Polk Audio LSi9 Stock Vs. Modded Shootout

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,746
edited February 2013 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Will have some awesome video/recordings of a stock LSi9 versus a Fortress modified LSi9!

Stay tuned! :)
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
Post edited by VR3 on
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited November 2012
    Very cool Trey ....cant wait!
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited November 2012
    This should be interesting.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • bthogan
    bthogan Posts: 151
    edited November 2012
    Very interested to hear results.

    On the one hand, I'm gonna get that Fortress upgrade eventually.

    On the other hand, I'm very impressed w/ stock - when paired with the right amp. Adcom GFA-545 = good; Parasound HCA-1500A = great; McCormack DNA-1 = amazing.

    Right now, they're on the Parasound, until the McCormack gets back. Can't imagine what Fortress will do with upgraded DNA-1, but I expect I'll know some day...
    Marantz CD6004
    Adcom GFP-750
    McCormack DNA-1
    Polk LSi9s
    Signal Cable ICs
    Blue Jeans cables
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited December 2012
    We just recorded the stock pair and after some microphone adjustments we had a hard time telling the real speakers from the recording so I am pretty pumped. Stay tuned!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited December 2012
    Cant wait!! what do you think the ETA for the other recording will be?
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited December 2012
    1 to 2 weeks
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • slider2828
    slider2828 Posts: 118
    edited December 2012
    I can't wait for this two... Some real data behind the mod, but still I can tell its nice already.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited December 2012
    Stoked about this!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited December 2012
    Next 30 minutes??? Stock recording should be available!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited December 2012
    It is up! (Stock)

    http://vr3mods.com/FortressRecording.html

    Check it out!

    Stay tuned for the modified recording and the direct comparison recording!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited December 2012
    Sweet!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited December 2012
    Thanks man!

    You have heard the LSi, how do you think the recording does them justice?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • tommyt21
    tommyt21 Posts: 685
    edited December 2012
    Very Awsome dude!
    Living Room
    Fronts: RTi A7's
    Center: Csi A6 VR3 "Fortress Plus"
    Front Heights: Rti A1
    Surrounds: Rti A3
    Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK4 Damn this is a good SUB
    Pioneer Pioneer Elite: SC-35-> Emotiva XPA-3
    TV: Lg LW6500 55" Passive 3D
    Blu-Ray Panasonic BD 210
    XboX 360 Slim/Kinect

    Acoustimac red suede panels
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited January 2013
    Modified recording in less than a week! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited January 2013
    Should have the modified re ording posted tonight!

    stay tuned
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited January 2013
    I have debated posting this because of a small panning issue...

    But after a 45 minute long winded conversation filled with excitement and several folks expressing they heard the difference I figure why not.

    This recording is of a modified LSi9 - unfortunately the studio rushed this one out and the panning is straight center so unfortunately there is no sound stage...

    The GOOD news is you can most definitely hear the difference between the modified and stock speaker.

    Keep is mind this is same placement, settings, volume, EVERYTHING is the same. Any increase in volume, change in sound, etc is 100% the difference.

    Here is a recording of a stock LSi9 -
    https://soundcloud.com/vr3mods/lsi9stockrecording

    Modified Recording -
    https://soundcloud.com/vr3mods/lsi9-modded-recording

    If you go to this page you can actually flip between both songs -

    https://soundcloud.com/vr3mods

    1) Voices are much more "airy" - cleaner
    2) Hi hats are refined, cleaner
    3) Snare drum has more separation/pop
    4) The ride around 2:40 has ALOT more refinement, clarity and snap
    5) The saxophone at the 2:40 has a lot more air and kick to it
    6) Even with the panning issues it is just a cleaner, more refined recording

    I hope in the next week or two I will have revised recording with correct panning, as soon as this studio recovers from this fire they had.

