Dual LSi9s?

Mazeroth

My brother really enjoys listening to music and when he does he likes it extremely loud. He’s looking to spend a few thousand on a new setup which he’ll be using only for 2-channel audio. Here’s my question…

He wants his 2-channel music to be LOUD, BUT clear. I was thinking maybe going with 2 LSi9s on top of each other. Is this feasible or just plain stupid? He’s well aware that he’ll need amps to power these and that’s not a problem for him. He listens to rock/metal with a little classical thrown in there. He loves the way my LSi15s sound but wants more volume. I’ve never really “cranked” my 15s but he could tell he would want more.

I’m welcoming any opinions you guys may have. Thanks!

PolkWannabie

More clean volume is about the efficiency of the speakers and how much power you throw at them ...

I'm not sure why he or you decided those were the wrong speakers for him if you didn't let him crank them to the point he wanted to hear them at unless you felt there wasn't enough headroom in the amp beyond where it was set. What am I missing here ?

Mazeroth

He likes to listen to music absurdly loud. I know 2 speakers like the LSi15s wouldn't suffice.

steveinaz

Want he wants is a high-efficiency design mated with a monster amp. 200 watts rms amp with a 92dB @ 1 watt speaker pair would render some pretty loud tunes in your average sized room...does that help?

I run 205 watts/rms with a pair of 93dB speakers, and I give in long before the system does...my room is 14' x 26'

Tell him to buy a Carver M500T and some Klipsch La Scala's, that'll peel the skin of his face!!:D

jdhdiggs

Try some of the big Klipsch speakers RF-7.. Good efficiency, great power handling...

Mazeroth

Ignore what I said above...

How would 4 LSi9s sound, 2 channel on top of each other? I don't quite care for Klipsch speakers and I don't think he will. Bear with me but just stick to my initial question...sorry

Dr. Spec

Ditto - Klipsch RF-7 with 200 watts of clean power will make your ears bleed.

organ

A pair of LSi9 will go very loud. If you're planning to use four, you'll have to spend quite a lot on amplification.

As good as the LSi9 is, they're not the right speakers if your brother wants it LOUD and listens to metal/rock. LIke others have already mentioned, try Klipsch. I have a pair of Klipsch RF-35 and Polk LSi9 set up in the same room. The Klipsch are 98db/w/m and is being powered by a 12w/ch tube amp. They will rip your ears off before the amp runs out of steam. If you want LOUD you need to look for high efficiency speakers.

Maurice

mantis

I say go commercial.Ev stage monitors and plenty of Sun power amps.

You will truely experience loud in the home.

cmy330go

In answer to your Lsi9 question, NO.

I have listened to 4 Lsi9s in a medium sized room with pretty strong amplification and it was loud but not loud like a your friend is going to want. I also have a set of Lsi9s on my HiFi setup with a Parasound Halo amp (200wpc @ 4ohm) and I would highly doubt that if I were to double power and add another pair of 9s that it would be as loud as a single set of 15's.

I do agree with the guys above. Klipsch would be one of my first suggestions. Some of the new RF series is not as harsh as some of the previous models.

If klipsch is totally out of the question, I would strongly recommend a set of RTi12s. I heard a set of these on a Yamaha Z9 receiver with a Peter Gabriel dvd and was very shocked. They can achieve incredible volumes and still maintain control. I can only imagine what they would sound like on a good strong amp.

Hope this helps

TheReaper

Originally posted by Mazeroth
How would 4 LSi9s sound, 2 channel on top of each other?

Personally, I agree with everyone else, get 2 good towers and blast your brother out of the house.

But, if you have the money to waste, and want to play around with 4 front speakers. I being a cronic speaker stacker, would suggest trying this. When stacking your speakers, instead of putting one on top of the other. Separate them vertically 2 or more feet, experiment to get the best distance for your room. Four speakers positioned correctly in a giant rectangle, will give a 'Wall of Sound' effect.

As someone said above, adding more speakers does not increase the volume as much as one would expect. Adding more speakers is for changing the image or other qualities of the sound.

madmax

You might want to look into some of the better JBL speakers as well. I heard a pair that ran me out of the room once.
madmax

jmierzur

Most of the energy in music is in the lower octives. If your brother likes the sound of LSi speakers, add a subwoofer (or two). Since this will be a dedicated two channel system, the sub will need a line level (RCA) crossover (or you can use an external crossover) so the amp is only required to amplify above the crossover point. There are many benefits to this approach that have been discussed in past threads and on other sites.

If your brother decides to purchase seperate components, my advice would be to not underspend on the pre amp. Often I hear that people are not happy with their system they spend lots of money on. Big amp, good speakers, good source, good wire... "But the pre amp only controls the volume". Makes me laugh ever time I hear it.

Since I did not have the room for a big box (PB2-Ultra), I added two SVS PC-Ultra's to my two channel/HT system (with LSi9's as mains). One of the better upgrades I made to the system.