LSiM706c or LSiM704c to pair with LSi25

cbpagent72

I have a pair of LSi25 speakers that i listen to 50% music and 50% HT. I am ready to break down and get a center channel and since there are not any new or refurbished LSiC speakers around I figured I would get either the LSiM706c or the LSiM704c. I know that they are not perfectly matched but I figure that since they both have the ring tweeters they would be the closest match to anything else. Does anyone have any ideas which one would be better matched or have you heard this combo before?

drummer86

The LsiCs pop up every once in a while. I don't think you'll have to wait that long and it should definitely be worth it. Will probably save you some dough in the long run as well and you'll wind up the the correct speaker for your setup. If you can't wait, go with the 706.

cbpagent72

I should also mention that I would prefer the 3 way sound of the LSiM series to the 2 way sound of the LSi series for the center. BTW, I forgot to ask this, does the cherry wood on the LSiM706c match the cherry wood on the LSi25 speakers?

pyrocyborg

From what I've seen (and it depends on your LSi's generation), the color isn't exactly the same between the two lines.

If my memory serves me right, LSiM are a tad more "orange" than their LSi counterpart, and have a glossy finish instead of the wood grain finish on the LSi.

However, unless you have some bright lights in your listening room, it shouldn't be much of a difference. Do you have any way to test it before buying it?

I bet voices will be clear coming from that speaker.

As for timbre matching, I don't know if it's going to change anything if you do not listening to SACD or DVD/Bluray concerts. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but the center channel will carry most of the characters voices and other speakers will carry sounds, music and ambiance. For the rare cases where a character's voice is coming from the sides to the center during a scene, there shouldn't be a lot of difference between those two speakers.

However, I didn't do a direct comparison of those two lines, so I may be wrong. However, even if there is a difference, it's probably as close as you can get.

Anyways, as drummer said, you could wait for a LSiC to pop on ebay.

ken brydson

[QUOTE=pyrocyborg;2023746



As for timbre matching, I don't know if it's going to change anything if you do not listening to SACD or DVD/Bluray concerts. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but the center channel will carry most of the characters voices and other speakers will carry sounds, music and ambiance. For the rare cases where a character's voice is coming from the sides to the center during a scene, there shouldn't be a lot of difference between those two speakers.


Anyways, as drummer said, you could wait for a LSiC to pop on ebay.[/QUOTE]

Have to disagree with you on this one. As you mentioned the voices are likely to come mostly from the center channel unless they are coming from the side (say off camera) which might be noticeable. To me the biggest reason to timbre match the front three is for when the soundtrack "pans" from side to side etc.

cbpagent72

pyrocyborg wrote: »

From what I've seen (and it depends on your LSi's generation), the color isn't exactly the same between the two lines.

If my memory serves me right, LSiM are a tad more "orange" than their LSi counterpart, and have a glossy finish instead of the wood grain finish on the LSi.

However, unless you have some bright lights in your listening room, it shouldn't be much of a difference. Do you have any way to test it before buying it?

I bet voices will be clear coming from that speaker.

As for timbre matching, I don't know if it's going to change anything if you do not listening to SACD or DVD/Bluray concerts. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but the center channel will carry most of the characters voices and other speakers will carry sounds, music and ambiance. For the rare cases where a character's voice is coming from the sides to the center during a scene, there shouldn't be a lot of difference between those two speakers.

However, I didn't do a direct comparison of those two lines, so I may be wrong. However, even if there is a difference, it's probably as close as you can get.

Anyways, as drummer said, you could wait for a LSiC to pop on ebay.

I don't really want to wait for the LSiC to pop up. I could end up waiting for quite awhile. I have found a new LSiM706c on Ebay for $750 but after looking at the specs on the LSiM704c it seems like it might match the LSi25's better. Correct me if I am wrong but I imagine that the 5 1/4" drivers on the LSiM704c might match up to the LSi25's the best. As far as the generation of my LSi25's, they are brand new not refurbished as of two months ago, I bought them from the Polk Ebay store. The cherry is kind of a dull varnish.

ken brydson

ken brydson wrote: »

Have to disagree with you on this one. As you mentioned the voices are likely to come mostly from the center channel unless they are coming from the side (say off camera) which might be noticeable. To me the biggest reason to timbre match the front three is for when the soundtrack "pans" from side to side etc.

Did you miss my post? Do you want the finish to match or the sound? Lsi's and LsiM's are 2 different animals.

cbpagent72

ken brydson wrote: »

Did you miss my post? Do you want the finish to match or the sound? Lsi's and LsiM's are 2 different animals.

Of course I want the sound to match but then again, I am not that much of an audiophile. I just like real clean sound and I assume the LSiM center is the closest match due to using ring radiator tweeters like the LSi series. I understand that it won't be perfect but I assume that it will be close, I know that the LSiM are 8ohms compared to the LSi 4ohms and that they are both 88db efficiency. What other center channel do you know of that uses a ring radiator tweeter? I feel that matching the tweeters is the most important part for the vocals, correct me if I am mistaken on that. I am open to getting a another product in the Polk line up or even a different brand but I have to assume that the LSiM will be the closet match. I was hoping that someone has actually heard the two lines together.

cbpagent72

DSkip wrote: »

Wait for an LSiC, or get a pair of 7's or 9's and use one for a center. Better yet, use both for over/under the screen. Don't mix the LSiM centers with LSi fronts.... they aren't a match.

I am searching the internet for an LSiC right now and so far no luck. I am going to call Polk tomorrow and see if they have a refurb somewhere.

txcoastal1

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/4312636265.html

cbpagent72

Awesome find, thanks.

PaulB

Hi,
I'm in the same boat: got LSi9's and wanted a LSiC.
Anyhow I just placed an order for a refurb of the LSiM 704c for just $425.
And lo and behold an LSiC popped upon E-Bay today, March 14th. But I didn't want to wait - especially with a chance of losing it. It's an auction ending on the 26th I believe.
Me

WLDock

LSiM704C and LSiC seem as if they are night and day difference in terms of sound. Also, many are not too fond of the LSiC in general mated with the LSi towers. So, who knows how well it will work?

Anyway, the LSiC do pop up on CL. You never know who will ship unless you ask....many will!

http://ventura.craigslist.org/ele/4903416185.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ele/4905513103.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/ele/4827863645.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/ele/4843258920.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/ele/4926921455.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/ele/4931357376.html

ZLTFUL

The biggest thing that people forget to consider when "matching" the LSis to the LSiMs is that the tweeter may be the same design, a radial ring, but they are from 2 completely different OEMs.

Then you consider than there is more than most people realize when you mix 4 and 8 ohm speakers than simple impedance difference.