Purchased My Polks!! Would Love Your Thoughts!

db1111
db1111 Posts: 11
edited March 2013 in Speakers
Hello Everyone!

I am new to the Polk family but VERY excited to be here! I finally bit the bullet and decided to upgrade my home audio system and have gone with Polk for my fronts and center channel speakers even without hearing them first because of the amazing reviews online. I just started getting my deliveries of the speakers and equipment and would love your thoughts on my set up. This is all really new for me so I appreciate your feedback!! I have an installer coming this weekend to hook everything up so I can hear them for the first time!!

I've spent several thousands of hard earned $$ on this set up below so if you really hate it please be gentle in your comments!! LOL!! :wink:

Tell me what you think!

My System:
Denon AVR 3313CI Receiver
Polk LSI25 Powered Towers - Left & Right Front Speakers
Polk LSIM706C - Center Channel
Emotiva XP-A3 External power amp for the 3 Polks speakers above
SVS PB-13 Ultra - Powered Subwoofer
AudioQuest - X2 - 14 gauge speaker wire

I am hoping to be BLOWN away when it is all hoked up!! :smile::smile:

Thoughts???

Thanks in advance!!

DB1111
Post edited by db1111 on

Comments

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2013
    Welcome to Club Polk!

    Nice system. That Denon should soften the Emotiva some, but you do need that POWER to drive those front three. Great sub choice! You should be very happy with that. The only thing I wonder about is if that center is a full timbre match with the older LSi series because the tweeter is newer and the crossovers different? Better matched with the newer LSi-M series towers!

    On the other hand it is almost always better to have a "bigger" center.

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently 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]
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited February 2013
    Well just as an FYI which I am sure you already knew, you are mixing the older LSi series with the newer LSiM center. The LSi speakers are a 4 ohm load and the LSiM is a 8 ohm load.

    I would look for the matching LSiC center to go with the LSi 25's as there might be a mismatch in how things sound as they go left to right as the different LSi series may be voiced differently.

    I have not heard the LSiM center so I cannot comment on that.

    Otherwise great sub choice, cables are pretty good as well.

    Some folks on here are not huge fans of Emotivo products simply because the price/performance of them v. a used amp isnt as good, but I know buying new with a warranty is something most folks are more comfortable with.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • db1111
    db1111 Posts: 11
    edited February 2013
    Thanks CNH! I appreciate your post!! I tried to find a LSIC center channel speaker which would have been the perfect timbre match but I was not able to locate one anywhere!! So, I went with the LSIm706C hoping it would at least be CLOSE since they both have the ring tweeter. It will not be a 100% match for sure but hopefully will still sound good mixed with the LSI25's!!
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2013
    ...I would look for the matching LSiC center to go with the LSi 25's as there might be a mismatch in how things sound as they go left to right as the different LSi series may be voiced differently...

    I'd reverse that. Look for LSiM fronts to match the center. The LSiM-706c is light-years past the LSiC in terms of performance. I'd take the mismatch over going with a LSiC, but preferably I'd get matching LSiM fronts. The 703 bookshelves would be a good choice. They offer the best bang for the buck of all the LSiM's... especially when used with a capable sub, which you have in spades. The LSiM towers are great too, so it will just come down to what you want to spend.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited February 2013
    I'd reverse that. Look for LSiM fronts to match the center. The LSiM-706c is light-years past the LSiC in terms of performance. I'd take the mismatch over going with a LSiC, but preferably I'd get matching LSiM fronts. The 703 bookshelves would be a good choice. They offer the best bang for the buck of all the LSiM's... especially when used with a capable sub, which you have in spades. The LSiM towers are great too, so it will just come down to what you want to spend.

    Well I can only speculate since I havent heard the LSiM center, but I can tell you when I demo'd the LSiM 703's I personally didnt like em as much as the LSi series. However that is a very personal choice and my taste should not be considered the hard truth.

    I was suggesting that since my guess is the LSi 25's were purchased due to their much lower cost than the LSiM towers.

