LSIM 703 vs S20 bookshelf speakers
I have a full stack of Polk RTi series in my media room in the basement(7.2 and 2 for zone 2), love them so much that I want a pair of Polk bookshelves in my main floor. I want it for a 30 X 11 feet room, 8 feet height.
Would it be better to go for a brand new S20 or a resale Lsim 703.
Will be exclusively used for music and my listening preference is Calvin Harris, Kygo, Dua Lipa, Avici and the likes. Kindly recommend.
Would it be better to go for a brand new S20 or a resale Lsim 703.
Will be exclusively used for music and my listening preference is Calvin Harris, Kygo, Dua Lipa, Avici and the likes. Kindly recommend.
Best Answers
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Those LSiMs are really fun speakers, and my initial thought is to go in that direction. I think @msg compared the two directly and slightly preferred the 703s but it was closer than expected.
I will say that you need the right amp for the 703s to sound their best. Lots of guys like the little Dayens amps with them, I loved my Rotel RB-993 200 wpc...Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
I've had both here and it's not even close. The 703 is the better speaker.
Not only will you need a good amp, in a room that size you will need a sub. If you don't want a sub then consider the 705.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
There was a really good discussion thread going on the Signature Series when they released, and I had a chance to pick up a pair of the S20s from a member who received them in a Signature Series bundle, and only wanted to keep the mains.
The short version is that I'd been running LSiM 703s for a few years coming off a very short period of using RTi10 speakers for a few months, which I found painful for music.
I found the Signature S20s to be a very good combination system speaker, and that they were surprisingly good for 2ch as well, even not long out of the box. I remarked that had the Signature S20s been available at the time I got into this hobby and had I started with them instead of with RTi10s, I didn't think I would have fallen so deeply into the hobby because I would have been satisfied. The idea was that had I not known the experience of the 703s, I would have been perfectly happy with the S20s.
Both speakers were tested on the same system, which is my main space combo system, at the time set up for 2ch listening, and I'd occasionally bring in the sub. Base components are a Parasound Halo C2 processor and HCA-2205a amp.
@jsaldanha - if you want to get a sense for S20s vs 703s, I posted updates a few times over a few weeks with my impressions.
For a combo use system with budget constraints, the S20 is a really good speaker for both tv and music. For music only, though, as you've mentioned your plan to be, the 703 is definitely the better option. It offers refinements in the presentation that I noted in my comments on the thread. These were details and sensation that were missing in the S20 in a listening test with a friend who was looking to make a purchase. It wasn't difficult to hear the difference, but you'd have to be a person who listens for this sort of thing at that level. Bass performance though? No contest. 703 hands down. The 703 sounds big for its size. You won't believe the sound is coming from a bookshelf speaker at first.
This location in that thread will get you started if you wanted to skim my comments
https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/174277/polk-signature-series-official-discussion/p16I disabled signatures.
Answers
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100% agree with F1, who ever compared those two speakers and ended up resulting with a close race, was under powering them or using a dirty power source.
The whole LSIM line scales so much with better gear its crazy, The bass, mids and highs all sound so much more lively and imaging, separation, all of it gets better once you mate it with a solid amp. I still haven't found the ceiling with mine, its like night and day difference! -
Incorrect assumption, and no one used the term "close race".100% agree with F1, who ever compared those two speakers and ended up resulting with a close race, was under powering them or using a dirty power source.I disabled signatures.
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Incorrect assumption, and no one used the term "close race".
JayDog wrote: »
100% agree with F1, who ever compared those two speakers and ended up resulting with a close race, was under powering them or using a dirty power source.
"@msg compared the two directly and slightly preferred the 703s but it was closer than expected."
My point exactly, terms are like ridiculous opinions! we all have them and some of us cant help but share ignorant ones, like yours! but thanks for trying to sound intelligent..
I will avoid this thread from here on out, This MSG must really love reading his own posts to talk that much for No reason! Take care and stay happy! -
Incorrect assumption, and no one used the term "close race".
JayDog wrote: »
100% agree with F1, who ever compared those two speakers and ended up resulting with a close race, was under powering them or using a dirty power source.
