replace RT16 with Lsi15?

ctransj

To cut the story short why I ended up with the first RT16, I bought the second pair to replace the Infinity RS5 because I love the sounds from big old speakers. I then replaced the Infinity CC3 first making a way to switch to the Lsi15 in the future. I really like the LsiC and my friend was also impressed. They day has come when I found a good deal for the Lsi15. I haven't made final decision because I don't know if the Lsi15 sounds better than the RT16. I can't find any store to listen and people do and don't love the Lsi series.
Can you comment and help.
thanks
tran.

mwk455

I just switched from the rti12s to the Lsi15 . And all i can say is wow. The sound is so much fuller and less in your face then the Rti12s . I'm so happy i switched . And i was scared that i wouldn,t like the Lsi15s . I say go for it you only live once.

ctransj

I went to fry's to check out the Lsi15, I knew Fry's doesn't carry Lsi15 but my friend told me that he saw Lsi15 ( turned out to be a Lsi25) and the sound was amazing. The saleman also demo'ed Lsi9 vs Klipsch 62II and the Klipsch sounds louder and cleaner. I checked the receiver and it was a small Sony.
Well, I will order tonight and report back later. I wanted the cherry but my wife wants Elbony. I guess the cherry stands out so much that she doesn't like.
tran.

mantis

What condition is your rt16's in?

tonyb

ctransj wrote: »

I went to fry's to check out the Lsi15, I knew Fry's doesn't carry Lsi15 but my friend told me that he saw Lsi15 ( turned out to be a Lsi25) and the sound was amazing. The saleman also demo'ed Lsi9 vs Klipsch 62II and the Klipsch sounds louder and cleaner. I checked the receiver and it was a small Sony.
Well, I will order tonight and report back later. I wanted the cherry but my wife wants Elbony. I guess the cherry stands out so much that she doesn't like.
tran.

Just a fyi my friend, you'll need an external amplifier to run LSI's and a receiver with preouts. Thats of coarse if you don't want to do damage to the speakers or receiver or both. Whatever store was running them off a small Sony should be shot and I personally would never buy a thing from them.

falconcry72

ctransj wrote: »

...I don't know if the Lsi15 sounds better than the RT16...

I've owned both, and I prefer the Lsi-15. There was probably a year gap between owning them, but my memory is pretty good.

devani

LSi series do have an amazing sound...it's got the refinement and smoothness....yes you would need dedicated amp to run LSi but they sound amazing....even better than polk speakers with peerless tweeters IMO

Lietuvis91

mwk455 wrote: »

I just switched from the rti12s to the Lsi15 . And all i can say is wow. The sound is so much fuller and less in your face then the Rti12s . I'm so happy i switched . And i was scared that i wouldn,t like the Lsi15s . I say go for it you only live once.

What gear are you using to drive your lsi15s?

FYI: With lsi series, you need quality gear. Any old receiver will NOT cut it.

ctransj

mantis wrote: »

What condition is your rt16's in?

1 pair is in very good condition. 1 is ok because the vinyl of the base peeled off and shrunk due to the heat. All drivers are good since I replaced the bad one.
I am currently driving the RT16 with HK PA5800 and TFM45 for 2ch music.
I will have to use the TFM45 temporary for Lsi15 until I can get a decent 5ch amp.

OT, I found so many crazy deals in this forum but none of them were in my area .

ctransj

falconcry72 wrote: »

I've owned both, and I prefer the Lsi-15. There was probably a year gap between owning them, but my memory is pretty good.

that's what I'd like to hear. thanks

falconcry72

ctransj wrote: »

that's what I'd like to hear. thanks

To extrapolate a little, the LSi's are a more laid back speaker, but don't take that to mean less detailed. They are more detailed than the RT's; they just do it in a mellow way. The bass and midrange are both more articulate as well, probably due to the LSi's 3-way design, as opposed to the RT's 2-way.

They're both good speakers.

ctransj

I don't know how to describe but when I listened to the klipsch RF62-II, everything are there: high freq, voice, drum...
for the Lsi9, the volume went down significantly and laid back as you said.
if I haven't done researches about Lsi speaker then I would probably have picked the Klipsch.

falconcry72

ctransj wrote: »

...for the Lsi9, the volume went down significantly and laid back as you said....

The volume went down because the LSi's are much less efficient. You have to turn it up significantly for it to be a fair comparison... louder almost always sounds better. I haven't heard a modern Klipsch speaker that I could tolerate in a 2-channel system for more than a few minutes.

