LS90 speakers

Aaron · July 2001

Has anyone heard these speakers? Does anyone know the specs? They are pretty sexy-looking, and I'm wondering if they sound the same.

Aaron

CHRIS · July 2001

Hey Aaron
Yes-no-yes. They sound great, the last of the old breed of Polks. You should be able to search the specs from Polk or get someone with a Blue Book to look them up. They will be able to give you price and all. Whats with the questions about older Polks? Just curious.
Chris

Aaron · July 2001

I'm looking to add a stereo to my bedroom since my surround system is now in the living room. I'm trying to do it cheaply and still be satisfied with it, hence the used Polks. I think the RTA-11's and SDA-CRS's are probably the nicest speakers in my price range. But boy do those LS90's look sweet!

Aaron

TroyD · July 2001

....and yet you continue to use Bose for your rears....hmmmmmmmm.

Troy

RuSsMaN · July 2001

....very strange behavior....

Cheers,
Russ

Aaron, what is your price-range btw?

Aaron · July 2001

OK, I know you're just messing with me, but I'm going to explain myself again anyway. Affording a set of f/x 500's is no problem, it's just that my landlord will definitely not allow those fairly large speakers to be mounted on the walls. The cubes work out quite well and don't sound bad as rears. Besides, I watch at most one DVD a week.

Moving on to the bedroom system, I'm presently using my roommate's RTA-11T's with a Carver C-1 preamp and PM1.5 (425W) amp. I'm using my Sony ES CD player as the source. It sounds pretty good, but I wouldn't say I'm in love. (Check out the link to the picture below) I think my price range for a set of speakers is probably in the sub $300 range. I'd like to keep it as close to $200 as possible, but that's tough considering what it costs to ship speakers.

Aaron

Bedroom System

RuSsMaN · July 2001

GET THAT FAN OFF THE DAMN SPEAKER!!!!!

$200 is going to be a tough spot to fill, for something worthwhile.

And of course the whole 'shipping' thing throws a big wrench into it. You say this is your roommates system? What electronics are you planning on using for your own bedroom system?

R

TroyD · July 2001

....I'm going to say probably not. I remember a couple of pairs on ebay getting to like 400 or so. I could be wrong but I am thinking that they went pretty high.

Troy

CHRIS · July 2001

Your right Troy even the LS70s get up to $400. I've seen the LS90s going for even more then $500. When it gets close to the end of the bidding I think some people lose their minds.
Chris

Aaron · July 2001

The fan likes to be on the speaker, Russ. Actually that's about the only place for it, and it's not like it's hurting anything. I will admit that it does look pretty stupid. I was going to move it for the picture, but I was too lazy.

I don't expect to get LS90's for $300. RTA-11T's can be had for that, though. I'm really in no hurray to get anything and whatever I get I'll probably only have for this school year. Eh, maybe I'll keep it longer. I don't know yet.

As far as other electronics, I think I'll start out using my dad's old Sony components (120W amp and preamp combo). I'm not convinced that they sound quite right, but it's a start. Maybe I'll pick up some Carver stuff. I don't want to invest a lot of money into the system, though. I'll figure something out.

Aaron

Aaron · July 2001

Hey, I just realized that I'm now a Polkster!!! Sweeeeet!

Aaron

mjmcg · July 2001

I have brochures and reviews on them.

Aaron · July 2001

I'd be interested to see those, but it's no big deal. Do you have any of that stuff available on your SDA site? I'm most curious in the specs. Again, no big deal, just curious.

Aaron

mark k. anderson · July 2001

I used to own a pair of LS90's. I very much regret selling them off. They are a beautiful speaker (rosewood finish) with an equally pleasing sound.

They provide room filling sound without any harshness; effortlessly playing at high levels. Imaging is outstanding.

And, oh, that cool-**** tetrahedron shape. These are a classic.

mka

rory · December 2005

I am an owner of the classic LS90 tower speakers...about 10 years now. I still think they sound amazing and not sure I want to part with them. I keep reading about the new LSi series, how it's the best polk product to date, and it has me interested. I found a place that will send them to my door for $1279, which is cheaper than the average retail price of $1600 before shipping. I need to hear these things, but have been very busy now that my post-heart surgery is in it's final stages. Has anyone done a comparison of these speakers?

rory · December 2005

LSi15 vs LS90?
I am an owner of the classic LS90 tower speakers...about 10 years now. I still think they sound amazing and not sure I want to part with them. I keep reading about the new LSi series, how it's the best polk product to date, and it has me interested. I found a place that will send them to my door for $1279, which is cheaper than the average retail price of $1600 before shipping. I need to hear these things, but have been very busy now that my post-heart surgery is in it's final stages. Has anyone done a comparison of these speakers?

steveinaz · December 2005

Keep'm brother, that's a fantastic speaker. You anwered your own question:

"I still think they sound amazing and not sure I want to part with them."

Why mess with success?

ohskigod · December 2005

I have the LS90 and love em, but the only LSi I ever heard was the LSi7. this is a tough call, the problem is preference. you might get them and love them. I mean the LSi7;s I heard sounded amazing to me. but the overall sound (especially due to that vifa tweet) is nearly apples and oranges different from the LS90, which sounds more forward, as opposed to the laid back sound of the LSi series. this is the reason the LS90 is my theater speaker. I would prefer them to the LSi's for theater purposes, but for 2 channel I would prefer the LSi series.
hard to pass on that price though, I really wish you could here a pair. is there any stores near you that have em? this is one of those times where you have to follow your own ears.

ohskigod · December 2005

steveinaz wrote:

Keep'm brother, that's a fantastic speaker. You anwered your own question:

"I still think they sound amazing and not sure I want to part with them."

Why mess with success?

the man does have a point

rory · December 2005

I think your right. I also have the 350 LS center channel, and they rock together

criverajr · December 2005

Polksters,

I owned a pair and they were great. Had to play a little with placement as one said keep away from the walls but they sound awesome. I sold them to fellow polkster Ohskigod and sometimes wish I had kept them, but they look great in his setup. Need good clean power to drive them to their fullest potencial. I drove them with a Rotel amp as Lou does and they sound sweet. If you have a pair keep them.

CRj

rory · December 2005

yes a test is the only way. before i sell the 90s i will make sure the 15s are what i want. thanx so much guys!

rory · December 2005

without a doubt, they are pigs. But when the 90s get their juice, they are the bomb. under power or use crappy receivers with these monsters, and you will be blowing drivers left and right

ohskigod · December 2005

yep, good clean power is the order of the day with these

madmax · December 2005

rory wrote:

LSi15 vs LS90?
I am an owner of the classic LS90 tower speakers...about 10 years now. I still think they sound amazing and not sure I want to part with them. I keep reading about the new LSi series, how it's the best polk product to date, and it has me interested. I found a place that will send them to my door for $1279, which is cheaper than the average retail price of $1600 before shipping. I need to hear these things, but have been very busy now that my post-heart surgery is in it's final stages. Has anyone done a comparison of these speakers?

The LSi's are a step below the LS90's in my opinion. They sound great, don't get me wrong, but it would not be an upgrade.
madmax

LS90 speakers

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