Need Suggestions on LSi setup

jnkennedy

I am at a dilemma here. So I would really appreciate help from everyone.

I currently have an all B&W 602 S3 based setup with a B&W sub. Currently using a Pioneer Elite 56txi frontend, and a Pioneer elite 59avi player. I also using a 2 Adcom GF555-MKII (200w/ch/8ohms) to power my front and rears, the center is handled by the receiver. I happy with the sound but I am beginning to get bored with the sound. Comparing to other speakers I have heard, Paradigm Reference and the B&W 805, the 602 seemed to be boxy although the midrange is very good. Last night, while watching LOTR ROTK, one of my 602 suddenly became dead silent. After careful inspection, it wast shot and took along one channel of the Adcom it was powered from. This gave a better excuse to upgrade. So I thought of upgrading my current speakers, this time to a 7.1 to make good use of PLII which I love.

My dealer doesn't have the LSi9 in stock. If he did, I would take 3 pairs of Lsi9 and an LSiC center to complete my 7.1 But that isn't the case because he doesnt have any in stock. What he has is an LSi15, LSi7, and the LSiC. Now, this are the configuration I am planning:

Option 1:
LSi15 - Front
LSi7-Side
LSi7-Rears
LSiC-Center
All for U$2700.00

Option 2:
LSi7- Front, Side, Rears
LSiC-Center
All for US2100.00

Option 3:
LSi9, Front, Side, Rears
LSiC- Center
U$2550.00
(I have to wait 1 month though for the order to arrive)

Option 4:
LSi15 - Front
LSiC-Center
B&W 602 S3 - Side and Rears ( These are the current speakers I have which can be demoted to the side and rears) (The damaged speakers can be repaired at no cost from the dealer) In this configuration though, I am worried about timbre matching since I listen to SACD 70% of the time.
U$1600.00

What would be the best option for me. I listen to 90% music 10% movies. I want the option that will give me the best sound but at the same time will be most cost-effective. For now, because one of my Adcom has been "shot", I am left with 3 channel working so that would be the front and center only. For the rest of the channels, it will be powered by the Pioneer until such time I seal the deal on an ATI 200w/ch amplifier I am eyeing right now.

And as an aside, are Polk LSi series really that good? Will I hear a dramatic improvement compared to my current setup? Or should I be looking at some other brands. I am impressed by the reviews the Polk got. So I auditioned it but in a not so ideal setting powered by mediocre receiver. So I have mixed feeling. I can't bring it at home and even if I can, I really don't have the time cabling and uncabling so I am relying on the experts here. So let's hear it.

gmorris

have you considered Bose?

jnkennedy

Is that supposed to be a joke? If it is, its not funny. I think it was wrong for me to even ask for opinion here.

fireshoes

Originally posted by jnkennedy
Is that supposed to be a joke? If it is, its not funny. I think it was wrong for me to even ask for opinion here.

If your feelings are that easily hurt, then I agree...

Back on topic, I would do LSi15's and LSiC for the front stage, LSiFX's for the surrounds, and LSi7's for surround backs.

Shizelbs

Do you do most of your SACD in 2 channel or surround?

jnkennedy

I have an equal number of stereo only and surround SACDs, so they are about equal. Although I am now inclined to buy multichannel SACDs mainly for the reason that I like them better.

Regarding the Bose joke, please understand that I am in the process of shedding the stigma I got from having a bose 901 for 7 years years. It's a painful awakening, and I don't want to open old wounds.

Sami

Option n:

Get 2 pairs of LSi7's, LSiC and a subwoofer. Order a pair of LSi9's and move a pair of 7's to rear surrounds when they arrive.

fireshoes

Oh, I forgot about the amount of SACD you listen to. I'll say option 3 now.

jnkennedy

I should have also mentioned the room. It is 20X40 feet with 10 foot celing.