    Please post ALL thoughts and feedback!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,145
    edited January 2013
    I'll remain quiet [for now] and see what other folks have to say. Congrat's nonetheless, Trey. I love it when a good plan comes together.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited January 2013
    VR3,

    love the side by side page. what is the source track being used? i am sure you probably said somewhere but i am currently lazy. I have been working on getting some "stock" lsi9s from a member here so I hope to do this comparison from the comfort of my own chair if my onkyo 5007 doesnt totally crap out before then...dont even get me started on onkyo "support"...
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited January 2013
    I can't wait till we load up the Sound Cloud with HUNDREDS of studio quality speaker recordings for Audiophiles everywhere to compare speakers since brick and mortars are no more! :-P
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited January 2013
    cincycat13 wrote: »
    VR3,

    love the side by side page. what is the source track being used? i am sure you probably said somewhere but i am currently lazy. I have been working on getting some "stock" lsi9s from a member here so I hope to do this comparison from the comfort of my own chair if my onkyo 5007 doesnt totally crap out before then...dont even get me started on onkyo "support"...

    It is Millage Gilbert, track 3 (don't know the name, I am a track guy)

    What did you think of the recording differences?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,145
    edited January 2013
    The track is ♪ Let's Straighten it Out ♪

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited January 2013
    VR3 wrote: »
    It is Millage Gilbert, track 3 (don't know the name, I am a track guy)

    What did you think of the recording differences?

    I kept listening to the sax section around the 2:50 mark. and i really didnt expect to hear a difference on a PC speaker...but I think I could. i'll sober up and try again tommorrow:smile:
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited January 2013
    The ride and saxophone stand out the most...

    Next is his voice with the hi hats/crash and snare as a sweet treat! :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • chriscorv58
    chriscorv58 Posts: 22
    edited February 2013
    wow, you really can tell a difference. Ive been tossing the idea around for awhile now to change the corssovers, I think this put me over the edge. Only problem can i live with out having speakers for almost a week.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited February 2013
    I am very fast!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,834
    edited February 2013
    I know this is over two months in the making, and you wanted a comparison for people, but I would have held off until the panning issue was fixed.

    Soundstage issue aside, I do believe the modded side has more flavor. It also seems to have more depth and separation, which will undoubtedly be more readily discernable once the recording is redone. Having only listened on my laptop with a decent pair of cans, I can only give my impressions based on that. I do like Millage Gilbert, though, Sal turned some of us on to him a few years ago when we took a roadtrip to Jersey to meet up with a few other Polkies. 3 Faces is a nice CD, I would reco it to anyone who likes smooth, well-played music.

    I would like to hear the side by side again once they put up the new recording.
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited February 2013
    I agree with you 100%. The studio finished the 10 or so other recordings we did a while back and I am going to meet up with them soon to obtain those recordings and record some additional speakers. The issue I am running into is this may have been an initial recording issue versus mastering and if that is the case I would have to wait until I have another set of LSi9 to modify. Coming from someone who works 100 hours a week time is a commodity so if it comes to that I will have to wait until I modify another LSi9, break it in 200 hours then record so it takes alot of time to do these right, a mistake like this is costly.

    I do assure you a fixed recording will happen sooner and later! :]

    thank you very much for your review and I hope recording speakers will help people make some informed decisions.

    :]
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,903
    edited February 2013
    skip, with the size of the 6311's, take them to danny richie.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited February 2013
    I am sure I could work on Usher with no problems!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2013
    You said to post "ALL" feedback, so here goes.

    Here's my setup:

    PC > Keces DAC > Pass DCB1 (pre) > Parasound HCA-750a > Magnepan MG10 speakers w/ rebuilt crossovers

    All Blue Jeans Cable. This system is the most resolving and transparent system I've ever put together, so I feel like I was able to really listen in and hear all the subtle differences. That said, I think you should have waited for the stereo version of the modified speakers.

    Also, when you released these recordings, I would have rather just listened for myself instead of you telling me what I should hear Trey.

    Here are my thoughts:

    The modified version sounded more dynamic. I did notice the snare sounding "fatter" in the modified speakers. But again, when combining two channels to form a mono track, it could be perceived that something sounds different when in actuality, the combined channels are creating that illusion. I heard a slight loss of bass clarity in the modified speakers. At this point I absolutely cannot pick one over the other.
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