LSi9 and 7's help

cstmar01

I've never considered myself a monitor speaker kind of guy. I always liked that big, full sound I was getting out of floor standers. However I've been finding myself more and more listening to monitors as I just don't have the time to wait for the big system to warm up and do a lot of work while listening at night.

The biggest ones I've been comparing have been the LS9's Vs. the 7's.

The issue that I just have with both is I feel the soundstage starts more behind the speakers and doesn't extend outward in front of them. I notice almost more with the 9's than 7's. Overall if I'm not running a sub I love the 9's for the extra extension, but I think the 7's are overall a cleaner sound.

For anyone that has done mods to the 9's have you found you changed the soundstage at all? What caps, etc did you use?

Or if it didn't change what are some bigger monitors that give a more "full range" sound without being a floorstander and has more of a forward soundstage? I would like recommendations in the under 2K range. Doesn't have to be the LsiM's as I've heard them and liked them but wanted to see what else.

Overall my listening habbits have been changing and I've been thinking of going a different route. I guess I've been finding some good sound in small packages which is suprising me but I like it. Originally was going to do a HT system with the LSi's but finding more and more I just like the 2 channel.

Mikey081057

Find a set of 9's and send them to trey @vr3 mods.

The room i have them in is on the small side with a 7' ceiling. I do have a sub (MP1000) it helps with the bass drum, and they sound great. The xover mods make a HUGE difference

I had a set of 7's and they were fine, but the 9's are much fuller esp on the low end.

Yahzi

Do the crossovers improve the frequency response of the speaker - ie make it more flat, or what exactly does it change?

Yahzi

Have you considered the bookshelf LSI's? Brilliant speakers in my opinion.

pitdogg2

Yahzi wrote: »

Have you considered the bookshelf LSI's? Brilliant speakers in my opinion.

umm Lsi7/9's are bookshelf speakers...correct me if I'm wrong here.

Habanero Monk

pitdogg2 wrote: »

umm Lsi7/9's are bookshelf speakers...correct me if I'm wrong here.

Pushing it on the 9's for bookshelf duty. Mine are on stands.

ZLTFUL

Habanero Monk wrote: »

Pushing it on the 9's for bookshelf duty. Mine are on stands.

Oh, look...Habanero Monk being argumentative...who would have ever guessed. Consider this yet another example of you proving my point there Champ. :rolleyes:

falconcry72

Overall if I'm not running a sub I love the 9's for the extra extension, but I think the 7's are overall a cleaner sound.

Overall, I like the 9's better. Sub or no sub. Not sure why. They just sound livelier.

cstmar01 wrote: »

The issue that I just have with both is I feel the soundstage starts more behind the speakers and doesn't extend outward in front of them.

All Lsi's are layed back. Period. Changing out the crossover components will make them do what they already do better, but it won't make them do a different thing altogether.

Usher Be-718. I love Usher and they all have that forward sound to them. The Be-718 is considered one of the best values in audio honestly. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, the X-718 or V-series should be on your list. They all have the same house sound, but the Be is the gem of their bookshelves. They also provide that "FULL" sound you are seeking. I haven't heard an Usher speaker yet that wasn't packed with dynamics.

This.

Dude. Based on your post, Ushers are what you're looking for. I have loved my LSi's and I have loved my Ushers, but they sound SO different from each other. The Ushers are more forward, more dynamic, more detailed, while the LSi's are smoother, more relaxed, easier on the ear.

You should be able to find a used pair of BE-718's for under $1500. Do it.

cnh

Those Ushers most definitely benefit from tubes, as I don't really care for their line on SS amps. I agree with Falconcry above, WAY too "forward" for those who love "warmth" in their speakers. But as we know, we all don't hear the "same" thing!

cnh

txcoastal1

Man O' man 2k is on the cusp of a lot of really good monitors especially on the used market.
You said your listening habits are changing...genre's, sound levels?

I would definitely shop around on the used market. Dynaudio, Harbeth, Usher, Proac, even Tylers

Habanero Monk

ZLTFUL wrote: »

Oh, look...Habanero Monk being argumentative...who would have ever guessed. Consider this yet another example of you proving my point there Champ. :rolleyes:

Reported.

ZLTFUL

Habanero Monk wrote: »

Reported.

You're funny. Especially the part where I called you out for doing what you claim you don't do and your best defense was deflection.

cincycat13

Had you come to my neck of the woods, you'd be set. I currently have sonicap modded LSi7s, stock LSi9s, and Clarity cap modded LSi9s. I find I like the stock 9s the least, modded 7s in the middle and clarity cap 9s the best. So much that I ordered caps to mod the stock 9s. Soundstage is more forward, detailed and 3 dimensional for me. I did use some RT55 "bookshelf" speakers which were more HT sounding, but like the laid back LSi for listening.

