LSiFX alternatives

ZLTFUL

So I have been trying for weeks to find a pair of LSiFXs with little to no real luck.
I had one guy on CL that I had talked down to $450 on a pair he claimed were in mint condition but he never sent me his address and phone number to follow up.
His ad is still on CL but he stopped replying to my emails.

So any recommendations on a good LSiFX alternative that isn't going to cost me my first born child?

I would like a wedge shaped di/bi pole model preferably with 2 5 1/4 mids and 2 tweeters.

Not incredibly picky on brand as long as the quality is similar to the LSis.

It's very frustrating as I not only have a pair of LSi15s just sitting (I would actually consider a trade for the LSiFXs) as I don't have the floor space to properly place them as surrounds.

I don't have too many complaints about my RT/FXs other than I want them capable of "keeping up" with the rest of my LSis.

monepolk

Did you check the FS to see if these are still available;
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?144904-Lsifx-for-sale

ZLTFUL

I am pretty sure he ended up selling them. We had an email conversation about them but it was before I had picked up my LSis.
I did shoot him a PM just to double check.

ZLTFUL

Well...I already have RT/FXs and they aren't bad by any means...the problem is, being on the back wall, you lose a little bit of sound if you aren't sitting back on the sofa.

EndersShadow

Might help if you posted up a pic of your setup for everyone....

IIRC given your setup (couch directly on the back wall and touching a side wall) you may want to ditch the bi-pole idea for now and just use a set of bookshelves as your side surrounds directly pointing at you.

ZLTFUL

The problem is, bookies would have to sit on the back of the sofa as I am not willing to screw mounts onto the sides of them.

I am kind of curious why ditching di/bi is the suggestion? It would seem to me, having 2 speakers pointed directly at my head at what would have to be right at ear level would defeat the purpose of a surround...which I have always thought was to provide not a localized and specifically directional sound but more of an ambiant sound...

eclypse

This just ended last night on ebay.. not too bad on price. I would of went higher if I was bidding.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-LSiFX-Speakers-/271185952470?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=9%252FzILhg%252BUfGiZWOtej98CDEH%252BFs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Side surrounds are supposed to be 2 feet or more above head level and to the side of the listening area and can be slightly behind.

Why wouldn't a pair of LSi9s work? Theres a couple pair on ebay.

eclypse

Couch up against side and back wall?

Sounds like the only thing you should do is by a set of these from polk direct.. I would in a sec if I could fit them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LCiRTS-F-X-In-Wall-Speakers-Polk-Audio-ON-SALE-/390535061215?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5aedb41edf

Info.. http://www.polkaudio.com/products/lcirtsfx

If you already have a serious two-channel sound system, built with Polk Audio’s LSi or LSiM Series loudspeakers, you need the LCi-RTSF/X rear surround in-wall speaker to take one important step toward building the ultimate home theater system. With timbre-matched components, like the ring radiator tweeter, for seamless blending realism with these other Polk speakers, and exclusive on-board audio customization tools, the LCi-RTSF/X rear surround in-wall speaker gives you the flexibility to enjoy to the best in home theater thrills. And bonus: It takes up absolutely no room real estate!

Make sure to download and read the manual to see how much space you need for the install... I ended up having a drain pipe in the way in the wall where it needed to fit.. so I was screwed.

I've read somewhere on the site that Polk said you could install a set of these above the listening area on the ceiling if needed.

ZLTFUL

In-walls will not work because the side wall has a window that takes up the rest of the wall from just above the back of the sofa to 8 inches below the ceiling.
There is no wall on the other side.
The rear wall won't work either for in walls as it is a double layer of 3/4inch drywall and is a "firewall" so it has a horizontal divider 4.5 feet above the floor which prevents me from running cable inside the wall.
I live in a townhouse so there is no basement, there is no way to get behind any of the walls and there is a second floor so in ceiling is out as well.

As I asked above, wouldn't pointing 2 LSi9s directly at my head at ear level sort of defeat the purpose of a "non directional ambiant" surround effect?

Also, posting ended eBay auctions sort of defeats the "suggestions" part. And I bid on them up to $575.

EndersShadow

ZLTFUL wrote: »

The problem is, bookies would have to sit on the back of the sofa as I am not willing to screw mounts onto the sides of them.

I am kind of curious why ditching di/bi is the suggestion? It would seem to me, having 2 speakers pointed directly at my head at what would have to be right at ear level would defeat the purpose of a surround...which I have always thought was to provide not a localized and specifically directional sound but more of an ambiant sound...

I used mounts that your supposed to screw into the speaker but instead I just used Velcro on the speakers. When I sold them (Polk Monitor 40's) it came off with no problem both on the speaker and also the mount.

Some folks just used blu tack to do the same. So if your worried about keeping them attached without screws, it can be done.

