Lsi7's setup isn't working
salty-skin
Posts: 7
Hi
I was excited to purchase a pair of Lsi7's to replace my front mains yesterday. They were refurb's and I got a deal.
I set them up and set my amp to drive the mains at 4 ohms. Put it in stereo mode and sat down. My first listen was Aimee Manns Magnolia, it sounded great and I heard things I had never noticed before.
Next was a Jazz CD, the congos came through from the left speaker, the drums set from the right. The piano came from a center soundstage (perfect) but... it was muted and sounded as if it contained an echo. I thought perhaps it was the recording so I switched to...
Ralph Stanley's latest CD. Again the musical instruments are superb, but his voice is centered and very muted, falling away to where I have trouble making out the lyrics.
Next I tried Lord of the Rings intro in Dolby Digital. This doesn't work at all, I barely hear the musical score and the narrator is booming through the center. This continues and I call it a night.
I am guessing that the reduced efficiency of the Lsi's compared to the other speakers (the center in particular) make them incompatible for surround formats. I am also wondering about the midrange, or perhaps it the low midrange being so muted.
I may have to return them if I can't get them working better, hopefulyy someone on the forum can help me out!
Here's my system specs:
Amp: Yamaha RX-V1200
80W/channel @ 8 Ohms
It's got an impedence switch. I've moved it so it runs like this:
Channel Ohms
A-R 4
A-L 4
C 6
R-R 6
R-L 6
Center CS400
Rears RT5
Any suggestions?:D
I was excited to purchase a pair of Lsi7's to replace my front mains yesterday. They were refurb's and I got a deal.
I set them up and set my amp to drive the mains at 4 ohms. Put it in stereo mode and sat down. My first listen was Aimee Manns Magnolia, it sounded great and I heard things I had never noticed before.
Next was a Jazz CD, the congos came through from the left speaker, the drums set from the right. The piano came from a center soundstage (perfect) but... it was muted and sounded as if it contained an echo. I thought perhaps it was the recording so I switched to...
Ralph Stanley's latest CD. Again the musical instruments are superb, but his voice is centered and very muted, falling away to where I have trouble making out the lyrics.
Next I tried Lord of the Rings intro in Dolby Digital. This doesn't work at all, I barely hear the musical score and the narrator is booming through the center. This continues and I call it a night.
I am guessing that the reduced efficiency of the Lsi's compared to the other speakers (the center in particular) make them incompatible for surround formats. I am also wondering about the midrange, or perhaps it the low midrange being so muted.
I may have to return them if I can't get them working better, hopefulyy someone on the forum can help me out!
Here's my system specs:
Amp: Yamaha RX-V1200
80W/channel @ 8 Ohms
It's got an impedence switch. I've moved it so it runs like this:
Channel Ohms
A-R 4
A-L 4
C 6
R-R 6
R-L 6
Center CS400
Rears RT5
Any suggestions?:D
Post edited by salty-skin on
Comments
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I wouldn't think this would be absolutely necessary where only the mains are in play ( stereo ) but have you properly set the levels of the speakers using an SPL meter so that identical volume levels are coming out of your mains, center and surrounds ?
What are you using for a center speaker ? -
Good question. Due to time constraints I didn't use my sound meter but leveled them by ear for the first pass. I had to drop the center level by 5.5dB.
The center is a polk cs400.
The rears are also adjusted due to placement and they are between 1.5 and 2.5 dB dropped wrt the mains as well.
My thoughts are that the leveling only works at one dB level, due to the differing efficiency levels of the speakers. -
Try turning off the 4 ohms switch. They're made to keep the receiver from overheating but at the same time it is limiting the power output. The LSi7 are propbably starving.
Try it with the switch at 8 ohms BUT watch your volume. Start low and if the receiver begins to overheat, you're pushing it too hard.
I once powered my LSi9 using an Onkyo TXDS-575 and didn't have a problem with the mids.
Good luck
Maurice -
That's an idea but it sounds risky. I wouldn't know if I was overheating to begin with. Even if I had some sort of indication, I wouldn't want to run the thing hot all the time. I'd rather get different speakers if thats the only solution.
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its overheating if it's too hot to touch
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Sounds out of phase? just a thought- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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Originally posted by salty-skin
I'd rather get different speakers if thats the only solution.
80watts aint ****. you have a power problem IMHO.
trash a highly regarded speaker because of a yammy makes no sense.
twin***WAREMTAE*** -
Originally posted by salty-skin
My thoughts are that the leveling only works at one dB level, due to the differing efficiency levels of the speakers.
Hi salty,
I'm not sure I understand this comment. Your sound pressure meter doesn't care what the relative efficiency of each speaker is. It only measures the actual sound pressure levels being delivered at the meter location. This is what you want. After all your aim is to set all the levels to that same dB level.
Obviously your Yamaha will have to work harder for the less efficient speakers, but this isn't an inherent problem unless its not designed to handle the impedance of the speakers. Since it has variable impedance controls that's not likely a problem.
As PolkWannabie suggests, it would make sense to first balance the levels with a meter and see what it sounds like before jumping to any conclusions.
Larry -
I've had my old LSi7s hooked up to an HK 225 (45 watts per channel?) using a mismatched CSi30. I never had the problem that you're experiencing.
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I have to say the same thing.
I currently have my LSi7 hooked up to a Yamaha RXV-620. I have never heard what Salty is explaining. Something is not right in his setup.
Salty are you sure that the Yamaha did not get switched somehow to Concert Hall mode, or one of those stupid **** modes that Yamaha packages with the receivers?? Thats what I think has happened. if you are hearing strange echo's, and the voices are off center...your in some type of different mode.
The Yamaha has no problem driving the LSi's in 4ohm mode. Despite what people may say. -
Hello....I guess I'm today's new guy! Just purchased a set of LSi7 speakers and a PSW303 sub. It's going into a 15X15 loft in our home for strictly music listening. Now that I have this set of equipment, I'm looking at upgrading my old Pioneer receiver to either a Denon DRA-685 (for two ch only) or a HTR from either Denon or Onkyo.
I'm not personally tied to either, I've read thru a lot of threads and these recievers seem to do Polk speakers justice.
Your comments, thoughts and suggestions are always welcome. -
Welcome to the Club Lanihu ...
What's your budget ? -
Looking to spend ~$700
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If you ask 10 people you'll probably get 15 recommendations ... Best one I can give you is go listen to the choices through the LSi7's ... take 'em with you if you have to ... they're small
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Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Sounds out of phase? just a thought
If the speakers were out of phase the stereo image would die and the sound would seem to float around the room.. and you might lose some bass.. but you wouldn't have a substantial reduction in overall volume -
Originally posted by PolkWannabie
If you ask 10 people you'll probably get 15 recommendations ... Best one I can give you is go listen to the choices through the LSi7's ... take 'em with you if you have to ... they're small
You're probably right PW....thanks for the confirmation. I'll take them in this weekend and give a listeniing test. I'll keep you all posted if interested.