"@msg compared the two directly and slightly preferred the 703s but it was closer than expected."
My point exactly, terms are like ridiculous opinions! we all have them and some of us cant help but share ignorant ones, like yours! but thanks for trying to sound intelligent..
I will avoid this thread from here on out, This MSG must really love reading his own posts to talk that much for No reason! Take care and stay happy!
WTF!?!Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Pipe down Jesse, I'm being celebrated in bold!I disabled signatures.
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That’s a ‘bold’ statement.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
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@JayDog dude, I think we got off on the wrong foot/had a misunderstanding.
But you took a bit of liberty with rooftop's loose quote of my experience with those speakers, and then you said I had a wimpy amp and dirty power. That really hurt my feelings, man.
You like LSiM, I like LSiM. And DSOTM.
Friends again? Cool. Whew, I'm glad we made up.I disabled signatures. -
Better than dirty amp/wimpy power.
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Oh man, that's just cold.
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If there had been a "hate you" reaction, I would have used it just now!What about scratched amp.
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Someone needs a Snickers.afterburnt wrote: »They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.
Village Idiot of Club Polk -
@msg
Honestly, I thought MSG was a review website or YouTube Channel, I didn't think you were a member here, either way, I wasn't taking a jab at you deliberately. No harm, no Foul.
I wasn't in feelings, but now that i reread your comment, I did take it a little harsh. My Bad!
but if you would of used the "the scratched amp" that might of took it to another level..glad it stayed civil... Cheers! -
Haha, that's funny, the review site or YouTube.
Alright, good stuff.I disabled signatures. -
Haha, that's funny, the review site or YouTube.
Alright, good stuff.
That’s it Scott a YouTube review site is your next great adventure!!!Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
This thread has made me want to review the S20 or the L200.
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@jsaldanha Have you had a chance to make a decision? Curious to hear how you end up and what you think once you get set up.
With your experience with 703s, you should definitely check out the L200s if you get the opportunity. I was surprised you didn't opt in for the demo.This thread has made me want to review the S20 or the L200.I disabled signatures. -
Yeah, I was too busy with other reviews at that time but now I'm ready to go.
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I would like some time with the L200 also, did somebody say demo program?
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The L200 demo program is long over. You can read the reviews here, https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/188179/polk-l200-speaker-demo-reviews/p1Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I got the 703's yesterday, took time to get new 703's. They are perfect. Mid's are so clear, vocals sound great. High's are sweet, not fatiguing, Bass is quite good too, considering its a bookshelf. Well balanced speaker. I may get my Polk Micropro 3000 hooked onto this setup, which is currently in my basement 7.2.2 Polk RTI setup and get a SVS SB 3000 to replace it in the basement.
Thank you all for pointing me to the great speakers. Sharing your expertise helps people like me make a great purchase without having to buy something not so great and regret it.
Regarding the L200, I have been a Polk fan for over 10 years, started with the RTI series for the basement HT(A9, C6, FX, 265-RT, micropro 3000), moved on to the LSIM with is purchase, even my wife loved the LSIM 703's. I may just about get the L200 for the 1st floor. Thinking of demoing them in Toronto after the lockdown. -
I got the 703's yesterday, took time to get new 703's. They are perfect. Mid's are so clear, vocals sound great. High's are sweet, not fatiguing, Bass is quite good too, considering its a bookshelf. Well balanced speaker. I may get my Polk Micropro 3000 hooked onto this setup, which is currently in my basement 7.2.2 Polk RTI setup and get a SVS SB 3000 to replace it in the basement.
Thank you all for pointing me to the great speakers. Sharing your expertise helps people like me make a great purchase without having to buy something not so great and regret it.
Regarding the L200, I have been a Polk fan for over 10 years, started with the RTI series for the basement HT(A9, C6, FX, 265-RT, micropro 3000), moved on to the LSIM with is purchase, even my wife loved the LSIM 703's. I may just about get the L200 for the 1st floor. Thinking of demoing them in Toronto after the lockdown.
They do have quite a rising High end though......
Not saying they do not sound good, but not what I would exactly call neutral either.
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Have you heard the 703’s?
