New lsi7's starting to break in!

madmax

I thought I heard something different yesterday with the 7's but I wasn't sure after a beer or two. (ok three but who's counting). Tonite I turned them on again expecting the same annoying smallness they always present but I was pleasently greeted with a much more open full sound. They are still in the process of breaking but we have hit a milestone!
I can't put my finger on it but since day one I've been more satisfied with the 7's than I was with the 9's or 15's. I know they don't go as low or whatever but they seem to be more uniform or smooth or something. I'm wondering if any others feel this way? I am very excited about these 7's whereas I just didn't even care to play around with the others. Sure, the price was right but I really don't think that has much to do with what I'm hearing. Another REALLY strange thing, they match nicely with the SDA's if I power them both up at the same time. The 9's and 15's didn't.

Anyone else have any new experiences to share on the 7's?

madmax

DarqueKnight

I used a pair of LSi9s in my office rig at work. I could never get them to sound quite "right", even after break in. I experienced a little boominess in the bass. The 7s sounded much fuller and clearer with no boominess whatsoever. It took the 7s about a week to break in.

madmax

Hi raife,
I was thinking about you earlier this evening. My thoughts were that although I am for sure going to mod my 1.2's then the SDA-SRS with good caps I wondered what raife would think of starting off with something really small like the 7's just to get my feet wet... Do you think there would be the possibility of benifit to upgrade the caps in the 7's?? It is a small job and might give me the incentive to complete the big SDA projects. I guess it could back fire and I would not hear an improvement. What do you think?
Thanks!
madmax

DarqueKnight

The crossover components of the LSi series are said to be of very high but not premium quality. I have not modded an LSi speaker so I really can't say what the result would be. I'd be interested in finding out.

I have modded other Polk speakers (RT-55i, CS-400i, and RT-35) and heard an improvement. One thing to consider about the LSi series is that the crossover circuit boards are tiny, which could present some interesting challenges to placing larger, premium crossover components.

madmax

Originally posted by raife1
One thing to consider about the LSi series is that the crossover circuit boards are tiny, which could present some interesting challenges to placing larger, premium crossover components.

That is no big deal. If need be I'll have a board shot. Not really but I could. Good point. I'll take a look at it. BTW, something you might want to look into at some point is pcbexpress.com, or was it expresspcb.com. Whichever, you can lay out your own board easily and receive maybe three of them for $50. Just a good thing to know about if you start to go a little crazy. I used their free internet pcb service to lay out a fairly complicated design lately and it was very cheap and easy!
Thanks!
Chuck

DarqueKnight

That's a great tip. Thanks.

wrxmy02

Have 2prs of the 7's. I found when they go past the breaking point it was a rather quick change. More depth and much better blending across 2 channels and 5.1.

steveinaz

It's so much easier to design a solid 2-way than anything else. I think the overall smoothness you're hearing is attributed to this. I had many larger speakers that didn't sound as good as my Polk Monitor 5jrs!

madmax

As Michael Jackson says, Heh heh.
madmax

michael_w

I guess the lack of bass in the 7's keeps the mids and highs from getting muddled by overpowering lows which makes them sound a bit better to some people compared to the 9's and 15's. I have yet to hit a milestone with my pair but I'm thinking they will get there pretty soon. But then again I'm not quite running the crazy gear you guys have which lets you hear every little change. Bah just gotta wait and see.

madmax

This break in change is not little. Before break in most of the music is coming from each little speaker, after break in you cannot hear anything coming directly from the speaker unless of course that is the location it is supposed to be coming from.

mantis

Mad,
you don't like the 7's so just send them over here.I'll put them to good use.

Dan;)

michael_w

Originally posted by madmax
This break in change is not little. Before break in most of the music is coming from each little speaker, after break in you cannot hear anything coming directly from the speaker unless of course that is the location it is supposed to be coming from.

Wow I didn't think that break in was that big of a change.... Looks like I have a few more hours to break them in. I hope they break in soon cause I'm looking foward for them to make that change.

madmax

It takes awhile. 75 to 100 hours of decent volume for the LSi's. From now on I think I will buy used. I hate listening to them this way!
madmax

michael_w

Ok so it looks like I have a while to go since I have probably only put about 10 hours on them (at moderate volume anyways). Thanks for the info cause if you think they sound bad compared to when they are broken in I can't wait for them to get that good since I'm already liking the sound now.

scottnbnj

i don't know, for my 9's it's approaching 2 months and image is just starting to get tall around the speaks themselves and i don't have to concentrate to hear wider than the speaks.

the image started as a narrow band about the height of the speaks at first. then, center vocal images got dramatically tall and skinny, as though it was shaped like a plus sign. then filled out to a diamond.

or maybe the boy was just playing with the tone controls.

whatever,.. i'm gonna miss turning them on, not knowing what's coming next.

)

scottnbnj

Originally posted by michael_w
Ok so it looks like I have a while to go since I have probably only put about 10 hours on them (at moderate volume anyways).

i don't know how big your room is or what moderate is for that matter, but, i'm thinking it could take forever at wimpy spl's.

the pattern is clear to me now. when i don't manhandle them there is never a big rapid change, instead it's subtle and very gradual at best. when i get rough with them, sometimes there is an excellent present waiting for me the next day.

)

madmax

Mine are getting a little larger every evening. The LSi15's were very quick, like a few hours once they started. These 7's are bit by bit. I guess there is less pressure issues going on inside with only one little woofer which probably has something to do with it. BTW, Did someone say these lack bass?? I'm fairly impressed with the bass. The 9's sounded a little lacking in my opinion but then I never did break them in before I sold them.
madmax

Dr. Spec

My 7's are opening up really nicely. They just sing with 300 watts per, and I'm amazed at how "big" of a speaker the diminutive 7's really are.

michael_w

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
My 7's are opening up really nicely. They just sing with 300 watts per, and I'm amazed at how "big" of a speaker the diminutive 7's really are.

Yeah I think I could do myself a huge favor if I got some decent power for them. Make them much better if I moved to seperates and actually bought a decent cd player lol.

madmax

I'm using the Sunfire 300 which is 300 watts per channel as well. That seems to be a good match for them. They sound like very large speakers right now. What you will notice is that having more power makes them sound bigger, not louder. As a matter of fact you may perceive them as louder with a smaller amp. Weird.
madmax

Steve@3dai

Well, I've had my 9s from the beginning and once broken in they are a very impressive speaker. I constantly get complements on the clarity, soundstage and bass reproduction.

I just ebay'd a pair of 7s yesterday, so we'll see how they compare. I'm going to use them as a very nice bedroom system. More than likely get a Rega Brio, Rotel RA-01/02, or Arcam A65 Plus to run them.