Will the LSI'S stay or go?

racer4551
racer4551 Posts: 373
edited December 2004 in Speakers
Well my local audio dealer has finally pushed me to an in my house demo of the B&W 700 series surround setup.The mains will be the 703's with the HTM7 for the center and the DS7 surrounds.They seem to think B&W will match better with my rotel gear.We did this one other time with klipsch and the polks won hands down,not even close.They are offering me a out of this world deal on the B&W setup which is almost half price.I told them i wanted to definatly do a at home demo before i decided.So here goes,thursday night.If i decide to buy the B&W setup,i will have my full 7.0 lsi setup for sale,so stay tuned for a update if interested.
*HT PRE-PRO*:Rotel rsp-1068, *AMP*:Rotel RMB 1095 *DVD PLAYER*:Denon 2200,*CD PLAYERS*,Arcam Alpha Mcd 6 disk carasel,Hughes Hdtv receiver, Hughes hdvr2,*MAINS*:Polk LSI 15'S, *CENTER*:Polk LSIC, *SIDE SURROUNDS*:Polk LSIFX,*REAR SURROUND*:Polk LSI 7'S,*SUB*:SVS PB2+*.MONITOR*:Mitsubishi ws48413 hdtv,Monsterpower hts2500X2,,Sony playstation2,Harmony sst-659 remote
Post edited by racer4551 on
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  • loup
    loup Posts: 15
    edited November 2004
    i'll take those lsi off your hand if you decide to go with other set. I'm in the mist of setting up my HT.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited November 2004
    I would be interested in the LSi as well.
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  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited November 2004
    That would be a tough one. While I haven't heard the Lsi's I have heard the B&W's from an Akron, Oh store and was very impressed with the sound from the two speakers that someone else was auditioning.

    Good luck
    Dave
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  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited November 2004
    Rotel and B&W are owned by the same parent company I believe. The 703s sound pretty good IMO. Is it better than LSI? Maybe. They sure look interesting. I think you are in a win win situation. :)
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • racer4551
    racer4551 Posts: 373
    edited November 2004
    Yes the B&W and rotel are actually owned by the same company and rotel also tests with B&W.Will definately be interesting to see how they compare.Not often you get to have an in house demo.
    *HT PRE-PRO*:Rotel rsp-1068, *AMP*:Rotel RMB 1095 *DVD PLAYER*:Denon 2200,*CD PLAYERS*,Arcam Alpha Mcd 6 disk carasel,Hughes Hdtv receiver, Hughes hdvr2,*MAINS*:Polk LSI 15'S, *CENTER*:Polk LSIC, *SIDE SURROUNDS*:Polk LSIFX,*REAR SURROUND*:Polk LSI 7'S,*SUB*:SVS PB2+*.MONITOR*:Mitsubishi ws48413 hdtv,Monsterpower hts2500X2,,Sony playstation2,Harmony sst-659 remote
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited November 2004
    What day does this glorious demo commence?
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  • racer4551
    racer4551 Posts: 373
    edited November 2004
    Looks like thursday night,will keep for a couple of days if needed to decide.
    *HT PRE-PRO*:Rotel rsp-1068, *AMP*:Rotel RMB 1095 *DVD PLAYER*:Denon 2200,*CD PLAYERS*,Arcam Alpha Mcd 6 disk carasel,Hughes Hdtv receiver, Hughes hdvr2,*MAINS*:Polk LSI 15'S, *CENTER*:Polk LSIC, *SIDE SURROUNDS*:Polk LSIFX,*REAR SURROUND*:Polk LSI 7'S,*SUB*:SVS PB2+*.MONITOR*:Mitsubishi ws48413 hdtv,Monsterpower hts2500X2,,Sony playstation2,Harmony sst-659 remote
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited November 2004
    I think he said Thurs. and to throw another iron on the fire Classe is the higher-end electronics of that company. I had the pleasure of hearing part of another customer's audition of classe electronics with the B&W 802's heaven. Just heaven.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited December 2004
    So how is the audition going?
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited December 2004
    I hope the LSi stays.... I love the LSi speakers!
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • racer4551
    racer4551 Posts: 373
    edited December 2004
    Been a very busy day,just got every thing setup at about 9:30pm,listening to some multi channel stuff right now,all i can say at this point is it takes one hell of a speaker to put the lsi's away.These B&W 's are amazing though,big soundstage,great seperation,excellent bass response .Going to keep this setup for a couple days to decide.Want to watch some movies and do some two channel listening also.Will keep everyone thats interested informed,stay tuned.
    *HT PRE-PRO*:Rotel rsp-1068, *AMP*:Rotel RMB 1095 *DVD PLAYER*:Denon 2200,*CD PLAYERS*,Arcam Alpha Mcd 6 disk carasel,Hughes Hdtv receiver, Hughes hdvr2,*MAINS*:Polk LSI 15'S, *CENTER*:Polk LSIC, *SIDE SURROUNDS*:Polk LSIFX,*REAR SURROUND*:Polk LSI 7'S,*SUB*:SVS PB2+*.MONITOR*:Mitsubishi ws48413 hdtv,Monsterpower hts2500X2,,Sony playstation2,Harmony sst-659 remote
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2004
    Hi Racer,
    There are 2 things to consider before you make your final decision.

