in the 500 can go, but from my experience with their Supercute 1 sub, I'd say whatever hz they put on paper is a big lie. The only reason why I still have the Deftech sub is because I got it for $150 in great condition from a moving sale on CL.

If I can just bypass the amp in my Overture 1, I'd use it, instead of sitting in the closet now. it sounds very warm. Same size as the lsi9, but with a 8" 150w sub on the side.

[Deleted User]

heiney9 wrote: »

The sub he has isn't too bad and he says it sound horrible. Taking a leap here, but if it's crammed in a corner somewhere in that room, it's no wonder it sounds like a$$. Hence my recommendation to go without. I was operating on the premise it can't be set-up properly so why have one. Also very near field listening isn't really the type of listening that requires a sub.

It's more about listening to the spatial cues, soundstage, micro dynamics. Not sitting out in the room feeling the slam. Equate it to a good set of headphones and that type of listening experience, do you run a sub when listening to headphones? Atleast that's how I listen to nearfield monitors less than 2 feet away in the dark. It's quite an experience, different than sitting out in the room with lots of volume

H9

I could not help but loved this part. While sitting in a meeting, I read this, ..... The bigwigs from overseas had no clue. What a marvel of an analogy. I have read everything that was recommended to no avail, in the other threads as well. Oh well, moving along..

VR3

Definitives Freq Responses are -10db overall, generally their 20hz speakers hit to 38hz -3db give or take

tonyb

Here's what I can see so far. You have plenty of issues here that no set of speakers alone will solve.

1- You have to be willing to change up that room to accomadate better placement.
2- While the sub maynot get you where you want to go, a better sub would help some, but in that small of a space, I'd shoot for a more musical sub like a Rel T1/T2.
3- Have you tried any different amps or cables ? You have to be willing also to seek out synergy.
4- I know this is a sticking point, but your source man. MP3's are doing you no favors in the upper frequencies that you claim are too bright.

If your not willing to at least try and address some of the issues, it won't matter what speaker you get. Those 12's sandwiched in the corner.....no way that can sound good.

Since the room is so small, why can't you use one set of speakers for both HT and 2 channel. Not like you couldn't hear the music while on the 'puter. I would then invest that coin into a dac and a Squeezebox or Sonos.

VR3

The problem with running a sub sitting that close to speakers is it will be hard as piss to blend them where you cant tell where the sub is at..

Thats why getting a monitor with a built in sub or one that hits extremely low (if you need the bass) would work best...

I honestly think his best shot is the Powermonitor series from Def Tech, extremely forgiving on placment - he controls the bass and they sound great.

be83663

http://www.definitivetech.com/products/products.aspx?path=Speakers_By_Series|Bipolar_Series&productid=BP7006

They are about $1,300 a pair, Frequency Response of 17 Hz ? 30 kHz.

Good Luck!

End of Contemplating...... :razz:

cstmar01

what everyone else said on this. You are far too close for towers and if you already didn't like the performance of the 9's then you won't like the 15's.

and just because a tweeter is made of metal doesn't mean it is always going to be harsh. I didn't care for the highs on my A9's with music and it wasn't a metal tweeter.

falconcry72

cstmar01 wrote: »

...and just because a tweeter is made of metal doesn't mean it is always going to be harsh...

100% correct. Titanium, aluminum, beryllium, diamond, cloth, silk, ceramic, ribbon, electrostatic, plasma... doesn't matter.

Bad tweeters sound bad. Good tweeters sound good.

nhhiep

After some thinking last night from reading you guys feedbacks on the lsi15, I think I'll keep the lsi9s and get a tall stand for it. With the Lsi9s, I get all the sound (down to 40hz) at my ear level. But with the Lsi15s, anything below 150hz will be at the floor level, which I don't think is suitable for my case.

For around $60, is there any stand around 38-40" tall? what about the one below?
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Home-PSTND14-Heavy-Duty-Support-Bookshelf/dp/B004HJ3JR6

Drenis

nhhiep wrote: »

With the Lsi9s, I get all the sound (down to 40hz) at my ear level.