Reading this thread make it sound like I need to get some Usher time. Good luck in your search.

Habanero Monk

ZLTFUL wrote: »

You're funny. Especially the part where I called you out for doing what you claim you don't do and your best defense was deflection.

You considered my post argumentative? You actually splashed this thread to start something. You're creeping me out now. Sorry but not here to fulfill what ever bromance desires you have:razz:

IMO the LSI'9's are just a bit large for actual bookshelf placement for me. They will fit on a bookshelf but one may have placement problems. I opted for stands and a sub.

cstmar01

Habanero Monk wrote: »

You considered my post argumentative? You actually splashed this thread to start something. You're creeping me out now. Sorry but not here to fulfill what ever bromance desires you have:razz:

IMO the LSI'9's are just a bit large for actual bookshelf placement for me. They will fit on a bookshelf but one may have placement problems. I opted for stands and a sub.

Um I have stands? I don't get your point at all and applies to nothing I am asking about.

teekay0007

ZLTFUL wrote: »

Oh, look...Habanero Monk being argumentative...who would have ever guessed. Consider this yet another example of you proving my point there Champ. :rolleyes:

How is HM being argumentative? The LSi9s are some pretty big assed speakers to qualify as "bookshelves". They're about as much a bookie as Monitor 7s are. If space is a concern, 9s on stands take up about as much room as most floorstanders.

Enough with the bashing of Monk by you and others at every possible turn. How about you get a new hobby?

Habanero Monk

cstmar01 wrote: »

Um I have stands? I don't get your point at all and applies to nothing I am asking about.

I was speaking to Pitt... The LSi 9 is large enough that for me (and IMO a lot of others) they are too big to qualify as bookshelves. Not meaning to harsh your thread.

nguyendot

Habanero Monk wrote: »

I was speaking to Pitt... The LSi 9 is large enough that for me (and IMO a lot of others) they are too big to qualify as bookshelves. Not meaning to harsh your thread.

If they aren't self standing they're generally called bookshelves.... RT55 anyone?

F1nut

nguyendot wrote: »

If they aren't self standing they're generally called bookshelves....

Bingo!

Either Monk posted to argue or his inexperience is showing again.

falconcry72

nguyendot wrote: »

If they aren't self standing they're generally called bookshelves...

Agreed. No speakers should be placed on an actual bookshelf. Main speakers should be placed in (1) of (2) ways: 1, on the floor, or, 2, on a stand. If they are meant to be on the floor, then they are called floor-standers, towers, etc. If they are meant to be on a stand, then they are called monitors, bookshelves, stand-speakers, etc. The term "bookshelf speaker" means that they are not intended to be placed on the floor, so they should be placed on a stand. No speakers should be placed on an actual bookshelf, or mantle, or armoire, or entertainment unit, or dresser etc. The odds that you have (2) pieces of non-speaker-intended furniture that put the speakers at the exact right height, with the exact right distance from the walls, without adding obstructing, is slim to none.

nguyendot

The only speakers I would actually put on a bookshelf are PSB Alphas. Those were actually engineered to do so. Those or speakers I'm storing on the bookshelf lol.

Habanero Monk

When you have a speaker that isn't quite a bookshelf, nor a floor stander, it's generally referred to as a stand mount speaker. It's how I've seen speakers referred to that don't really fit the true bookshelf description. All the MTM's I've seen I haven't heard anyone refer to them as bookshelf speakers. Stand Mount I have. As example John 'Zaph' Krutke at Zaph Audio will refer to speakers that aren't floor standers but aren't bookshelf as Stand Mount.

See you don't know everything you think you do

F1nut

From this very site.....

The term bookshelf is really a reference to the loudspeaker’s physical size, which offers some convenient placement options over a floorstanding speaker, not to mention a less obtrusive presence. But don’t let the term bookshelf create the wrong impression. Discerning listeners will find our bookshelf models are more than capable of creating well-defined soundstages, with superb imaging and clarity. The budget-minded or the space-constrained can turn to our bookshelves and not worry that they’re compromising on performance. Polk bookshelf loudspeakers offer a serious performance option.

Your problem Monk is you like to argue, to split hairs and try to somehow make yourself look right even when your pants are down around your ankles.

ZLTFUL

Habanero Monk wrote: »

When you have a speaker that isn't quite a bookshelf, nor a floor stander, it's generally referred to as a stand mount speaker. It's how I've seen speakers referred to that don't really fit the true bookshelf description. All the MTM's I've seen I haven't heard anyone refer to them as bookshelf speakers. Stand Mount I have. As example John 'Zaph' Krutke at Zaph Audio will refer to speakers that aren't floor standers but aren't bookshelf as Stand Mount.

