RTi vs LSi

snake1

Hey guys, been checking on that smoking LSi set mentioned in the Misc. audio deals thread. How would my equipment push those 4 ohm speakers and would they do better for music and movies?? Also, would my Onkyo drive the surrounds and center @4 ohms?? Pretty sure my 2250 would drive the LSi25s easily since its rated at 400wpc @ 4ohms. Anything else I need to be aware of?

EndersShadow

snake1 wrote: »

Hey guys, been checking on that smoking LSi set mentioned in the Misc. audio deals thread. How would my equipment push those 4 ohm speakers and would they do better for music and movies?? Also, would my Onkyo drive the surrounds and center @4 ohms?? Pretty sure my 2250 would drive the LSi25s easily since its rated at 400wpc @ 4ohms. Anything else I need to be aware of?

Wouldnt suggest connecting the LSi's to that Onkyo at anything above low volumes.

polkfarmboy

I think you would be fine with the Onkyo, buy more amps later if need be. Its always best to get the speakers you want first then upgrade around them

snake1

So maybe another used Parasound to drive the other 3 channels? So what is the advantage of these over my RTi's?

polkfarmboy

Music is going to sound far superior but you may loose a little sparkle for HT but on the upside you could crank the volume up higher on the lsi without listening fatigue

snake1

Well 90% of what I do is music anyway.

snake1

How much could I get for all my speakers if I sell them and go for the LSi setup?? All are clean!

snake1

Sounds possible then!

polkfarmboy

What color is your speakers?

snake1

Mine are black

ken brydson

snake1 wrote: »

Mine are black

I'd see a Dr...:cheesygrin:

snake1

ken brydson wrote: »

I'd see a Dr...:cheesygrin:

Yeah yeah :razz:



Ok guys, the LSi's are still available and I can probably get them. The question is should I?? Am I moving up the food chain so to speak if I get these LSi's and sell off the RTi's?? I love more input about these speakers and soon cause if I move I need to move fast!

ZLTFUL

You may want to double check with Omar as he has already made arrangements with me to pick then up...I'm just saying it sounds like he is taking whoever gets there first versus the first person he made arrangements with. Fact is I told him I could have my buddy in STL pick them up tonight from him and he said that Saturday morning was fine.

Just trying to make sure neither if us are getting double dealt as it looks like he is trying to deal to us both.

snake1

ZLTFUL wrote: »

You may want to double check with Omar as he has already made arrangements with me to pick then up...I'm just saying it sounds like he is taking whoever gets there first versus the first person he made arrangements with. Fact is I told him I could have my buddy in STL pick them up tonight from him and he said that Saturday morning was fine.

Just trying to make sure neither if us are getting double dealt as it looks like he is trying to deal to us both.

Gotcha man! I won't 'break line'. Kinda shady way of doing people though if you think about it! I was just emailing him 30 min ago about them.

WLDock

Look at the feedback over the years. Much of it is right inline with Polk's description of the two lines.

RTi - "High output floorstanding loudspeaker"

LSi - "The LSi is for the serious listener; the person who really enjoys music, who sits down and intently listens to his stereo system. This person could be a serious home theater enthusiast, too. They want to hear every detail a movie soundtrack has to offer. There's no question these speakers play loud, but the LSi Series is for the listener who is more interested in quality over quantity."
- Matt Polk, Founder, Polk Audio

If you are after more detail and are willing to give them the power they need than go for it because the price is right on those and you are not too far away. Also, if these don't work out I would bet you could get what you paid for them.

specd_out

I have both RTiA5 and Lsi9. While both can do either HT or music, they both shine more in their respective areas. The lsi's are amazing at music. So laid back and smooth. Very accurate speakers, that you dont get tired of listening too. The RTiA line his bright and can be fatiguing over time. More dynamic IMO. Which is better for movies.

