Any one as crazy as me?

MrMusicman1
MrMusicman1 Posts: 3
edited December 2003 in 2 Channel Audio
Hello,

My first post. About a year ago at this time I purchased a pair of LSi25's to run only in stereo. At the time I was living in a dorm 13'X11', I received sound warnings on a daily basis! No one else could come close to competing:)

My goal was to have the best possible sound with the least amount of equipment. These speakers are amazing (and expensive) but I never read many posts of anyone owning a pair of LSi25's. The few owners I have seen all have been home theater systems.

Has anyone else gone the same route or tried to develop an amazing stereo only system?

Any suggestions about stereo audio with my speakers are also welcomed.

Speakers:
PolkAudio LSi25's

Amp:
Harmon/Kardon HK 3475
Post edited by MrMusicman1 on

Comments

  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited November 2003
    Welcome to the forum.

    I think the reason that most people opt for the 15's instead of the 25's is HT. I've heard the 25's powered by a Conrad Johnson tube amp and preamp and they did sound fantastic. For 2 channel they are a great choice, but the 15's or 9's with a seperate sub are a better option if a person is looking to set up an HT system. Generally a seperate sub will out perform the sub's in the 25's.

    Is your HK a receiver or just an amp?

    I think you'll find that most of the Lsi owners around here will recommend a seperates package to really bring the Lsi speakers to life. There are a few receivers that have the ability to drive your speakers, but the selection is not that big.
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
  • Wardsweb
    Wardsweb Posts: 899
    edited November 2003
    Mr MusicMan1 your sir are not crazy. I on the other hand could be judged not quite stable. I have five working systems in my house ranging from 7 watt tube driven horns to 3000 watt home theater with dual 18" bass horns. :D

    I find a dedicated 2-channel music setup and a separate home theater setup to work best. It avoids having to make any compromises to accomodate either function.
  • MrMusicman1
    MrMusicman1 Posts: 3
    edited November 2003
    Thanks for the responses. My HK is considered a receiver. At American, where I bought the speakers, it was the most powerful stereo receiver they had. The HK also includes separate sub outputs, that feature helped sell me on the receiver.

    Here is the link if you would like.
    http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.asp?cat=REC&prod=HK%203475&sType=C

    I do consider my self a novice at upper end home audio. However, I have had several opportunities to set up home theaters for friends. Most importantly, I do know what sounds good.

    Frank z, awesome set up and nice job with the site. Some day later in life I hope to have such a room. Did you find that having a separate sub helps your system instead of using the built in ones? Quality out weighed cost?

    Wardsweb, my friend you are much more crazy with 5 systems and dual 18" horns.
  • Gary Robertson
    Gary Robertson Posts: 201
    edited November 2003
    If i amremembering correctly,the Harmon Karden was the first receiver to be invented created and sold -"EVER" ,,back in the fifties.if somehow later in my life that i was forced to own a receiver-it would be a Harmon Karden-although i believe thay nakamichi builde the "ONLY" receiver with the pre amp,the power amp amd the tuner on separate chassises witch make for a much cleaner output and overall sound.
    System #2
    Yamaha cdc-755,(20 bit DAC )
    Yamaha KX W382 cassette deck,
    ADCOM GFA-545-II.ampfilier,,
    ADCOM GFP-450 Preamp ,,BBE audio Restoration System (ARS)--Monster--M850I Innerconects and Monster 14 gauge speaker cable and the Fabulous POLK RT-7's with a Velodyne 12/15 subwoofer system ....she rocks.........
    .............................
    System #1:
    Meridian 508-24 cd.(20 bit DAC)
    Adcom -Gfp 750 preamp,
    Bryston 14b-sst amplifier,
    Martin Logan Prodigy Electrostatc speakers.and Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II innerconnects (rca) with Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker cable.
    ............................. "Jazz is democracy in music".
    .............................
  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited November 2003
    I think a sub is very important in a multichannel audio or HT set up. The 15's don't do the LFE signals justice.
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited November 2003
    Nice setup Musicman!

    I actually work at an American in Iowa, and I have had a lot of time to play lsi's with different receivers. I have to say that you made the right choice, at least in my opinion. Most receivers don't have near enough oomph to do these speakers justice. Don't get me wrong I'm not by any means saying that it is as good as seperates cause it's not, but I am saying that the HK stereo receivers are impressive.

    In regards to the 25's vs. the 15's.

    I went with the 15's because no mater what I threw at them I liked the sound. With the 25's I found myself wanting to constantly tweak the sub level and crossover. I just couldn't seem to nail down the perfect settings. Maybe I change music too much.

    Well that's my $0.02 worth.

    Enjoy
    Dave
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
  • MrMusicman1
    MrMusicman1 Posts: 3
    edited December 2003
    Dave,

    Thanks for the reply. It is nice to hear that other people don't think I made a bad choice. When I was looking for the speakers I had never had a chance to experiment with that that quality of speakers before.

    I completely agree with the sub level settings. They do need to be adjusted from time to time depending on what is being played through them. I got the point where I use an automatic equalizer on my computer for playing music. It automatically adjusts its self according to the genre of audio, a very nice most appreciated feature from Apple. iTunes available here:

    http://www.apple.com/itunes/

    As for the crossover, I never have much of a problem with it. I just leave it set very low and things sound great.

    Thanks