I am also entertaining an all LSi15+ LSiC setup. If I am going to get that, my dealer is willing to give it to me for U$3400.00. Is that overkill considering the room where it is going to be used in? Also in question is the amp that will power them. I am planning on getting the ATI 200w/7ch. Having said that, will this be enough to power the LSi. I don't listen at reference levels (-10/-15 db mostly) but I would like to have the headroom.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Joey_V

I feel that the LSi9 gives you the best of the LSi series. One, the bookshelf can be positioned at higher heights than the floorstander if needed be. Also, the 9s are a bit more versatile when it comes to positioning around the room, since they are smaller. Lastly, the LSi9 with a good good sub is insanely nice.

LSi9 for 900 versus LSi15 for 1500 (orig. retail). Going with the LSi9 gives you 600 or so for a sub. For that much money, going with an SVS or a perhaps the Onix UFW-12 would be great.

jdhdiggs

That room is HUGE. How loud are you going to listen and what types of amps do you have? If you want it loud, you're going to need som SERIOUS watts or start looking towards a possible Klipsch based system. The 555's will work, but may run hot if the speakers are really spread out and the volume is cranked. The center channel would need a bit of a boost as well

At that large of a room, the smallest size I would go is the 9's. Bass will be a serious issue with a room that large and would probably cost you equal to your speaker output to keep yourself flat sinto the 20Hz range with subs, but this would lesson the load on your amps. (2 PB2+, PB2 Ultra, or even a B4 if you want full ref theater, for music 1 PB2+ should work fine unless you live for organ music and digital cannon fire-Note, I only listed SVS offerings since that is all I have experience with, not as an only reccomednation)

Are you sure you have an 8000 ft^3 room? If so, I don't think your 15's all around is out of the question allowing a sub to be crossed over at a lower Hz than 80 for SACD allowing the 15's and the 555's to take up some of that musical energy.

If you were more HT only, you could get away with the 7's in back, but I am guessing that SACD sends more low -level content to the back.

My set-up is about 5500ft^3 with 7's all around and I can strain them a bit as the volume goes up. With your room much larger, I wouldn't want the 7's to be pushed that hard.

My two-cents and experience. You should note that I know jack squat about SACD demands on a system FWIW

Edit: Reading your post again. 200X7 at what ohms? Even at -10 for a room that large, you will be pushing things a bit (5W RMS sustained or so meaning transients could get in the 100+W range) IMHO: Unless you collapse your soundstage to a more manageable size for a more nearfield listening, I would keep the 555 to power the bottom posts and a ~80W/channel amp to run the top posts.

jnkennedy

Much as I hate to say it, yes, that is exactly the measurement of the room, that is why I also asked about the possibility of LSi15 all around plus my B&W ASW750 (1000w). As for power, I am in process of getting minimum 200 watts/channel 7 channel amp. I don't go that loud based on reference level of 85. Probably 75db most of the time, even for movies. I don't watch that much movies though, my listening is mostly SACDs in both multi and stereo.

The amp I am looking at is 200w at 8ohms. So probably it is safe to say that it can go 300w or more at 4 ohms. My Adcom almost double its wattage at 4 ohms.

The LSi9 all around is probably the best for my needs although I also have to take into account good stands so that somehow negates the savings I will get going away from LSi15. I can't wall mount it since the house is new and my wife will kill me if I even entertain the thought.

I am getting a very good price for the LSi15 and so with the LSi9 but my dealer currently doesnt stock them so it would ordered. Anyway, I have a week to make up my mind.

Joey_V

That is one heck of a big room! WOW!

