lsi Line

jeepslave20 · February 2005

Hey everybody. I am new to the polk forum (just found out about it) and am planning a completely new HT system in the next couple of months. I have had my eye on the LSI system for about 2 years now, but have NEVER been able to find a store that around me that carries the line.
Does anybody know of a store in the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, or Toledo area that carries the LSI's?

Thanks

tryrrthg · February 2005

Might want to check these places:

Sound Waves
1710 E. Kemper Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45246

"Rainbow Adventures, LLC"
5020 Oaklawn Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45227
Phone: 513-631-2828
Fax: 513-631-7778

Donlin Inc. dba: Midwest Total Systems
6287 Busch Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43229
Phone: 614-846-4424
Fax: 614-846-3315

The Great Indoors at the Polaris Mall in Columbus used to carry them but I don't think they do anymore. try the dealer locator link at Polk's web site (that's where I got the places above).

jeepslave20 · February 2005

thanks for the input. i tried soundwaves and they only carried paradigm and something else. and i couldn't find rainbow adventures in the phonebook. live in cincinnati and toledo and work in dayton. haven't had a chance to get to columbus to really search.

thanks for hte help though

Early B. · February 2005

You have two other options. Order them on-line or buy them used. Check the Flea Market on this forum or go to www.audiogon.com. You can save a ton of money with either option.

jeepslave20 · February 2005

Right now, I am simply trying to find a place/ person/ store that carries the speakers so that I can listen to them and confirm that I really like them.

I have focused in on the LSI series due to cost, styling, and most importantly, reviews from dozens of websites and magazines. But I have NEVER even heard the speakers myself.

Before I pull the trigger and drop $3000-4000 on new speakers, I want to hear them and make sure they are as nice as I have been led to believe.

okiepolkie · February 2005

Welcome to the forum.

I have the same problem here in Memphis. The only place that carries Polk stuff is CC, and they only carry the Monitor line now. I just had to bite the bullet and buy the LSi7's soley based on reviews.

I haven't been disappointed yet. Of course I only spent a few hundred dollars, instead of the several $$$$ that you are looking to spend.

If you can't find a dealer that has them in stock, buy a used set of LSi7's or LSi9's to demo them. In the used market they tend to hold their value pretty well, so if you are not satisfied with them, then you can resell them and recoup most, if not all, of your money.

Or, you could always order them from Crutchfield and give them a 30 day trial. At the most, you would be out shipping. Quite a few people on this forum have used this system to audition equipment.

Hope this helps.

Zach

McLoki · February 2005

Originally posted by jeepslave20
Before I pull the trigger and drop $3000-4000 on new speakers, I want to hear them and make sure they are as nice as I have been led to believe.

They are awesome, but do plan some budget for electronics as well. Your $3K-$4K will be wasted if you purchase the speakers and then try and run it with just any old reciever that you happen to have. I don't know what the state of your electronics is, but you should really post what your planned system is (speakers, reciever, amplifier, etc.) before purchasing. If it is open, ask for recommendations. I would hate to have you put that kind of investment in and not get the return you are looking for. The cost of the LSi's is made higher by the (sometimes) hidden cost of good electronics to run them.

Just trying to help,

Michael

okiepolkie · February 2005

Well stated McLoki.

jeepslave20 · February 2005

To all:
Thanks for the input. I put in the current and intended systems in signature (hope it worked). Feel free to critique or suggest. Right now, I am still in the planning phase. As soon as the house sells, the cash will be around to upgrade to a few things that i have wanted for the last couple of years.

I had planned money for the other electronics as well. Need to buy the amp first. I don't think my Denon can hack the power needed for the LSI's. After I get the amp (that just hurts because that will have the least significant effect on my current system), I will get the speakers, then the tv and the pre-pro.

I am looking at the LSI's just because I love the look and haven't heard a bad thing about them. I have listened to many of the B&W line, Paradigm, Klipsch, Thiels, Yamahas, Bose, and a couple others. I just want to verify that the LSI's are as good as everybody claims. The wife is not happy about the $10-14K that is going into the system, but I think I have her accepting. However, I can't go buying without at least auditioning the equipment.

okiepolkie · February 2005

Looks good to me. You can just buy two of everything and send it to me. I won't even charge you anything for it. The Sunfire stuff is very good and many people here would love to have it(myself included).

The only other suggestion I might have would be to go with the LSi7's or LSi9's for your front speakers and buy a good subwoofer to fill in the low end gap. The LSi15's are very good speakers, but you will get many of the same benefits with the bookshelves and a sub.

For a subwoofer, take a look at www.svsubwoofers.com. They are very reasonably priced for the quality and many say they mate well with Polk speakers.

Enjoy your upgrades. I'm sure you will notice just a little bit of difference in the change.

McLoki · February 2005

One other thing to keep in mind is, depending on where you purchase your speakers from, you may want to take your own amp in to demo them. Most of the places around here demo the LSi line with inexpensive recievers and wonder why they just can't seem to sell the darn things. They really do start to shine when they have a ton of current (not just watts) .

There is also a decent break in period (about 100 hours) before they really start to reach their full glory. They sound good before that, but they really settle in well.

Your planned purchases have all the makings of a dream system. I did not see a sub replacement on your list. As Okie said, the LSi's are great, but you will want a nice subwoofer to go along with them. SVS is very nice (and my personal choice), but there are a number of other choices out there as well.

For home theater uses, I found the 7's with a sub VERY similar in sound to the 15's. You would notice more of a difference if you listen to more music or want higher sound levels. (I would not run the 7's above reference level - the amp may start to ask for more than the speaker can provide)

Enjoy,

Michael

cfrizz · February 2005

Use this link to find the dealer nearest you.

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/toolbox/dealerlocator/us.php

bignorm · February 2005

BARRYS ELECTRONICS

LIMA, OHIO

carries the complete LSi series

lsi Line

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