Polk Lsi-9+ Subwoofer + Emotiva power amp vs Lsi-25 with its own internal amplifier
grigorianvlad
Posts: 69
Hi. I have a small home theater setup in my office. For watching news and listening to music while working.
It currently uses the following gear:
Polk Lsi-9 - front left and right
Sunfire HRS-10 - Subwoofer
Pioneer VSX-53 - Receiver, powers surrounds only
Emotiva XPA-3 - Power amplifier for left, right and center
Of course, there are also the center and surround speakers, but they are beside the point here.
I like the Lsi-9s. They are terrific speakers. But now i am beginning to like the Lsi-25s even more. I have never auditioned them, but i am trying to get that arranged. I may get them but only if they will improve quality of the sound even further.
Here is the question. Are Lsi-9's tweeters and midrange drivers identical to Lsi-25's? If they are, then I dont need to upgrade them because Lsi-25's bass driver is not as good as the 1,000W HRS-10 Sunfire subwoofer, plus Polk's amp is limited to only 150W of internal amplification.
If the 25s, on the other hand, have better tweeter and midrange - look identical to Lsi-9's, though - then I need to go with the Lsi-25.
They 3 fronts are powered by an Emotiva XPA-3 power amp which pumps 300W into 4ohm. It really opened the Lsi-9s up.
Thanks a lot for your help
It currently uses the following gear:
Polk Lsi-9 - front left and right
Sunfire HRS-10 - Subwoofer
Pioneer VSX-53 - Receiver, powers surrounds only
Emotiva XPA-3 - Power amplifier for left, right and center
Of course, there are also the center and surround speakers, but they are beside the point here.
I like the Lsi-9s. They are terrific speakers. But now i am beginning to like the Lsi-25s even more. I have never auditioned them, but i am trying to get that arranged. I may get them but only if they will improve quality of the sound even further.
Here is the question. Are Lsi-9's tweeters and midrange drivers identical to Lsi-25's? If they are, then I dont need to upgrade them because Lsi-25's bass driver is not as good as the 1,000W HRS-10 Sunfire subwoofer, plus Polk's amp is limited to only 150W of internal amplification.
If the 25s, on the other hand, have better tweeter and midrange - look identical to Lsi-9's, though - then I need to go with the Lsi-25.
They 3 fronts are powered by an Emotiva XPA-3 power amp which pumps 300W into 4ohm. It really opened the Lsi-9s up.
Thanks a lot for your help
DAC: Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ || Processor: Marantz AV8801 11.2 Ch || Power Amp: Audio Research Reference 75 (75W tube) || Speakers: Magnepan 3.5R / Focal 1037BE || Sub 1: REL 212/SE (1,000W). Sub 2: REL S/3 (400W). Sub 3: Sunfire TS-EQ12 (2,700W). || Cables: Cardas Clear, MIT Matrix & Terminator || Power: PS Audio PowerPlant P5 || Headphones: HifiMan HE560 || Turntable: Pro-Ject RPM5 w SoundSmith Zephyr MKIII || Phono: Gold Note PH-10 + PSU-10 .
Post edited by grigorianvlad on
Comments
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The LSi 9's are the top half of the LSi 15 and LSi 25. Your Sunfire is better than the 25's so I would stay with what you have. If anything look at the LSi 703's as they are better than the 9's."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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Thank you, EndersShadow.
That is the info I was looking for.
Regarding the LSi 703s. How are they better? The specs, the actual sound?
I have never heard them.
Thanks againDAC: Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ || Processor: Marantz AV8801 11.2 Ch || Power Amp: Audio Research Reference 75 (75W tube) || Speakers: Magnepan 3.5R / Focal 1037BE || Sub 1: REL 212/SE (1,000W). Sub 2: REL S/3 (400W). Sub 3: Sunfire TS-EQ12 (2,700W). || Cables: Cardas Clear, MIT Matrix & Terminator || Power: PS Audio PowerPlant P5 || Headphones: HifiMan HE560 || Turntable: Pro-Ject RPM5 w SoundSmith Zephyr MKIII || Phono: Gold Note PH-10 + PSU-10 . -
grigorianvlad wrote: »Thank you, EndersShadow.
That is the info I was looking for.
Regarding the LSi 703s. How are they better? The specs, the actual sound?
I have never heard them.
Thanks again
The 703's are a redesign of the 9's and many members like them much better. They are a 8 ohm load, feature a tweeter mid and bass speaker. You can look around the site for info or start another thread, but you will see lots of folks sold their LSi's and went to the LSiM's.
They have similar spec's but due to the redesign some like them LOTS better than the 9's. Polk took its time and did a good job at the new models and they are an improvement.
The 703's are the only bookshelf in the line and then it goes to the 705 (LSi 15 replacement) and 707 (LSi 25 replacement)"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
You could also have your crossovers modded.AVR-Onkyo TX-NR808
Front amp-Adcom GFA 555>Polk Audio LSi9's(Vr3 Castle Mods)
Center amp-Adcom GFA 5400>Polk Audio LSi9 bi-wired(Vr3 Castle Mod)
Surrounds-Polk Audio F/X500's<Onkyo TX-NR808
Sub-Velodyne SPL-1000R -
Does your center channel match?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 -
That is a good point, actually. No, center channel is a BIC VK-6LCR speaker. I should probably be concentrating on replacing the center, instead of the side speakers. The BIC sounds OK, a very sensitive speaker, frequency response is good, rated at 8ohm (Pioneer Elite receiver calibrates it accordingly). But Polk's LSIM704C or at least LSI-C would probably be much, much better. I have not heard either one, but my experience with the Lsi-9 has been simply an eye opener, especially with the power amp. I assume upgrading the center to a Polk speaker will bring it to life.