See you don't know everything you think you do

One example does not a standard make.
The term "bookshelf speaker" is hardly meant to be taken literally. As posted above, the term itself is more of a generalized category of speakers that don't fit the term "floor standing".
Hell, Klipsch Palladiums, Polk LSi9s, LSiM703s, the Ushers mentioned above, TAD Compact Reference, and the vast majority of other speaker manufacturers out there refer to these speakers as "bookshelf".

And teekay, before you try and pick a fight about semantics with someone, try reading the posts...Monk was most definitely arguing pitdog's assertion that LSi9s were defined as bookshelf speakers. Most assuredly, the post in question was argumentative even by the loosest definition of the word. Slamming on Monk is hardly a hobby...it's barely even a minor amusement as he more than slams himself by simply posting.
You may want to take note that I am hardly the first person to call Monk out on his BS posts and I will hardly be the last.

nguyendot

Habanero Monk wrote: »

When you have a speaker that isn't quite a bookshelf, nor a floor stander, it's generally referred to as a stand mount speaker. It's how I've seen speakers referred to that don't really fit the true bookshelf description. All the MTM's I've seen I haven't heard anyone refer to them as bookshelf speakers. Stand Mount I have. As example John 'Zaph' Krutke at Zaph Audio will refer to speakers that aren't floor standers but aren't bookshelf as Stand Mount.

See you don't know everything you think you do

Since you are apt to use a single example as a standard or reference to all.... Perhaps you should check out how this site only has two categories of box speakers. We are on this site.... And as such I would think that example trumps whatever definition you are using. Perhaps you also failed to realize that most bookshelf speakers will be on stands.... So your separation of "stand mount" versus "bookshelf" kind of nullifies itself.

Also I might ask, why or how this pertains to the OP?

ZLTFUL

nguyendot wrote: »

Also I might ask, why or how this pertains to the OP?

Oh, it doesn't. He was just being argumentative towards pitdogg.

cstmar01

nguyendot wrote: »

Since you are apt to use a single example as a standard or reference to all.... Perhaps you should check out how this site only has two categories of box speakers. We are on this site.... And as such I would think that example trumps whatever definition you are using. Perhaps you also failed to realize that most bookshelf speakers will be on stands.... So your separation of "stand mount" versus "bookshelf" kind of nullifies itself.

Also I might ask, why or how this pertains to the OP?

Frankly I don't care what you call them. His comment makes no difference to me. I called it a booklet big deal. I already have 9s and use them on stands. His comment pertains to nothing I am talking about.

Habanero Monk

My reply wasn't argumentative as ZLTFUL likes to suggest.

Bookshelf typically means a few things: One being a small form factor and two and very primary to the correct usage of the term is the presence of reduced BSC.

Monitors can be many form factors and are typically meant for near field use. Hence the term 'Monitoring'. I doubt Polk LSi 9's are being used in any large capacity at mixing houses.

Go to HTGuide or PETT and ask the designers there how many would use the term to describe the MTMs they have designed. Ask them if they would call them bookshelf speakers.

Then you also have the obvious in-wall and also on-wall.

So when I said it's pushing it for considering the LSi 9's for bookshelf duty I said what I meant and meant what I said for the reasons that are obvious to any seasoned veteran out there.

Again throw as much paint as you want guys. You aren't making a Picasso out of the attempt anytime soon. If all your vocabulary contains in both understanding and describing a speaker is Floor Stander or Bookshelf then there is no way of having a cogent and reasonable conversation.

And lastly ZLTFUL picked this argument. You guys joined in just because you want to keep starting stuff with me.

nguyendot

I joined in because you are grasping at straws at best. Your argument isn't even about being right so much as it is about semantics that we do not need to cover.

In terms of nitpicking.... Above you should have said "your" not you.

Habanero Monk

nguyendot wrote: »

I joined in because you are grasping at straws at best. Your argument isn't even about being right so much as it is about semantics that we do not need to cover.

In terms of nitpicking.... Above you should have said "your" not you.

I rest my case. You didn't even get past the fact that a properly designed bookshelf will have BSC attenuated for near wall / boundary use. That you are trying to say it's a semantic point just adds to the fact that you don't know what you think you know.

That point in and of itself isn't up for debate. Nitpicking suggests the trivial. Correct BSC isn't trivial.

nguyendot

Habanero Monk wrote: »

I rest my case. You didn't even get past the fact that a properly designed bookshelf will have BSC attenuated for near wall / boundary c you are trying to say it's a semantic point just adds to the fact that you don't know what you think you know.

That point in and of itself isn't up for debate. Nitpicking suggests the trivial. Correct BSC isn't trivial.

Actually I don't have to get past any of those points because I never argued them. Also no one argued about using them on a bookshelf as you did. We simply classified the LSi 7 and 9 as bookshelf speakers and you chimed in saying they are pushing it for bookshelf usage. Who said they were putting them on a bookshelf? If this site classifies them as bookshelf speakers, as the manufacturer they would be correct regardless of your argument.