LSiM 703/5/7 Dilemma! (Sorry, another one) Vs a9

Inspector 24

Hands down they will all kick the A9's trash all over the schoolyard. We all know it. Not what I'm here to ask. :razz:

I just spent 20 mins discussing this with the Wife. She supports whatever decision I make regarding speakers but understands my dilemma in choosing between the 703/5/7. I'm perfectly happy with the RTiA9's/A6/FXiA6 combo for home theater, but would like something better for music.

I love the big sound, slam, big deep bass of the A9's but the mids and highs are definitely not as refined as my ears like for music. Heard the 707's briefly at CES in 2012, liked them, but after reading how the 705's may be more musical, and how awesome the 703's are I feel stuck as I've never heard them.

NOT concerned about HT performance as I'd either deal with the differences in timbre between the LSiM and RTi or swap between speakers for home theater/music. When we do listen to two channel it's receiver in Pure Direct, no sub, unless I feel like it (some electronic music) typically around 80-85db max, can range from Diana Krall, Miles Davis, Eagles, to P!NK, Gotye, Depeche Mode, Daft Punk ect ect....We have a wide range of musical preferences.

Room is basement, is 35x17x8', cinder block walls, Carpeted concrete floor, opens to 14x8' kitchen on one corner, two walled off rooms next to them, approx 12x12'each. Speakers slightly offset of center on the long wall, sit about 10-11' back from speakers.

Associated gear is in signature. Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences? What would you go with??

THANKS!
Ryan

B Run

I've never heard the Lsim's but from what i've read the 707's are pickier but that's a pretty large room to fill and i'd go big, not have to worry about regretting it later. Especially with the sale going on, i'd get the 707's and if you don't like em you could easily unload them for more than you could sell a pair of 705's if you needed to "upgrade" to the 707's. Just my opinion.

nhhiep

I don't see how is this a decision. Either go big or go small, why be in the middle with the 705? the price between them is small.

BTW, because of this deal, I just bought 2 707s, 2 703s, and 1 706C

eclypse

707s if you can afford but you'll be just as happy with the 705s.

I have a 5 speaker LSIM setup and trust me when I say that the 705s woofers will give you everything you want with your music and movies! hehe. We have similar rooms as well. I still say go with 705s and use the spare cash on an amp or 2 if needed.. You'll want 200-500watts for them. Emotiva sounds awesome with them btw!

When I pieced my setup together last spring I had to go with 705s basicly cause of budget.. no way could I do $4k $3.6K from polks ebay store. Though I bet even with 50% off i'd still go with the 705s since everyone said it was the sweet spot unless you got a HUGE room for them.

And yes I demoed the setup with the sub on and off and changing the sub settings on the receiver during. I could not tell the sub was off and had to check the sub to make sure a couple of times as the 705s were that impressive in the low bass!

EDIT:

Damn just checked and I paid $4750.66 for the 5 channel LSIM speakers from polk direct back in April this year.. Crazy deal going now.. KILLS ME NOT TO BUY THOSE 702s for the rear surround. Damn....

Inspector 24

B Run wrote: »

...if you don't like em you could easily unload them for more than you could sell a pair of 705's if you needed to "upgrade" to the 707's. Just my opinion.

That's a good point.

nhhiep wrote: »

I don't see how is this a decision. Either go big or go small, why be in the middle with the 705? the price between them is small.

Because of some reviews suggesting the 705's were the sweet-spot in the lineup, more musical, which is what I'm going for, musicality.

eclypse wrote: »

707s if you can afford but you'll be just as happy with the 705s.

I have a 5 speaker LSIM setup and trust me when I say that the 705s woofers will give you everything you want with your music and movies! hehe. We have similar rooms as well. I still say go with 705s and use the spare cash on an amp or 2 if needed.. You'll want 200-500watts for them. Emotiva sounds awesome with them btw![quote[

Money is less of a factor than feeling good about spending it. Power is covered, Parasound HCA-3500's 350w and 120a current ought to be able to drive any of them juuuuust fine. :razz:


I just took a listen at a local store to the 705's (all they had) in the worst environment possible, open floor, in a corner (corner placement, seriously RC Willey, you're going to sell some of the highest priced speakers in the ****tiest location?!?!) along a short wall with only 110wpc from an onkyo. spent about 40 min, listened to some familiar stuff, vocals were definitely sweeter, smoother, didn't go fuzzy , cymbals, triangles, less pointed, less harsh, bass was strong yet muddy. Imaging was surprisingly good considering setup (even had L-R reversed :evil:) I've no doubt they would be amazing in my room.