Incidentally, I wouldn't mind getting a third Lsi-9 to be used as a center. What do you guys think about that? Can a bookshelf speaker be used as a center with the same results as dedicated center speakers which were created specifically for dialogue?
Thanks for pointing the center out, 80% of a movie comes from it, after all. An important factor!DAC: Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ || Processor: Marantz AV8801 11.2 Ch || Power Amp: Audio Research Reference 75 (75W tube) || Speakers: Magnepan 3.5R / Focal 1037BE || Sub 1: REL 212/SE (1,000W). Sub 2: REL S/3 (400W). Sub 3: Sunfire TS-EQ12 (2,700W). || Cables: Cardas Clear, MIT Matrix & Terminator || Power: PS Audio PowerPlant P5 || Headphones: HifiMan HE560 || Turntable: Pro-Ject RPM5 w SoundSmith Zephyr MKIII || Phono: Gold Note PH-10 + PSU-10 . -
You could use a LSi 9 as a center, or 2 LSi 9's as a dual center (a forum member here has done this with his setup). At this point any LSi speaker will be harder to find given they are no longer for sale on Polks ebay website, however the LSi 9's are going to be easier to find than the center.
That said I believe a forum member here as a LSiC in decent condition he is looking to sell. If your interested let me know and I will put you in contact with him."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
The LSi9 can indeed be used for your center. The only problem you may run into is the enclosure is designed to be oriented vertically and you may or may not have the space/location to do that.
The LSiC has a slightly smaller internal volume than the LSi9 but the crossover has been adjusted accordingly and it is an exact timbre match for the who LSi* series.
The LSiC though is becoming harder and harder to find...I have 2 but am only using one and am trying to sell my spare but I am not here to pimp my stuff hehe just give some advice from experience.
If it were me facing the same dilemma (and the *only* LSis I don't currently own are the LSi7s), I would look into finding an LSiC and maybe ordering upgraded crossovers for all 3 mains from our very own VR3."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
Guess that's what happens when you get interrupted when posting...Dan comes and makes your post for you. LOL."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
Guess that's what happens when you get interrupted when posting...Dan comes and makes your post for you. LOL.
... I do what I can :biggrin: "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
I should probably be concentrating on replacing the center, instead of the side speakers.
Indeed you should.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 -
TI have 2 but am only using one and am trying to sell my spare but I am not here to pimp my stuff hehe just give some advice from experience.
No problem, pimp your stuff all you want. Nothing wrong with that. Pimping is an old and honorable profession, has been since time immemorial!
How do I PM you (or you can PM me)? Lets see if we agree on price. Also, please send her condition - packaging, manual, scratches on her (however small).
Thanks a lot, ZLTFULDAC: Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ || Processor: Marantz AV8801 11.2 Ch || Power Amp: Audio Research Reference 75 (75W tube) || Speakers: Magnepan 3.5R / Focal 1037BE || Sub 1: REL 212/SE (1,000W). Sub 2: REL S/3 (400W). Sub 3: Sunfire TS-EQ12 (2,700W). || Cables: Cardas Clear, MIT Matrix & Terminator || Power: PS Audio PowerPlant P5 || Headphones: HifiMan HE560 || Turntable: Pro-Ject RPM5 w SoundSmith Zephyr MKIII || Phono: Gold Note PH-10 + PSU-10 . -
if you can integrate the lsi9s well with the sub, then keep what you have now. you're downgrading if you go with the lsi15/25 route.
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Sent you a PM...not sure if you can respond to it but I also sent you an email address you can contact me at."Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
This would be my suggestion to you in sequence of improved sound which happens to be in line with cost:
1. replace LSi9 with LSim 703. LSiM is in a different league than LSi. I have LSi25 and LSiM705 and the difference is very obvious.
2. replace LSi9 with LSi15 . LSi9 is not as transparent as either LSi 15 or 25.
3. upgrade XO in LSi9 with VR3. Worth every penny of it.
Also, upgrade the center as others alerady mentioned if you care more than just listening to 2ch music. I don't suggest LSi25 because you alreay have bass covered.- Online - Focal Solo6 BE, Polk PSW10, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP, Lenovo x220t
- Music/HT - Lsi25, Lsi9 (Vr3), Lsi7, LsiC, Pioneer SC-68 & BDP-62FD, PS3
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This would be my suggestion to you in sequence of improved sound which happens to be in line with cost:
1. replace LSi9 with LSim 703. LSiM is in a different league than LSi. I have LSi25 and LSiM705 and the difference is very obvious.
2. replace LSi9 with LSi15 . LSi9 is not as transparent as either LSi 15 or 25.
3. upgrade XO in LSi9 with VR3. Worth every penny of it.
Also, upgrade the center as others alerady mentioned if you care more than just listening to 2ch music. I don't suggest LSi25 because you alreay have bass covered.
I agree with #1, but I'd do 3 before 2. Unless of course he wants to buy my modded 15's:)Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
