Lsim 703 or mod my Lsi9 ???
After around 6 months of 1hr/day with Lsi9, I'm beginning to like it and want to make it better or get the new Lsim 703 used for $800 on CL.
Price should be almost the same at the end, both in like new condition. I like the good bass, relax sound (laidback?) of stock Lsi9 or is it the tweeters? Use as computer speakers around 4ft from my ears, XO at 40-60hz with Deftech Supercube I.
Reason I am thinking about the 703 is that from what I read, the new tweeter is better(tweeter in Lsi9 is 10yrs old tech afterall), bass is even better with bigger driver. So, what do you think?
Price should be almost the same at the end, both in like new condition. I like the good bass, relax sound (laidback?) of stock Lsi9 or is it the tweeters? Use as computer speakers around 4ft from my ears, XO at 40-60hz with Deftech Supercube I.
Reason I am thinking about the 703 is that from what I read, the new tweeter is better(tweeter in Lsi9 is 10yrs old tech afterall), bass is even better with bigger driver. So, what do you think?
Post edited by nhhiep on
Comments
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703 by far
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Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎
SVS SB16 X2
Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
Cary DMS 800PV Network
OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
Jolida JD9 Fully Modified
VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM
MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s -
If you like laid back then stick with the lsi9's. Better bass goes to the 703's.
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I was in a similar position a few months ago and I went with the 703's. A little less money out of pocket and you've got a new speaker with a higher resale value.
This is in addition to:AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »703 by far
which I cannot confirm personally. BUT...based on my LSi15 XO upgrade, I'd say it's accurate.
(This is no knock on the XO upgrade, just stating how good the 703's are).Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
LSiM703.
TOTAL SEGWAY....SORRY!
I've been listening to both of them for years.....product testing, demo's and prototypes.....man....the new LSiM series is SOOOOO much better and just plain ear candy compared to the older series. It just is. You can call it what you wanht but damnit Polk has FINALLY listened and done a sack out approach to something new. To those of us that are Polk devotees, it sounds pretentious.....check out CAF 2012 or RMAF reviews. Specifically.....RMAF
Check out RMAF MIT Cable comments since we were the test loudspeaker for their demo....and here's a qoute from Kent@MIT....
Hi Mark: Well, we're back from the RMAF and the demo was a real "knock out" as stated by most who attended. We amazed absolutely everybody when we told them they were listening to a $18,000.00 system, that ends up playing through a $750.00 mini monitor! I was asked for the model number of the little Polk's by dozens of people.
SNAP! Polk has not had as much impact aside from SurroundBar, at ANY show in the last decade....in reality from those of us that love Polk and that room alone is killer.
Let alone the work that Steve(ODIE) served up in our actual room at RMAF with killer LSiM demos. The hookup with MIT has been fantastic and it's not about cables as much as it is about sound. It's about timbre and tone and when you want to get deep....attend or check out Capital Audiofest 2013 as MIT will be there as a featured speaker(Seminar) in full force to talk about SOUND, not cables.....cables are simply conduit, the real issue is sound and how it it is reproduced properly.....thru whatever you want to use.
If anyone thought this industry was washed or slow.....you better wake up hoss. See you next year.
Mark
POLK Customer Service & Special ProjectsCTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
wow. 703 is that good???
watch out for a new listing in the For Sale forum too
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Looks like I wasted my my money on the crossover upgrades. Sending these LSi9 crossovers off for modding today.
AVR-Onkyo TX-NR808
Front amp-Adcom GFA 555>Polk Audio LSi9's(Vr3 Castle Mods)
Center amp-Adcom GFA 5400>Polk Audio LSi9 bi-wired(Vr3 Castle Mod)
Surrounds-Polk Audio F/X500's<Onkyo TX-NR808
Sub-Velodyne SPL-1000R -
I have to agree with the above recommendations for the LSiMs. They are a special speaker.
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Looks like I wasted my my money on the crossover upgrades. Sending these LSi9 crossovers off for modding today.
Not if you can't find a good deal on some 703's. Remember, he's getting the 703's for $800, so it's actually less expensive for him to get the 703's since he can sell the 9's to recoup some of the cost. Sell the 9's for $400 and the out of pocket on the 703's is $400...a little less having someone mod the 9's.Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
Looks like I wasted my my money on the crossover upgrades. Sending these LSi9 crossovers off for modding today.
Not wasted money, don't get me wrong, as while it's a superior loudspeaker stock or otherwise.....a modified LSI9 is another animal. They have two different personalities if that's even possible in an inarticulate object, and you'll be very pleased with the changes. What you're doing is what should have been done in the first place.
MarkCTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Mark, have you heard modded lsim's ? Thinking about doing mine.
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What do they call that? The seven day itch, upgrading LSi-M crossovers this "quickly".
Just pulling your leg, Leroy. Of course, we'd be very interested to see someone tweak these and hear what they think. It's the nature of the beast!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
if upgrade Lsi9 will bring it to another animal, I can't even imagine the modded 703 will be. has anyone even started on this project yet?
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Mark, have you heard modded lsim's ? Thinking about doing mine.
Absolutely. I've done a few pair of LSi7 and the same basic result can be expected. The drivers, cabinet and the physical portion of that speaker is solid. Not saying the guts aren't but they can be improved upon and upgrading even modest components change the dynamic and get it more life....since I think it's a laid back speaker from the box. The problem is that it's already a great speaker, that any changes done with the xover can have a drastically different impact. Polk knows what they're doing and just popping in new CAPS is not always the solution or magic fix. I've heard great modded LSi's and really weird modded LSi's. Not bad but the speaker became a DIY, not a MOD anymore, if you get what I'm saying. The total speaker may as well been something he made in a basement.
