LSi15 or LSi25 with Crown Amps, Onkyo Receiver

KellyMic

I am about to purchase a pair of LSi15s or LSi25s and would appreciate some feedback. I like that the LSi25s have the larger 10" subs and just curious if there is much sound difference between these two. Plus, pros and cons of built in / external amp.

The LSi25s would not generally need an amp but my basic Onkyo receiver (TX-SR503) is not 4ohm so I would be wanting to drive them with a 4ohm amp.

I have two amps I could use, a Crown CE 1000 and a Crown CE 2000 (http://www.crownaudio.com/media/pdf/legacy/136705.pdf) but they are fairly powerful at 450 watts and 660 watts respectively at 4ohms unbridged. The LSi15 say max power 250, and the LSi25s Max 300. I do have a "vintage" Crown D-75 (http://www.pslx.co.uk/Datafiles/Crown/k1076-7.pdf) too but it's only 55 watts per channel at 4ohm. I love the sound of this amp though, just not sure if 55watts would be enough. The other two sound dangerous to use but do have a level control so I could just keep it low and that would help it to not ever be straining too.

Planning to use banana plugs to hook them up.

Any feedback or comments would appreciated.

Thank you,
Kelly

F1nut

Of the two, most feel that the LSi 15 is the better speaker, which can made even better with an upgrade to the woofer. You can find more about that by doing a search here. There's something about that powered woofer in the 25's that just doesn't work.

That said, no speaker is going to sound its best as long as you're using Crown pro amps.

As for using an amp with a rated higher output than the rated power handing of a speaker.....generally speaking it's a non-factor. The truth is it is much easier to damage a speaker with a low powered amp than a high powered one.

cfrizz

You will need to upgrade your receiver to plug in your amp, get one that has all the bells and whistles you want it to have and make sure it has preouts for the amp/s. Welcome to Club Polk Kelly.

KellyMic

I have the Crowns in a rack and I haven't used them in awhile and was hoping to get some use out of them, wasn't sure if they would be a good choice. I use to DJ and the CE1000 ran my JBL towers and the CE2000 ran my JBL 18" subs.

So all morning I have been looking at speakers/amps/receivers. While looking I see Frys has the RTi12s and a PSW111 8" sub for under $800. Just how much difference would one hear from the LSi15s compared to the RTi12s? I would want the one with better bass.

I don't have a huge budget so saving on the speakers would allow for a better receiver and/or amp.

I primarily listen to various type of electronic music, bands like Fluke, and Leftfield and like tight powerful bass, nothing boomy. I have a wide range of music though and listen to Cat Stephens, Enya, Classic Rock, various 80s music and such at times. Never heard to Polk PSW111 but am willing try it out, if I was going to buy a sub I would probably get a velodyne.

F1nut

The RTi series is much more of a HT speaker compared to the LSi series. However, the LSi15's down fall is the woofer as it tends to be boomy. The woofer upgrade I mentioned takes care of that.

As for Polk subs, the DSW Pro series are very good. I wouldn't bother with the PSW series.

Probably not in your budget, at least not brand new, but I think the LSiM 705 would meet all your requirements.

KellyMic

Yeah, I would love the LSiM 705s! They are out of my budget though, I just can't justify that cost. Polk has a great deal for the LSis right now thus my reason for them. I have various Polk speakers and my mains are getting long in the tooth, I have the RT1000p. I was very happy with them but the amps died long ago and I'm wanting to upgrade.

I have a nice Sony ES GA8ES receiver sitting on a shelf for the past 8yrs or so. It seems to have lost it's left channel but I think it's time to get it fixed, it would be great for the LSi15s. Ive found some sites with full service manuals and full parts list for it.

Which subs do you recommend to replace them with?

Thank you for all your assistance.

F1nut

Which subs do you recommend to replace them with?

It's actually a Polk car woofer. You'll have to do a search for the info.

PSOVLSK

Here ya go: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?89529-DB840-sub-in-LSI15-s-replace-the-stock-8-quot-driver!!!!!&highlight=db840

Well worth the money...and very simple to do.

KellyMic

So why not get LSi25s and put in the 10" sub version?