ZLTFUL

Answer my other question Dan! :cheesygrin:

EndersShadow

ZLTFUL wrote: »

Answer my other question Dan! :cheesygrin:

Check your email

eclypse

ZLTFUL wrote: »

In-walls will not work because the side wall has a window that takes up the rest of the wall from just above the back of the sofa to 8 inches below the ceiling.
There is no wall on the other side.
The rear wall won't work either for in walls as it is a double layer of 3/4inch drywall and is a "firewall" so it has a horizontal divider 4.5 feet above the floor which prevents me from running cable inside the wall.
I live in a townhouse so there is no basement, there is no way to get behind any of the walls and there is a second floor so in ceiling is out as well.

As I asked above, wouldn't pointing 2 LSi9s directly at my head at ear level sort of defeat the purpose of a "non directional ambiant" surround effect?

Also, posting ended eBay auctions sort of defeats the "suggestions" part. And I bid on them up to $575.

I've seen a video on youtube and theres a way around that divider board. You must call the fire department they said to get the ok but you just drill threw the board so you can run your cable through. So that's how the pros get around that problem.

eclypse

So install those 2" from the side walls and 2 feet above head level and call it problem solved!

eclypse

Skip to 6:05

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwXAWsp9wps

ZLTFUL

In walls also tell the next owner, hey...hope you like these speakers because if you don't, well I cut the hole for them so too bad.

Let's just drop the topic of in walls please. Having a wall plate for a speaker connection is vastly different as it doesn't pidgeonhole the next owner into what *I* preferred for speakers.
I know *how* to run cable through existing walls. I wired the terminal plates myself and spent 15 years in construction specializing in residential remodels before I moved to systems administration. My point has been that it isn't something I am willing to do.

eclypse

Should of stated as much.. you just said you couldn't because of the board in the wall. Good luck on your hunt then.

ZLTFUL

I made the assumption that since I was asking for alternatives to a specific kind of speaker that it would be inferred that I wanted the same type as possible suggestions. It wasn't like I said, "Hey I love the LSiFXs, give me some suggestions for on outdoor rock speaker."
Don't take it so personally. I just don't believe that in wall speakers offer the same benefits as stand alone speaker products and are overall inferior products.
I also like thinking long term and since selling the townhouse is in our 2 to 3 year plan once our house is built, I don't want to force the next potential owner into a specific option that may or may not be what they want.

eclypse

Geese lets see.. thread titled "LSiFX alternatives" And the OP states there no where to place the speakers cause theres a window right next to the couch that's bud up to the side wall and the couch also rests up against the rear wall. Personally I don't see any other choice in that setup.

There expensive speakers and retailed for a lot more then the current price. I doubt they said anywhere close to a outdoor rock speaker haha.

The obvious would be to move the room around.. like flip it in relation to the couch and tv. Though your the only one with eyes on it since theres no pictures. Cant just move the couch forward for space behind to hang a pair?

Besides a nice kitchen is a strong selling point for a woman and already wired surround sound would be a nice selling point for a man

Just making suggestions to help someone out.. kinda makes you think twice to bother.

If it wasn't for me sitting around waiting for Polk Direct to send me my invoice so I could pay for my new LSiM 705,706,703s i would be doing other things then reading posts.

ZLTFUL

Attachment not found.
There's your picture.
Rearranging the room is not an option.

My RT/FXs are currently mounted in the rear of the room indicated by the black boxes.
Red boxes are where Enders suggests I put a set of LSi7s.
Unfortunately, the area that back the "leg" of the L shaped sectional is a large windows that takes up, for all intents and purposes, the entire wall.

Front of the room is a fireplace and pictures can be found in the system showcase.

My reasoning for LSiFXs is as follows:
1. In wall is not an option. Reasons are stated above.
2. Isn't a /\ shaped speaker going to disperse the sound in a better manner than a speaker like this [] (drivers on sides)?

Since the heads of the listeners are most commonly located between and slightly forward of the surrounds.
Also, the sofa was custom made for the space. It fits the width of the front wall exactly even though my MS paint drawings is slightly off.

cstmar01

If you wanted to stick with Polk the FXiA6's are nice. Still bi/dipole and sound good. Used you can find decent deals on them. I got mine around 325 I think or so and I've seen them for less than that sometimes too.

eclypse

I can see why you want the tweeter/woofer on both sides of the speaker for that setup. Looks like your just gona have to find a LSiFX as that would cure ya.

ZLTFUL

Yeah I think you're right.
Monitor Audio has a nice option in their FX stuff. More or a hexagon in shape with one woofer straight out with the tweeters on the ongled sides.
Boston Acoustics had the VR-MX which is similar to the LSi but has a woofer and a passive radiator.
Klipsch has a bunch of options but my tolerance for the newer horns is low. Hehe.