I wonder if the LSi9 and the LSi15 have similar max volume levels (before compression). I think they would since they have similar drivers and configurations other than the extra woofer on the base of the LSi15. I think in a room like this, LSi9 and a massive subwoofer would be a great choice (if LSi9 are similar in output as the LSi15).

jnkennedy

That is why I am keeping my B&W ASW750. The sub I think will mate well with the LSis. I am not that big on heavy bass though although I like to sound with authority when called for in movies and in music. Whatever LSi I am going with, my sub stays.:)

jdhdiggs

Might want to roll subs. In that room, I'm going to guess that the sub drops out in the low 30's range. If you play chamber music or HT, you probably won't be missing anything. From a $$$, keeping it's not a bad idea at all. Might add a big SVS or pair of HSU's if you want the 20's back. (With the B&W up high, it would sound great if correctly setup) Just a thought of someone with nothing tied up in the situation.

jnkennedy

for my current sub, when calibrating and playing the subwoofer frequency sweep of AVIA, it does go to low 20s. I am in no way very technical about audio but it can go low. There was one time, I was calibrating using the sweeps, at 20hz, my wife thought we were being hit by an earthquake that she rushed hurriedly down the stairs clutching the baby and went out the house only to find out that there was no earthquake but just a "housequake". I slept in the couch that night.:D

fireshoes

Classic!

madmax

There is a great amp in the flea market you could use.

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23997

He is a solid forum member as well!
madmax

LuSh

Ever consider a 5.1 setup?

Maybe I sound like a snotty 2-channel Audiophile (I am) but 7.1 is not the standard in which SACD/DVD-A/DVD movies/Blu Ray DVD's are/will be recorded in.

The money saved on the speakers could be put into an amp.


BTW if B&W is black then LSi's are white. They are tonally different in presentation. The LSi's are much more laid back, lush, without losing detail. The B&W's will have better mid/upper bass bloom.

danger boy

i like option 3. best matching for SACD stereo or multichannel mix.

reeltrouble1

I second the suggestion to buy the amp in the Flea Market the B&K 7270. You need the towers for your fronts, LSi 15, why? Stereo listening on SACD which you say you like and I agree is where it is at.

Ever think about a pair of Polk SDA speakers for your fronts? Just a thought.

RT1

jnkennedy

I preferred the towers for the fronts and probably for all channel except center simply because consensus around here that that is the way to go if budget is not that restricted. Besides, as much as I like stereo listening, I have been liking multichannel even more with SACDs. I called my dealer and he does suggest that I get the full LSi15 setup since he very well knows the room dimensions and my sound preferences.

Regarding amp, I just purchased impulsively today a demo California Audio MCA 2500 (500wx5) for a lot less than half the MSRP which I considered a very sweet deal to refuse. I am betting this amp will be with me for a very long time. I haven't even heard of it but it sounds exotic so it must be oK. (stupid way to buy things, i know) but anyway, I can always unload it in ebay if I don't like it.

So the amp is basically taken cared of, the only problem now are the speakers. Funny thing was that where I bought the amp, the sales rep asked what speakers do I have and I replied that I really like Polk LSi15 and to my surprise he just said outright that the Cal Audio is not for Polk but a higher class of speakers. It was good that I already paid him because of such snobbery, I would have just walked away without buying the amp inspite of the very good deal.

jnkennedy

I want to know what finish should I go with? I know this is subjective but I just want to know. I am leaning toward the ebony. I believe its classier. Are these real wood or just MDF kind of things?

fireshoes

FWIW, I love the cherry finish.

polkatese

Originally posted by jnkennedy
So the amp is basically taken cared of, the only problem now are the speakers. Funny thing was that where I bought the amp, the sales rep asked what speakers do I have and I replied that I really like Polk LSi15 and to my surprise he just said outright that the Cal Audio is not for Polk but a higher class of speakers. It was good that I already paid him because of such snobbery, I would have just walked away without buying the amp inspite of the very good deal.

Ah, the typical comments from those uneducated sales
I just bought a Krell 400Xi integrated recently, paired with LSi9 for my two channels, one word, awesome!

btw, great setup, congrats! and welcome to the club!

Joey_V

That salesman is an IDIOT. It just goes to show how ignorant he is of the LSi series. The LSi arent just some everyday speakers, these guys are the real deal. :mad:

jnkennedy

My dealer delivered my amp today and I wasn't prepared for this but man, oh, man- the Cal Audio is darn heavy and huge. When I first saw it in the rack in the shop, I thought, well, it's big, but now that I have seen it in its full glory, its huge weighing over a hundred lbs.