EndersShadow

KellyMic wrote: »

So why not get LSi25s and put in the 10" sub version?

Because there was never any R&D done on replacing the 10" stock woofer. It was looked at but it was a MUCH bigger PITA since it has a build in amp, etc. So if you want to forge that trail go for it.

(Read starting at post 138 here). Doro was the one who told everyone about the db840 replacement and so if the guys at Polk didnt want to mess with it, well the rest of us just left it alone. Plus when you add up the cost difference between the 15's and 25's then add a more expensive sub x2 you could have just gotten the 15's and a decent sub that will do a better job anywya....

Personally I love my LSi 15's. I actually just sold my PSW125 to another forum member, for a couple reasons, but one was honestly because it was honestly not helping that much IMHO....... My 15's run full range sound quite good when playing video games and watching movies.

If another set in cherry ever comes up local again, well I might just have to buy em for my side surrounds despite being overkill, just because I can lol....

ravaneli

Run the LSi with the crown amps first before spending money on amps. Try it yourself and let us know. I expect you will be very pleased. The problem with DJ sound is that them behringer speakers you guys all use are really crappy. I installed a little voltage regulator on the side so i can manually control the fan on my QSC amp. Whiper quiet now, and it works fine with the fan off as well, as my speakers are barely pushing that amp. 24V in, 3.5 to 22V out. Cost $3 on ebay with free shipping.

ravaneli

Since you have two amps, i suggest making your own subs with quality woofers. You can make some SERIOUS subs with this kind of power. Buy a couple of 16" MDF boxes on ebay, 1" thick. Grab some Dayton Audio subwoofers from partsexpress.com. Put a little insulation and buy quality connectors.

The two boxes you can buy for 100 total, and tell the seller NOT TO INSTALL CARPET on them. Then buy some cherry stain and polyurethane and stain and seal them. If I can do that, anyone can. SEALED BOXES ONLY.

I tried several subwoofers and the car subwoofers I had laying around seem to suck. THen went to Dayton Audio and fell in love after the first hit. These things POP. They put my DSW 660 to absolute shame. You can literally feel the edge of the beat when they hit.
Let me know if you want to see pictures of mine or have any questions.

ravaneli

B Run

Tv's crooked

I do like the look of those subs though, you did a good job!

ravaneli

Thanks. I have to work on cosmetics now. Tv is crooked and the hanging wires from my front heights need to go in the wall.

KellyMic

ravaneli wrote: »

Run the LSi with the crown amps first before spending money on amps. Try it yourself and let us know. I expect you will be very pleased.

I figured it was worth a try, they are really good amps. I'll post my feedback even though a true audiophile would likely have a different opinion as I'm no expert. If I like it and am happy then I'm good though.

ravaneli wrote: »

The problem with DJ sound is that them behringer speakers you guys all use are really crappy.

I don't even consider them speakers! I *only* ran JBLs and the 18" JBL subs can really fill a room nicely.

I think your subs look great, very nice job. I've never used or heard Dayton subs, I'll try to run down some. I fully agree on the sealed box, I prefer them over ported. Its funny you posted this as I was just planned to post asking what sub here would someone get in the $500 range. It is of course subjective to each listener/owner but like to get others feedback on what they like.

ravaneli

Don't be afraid to make yourself a couple of subwoofers! In your case it will be really cheap because amplification is the most expensive part. I daresay you have better amplification than just about any subwoofer in that price range. Those amp plates that they use for the subs are much less powerful than your amp, have more distortion and no cooling!

When you do it yourself you pick great parts and it's still very cheap. I used the most expensive connectors I found and I love looking at the connectors. Used better insulation than the DSW 660 also. And one look at the Dayton subwoofer tells you it is better quality than the DSW subwoofer. And yes, looks will be better for sure. Stained wood looks so expensive! Anything else you buy will be plastic on the outside. You can get two fat, quality subs for 350 total.

Forgot to mention one thing - i glued some chery veneer on my MDF boxes. MDF cannot be stained. Veneer was $35 for both, but glueing it nicely will take you a couple of hours and good effort. That was the most difficult part. Everything else I just screwed in.