    With that said if he wants to stay with the LSiM series I dont see why he couldn't go with the 703's as you suggested given his sub is MORE than capable of handling the low end stuff.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2013
    Well I can only speculate since I havent heard the LSiM center, but I can tell you when I demo'd the LSiM 703's I personally didnt like em as much as the LSi series.

    I can see how the LSiM703's vs. LSi-9's would be a personal preference type thing. They're both great. I have a pair of each!

    The LSiM-706c vs LSiC; however, is NOT a personal preference type thing. It is an all out ****-whooping. Good choice by the OP on that 706. Polk's best center channel ever.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    edited February 2013
    On the plus side, you have a professional installing your gear, just make sure you remind him/her of the impedance mis-match between the center and fronts. As others have previously posted, I personally don't like different speaker impedance on the same system. Other than that, it sounds like a really good system.

    Polk and SVS make great and affordable products. What it all comes down to is how well you like it.
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2013
    What about surrounds?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • KellyMic
    KellyMic Posts: 166
    edited February 2013
    I got LSi25's last month, finally upgraded my Polk RT1000p set and I am very happy. I have an 18" JBL sub but often it isn't on, the LSi25's hit with a lot of bass IMO. I think you will be very happy.

    Polk recommended I only play them at low to moderate levels for the first 100 hours for a proper break-in. I'm not sure how much different they sounded after 100 hours but I'm very happy with their current performance. One nice thing is you can feed your speaker level to the LSi25 and that's fine for the built-in sub. I do it that way and don't use the RCA input for the subs.

    Looks like a great setup! Pics when you get it finished! :)
    ---
    Polk Studio Monitor 4.6 Series 2's, Polk RT1000p's, Polk LSi25's, Boston Acoustic VR-975's
    Crown D-75, Crown CE1000, Crown CE2000
  • db1111
    db1111 Posts: 11
    edited February 2013
    KellyMic wrote: »
    I got LSi25's last month, finally upgraded my Polk RT1000p set and I am very happy. I have an 18" JBL sub but often it isn't on, the LSi25's hit with a lot of bass IMO. I think you will be very happy.

    Polk recommended I only play them at low to moderate levels for the first 100 hours for a proper break-in. I'm not sure how much different they sounded after 100 hours but I'm very happy with their current performance. One nice thing is you can feed your speaker level to the LSi25 and that's fine for the built-in sub. I do it that way and don't use the RCA input for the subs.

    Looks like a great setup! Pics when you get it finished! :)

    AWESOME to hear!! I was hoping that I could just use the speaker wire connection from the amp to the towers and that the sub would still work great!! GLAD to hear that will be the case!! So you just use the standard speaker wire connection and just adjust the sub volume for a balanced sound right?
  • KellyMic
    KellyMic Posts: 166
    edited February 2013
    db1111 wrote: »
    GLAD to hear that will be the case!! So you just use the standard speaker wire connection and just adjust the sub volume for a balanced sound right?
    Yes, I run 12g Speakon from my amp to the top terminals via Banana plugs. You can use the top or bottom since it's jumpered though. From there yes, I tweaked the LF cutoff and gain till I was happy with the sound. Gain at 3 o'clock and frequency at 10 o'clock was where I ended up.

    I can't imagine how much bass you will have after you add that sub!

    IMG_1665.jpg
    ---
    Polk Studio Monitor 4.6 Series 2's, Polk RT1000p's, Polk LSi25's, Boston Acoustic VR-975's
    Crown D-75, Crown CE1000, Crown CE2000
  • db1111
    db1111 Posts: 11
    edited February 2013
    KellyMic wrote: »
    rom there yes, I tweaked the LF cutoff and gain till I was happy with the sound. Gain at 3 o'clock and frequency at 10 o'clock was where I ended up. I can't imagine how much bass you will have after you add that sub!

    IMG_1665.jpg

    Thanks KellyMic!! I am so PUMPED to have everything installed this weekend! I will try your 3'oclock/10'oclock setting out of the gate and see if it works for my room! Also, thanks for the tip on keeping the volume low to moderate for the first 100 hours to break them in. I had not heard that before so I appreciate it!! I will do that for sure!
  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,221
    edited February 2013
    db1111 wrote: »

    I am hoping to be BLOWN away when it is all hoked up!! :smile::smile:

    Thoughts???

