Very favorable first impressions of my new LSi9 pair
mulveling
Posts: 505
Picked up a set of LSi9's a few hours ago.
Background:
I wasn't 100% content with my current set of speakers - a 5.1 Ascend Acoustics setup with CMT-340 front/center, CBM-170 surrounds, and a Hsu STF-2 sub. For DVD movies they sounded very good (though with several flaws still apparent), but I could not stand them with music. I bought them because they're so hyped on the internet and I got the impression they would match or bring down anything up to twice their price (or beyond). WRONG - I normally wouldn't have even considered these Polk bookshelves but when I got a chance to hear them at Tweeter I knew I had to try them at home.
So right out of the box (after a short warmup) I ran them through the paces with a few DVDs and CDs I had recently played on the Ascends - yep, these are keepers. The main problems I had with the Ascends are gone. I enjoy the Lsi9 in a 2.1 setup more than the Ascends in 5.1, even for HT. Now I just gotta pick up another pair of LSi9's or 7's for surrounds and I'm set. Got some Outlaw monoblocks on the way, too (only using a Denon 3805 now).
Here's what I like about the Polks vs. Ascends:
Highs: Highs on the LSi9 absolutely sparkle without showing signs of harshness or strain. Very silky. NOT bright. The Ascends weren't really muted, but they certainly didn't sparkle. Kinda dull sounding. This was one of my main complaints.
Mids: Mids on the Polks are very smooth, organic, detailed. Ascends were neutral but dry and lacking the ability to involve.
Lows: The Polks can do music without a sub (if necessary), and do a decent job of it. A sub was an absolute requirement on the Ascends, IMO.
Imaging: Big improvement with the polks. The Ascends couldn't place sounds much beyond the speaker boxes or the space directly between. The Polks are more detailed, too.
Not that the Ascends are bad speakers (they're good for the price I think), but they didn't quite do it for me and they'll be on the way out soon.
Anyways, just wanted to "vent" about my favorable first impressions of the new Polks, which until last weekend I was completely unaware of (well, the LSi series anyways)
Background:
I wasn't 100% content with my current set of speakers - a 5.1 Ascend Acoustics setup with CMT-340 front/center, CBM-170 surrounds, and a Hsu STF-2 sub. For DVD movies they sounded very good (though with several flaws still apparent), but I could not stand them with music. I bought them because they're so hyped on the internet and I got the impression they would match or bring down anything up to twice their price (or beyond). WRONG - I normally wouldn't have even considered these Polk bookshelves but when I got a chance to hear them at Tweeter I knew I had to try them at home.
So right out of the box (after a short warmup) I ran them through the paces with a few DVDs and CDs I had recently played on the Ascends - yep, these are keepers. The main problems I had with the Ascends are gone. I enjoy the Lsi9 in a 2.1 setup more than the Ascends in 5.1, even for HT. Now I just gotta pick up another pair of LSi9's or 7's for surrounds and I'm set. Got some Outlaw monoblocks on the way, too (only using a Denon 3805 now).
Here's what I like about the Polks vs. Ascends:
Highs: Highs on the LSi9 absolutely sparkle without showing signs of harshness or strain. Very silky. NOT bright. The Ascends weren't really muted, but they certainly didn't sparkle. Kinda dull sounding. This was one of my main complaints.
Mids: Mids on the Polks are very smooth, organic, detailed. Ascends were neutral but dry and lacking the ability to involve.
Lows: The Polks can do music without a sub (if necessary), and do a decent job of it. A sub was an absolute requirement on the Ascends, IMO.
Imaging: Big improvement with the polks. The Ascends couldn't place sounds much beyond the speaker boxes or the space directly between. The Polks are more detailed, too.
Not that the Ascends are bad speakers (they're good for the price I think), but they didn't quite do it for me and they'll be on the way out soon.
Anyways, just wanted to "vent" about my favorable first impressions of the new Polks, which until last weekend I was completely unaware of (well, the LSi series anyways)
Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
Comments
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Glad you found some speakers that you can really enjoy, and welcome to the club!
