LSi15 vs RTA11TL (w/mods)

skrol
skrol Posts: 3,391
edited December 2013 in Speakers
Folks
I am looking at a pair of LSi15's with woofer upgrade that might replace my RTA-11TL's w/mods. I have replaced the SL-3000 with RDO-198, upgraded the Caps to Clarity Caps, the resistors to mills and sonic barrier damping material.

Would the LSi15 be a significant upgrade?

I would be driving them with a Parasound HCA-800II.

Thanks
Stan
Stan

Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
Post edited by skrol on
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Comments

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,001
    edited November 2013
    I would go for the LSI's if it was me, but the 2 speakers have somewhat different sounds so it's a toss up if the 15's will please you more. Also, that amp is on the light side for LSI15's, so you may want to look at something a tad more beefier.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,391
    edited December 2013
    I did get the LSi15's and have been enjoying them quite a bit. Initially one had a modded XO and the other XO had signs of getting hot. I didn't know of the mis-match at first but could hear something odd. The un-modded speaker sounded surprisingly like my modded RTA-11TL and had good synergy when I had one of each connected, except I like the bass of the RTA-11TL better (fuller / cleaner).

    Fortunately, 2 stock XO's were included the deal. I installed both stock XO's. In the process, found that the DB-840 woofers were not seated fully. The synergy of the LSi15's with matching XO's (even stock) is a incredible. The mid through highs and imaging are definitely better modded RTA-11TL's away. The bass improved in the LSi15's after properly seating the woofers but I still prefer the bass of the RTA-11TL's. Long live the passive radiator. Overall though I have to side with the stock LSi's. I look forward to giving them the XO treatment to take them even further beyond. However, I'll enjoy them as is for now.

    Thanks for the guidance,
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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