    1) Your Rotel amp at 200 watts is just barely enough to feed the 703's. Even though the LSI's are 4 ohm and the B&W's are 8 ohm, the 703's have the FST midrange that requires a lot of power to really open up. To trually appreciate what the B&W's can do you need to have the extra headroom on the amp. This may blow your budget but appears to be the case with that speaker. The 704 on the other hand does not have the FST and would be ok with that amp. I have the B&W CDM7nt's (last generation of 704's), they sounded very good with Outlaw 200 watts, but incredible with Krell's 250's watts.

    2) New B&W's take a very long time to break in, more so than many other speakers. They recommend 200 hours or more for the drivers to loosen up. When they do, it is a big difference. Night & day. I would not want to see you return a set of speakers with a sour opinion without getting to really listen to them. You may run into that same setup later and be amazed at the sound, after you already declined them.


    The Lsi's are great speakers and should sound great with your gear. The B&W's are also great and I think when run with the right gear, are amazing.

    Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
    Jeremy
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  • racer4551
    racer4551 Posts: 373
    edited December 2004
    Shizelbs please email or pm me,your mailbox is full!
    *HT PRE-PRO*:Rotel rsp-1068, *AMP*:Rotel RMB 1095 *DVD PLAYER*:Denon 2200,*CD PLAYERS*,Arcam Alpha Mcd 6 disk carasel,Hughes Hdtv receiver, Hughes hdvr2,*MAINS*:Polk LSI 15'S, *CENTER*:Polk LSIC, *SIDE SURROUNDS*:Polk LSIFX,*REAR SURROUND*:Polk LSI 7'S,*SUB*:SVS PB2+*.MONITOR*:Mitsubishi ws48413 hdtv,Monsterpower hts2500X2,,Sony playstation2,Harmony sst-659 remote
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited December 2004
    Email sent!
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  • racer4551
    racer4551 Posts: 373
    edited December 2004
    Shizelbs,didnt get your email,sent you a pm.
    *HT PRE-PRO*:Rotel rsp-1068, *AMP*:Rotel RMB 1095 *DVD PLAYER*:Denon 2200,*CD PLAYERS*,Arcam Alpha Mcd 6 disk carasel,Hughes Hdtv receiver, Hughes hdvr2,*MAINS*:Polk LSI 15'S, *CENTER*:Polk LSIC, *SIDE SURROUNDS*:Polk LSIFX,*REAR SURROUND*:Polk LSI 7'S,*SUB*:SVS PB2+*.MONITOR*:Mitsubishi ws48413 hdtv,Monsterpower hts2500X2,,Sony playstation2,Harmony sst-659 remote
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  • Ceruleance
    Ceruleance Posts: 991
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by venomclan

    they sounded very good with Outlaw 200 watts, but incredible with Krell's 250's watts.

    Jeremy, not to burst your misinformation bubble or anything, but the increase in power from 200 to 250 watts provides an increase in volume headroom of about 4%. It is also only a factor if you are reaching transient peaks over about 111 dB, which for your sake I hope you are not. (based on 90 dB sensitivity of the 704). I am not saying the two amplifiers don't sound different, but it's not because of the headroom.

    On another note, Racer, if you decide to sell your LSi's I would be interested so shoot me a PM, and let me know what part of OH you are in.
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  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    edited December 2004
    Whatever the outcome, I'm very envious of the opportunity. Testing speakers in the home with some nice equipment makes for some serious entertainment. That's why Polk shootouts are such a good time.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited December 2004
    Dear Ceruleance,
    Thank you for your post. The reason I mentioned that the Rotel may not be "enough" for the 703's is because I am familiar with that amp. I agree that watts alone mean very little in our long-time non-regulated hobby, amps of exact power ratings in watts can differ greatly as you know.

    A typically "ideal" amp will double in power as its load is halfed. The Outlaw 200 watts/8 ohm, 300 watts/4 ohm.
    Comparing to the Krell, 250watts/8ohm, 500/4 ohm.

    I am very familiar with B&W and Rotel. They are made by the same company and mate very well together. However, when you get into the upper end B&W's, Rotel's are rarely used. Usually Classe, Mac's, Krell, Marantz, etc. amps are used. Not to spend more money, but because they make a very big difference. As you will agree, there are many 100 watt amps on the market that will crush other amps rated 5 times as much in watts.

    I tend to use headroom as a loose term. Not necessarily meaning watts only.

    I was trying to help Racer make a more informed choice between the 2 speakers. To let him do his own research and find whats best for him.

    I find it funny when some people who use mid-fi receivers upgrade their speakers and say that the new and much better speakers do not sound as good as their old ones. I assume that if you were to purchase your Lsi's from Racer, that you would not use a receiver to power them. I also assume that you know why not. And that is the point I am making with the Rotel and the 703's...
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2004
    If anyone ends up with those babies and has a CSi40 that they want to unload, let me know!
    Thanks
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • gwh
    gwh Posts: 1,451
    edited December 2004
    Looks like the LSI’s went straight to the bay.
    HT:
    Martin Logan Motion 40
    Martin Logan Motion 50XT
    Emotiva Airmotiv E2
    SVS SB16 Ultra
    Def Tech Reference Sub
    Yamaha RX-A3070

    Signal Cable speaker wires & interconnects.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited December 2004
    LSi are gone?? Ohh... :(
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited December 2004
    It's a shame you didn't just sell them to someone here on the forum first. There are plenty of people that would have paid this price for them(including myself):LSi7's

    To each his own though. I guess I'll keep looking.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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