One thought has occurred to me, if the 703's aren't enough bass on their own, I've got the HSU VTF-15 to fill out the bottom end and I've been surprised at it's musicality. Perhaps that could fill in what the 703's lack compared to the 705/7?

eclypse

Yup the 703s with a sub would be an argument for sure.. just remember that you'll want good stands for them and its an extra cost.

I did have the 703s up front on top of my old Polk 70s and then tried a 705 on one side while having the 703 on the other and I was more impressed with the 705. I ran that setup for a handful of days while I waited for Polk to ship out my other 705 Really no idea why the sound was better from the 705s.. prob was the oval woofers.

Yeah with some good high wattage that lower end will tighten up and your amps will do it right over the stores.


No idea what sub that is but I've heard that smaller subs like 8 inch were best for music as they would have faster tighter response.

I'm smiling as I know the 705s will make your jaw drop setup right in your house.

Inspector 24

HSU VFT-15h:

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-15h.html

It's Big. :cheesygrin:

eclypse

hehehe.. yeah its HUGE alright!

If you got 2 of those stereo 2 channel music would prob sound good.

[Deleted User]

nhhiep wrote: »

I don't see how is this a decision. Either go big or go small, why be in the middle with the 705? the price between them is small.

BTW, because of this deal, I just bought 2 707s, 2 703s, and 1 706C

Here is what you do not understand. Please give me a moment to explain.

There is a reason why there are different sized speakers. The 707 is not the top of the line. The LSIM series, all of them.. You read that? All of them use higher quality evrything. The LSIM entire series is "top if the line".

The reason why there are different sizes, you know, 707, 705, 703... Is to match the room size that you have. It's not complicated.

The 703 in a very large room will not be what it was created for. The 707 in a small room will not be right either. It's not complicated.

Inspector 24

A quick quote from F1 in the big sale thread:

Guys, don't get me wrong. The 707's definitely hit lower, but I was amazed by the amount of bass coming from the 703's. When running the 703's folks in the room where not sure if it was the 707's or 703's playing.

A quick spec view;

707 - Lower -3dB Limit 38 Hz
705 - Lower -3dB Limit 42 Hz
703 - Lower -3dB Limit 50 Hz

My thoughts, considering the A9's are listed as a Lower -3dB Limit of 30 Hz, suggests that they none of them will be as meaty sounding in the lower registers, and could potentially benefit from a good sub even more...Hmm...food for thought...Of course I know this is just one spec, doesn't describe it all...

nooshinjohn

LSi/M 705's all day every day given what you have said here. High power and high current and you will have a set of speakers that will have your jaw drop. There will be no need for a sub,

BlueFox

halenhoang wrote: »

The reason why there are different sizes, you know, 707, 705, 703... Is to match the room size that you have. It's not complicated.

Really? Certainly room size does play a part, but I would expect there to be some other differences between sizes, both technical and cosmetic.

Inspector 24

What is the importance of listening volume on the room size vs speaker size debate? Logically big speakers require more volume in a big room to sound good, but considering I don't do critical listening much higher than 80db, does that change the dynamic?

kevhed72

My vote is for the bookshelves and separate sub(s). My view is....if you don't line the towers or want to move on after awhile to another brand....the bookshelves would be easier to sell / move. I have a pair of A9s with the boxes, but I think shipping these is out of the question, especially with the current sale going on.

Msabot1

Bought a pair of 07's earlier in the year...luv em...they kick...got a good deal on em too,although not as good as that friends sale going on. Should have waited,but I took the bait on the other deal...overall I'm pleased....

Inspector 24

kevhed72 wrote: »

My vote is for the bookshelves and separate sub(s). My view is....if you don't line the towers or want to move on after awhile to another brand....the bookshelves would be easier to sell / move. I have a pair of A9s with the boxes, but I think shipping these is out of the question, especially with the current sale going on.

This is a big reason why I'm leaning towards the 703, I'd get the LSiM sound for less money and easier turnover down the road.

[Deleted User]

BlueFox wrote: »

Really? Certainly room size does play a part, but I would expect there to be some other differences between sizes, both technical and cosmetic.

Captain Obvious...

nhhiep

I hope you made the decision because the deal is over

Inspector 24

All this doesn't matter now! No way I'm paying retail and certainly NOT directly to Polk. :mad:

EDIT: That's a knee jerk reaction. It's unfair to place all the blame Polk.

That doesn't mean I'm less pissed about missing the deal, just that I'm not placing blame.