I have my RTiA5s connected to a vsx32 and a dsw 600, and my lsi connected to my caver's. If I have people over or cleaning the house and want some music. The A5's do just fine. When I go into my room to relax and the main focus is listening to music my lsi's are very enjoyable.

snake1

Thanks for the info guys! I wasnt able to get those particular ones but this will be good info for the future! As long as LSi's can do HT well enough then I'll be happy. Music is the majority of what I listen to anyway but don't want to loose that theater experience!

EndersShadow

I use a 5 channel setup of LSi's and its the bee's knee's for me.


2 channel its RTA's all the way though (the RTi series precursor)

devani

i've been through LSi and RTi setups....I really prefer LSi with any music and RTi with HT....

I ended up with RTi with dedicated HT setup in the end....

If you do 90% music, then yes LSi is worth it...

snake1

Thanks guys! I'll be looking! May start slowly with just some 25s, then a center, then surrounds. It won't be timbre matched for a while but will be eventually.

eclypse

Must take in to account the finding a center speaker for the LSi line is ruff. The LSiC is what you want and there hard to come by.. though there was one that just sold a few days ago on ebay. Some say to just use 2 LSi7s or 9s combind for the center channel.. but one would have to use 2 separate channels to run just the center as you will need to use a splitter from the center pre-out on your receiver/processor to each channel for the center.

snake1

DSkip wrote: »

Snake, if it comes down to building over time, you should take the LSiM into more serious consideration. It bridges the tonal gap between the LSi/RTi line very well. They can easily pull double-duty and sound good doing it. Prices are a bit higher, but I'd take the 703 over the LSi15/25 any day of the week.

DS, only trouble is M's are so expensive, but deals can be found on the LSi's. M's would be amazing though!! That'd be the choice if I could do it for sure!

eclypse

Yeah I recently got the 705s for $1211 each and the 703s for $573 each from Polk Direct (Polk Audios ebay store) http://stores.ebay.com/polkaudiodirect

You'll have to email/call them and ask if they can give you a deal and if they have anything they don't have listed that your after.

705s for just stereo would be awesome till you can add more for 5.1.

snake1

Would LSi15s or 25s be the most desirable??

eclypse

That's a tuff one cause the sub in the 15s suck and theres a mod out there that replaces the sub with a polk audio car sub.. people like the 15s cause of the passive sub use. The 25s have a larger sub and no mod needed...but is a powered sub.

Me I was on the fence between the 2 when I was figuring out which to get.. was leaning to the 25s since I would not have to deal with modding them. Polk direct only has ebony 25s in... on amazon theres a pair of cherry 15s. Black is my fav color but I love the contrast look of the cherry on the LSi towers.

eclypse

Also Polk direct will charge you tax but was willing to give me 5% off.. amazon no tax (for me anyways).

eclypse

Wow things change fast.. both sites now have mixed pairs. I guess you'll have to email them to find out if they have a matching left and right in the same color.

Sherardp

RTis are the sweet spot for HT and movies on a good amp. If you have the equipment to back them up I'm sure both speakers are very capable. I just prefer the RTi's for my Theater. Looking at eventually getting a set of Def Tech 8080 series speakers, but I've been working on other projects instead. Maybe this yr.

peerguy

snake1 wrote: »

Hey guys, been checking on that smoking LSi set mentioned in the Misc. audio deals thread. How would my equipment push those 4 ohm speakers and would they do better for music and movies?? Also, would my Onkyo drive the surrounds and center @4 ohms?? Pretty sure my 2250 would drive the LSi25s easily since its rated at 400wpc @ 4ohms. Anything else I need to be aware of?

Hey Snake.. Here's my audition experience so it might help you make up your mind if you haven't yet.

I purchased all of these from amazon, auditioned in my house and returned the ones I didn't like:

1) TSI400s, PSW 505 and CS20 center: The TSI 400s just don't cut it. CS20 was a good center. PSW505 was ok. I returned all of these after 20 days of audition.

2) RTIA7, CSIA6 center, PSW 505: RTI A7 was good. But didn't have the oomph that I was looking for. Was bit too bright. CSIA6 center was awesome. Returned this set.

3) Auditioned the RTI A9s at a local store: These were great for movies. Music was way too bright.