    Thanks in advance!!

    DB1111

    Don't know what you're replacing, but your level of "blown away" will be determined by what you have now. I tend to think even if you have a decent system now you'll still be very impressed with the new toys. If you currently have an HTiB, I can't predict how long it will take to get the smile off of your face:razz:
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
  • amgala
    amgala Posts: 111
    edited February 2013
    Nice choice of AVR (see my sig)! Mine has been very good to me so far
    Front Speakers: Polk Audio LSi15 x 2
    Center Speaker: Polk Audio LSiC
    Rear Speakers: Polk Audio LSiF/X x 2
    Subwoofers: Polk Audio PSW505 x 2
    AVR: Denon AVR-3313CI
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-5
  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    edited February 2013
    Pictures!
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited March 2013
    I love your enthusiasm and most of your new system, enjoy it. I would like to see your impedance matched per amp, either all 4 ohm or all 8 ohm so maybe re-think the front 3, you have lots of options. I currently use 2 centers and I have used two LSI-7's modified and Darknight had a very sweet system employing a pair of LSI-9's a while back...or...keep the newer center, send the LSI25's back and buy a couple of the LSIM 703's for fronts, you already have plenty of base.....so many options and all good ones. Welcome to the club.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
  • KellyMic
    KellyMic Posts: 166
    edited March 2013
    db1111, let us know how the setup goes, and pics too. :)
    ---
    Polk Studio Monitor 4.6 Series 2's, Polk RT1000p's, Polk LSi25's, Boston Acoustic VR-975's
    Crown D-75, Crown CE1000, Crown CE2000
  • chefkungfu
    chefkungfu Posts: 638
    edited March 2013
    db1111, nice setup you have!!! How was the installation? Did everything go smooth? And most important, How does everything sound???
    db1111 wrote: »
    Hello Everyone!

    I am new to the Polk family but VERY excited to be here! I finally bit the bullet and decided to upgrade my home audio system and have gone with Polk for my fronts and center channel speakers even without hearing them first because of the amazing reviews online. I just started getting my deliveries of the speakers and equipment and would love your thoughts on my set up. This is all really new for me so I appreciate your feedback!! I have an installer coming this weekend to hook everything up so I can hear them for the first time!!

    I've spent several thousands of hard earned $$ on this set up below so if you really hate it please be gentle in your comments!! LOL!! :wink:

    Tell me what you think!

    My System:
    Denon AVR 3313CI Receiver
    Polk LSI25 Powered Towers - Left & Right Front Speakers
    Polk LSIM706C - Center Channel
    Emotiva XP-A3 External power amp for the 3 Polks speakers above
    SVS PB-13 Ultra - Powered Subwoofer
    AudioQuest - X2 - 14 gauge speaker wire

    I am hoping to be BLOWN away when it is all hoked up!! :smile::smile:

    Thoughts???

    Thanks in advance!!

    DB1111
    SRT Seismic System with dual PSW1200's
    RT5000 x 2
    RT2000p
    CS400i
    CS350-LS
    LS F/X
    PSW650
    PSW1000 w/Dayton SPA1000
    DSW MicroPro 4000
    Adcom amps
    Pioneer Elite SC-89
    Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable
    PS4
    XBOX One
    MIT Interconnects
    BJC
  • db1111
    db1111 Posts: 11
    edited March 2013
    Hey everyone!! Sorry I have not made it back sooner!! Everything is now setup EXCEPT I'm still waiting for the LSIM706C to arrive (it has been shipped). I am currently using the Polk CSi5 center and it sounds GREAT!! Cannot wait to hear it with the LSIM0706C!!

    I must say that I LOVE the LSI25's!!! SOOOOOOO happy I got them!! They sound AMAZING in two channel mode but when I put in a Blu-Ray and go to DTS surround mode with all the speakers working together it is INSANELY good!!

    My installer opened things up for calibration using "Inception" on Blu-Ray and the house was shaking BUT more impressive than volume, it was crystal clear with NO distortion from ANY of the speakers including the SVS!! I immediately HEARD the benefits of investing a few grand into a killer audio setup.

