Where do I demo the LSI Series?

venomclan
venomclan Posts: 2,467
edited January 2004 in Speakers
Hi Polksters,
I have been a Polk fan for about 7 years now. I really enjoy their sound. I caught the upgrade bug and want to audition the LSi's. I live in Fort Lauderdale, FL and cannot find an Lsi in the whole state. Circuit City is a joke and is really hurting Polk's reputation. Every time I go into any one of them, I leave with less respect. Please can anyone tell me where I can listen to the Lsi's without having to buy them from Crutchfield first? Crutchfield is the only authorized dealer that carries the Lsi's. JandR do not have them, the other authorized dealer I found is for only for Tennesee. Any suggestions welcomed. Thanks
Venom
Post edited by venomclan on
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,624
    edited December 2003
    I have not a clue in the world with my being in Arizona, but I'd imagine that SOMEone out there would carry that line. The dealer locator here wouldn't specifically indicate which lines the stores are carrying, so maybe a call to Polk C.S. would help you identify who carries what in your area.

    Good luck.....
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • ToddB
    ToddB Posts: 21
    edited December 2003
    There is a store in the Millenia Mall in Orlando that carries them, but unless you are in the area for something else, don't make a special trip. They have them underpowed and poorly setup. They are doing Polk an injustice. In fact, when I asked to hear the "Polk LSi speakers", they thought I was talking about a digital camera!!

    I believe there are also a couple shops in the Tampa/St. Pete area and one in Gainesville that carry them. Check out the dealer locator on the Polk web site.

    On the bright side, once you hear them set up and powered properly...you're gonna love them! :)
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2003
    Hi Guys,
    Thanks for the info. I tried the dealer locator and called Polk to find the LSi's. The only dealer Polk could recommend was 40 miles away from me. I then called the dealer and they said that they could special order them only. Good thing I did not drive there.
    It is a shame because I just got my new Outlaw 950 and ordered 5 200 watt monoblocks. I think at 4ohms like the Lsi's are rated, these monoblocks will push 300 watts. Plenty to make them sing.
    I love Polk but have to disagree greatly with thier distribution methods. Since perception is reality to the general public, Polk will never achieve higher than a mid-fi level no matter how good they sound as long as they are in bed with Circuit City.
    If you visit high end audio sites like Audiogon.com, Polks newer than 10 years old are not taken seriously. When the Lsi's came out, there were many great reviews on that site, but the audio snobs would not even bother listening to them because they are "only Polks". I think Polk has what it takes to to compete with the high end, but need a better presentation.
    When the upgrade bug strikes again, at least I can go down the block to hear B&W, whether its their entry level or Nautilus series.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,707
    edited December 2003
    I agree with everything you have said except the part about upgrading to B&W. No sir, that would be a downgrade.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2003
    Venom - If you have no dealers, that are worthy of a drive, nearby....I think the best bet for you is to find a member that owns some LSI's, and make a day trip.

    This is a great crew in here, and if someone is able, I am sure they would offer you a visit...that is if they are somewhat close :)

    Anyone FL resident LSI owners out there???!!! :D
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Steve@3dai
    Steve@3dai Posts: 983
    edited December 2003
    I'd offer my apartment as your listening room, but I'm in Texas.

    Polk can compete with ANYONE they want, they choose to make money instead of selling 100 pairs of speakers a year ;)
    LSi 9/C/FX
    Arcam AVR-200
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  • joe6pak
    joe6pak Posts: 267
    edited December 2003
    venom.

    If you are interested in the LSi9 or LSi7, you should consider Crutchfield. Right now they have free shipping on items that cost that much. If you don't like the speakers after you try them out you have a 30 day no questions asked free return. All you will be out is the trouble and time it takes to call Crutchfield and get a return number, to repack and take to a ups drop off site. The free return shipping doesn't seem to apply to the bigger LSi's

    joe
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  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited January 2004
    I've written a couple of posts about the truely sad approach to marketing Polk has done with the speakers. I thought posting on their site would only open their eyes, hoping they would realize how poorly they have been viewed because of piss poor dealers. My next upgrade will not be Polk Audio because of this. I am truely happy with the RISK i took but I'm not willing to take another. If anybody asks me about my speakers I let them listen to them, but I offer very serious warning. Once you buy them you will never be able to properly demo other equipment around them because no Audiophile Dealers carry these speakers. They are considered a joke within the Industry.