No you wont. How do you figure that?

I thought I was stubborn for listening and taking advice from the educated...

nhhiep

Drenis wrote: »

No you wont. How do you figure that?
I thought I was stubborn for listening and taking advice from the educated...

because I tested it myself and it goes down to 40hz, until it drops in volume. you don't think so?

heiney9

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/lsi/specs.php#bookshelf

You must know more than Polk engineers. Your test is most likely flawed since the lower limit +/- 3dB is 50 Hz, although those specs are taken in a anechoic chamber and your's in the room, so you can account for some room gain, but probably not 10Hz.

Funny you can't measure or hear a difference with mp3's vs. uncompressed files, yet you can measure and hear something that isn't even there.

H9

heiney9

nhhiep wrote: »

because I tested it myself and it goes down to 40hz, until it drops in volume. you don't think so?

Not very scientific, could you be a lot more specific? What does "until it drops in volume" mean in reference to everything else? The std measurement is +/- 3dB.

Joe08867

Sitting at that desk and listening to Lsi9's is crazy, why not get some Yamaha NS10's and a real good sub and be done with it.

You are never gonna get what you want from regular home speakers. You need nearfield speakers. And the NS10's are top notch.

nhhiep

how did I test it? Let's ignore the spec for now because we all know the impact that the marketing people have on it. Engineers don't really sell speakers, do they?

I ran the tone from 25-65hz. in my room, I only notice a drop in vol after 40hz. So I concluded that "in my room", the Lsi9 is good down to that. I know we can get more details about the +/-dB and stuffs, but aren't we hear using our ears?

If any of you has lsi9 set, can you run the test below and tell me what you hear?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l79-fPVgkE

Joe08867

Actually the drop off you heard could also be the system you are playing it on. The source you used, the amp you used all have an effect. Did you play the tone through your computer? You could have a sound card that doesn't go that low.

heiney9

Well then, I guess you have it all figured out.

Good luck with your audio journey. I'll remember that engineers don't have anything to do with selling speakers, only the marketing department.

H9

heiney9

Joe08867 wrote: »

Actually the drop off you heard could also be the system you are playing it on. The source you used, the amp you used all have an effect. Did you play the tone through your computer? You could have a sound card that doesn't go that low.

Don't bother the gentleman with logical aspects of common knowledge. It makes him look bad.

I bet it was even an mp3 test tone. YouTube video's are heavily compressed.

H9

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

He actually is still fixated on putting towers in that small room as evidenced here.

Brock is right. You need more space for towers. It matters far more than you think. I'd look for some small powered monitors at this point, at least you'll know you have proper amplification.

ravaneli

what da hell is a nearfield speaker? I googled but got nothing that points to an actual build difference with other speakers. I mean people use the term a lot, but it appears that it is an attribute and not a property of a speaker.

nhhiep

nearfield or monitor speaker is one with a flat frequency curve. normal speakers rarely have the flat curve like that.

Joe08867

ravaneli wrote: »

what da hell is a nearfield speaker? I googled but got nothing that points to an actual build difference with other speakers. I mean people use the term a lot, but it appears that it is an attribute and not a property of a speaker.

They are speakers designed to be used in close proximity to the listener. Nearfield speakers are mostly used in recording studios.

thetawave2

I guess I don't get why you're so fixated on this setup in this cramped location and so insanely obsessed over diving to 20 hz. Most recordings don't go that low anyway. If you want the low bass, you need a different setup. If you want that setup, you have to sacrifice some low bass. Being serious about audio while having space and budget limitations means knowing how to make compromises and to get the most out of what you have.

H9 knows what he's talking about, so listen. People obviously have different opinions, but from what I've read you're simply misinformed. The times I've learned the most on this forum were when I started a thread asking a very specific question and was guided in a completely different direction by people who knew a lot more than I did. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and admit you didn't know as much as you thought you did.