    Again, this is WITHOUT the LSIM706c center channel so I know it will sound even better when I get that badboy hooked up!! Also been told that once the subs are "broken in" they will sound even better as well!!

    Thanks to all of you for your posts!! I will post back once the LSIM706C arrives and it is fired up!! Pics to come!!

    Db1111
  • KellyMic
    KellyMic Posts: 166
    edited March 2013
    Awesome to hear! I feel the same way about my LSi25s, I doubt I will ever sale them! Well worth the extra cost to me.

    And yes, movies are awesome on them.
    ---
    Polk Studio Monitor 4.6 Series 2's, Polk RT1000p's, Polk LSi25's, Boston Acoustic VR-975's
    Crown D-75, Crown CE1000, Crown CE2000
  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,146
    edited March 2013
    That's great, glad you're enjoying your new setup.
  • db1111
    db1111 Posts: 11
    edited March 2013
    Question for everyone. I ordered my Polk LSIM706C from newaudiovideo.com but I'm getting a bad feeling because they tell me it has shipped but need to call back for the tracking number and it still has not arrived )ordered on 2/19.

    Anyone here use them or have just been scammed for my $$??

    Thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Db1111
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited March 2013
    db1111 wrote: »
    Question for everyone. I ordered my Polk LSIM706C from newaudiovideo.com but I'm getting a bad feeling because they tell me it has shipped but need to call back for the tracking number and it still has not arrived )ordered on 2/19.

    Anyone here use them or have just been scammed for my $$??

    Thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Db1111

    You may have been scammed.
    That websight is in the Ukraine.
    Simple google search does NOT bring up much hope from other buyers.
    Domain name: newaudiovideo.com
    Domain Title: New Audio & Video, New Electronics at Lowest Prices!
    Description: New Audio and Video electronics at Lowest Prices. Shop online now! Top brands!
    Domain Age: 2 Years, 254 Days
    Website Speed: Slow
    Website Location: Ukraine
    Notes
    [Alert Result] Registered contact email address is a free one
    [Alert Result] Technical contact email address is a free one
    [Alert Result] Administrative contact email address is a free one
    [Alert Result] This website setup involves countries known to be high risk
    [Alert Result] This website is likely to be operating from a high risk country

    Analysis Details:-

    This site has a high risk country associated with it. This may be as you expect but care should be taken if purchasing an item from a site that you didn't expect to be associated with the countries listed above. Certain countries are listed as being high risk because of the high percentage of online fraud or tendency to send fake/replica items.

    Free email addresses have been used in the setup of this website. This is not necesarily worrying, depending on the site. For online shops, this can be a sign that the site has some risk
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • db1111
    db1111 Posts: 11
    edited March 2013
    pepster wrote: »
    You may have been scammed.
    That websight is in the Ukraine.
    Simple google search does NOT bring up much hope from other buyers.

    Thanks Pepster! I just filed a dispute for the charges and ordered my LSIM706C from Amazon.com who fulfills it for sound distributors which IS on the Polk authorized dealer list! It will arrive on Tuesday!

    Hopefully I will get $$ back from newaudiovideo.com...

    Thanks!

    Db1111
  • KellyMic
    KellyMic Posts: 166
    edited March 2013
    Still no pics I see but more importantly, how is it sounding after a bit of having it setup and tweaked?
    ---
    Polk Studio Monitor 4.6 Series 2's, Polk RT1000p's, Polk LSi25's, Boston Acoustic VR-975's
    Crown D-75, Crown CE1000, Crown CE2000
  • db1111
    db1111 Posts: 11
    edited March 2013
    KellyMic wrote: »
    Still no pics I see but more importantly, how is it sounding after a bit of having it setup and tweaked?

    Hey KellyMic! I'm waiting on pics until the LSIM706C arrives next week and then I will take pics for sure!! LOVE the setup! The two powered subs on the LSI25's add so much more depth and richness to the overall sound when watching movies. LOVE hearing the bass not only from an isolated sub but across the entire front with the LSI's kicking in as well. Find myself looking for ANY excuse to put in a bluray or listen to some music now!! :)

    Cannot wait for the LSIM706C to arrive. REALLY pumped to hear it!