Is there a bookshelf upgrade to the lsim 703?

Lan077

This seems like a pretty objective forum so interested in what might be an upgrade. I do love the 703s, and have failed to find anything better on several models with "retail" prices between $1K-2K.

Has anyone actually heard a bookshelf that beats the 703s? For instance the KEF R300s tend to sell a few hundred dollars more, and are also a big 3 way bookie. But don't have a local dealer who has them.

Nightfall

Depends on your tastes. What do you wish the 703's did better? What do you like about them?

Lan077

I like everything about them Nightfall, and can't really see any weaknesses. But I also once owned Energy RC10's and at that time didn't think there could be much room for improvement

So I just want to hear from users who heard enough difference, bit the bullet, and "upgraded".

Nightfall

What's the rest of your equipment like? Perhaps some gear or cable upgrades would scratch that itch?

F1nut

Has anyone actually heard a bookshelf that beats the 703s?

Yep, the Joseph Audio Pulsars.

deronb1

The new Martin Logan XT series is getting very good reviews. As mentioned, Wilson Audio as well as Dali, Dynaudio, NHT, B&W....really too many to mention. Have to find the sound and synergy that works for you. If you love what you have, why change?

tonyb

Your going to get a gazillion answers on that open ended question. Maybe narrow it down some to a budget but still....a very subjective question like that leaves lots of room for interpretation.

voltz

Now that I own some 703's & have listen to Skip's "Usher Mini-X's" yes the are in a different league to the 703 which I really do like.

Now my favorite Bookie is my CRS+'s they are bookies aren't they?

Lan077

DSkip wrote: »

Twice the price but definitely the better speaker. One of the finest bookshelves I've laid my ears on. Easy to drive as well.

Sonus Faber yes? I think I would have to put the brakes on at $2000 though

EndersShadow

Lan077 wrote: »

DSkip wrote: »

Twice the price but definitely the better speaker. One of the finest bookshelves I've laid my ears on. Easy to drive as well.

Sonus Faber yes? I think I would have to put the brakes on at $2000 though

No Usher Mini-X

voltz

^^^
And better looking too!

deronb1

There is a pair of mini x on agon for 1,900. Waco, TX. Free stands with local p/u too.

mantis

I really like the LSIM703's. I feel they are a wonderful speaker anywhere near their price point. With that being said YES there are tons of speakers that are better IMO then the LSIM703.
I'll start with the Totem Rainmakers. I find the Rainmakers to be more detailed, more clear and have better Imaging. The Bass is a toss up in the ability to dig deep but a Bookshelf I'm not looking for that anyway. If I was running a pair of bookshelf speakers, they would be mated with a great Musical subwoofer and let them do what they do best.
Honestly anything From Totem competes with the LSIM's all day every day.
next up would be offerings from B&W. Just go listen to all their bookshelf speaker and realize why in the industry they are considered the reference standard in speakers.
I could go on and on about bookshelf speakers that I feel are better then the LSIM703's but I'm not here to give them a beat down. I like them to much to sit here and kick at them.

sgtmick63

I'm in a similar position as Lan077. Although I love the 703's I still feel something is missing with them and I quite can't put my finger on it. I have added a Parasound A 31, Emotiva XMC 1, Parasound 275 v.2, Oppo 95, Audioquest chocolate hdmi's. The 703's sound better but something is missing. I am looking at spending up to $3000.00 for new bookshelves. All my connects are audioquest also.

tonyb

sgtmick63 wrote: »

I'm in a similar position as Lan077. Although I love the 703's I still feel something is missing with them and I quite can't put my finger on it. I have added a Parasound A 31, Emotiva XMC 1, Parasound 275 v.2, Oppo 95, Audioquest chocolate hdmi's. The 703's sound better but something is missing. I am looking at spending up to $3000.00 for new bookshelves. All my connects are audioquest also.

Can I take a guess at what your missing ?

Musical tone and weight to the notes with a high end that gets somewhat irritating as the volume goes up ? A little thin sounding ?

msg

tonyb wrote: »

sgtmick63 wrote: »

I'm in a similar position as Lan077. Although I love the 703's I still feel something is missing with them and I quite can't put my finger on it. I have added a Parasound A 31, Emotiva XMC 1, Parasound 275 v.2, Oppo 95, Audioquest chocolate hdmi's. The 703's sound better but something is missing. I am looking at spending up to $3000.00 for new bookshelves. All my connects are audioquest also.

Can I take a guess at what your missing ?

Musical tone and weight to the notes with a high end that gets somewhat irritating as the volume goes up ? A little thin sounding ?

