LSi9 setup as large, any potential damage?

polkatese

So, I am rearranging my setup. I've been thinking of getting another sub for my 2 channel setup: LSi9/RSX1065/563A-S since subjectively I feel that LSi9 can use a bit of oomph down there.

I swap the 9 with the 15 for two channels an 9 for main HT, which has a sub. The outcome is actually very acceptable (better than I expected, should have thought and try this before). One thing that I notice is I do missing a big speaker sound on the main system. Specifically in the midrange area. But, is good enough. The 2 channel system with 15 gives me a much better soundstage, very cool.

Now, on the HT, if I set 9 as small, I can feel that the overall sound is not as great as before. So, I played around with the setting, and set it as large. Now, it sounds almost comparable to before, but I am afraid that I might fry the 9 by setting it as large. My listening habit is not excessive (i.e. -15 dB tend to be the loudest level that I ever played the music/movie on).

Has anybody else try this? If so, what is your experience? thanks...

shack

Contrary to what most everyone here tells me I "should" do, I have always set my fronts and center to LARGE (RT55is and CS400i). I tried it both ways several times since so many folks kept saying that small was better and to let my sub do the work below 80Hz. I still prefer the front soundstage set to large. I don't think that it will hurt the speakers unless you really crank them up. I may be wrong on this...but I believe that most of the real LFE is still going to the sub when using a 5.1 source and the mains are set to large.

polkatese

Thanks, Shack! I hear you...

oh wth, I now officially don't have Bass Management issues since all my speaks are large

I put on Night Sessions by Chris Botti to experience all large setting, will report back....

this can be interesting!

Frank Z

Try poping in Blue Man Group, I don't think you'll keep 'em set to large for very long. Sending the low frequencies to the sub will free up the 9's to better reproduce the mid's and highs.

polkatese

don't have that one, Frank...any good?

I am actually still enjoying my two channels with the 15, should have bought two pairs when I did it...

Frank Z

Oh yeah, Get the first DVD-a they put out. A serious bass workout!! The first track will blow your mind!

pjdami

hey Polkatese,

I ran my LSi 9s full range for quite a while with the Rotel 1055. Sometimes I would put the volume at 60 / 90 max (really loud); no problems. With the B&K my limit is also -15 db (loud too).

Yeah, I got the sense that with a "large" setting the LSi 9 sounded more "fuller"; but I found, for me at least, that if I put it on "small" and used the sub it didn't sound as full but cleared up the heaviness in the mids like Frank said. There was something about the "double" bass when set on large that sounds appealing at first... but after a while you may notice the heaviness that it also creates. But do what you think sounds best for you..these things are often also affected by the room environment too.

polkatese

Frank,
I'll put it on my list and check it out, thanks

Paul,
Interesting, good point, perhaps I am trying to recreate my sound based on 15 as the main. I'll spend some time with this and let you know what's the true difference on this.

TroyD

small or large is a mixture of personal preference, quality of your amp and quality of your sub. It's not one size fits all.....

Figure out which you prefer (you aren't going to damage anything) and then Ronco that ****, set it and forget it.

BDT

cmy330go

I agree with troy. This is a matter of personal preference, and weather or not your receiver has the oomph it needs to feed those 9s at higher levels.

If you are still concerned about this he is my suggestion.

Set your fronts to large and leave the sub enabled on the receiver. Then turn the power off to the subwoofer or unplug it. No put in a demanding dvd and play the system at the volumes you normally listen. If you don't here any distortion from the 9s you should be in good shape.

Hope this is helpful.

polkatese

thanks all for the feedback!

So far, I've spend more time on music than movies. Tried SPR last night, and can't really tell the difference (with the 15 as the main)at my typical volume level. There is no noticeable difference in the amp. volume level. My B&K amp has not show any straining symptoms at -15dB, so it helps alleviate my earlier concern.

Paul,
I'll continue to play around with the speaker settings for a while and see if I can detect heaviness in the mid.