Lietuvis91

ctransj wrote: »

I checked the receiver and it was a small Sony.

LSi's need quality gear and good amplification to sound right. Whatever Sony that was, wasn't nearly enough, unless it had an amplifier hooked up to it. So you didn't really get to hear the lsi the way they are meant to be heard.

ctransj wrote: »

if I haven't done researches about Lsi speaker then I would probably have picked the Klipsch.

And there are many people out there who like Klipsch, and there is nothing wrong with that. So if you liked Klipsch better, then you should consider it. Some poeple love them, some hate them, it's all up to personal taste. You should not buy based on other peoples tastes, because they might differ from yours.


Sounds to me like you should go back and give each speaker another listen. Make sure you bring your favorite CD too, because then you'll know what to listen for.

ctransj

No, nothing wrong with the Klipsch.

ctransj

I have the Lsi15 for a couple days and I am not sure if the Lsi15 is better than the RT16. Lsi15 is more laid back and has better bass and a bit too much bass. I took a day off today and hooked up my TFM-45 and switched band and forth between the two and I have to convince myself the Lsi15 is better than the RT16 to justify the purchase. The RT16 sounds better in the midrange. The good new is that Lsi15's don't sound like from small 5 1/4 speakers and look good in main setup. The bad new is that I need a new amp. I saw the Rotel RMB-1075 on audiogon but can't afford now

mwk455

Sorry it took so long to get back. I'm runny a carver a500x and a Marantz sr7002 . Sounds just great . Would like to upgrade my sub have an old velodyn cht10 it sounds ok but i know its not up to par with the Lsi,s oh and also got the Lsic, Using boston bookshelf for rear would like to upgrade those soon too.

mantis

ctransj wrote: »

1 pair is in very good condition. 1 is ok because the vinyl of the base peeled off and shrunk due to the heat. All drivers are good since I replaced the bad one.
I am currently driving the RT16 with HK PA5800 and TFM45 for 2ch music.
I will have to use the TFM45 temporary for Lsi15 until I can get a decent 5ch amp.

OT, I found so many crazy deals in this forum but none of them were in my area .

One you get the Lsi15's are you going to sell the good pair of RT16's? I wouldn't mind having a pair as they are the ones I wanted many many years ago and missed out as the new models came out and they didn't have any more Rt16's in stock. Since that day in the back of my mind I told myself one day I'll find a good clean used pair and pick them up for a office rig or basement family room rig.
Depending on where you live , I'm in Pa I would be interested in them if you provide pic's and such.
I had a pair of RT12's which where nice but they are not what I wanted. I sold them to a guy who wanted my entire rig so they went.

As far as going from Rt16's to Lsi15's they are very different and should be listened to before you buy. Lsi's are very warm and laid back where the RT16's are forward and aggressive. The LSi15's are a more balanced speaker and back when I owned them I felt they where the best speaker polk ever made. You will need a high current amp to drive them properly as they are very power hungry and won't sound the best they can without high current. I ran mine with a B&K avr307 , a ST140 power amp , Rotel separates over the years I owned them.

Let me know whats going on with the 16's.

cfrizz

ctransj wrote: »

I don't know how to describe but when I listened to the klipsch RF62-II, everything are there: high freq, voice, drum...for the Lsi9, the volume went down significantly and laid back as you said.
if I haven't done researches about Lsi speaker then I would probably have picked the Klipsch.

Welcome to Club Polk Tran! The reason the volume went down significanly is because the are 4ohm speakers that were being driven by an underpowered receiver. A receiver will almost never show the greatness of the LSI speakers. That is why all of us are telling you that you need a separate amp so that the speakers will have the power to operate to their full potential.

Give yourself time to get used to the LSIs they have a very different sound then Polks other speakers vintage or current models. I especially love them for music. With the proper gear powering them, they could keep you happy for years to come.

Keep a watch on Audiogon for a good deal on an amp.

tonyb

Agree with Cathy, but that being said, the LSI's and the Klipsch are about as far apart as 2 different speakers can be. Could be you just prefer the more forward sound of the Klipsch, no shame in that. Lsi's do need some good power behind them being 4 ohm speakers so unless your willing to do that, you'll never hear them to their full potential.

ctransj

seeking advice for buying an used 5ch amp to drive Lsi15 and LsiC? I found the HK PA5800 is too hash for the Lsi, TFM45 is too warm.
My budget is around $600-$800 max. I am putting the PA5800 and TFM45 on my local Craigslist. My wife never complains but I feel guilty.