Tony, can you speak further to this, please?

mantis wrote: »

Totem Rainmakers. I find the Rainmakers to be more detailed, more clear and have better Imaging. The Bass is a toss up in the ability to dig deep but a Bookshelf I'm not looking for that anyway. If I was running a pair of bookshelf speakers, they would be mated with a great Musical subwoofer and let them do what they do best.
Honestly anything From Totem competes with the LSIM's all day every day.

Interesting on the Totems. I also didn't realize they so "affordable".

tonyb

Point being gents, is it's not the speakers but the sound signatures of everything connected to them. Imho anyway, what I described as my guess was the combination of the Emo/Oppo and audioquest cables. Basically a synergy thing.

Keep in mind I'm guessing here by my own observations of said gear. Also SgtMick I'm guessing has an older set of ears which may also contribute to what I think the sound is he's looking for.

txcoastal1

These are a lot of fun
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649205570-dynaudio-contour-s14-gloss-rosewood/

sgtmick63

You are right tonyb. Close to 70 years old. Just retired from a New York law enforcement agency this past Wednesday. Did a year in Vietnam in the late 60's. Do I have ringing in the ears, you betcha. Does my wife kept nagging me to get my hearing checked, you betcha. I still think I'm 18. Tonyb, is there any help for old ears? I still love my music.

F1nut

Point being gents, is it's not the speakers but the sound signatures of everything connected to them. Imho anyway, what I described as my guess was the combination of the Emo/Oppo and audioquest cables.

Bingo!

tonyb

sgtmick63 wrote: »

You are right tonyb. Close to 70 years old. Just retired from a New York law enforcement agency this past Wednesday. Did a year in Vietnam in the late 60's. Do I have ringing in the ears, you betcha. Does my wife kept nagging me to get my hearing checked, you betcha. I still think I'm 18. Tonyb, is there any help for old ears? I still love my music.

LOL, had a feeling my good man, count both of us in that old **** category. Now, depending on budget I can suggest a few things but I need to know more about the type of music you listen to, how you have things wired up and what specific cables your using right now. I'm not half bad at figuring out what goes with what, and obviously it comes down to preferences, but old ears I've learned don't stray much from certain preferences.

sgtmick63

I will be getting back to you tomorrow or sunday

vmaxer

Interesting thread, I have 703's and really have no complaints but will be reviewing this thread for pointers.

Mikey081057

A VR3 upgraded pair of 703's that were purchased on F&F and then upgraded by Trey. But alas I'm afraid Trey upgrades will be difficult in the future.

sgtmick63

I looked into VR3 doing the upgrade. The cost was more than What I paid for them. I brought a pair of lsi7's of off ebay this past summer to have then modded by Trey. I guess all that's on hold now

tonyb

sgtmick63 wrote: »

I looked into VR3 doing the upgrade. The cost was more than What I paid for them. I brought a pair of lsi7's of off ebay this past summer to have then modded by Trey. I guess all that's on hold now

Trey doing upgrades has no bearing really. He will only make the speakers sound better than the originals if that is your goal.

However, while speakers themselves play a big part in the final sound, it's not all just them doing the heavy lifting. Pairing up components, cables, speakers is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle to create the picture of sound that pleases you.

Thing is, we all have a different picture of sound we look for, so what works for one may not for another. We both aren't too far off age wise, so I have some idea of what your looking for but need a bit more info.

Types of music you enjoy, are you using the OPPO's dac or the Emo's ? Which Audioquest cables are you using ? Is your room big/small, speakers in there now ? You using a subwoofer ? How far do you sit from the speakers ?

Nightfall

sgtmick63 wrote: »

I guess all that's on hold now

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tonyb

Mick,
If you could post a pic of the room and the gear in it, that would also help.

sgtmick63

Talk about being old, I realized last while watching my Mets hammer the royals!!!!! That I had forgot to do the audio setup for the XMC-1. The first XMC-1 I purchased in Aug arrived with a dead sound board. After calling Emotiva we went thru numerous checks before determining that the sound board was dead. Thay sent me a new one. After getting all rapped up in my retirement paperwork I forgot to do the Dirac setup. They say the first thing to go when you get old is your mind and the second is aaaaaaaa, I forgot what were talking about already. heh heh. I will try getting the Dirac going the next couple of days. So thanks you very much guys for your support. In the meantime, LETS GO METS!!!!!!!!!

tonyb

No worries Mick, heck I forget to put on clothes half the time and lock myself out of my own house more times than I care to admit.

Setup and configuration was going to be one of my other questions. If your using the automatic setup on the Emo, don't be afraid to adjust a few parameters if the sound isn't to your liking. Sometimes the automated software doesn't always get things right.

Let us know how it turns out and if you still need help, we're here.

Go Royals !! LOL....Sorry bro, lived in KC for awhile way back when I had hair and an addiction to BBQ.