    A real shame.

    GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER.
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  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited January 2004
    Im not "worried" about audio snobs. What I am worried about is ALWAYS having to take my speakers with me in order to demo ANYTHING.

    Don't defend Polks Marketing, they've done a horrid job. They dont support smaller dealers. Their direction as a company has been moving closer to that of BOSE then that of a company that really cares about producing a quality product that can compete with todays top makers. Yanking the SDA line years ago only furthered this truth.

    Further more, I find it funny how you are sitting here on a soap box trying to preach to people who can't be converted. I bought the damn speakers. I've done my part. I bought a CD player a month ago, a NAD...and had to demo it on Monitor Audio speakers. Now im considering a new Intergrated amp, guess what? I'm going to have to take these speakers around with me because nobody carries them. I'm not insecure I've already bought the product. What I am is angry that they still continue their products to low end outlets. I can only imagine if I had bought the LSi15's...

    Any upgrade I have done or will do since owning the speakers will be a sheer gamble unless I can take the source home. A real shame.

    Regardless, I've bought the speakers. I'm the consumer. I've got my **** together. And I'm in the majority not the minority of people who think Polk Audio has really dropped the ball on this one.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited January 2004
    I read the posts above and it's just the same of the same of the same......

    I agree with the fact that it is nearly impossible to go hear polk lsi speakers in the store.Reguardless is it's going to sound the exact same way it will at your home,you can't go get fuzzy and warm about them.I share the very same feelings here.

    I was fortunate enough to go listen to them in another state over an hour from my house.It was in a piss poor room.I took the demo for what I could get out of it.

    I own the Lsi series (Lsi15's,Lsic,Lsi/fx) and love them to death.I have no plans on upgrading them(today that is...)

    Back then I considered others like Dynaudio and Vienna.I was right there ready to buy Dynaudio Audience series for HT.Due to thte fact I could go feel all warm and fuzzy about them in the store where I worked.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • ninerbj
    ninerbj Posts: 870
    edited January 2004
    Here is my story...
    I want to upgrade to the LSi line...been wanting to do it for a year now. BUT, I cannot just pluck down my hard earned cash on a new LSi system (15's, LSiC, 9's) without first hearing/seeing them.
    Granted I live in South Dakota (where the sheep can keep a secret ;) , and it's only a city of 175,000 people...but time and time again I have tried to contact Polk with a list of dealers that may be a few hours drive for me, only to get the same reply over and over....CRUTCHFIELD.
    So, has the marketing plan of Polk taken a dump over the years? YES..plain and simple.
    Polk is gaining some major ground with the latest reviews. Even Hi-Fi snobs like Wes Phillips agree the LSi line is a great speaker.

    Get um out there! Do what it takes! Turn um up and watch them fly out the door!
    "she had the body of Venus, with arms."
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  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited January 2004
    Hey niner, take a road trip to Des Moines and I'll help you out. You can hear the 15's in my apartment or at the store where I work.
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  • ninerbj
    ninerbj Posts: 870
    edited January 2004
    Thanks Fireshoes...maybe when the snow stops blowing I might take you up on that.
    "she had the body of Venus, with arms."
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited January 2004
    ATC,
    basement is in final planning stage and the build will start soon.

    Gear New Gear will be coming.

    I'm thinking about new B&K seperates.I might sell the B&K avr307 soon.B&K just lowered there prices on the preamp and it's making me crazy.Ref 50 in silver I see in my future.A nice pair consisting of the Ref 200.5 and the REF 200.0 will join together to power my theater......Thats just the start.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,707
    edited January 2004
    Dan,

    May I suggest Parasound Halo for your HT needs.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited January 2004
    F1,
    I demo'd Parasound along my audio journey.I found it not be for me.I didn't care for the sound quality and find B&K to be overall a better choice.
    Thanks for the suggestion.

    Wire isn't going to be ordered untill I measure out the lengths.I't s way to expensive to under or over buy......Gotta be right on.

    7.1 theater in 8tc/8tc bi wire

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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