My suggestion to anyone modding older LSi is to DON'T go balls out. Go really simple and replace the CAPS only....Sonicap would be my first suggestion and listen for awhile. Then start playing with issues, like wiring and cabinet tweaks. I'm not one of those Polkies that thinks I'm an engineer while reading Popular Mechanics on the toilet. These are only thoughts of what I've done personally, heard or seen ppl go mild to wild. There's no reason to rethink that speaker like an SDA since it doesn't have 75% of the issues that the SDA does when you think upgrades. I know some of this will fall of deaf ears but I'm a believer in a loudspeaker being reviewed on its merits and how it sounds out of the box. Mod's come later but you have to watch out that you don't change the entire tonality or timbre, just slighly improve it.
I have Dahlquist DQ10's that are SLIGHTLY modified because I want them to remain Dalhquist DQ-10's....not my version of one of the ugliest speakers ever made....but sonically one of the more interesting loudspeakers ever made. I want the tone to remain close to stock but get some of the oldere things out of the way, Like the "Supertweeter"...blah blah. This isn't an issue with the older LSi....it's already GOOD.
You can have this is all kinds of ways....tube pre-amp....cables, for those that believe in them....the world is your oyster. Don't get caught up in that everything sucks, everything is cheap and needs replaced....there's a reason its cheap, because it doesn't HAVE to be expensive to perform a function and be a part of a bigger deal.
I'm rambling and will try and be productive today at my real job at some point.....sorry to bore you.
MarkCTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Mark, lsim's not the original LSI's.
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What do they call that? The seven day itch, upgrading LSi-M crossovers this "quickly".
Just pulling your leg, Leroy. Of course, we'd be very interested to see someone tweak these and hear what they think. It's the nature of the beast!
cnh
I've had my 705's for over 6 months now. That's one of the longest periods I've owned a particular speaker. It's pulling HT duty with an ocassional music session. -
Oh sorry, no Leroy, I have not and probably wouldn't be very interested to anyways. Yes, I'm sure they're items that could be improved upon but it's also the first speaker in a long time that was GROUND up designed....not just parted or worked on from smaller points of view. EVery part is a new idea. They listened and put better components inside. No, they're not exotic like Wilson Audio might do but seriously??
They're practically brand new so beings I've shown them, demo'd them and other manufacturers and magazines like them out of the box....not super interested in hearing a modified version. I'm sure the first person to do so will be from here.
MarkCTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
I would love to get the LSiM's, but then that would lead me to having to get the centers and surrounds to match. I don't think I could resell my Lsi system to pay even 1/2 of the LSiM system. Also, I am surprised the LSiM702F/X, and the LSiM704c are not bi-ampable. For the centers, only the LSiM706c is.......hmmmm. I'm talking myself into another direction here. Looking at the speaker/tweeter layout my first impression is that the LSiFX's are better (and bi-ampable like all the LSi's are). Seems like the LSi's dispersion characteristics would be better. I know one thing, the LSiF/X's are the best surrounds I've ever heard. Anyway, after reading articles like these I think it's better for me, and more cost effective to just keep what I have and go for the mods:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?137435-Are-the-new-LSIM-reference-quality/page2 (see post#32)
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?72273-LSi9-Crossover-Modification-ProjectLiving Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One
Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151 -
"Seems like the LSi's dispersion characteristics would be better."
I was referring to the LSiF/X'sLiving Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One
Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151 -
I'd take the 702's.
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It's the new tweeter design that most interest me. I wonder if LSiM tweeter could be retrofitted into the Lsi's somehow without a lot of x-over complications? Guess I'll call Polk Monday to find out to see and if anything would be gained.Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One
Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151 -
AVR-Onkyo TX-NR808
Front amp-Adcom GFA 555>Polk Audio LSi9's(Vr3 Castle Mods)
Center amp-Adcom GFA 5400>Polk Audio LSi9 bi-wired(Vr3 Castle Mod)
Surrounds-Polk Audio F/X500's<Onkyo TX-NR808
Sub-Velodyne SPL-1000R -
I probably will too. I hear he does great work!
Listen to this mod with your closed. It has a a lot to do with my decision to mod, and remember you are hearing this only thru a camcorder mic. Imagine if you were there?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFNPrqSxAgwLiving Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One
Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151 -
with yours eyes closed I meant to say aboveLiving Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One
Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151 -
While thinking, I lost the CL deal.
I found this site sells 703 for $1075. is it good price? anyone bought from them before. they seem to have good prices on many speakers
http://www.newaudiovideo.com/polk-audio-lsi-m703midnight-mahoganypair-p-9508.html -
There is a pair for sale in the FM...
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where? FM?
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where? FM?
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?137730-POLK-LsiM-703-s
From Canada though.AVR-Onkyo TX-NR808
Front amp-Adcom GFA 555>Polk Audio LSi9's(Vr3 Castle Mods)
Center amp-Adcom GFA 5400>Polk Audio LSi9 bi-wired(Vr3 Castle Mod)
Surrounds-Polk Audio F/X500's<Onkyo TX-NR808
Sub-Velodyne SPL-1000R -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181011552565?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Got the best offer option