4) LSI15s, LSI C, LSI7s for surround and Klipsch RW-12D: Awesome. Sound is clear. Somehow gives the feeling that RTIs are just not the same league in sound stage and crispness. I run this on Pioneer SC-1522 with a Parasound HCA1200 amp. People say it sounds sweet and they don't get a head ache even at high volumes. The LSI series can sing like there's no tomorrow.

My neighbor who spent $15,000 (was a Jazz musician in the 1970s and played with Keith Jarrett) on his Bang & Olufsen set long back was blown away with the LSI 15s.

In my opinion the LSI series when paired with a decent sub that can go as low as 20Hz will be a terrific Home Theater. Looks wise LSI series looks beautiful and blends in nicely with furniture instead of sticking out like the RTIA series. I played Jurassic park last week and my dog ran away and started growling at the T-Rex.

Cheers

nypapaya

peerguy wrote: »

Hey Snake.. Here's my audition experience so it might help you make up your mind if you haven't yet.

I purchased all of these from amazon, auditioned in my house and returned the ones I didn't like:

1) TSI400s, PSW 505 and CS20 center: The TSI 400s just don't cut it. CS20 was a good center. PSW505 was ok. I returned all of these after 20 days of audition.

2) RTIA7, CSIA6 center, PSW 505: RTI A7 was good. But didn't have the oomph that I was looking for. Was bit too bright. CSIA6 center was awesome. Returned this set.

3) Auditioned the RTI A9s at a local store: These were great for movies. Music was way too bright.

4) LSI15s, LSI C, LSI7s for surround and Klipsch RW-12D: Awesome. Sound is clear. Somehow gives the feeling that RTIs are just not the same league in sound stage and crispness. I run this on Pioneer SC-1522 with a Parasound HCA1200 amp. People say it sounds sweet and they don't get a head ache even at high volumes. The LSI series can sing like there's no tomorrow.

My neighbor who spent $15,000 (was a Jazz musician in the 1970s and played with Keith Jarrett) on his Bang & Olufsen set long back was blown away with the LSI 15s.

In my opinion the LSI series when paired with a decent sub that can go as low as 20Hz will be a terrific Home Theater. Looks wise LSI series looks beautiful and blends in nicely with furniture instead of sticking out like the RTIA series. I played Jurassic park last week and my dog ran away and started growling at the T-Rex.

Cheers

Are you trying to make RTi guys cry and LSi guys smile?
I have both right now (RTi A7 without center yet, LSi15 with LSim704c, Energy RC-70 with V5.2, look at the center and that's what happen when you bought the discountinue mains), each set has their own strength, if they are in their ideal room with adequate power. LSi IS very crisp, thanks to the ring radiator, RTi is powerful in HT, Energy set to me is most balance in both compare to the rest, with the crisp and warm like LSi in music, and some of the punch like RTi (not as strong of course). I put my best sub with Energy, second best with LSi and the third with RTi. On the receivers, I put the most powerful 2 on Polk and least powerful on Energy.

BTW, I actually was thinking about LSim 703 before moving on the RTi for HT, they are a step up fron original LSi, if you plan on getting a good sub, the 703 maybe in your price range to get a LSim.

peerguy

nypapaya wrote: »

Are you trying to make RTi guys cry and LSi guys smile?

LOL. I guess what I was trying to say was the LSI 15s because they are discontinued are going for sale on Amazon. $490 each for this quality is a steal. I liked the RTI series as well. But LSI is right for my ears. Some people might like the RTI series visual looks where it says 'In your face' when you take the front grill off. While the LSI is more classy and blends in. To each his opinion! I agree with your review of the Energy RC-70. Auditioned it recently at Best Buy. It was good. If budget is a concern then the current sale for LSI 15s is a steal.

I just don't agree with people who don't think LSI is good enough for movies. I paired my LSI HT sytem with a decent sub and couldn't be happier. If I had the money I would go for the larger Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL. :rolleyes:
http://www.martinlogan.com/electromotion/em-esl.php