LSi 9 review

paymontana

I purchased my 9's last October and since then I have toyed with them in various set ups. First I powered them with my Denon 3803. They sounded extremely sharp. So sharp that it made me wonder what I spent my money on. Then on the advice from this forum I purchased A B&K 125.5. This was a tremendous improvement but I still wasn't 100% convinced. My third step was to add a SACD player. Now I was beginning to see the light. IMO the SACD increased the mid-range performance. Eliminating some of the brightness. I knew what I had spent my money on.

Just this week I bought another 3 channel B&K amp. I used it to bi-amp my mains(9's) and my center. Giving each channel 360wts/ch@4ohms. I bi-amped the left channel first and did a little comparison. I noticed some improvement but with out isolating each channel it was har to seperate the two. So I bi-amped both sides and put in a vocal I was familiar with (Turn the page. Don't be silly. of course The B.S. version). WOW! Everything came alive. Very impressed and 100% sold.

I have yet to sample the new amp on ht yet. I'll post when i do. In a nutt-shell. I can't express the importance of ample power with theses speakers. I have heard a few complaints about 9's and now I know why. I wouls say no less than 185wts@4ohms on these speakers. The other thing is the break-in period. I would say mine didn't start to break until around 75-100hrs. There was definately a night and day difference when it did happen.


I had bought the second amp for my rear surrounds but i don't think that is going to happen. My next tweek is to sample some quality inter-connects. Any sugestions?

This is just my opinion and in my mind my first real audio contribution to the forum. I hope it helps someone.

CJ

pixiedave

I love my 9's. They do take a while to break in. Mine ae run as speaker B fronts, and after a month of playing both A and B's (a's are LSi'15) I switched to just B's the 9's and I was amazed by the sound.
If I had to choose between the 15's and 9's for music, I would go with the 9's. Amazing speakers! I need to save up for a good pre and amp for a two channel rig, driving the 9's

smglbrth

Glad to hear that you're in your own "sonic nirvana"! I agree that most people don't exactly know what raw power can do for a system.

I like Signal for IC's but there are MANY differences of opinion. At least with Signal you have a 30 return policy in case it just doesn't work for you.

Enjoy!!

polkatese

thanks for sharing, pm! I am glad you have found your audio nirvana. Btw, what is the main sonic changes you notice as you bi-amp the 9? I found mine completely satisfying as is, and the biggest changes, as you found out too, having a great source is key.

paymontana

I lack the technical terms to explain it sonicaly but in laymens terms. It was definately the midrange. The highs and lows were always there. I noticed the vocals and instrmentals became more crisp. I like the song Turn the Page for a demo because of the solo sax and bass guitar. Plus the little pauses and silences. IMO sometimes what you don't hear is just as important as what you do hear.
I know you guys are going to laugh but the very next song I demo. was Celein Deion 'It's all coming back to me now" With the low drums and that voice, man can she drive a set of tweeters.
Excellent test of range.
I had posted complaining about the sharpness of them. Part was room condition. Breaking in period was a factor. So was source, wich was surprising. My previous cd player was a yammie natural sound. That second amp was just icing on the cake. When I bought my lsi 9's I had no clue what I was getting into. Several times I was ready to hang it up. I am now glad I stuck it out. Power+Source= Smiles like the butchers dog on T-bone night.




CJ

F1nut

For IC's I recommend MIT Shotgun S1's.

Steve@3dai

Originally posted by paymontana
I wouls say no less than 185wts@4ohms on these speakers.

Nice review, and I hope you get a lot of sit down time in front of them, they are beautiful speakers.

But I disagree with your above statement. I only run like 90watts@4ohms to the 9s,C, and FXs and have no problems driving them loud and clean. I also more than likely have a smaller room than you do, but still.