I have some doubts if I can run this fron a normal residential circuit. The manual says it should have its own 20A circuit. My understanding is that this maybe the case if I run it to its full potential. I certainly doubt that the LSi15 is gonna use all that power, or am I wrong?

I have finally decided on the LSi15, LSiC and ordered the 2 pairs of LSi9 for the back surround and sides. Before I did that, I went for a final audition and brought SACDs I am familiar with. This time I insisted if they can hook up decent seperates and a dedicated SACD player preferably like the one I own (PE 59avi). Alas they don't have the Pioneer but they have the Denon 2900. Good enough. They still used a receiver though, although this time they used it with a Earthquake Cinenova. I don't know the wattage but the amp is big so its must be powerful. The discs I brough with me were Romero-Live at the Trinity church, Billy Joel-the Stranger, Peter White-Glow, Pink Floyd-DSOTM and Diana Krall, Girl in the other room. So basically I have covered most of the music I am familiar with.I also brought my sound meter making sure that all channels are equal and properly calibration before I conduct my audition. I planned on listening for 2 hours but I was called for a medical emergency so I had to cut it short. Nonetheless, First I was not so impressed, I thought my 602 is much better if not the same. Then I asked the sales rep to remove all the speakers that were beside the LSi15 and toe it in a little and move it a couple of feet forward. Huge improvement- I can't talk "speaker lingo" but I liked what I heard. It plays jazz and acoustic instruments beautifully. I played my disk one by one and after an hour, I was so impressed that I had no doubts about my decision and eventually paid for a pair of LSi15, LSiC, and 2 pairs of LSi9. It will be delivered on Monday. I still have the B&W setup at home so I will be making comparison and see if I really upgraded. I'm so excited.

Joey_V

"medical emergency..."

A doctor eh?

danger boy

Originally posted by jnkennedy
My dealer delivered my amp today and I wasn't prepared for this but man, oh, man- the Cal Audio is darn heavy and huge. When I first saw it in the rack in the shop, I thought, well, it's big, but now that I have seen it in its full glory, its huge weighing over a hundred lbs.

do you have any pics of the Cal Audio amp? is it new or used? Cal Audio isn't in biz anymore that i know of?

do you know the model number on the amp?

thanks.

danger boy

i just saw your earlier post on your new Cal Audio amp. i'll read up on it. that sounds like one big heavy **** brute of an amp. damn!

RobXant

I was originaly looking for a pair of LSi9s for mains, but got a steal on someLSi15s and liked the idea of floorstanders better than bookshelves on stands.

I just last night installed theLSi15s, moving my LSi7s to surround duty. I have to say that the 7s are a lot more forgiving in terms of placement and direction.

After 15 mins of listenting to the 15s, the sound stage sounded way more separated than it did with the 7s. The stage seemed to fill the space between the LSi7s incredibly. With the soundstage centered perfectly over the TV, I often found myself reaching for the remote thinking the center speaker was on.

Well, that was the 7s. With the 15s the soundstage is more likely the opposite. It spreads -out- around the room, making it wider but somehow more focused. There is no question where the music is coming from. When I first sat down to listen to them, I was totally disapointed. It was about 20 minutes of adjusting the angles before I had the sonic smile.

I'm still getting used to them. Movies sound great, BTW. The 7s as mains with an LSiC is a bit rough. The C is a bit laid back, as are the 15s, good match. The LSi7s always seemed to somehow overpower my LSiC, making the dialogue muddy. Thats all gone with the new setup.

I have to say that the "WOW" factor was much greater going from a set of CSW Ensembles to the LSi7s than is was going from the 7s to the 15s. I am going to duck when I say that if I didn't get the LSi15s for a grand (new) then I'd have been perfectly happy with the 7s or 9s and a sub for nearly any 2 channel/HT setup.

Rob