LSi7 - Naked !!!!!

McLoki

Got in my LSi7's last friday and was trying to decide where to mount them. The WAF was pretty low mounting anything larger than the RM series speakers I have now as surrounds.

I decided it had to be done and decided to try and pull off the wood sides from the LSi's I just got to make for a slimmer profile mounting them to the wall. (I am currently planning to use the wall bracket built into the lsi7)

I have called Polk CS before about this and they thought it would work if I used a wide implment to pry it off with and took my time. The person I spoke with then thought they would still sound very good (like LSi's should) even with the wood removed. (it is still 3/4 mdf with internal bracing - I figure that is all most subwoofers have so I shouldn't have much resonance problems from a 5-1/4 woofer crossed over at 80hz)

I called Polk CS again just before I started to pull it off to get their reassurances again before I start and spoke with a different CS rep. The story I got this time was the old series (what I have) used double sided tape to attach the wood, the new series uses glue and the sides will not come off. Even though I have the old series, he still STRONGLY recommended that I not try to remove the sides as he has seen the finish pulled off the speaker due to the strength of the tape used.

So much for assurances - Since I will not be able to mount these to the walls in their current state without alot of greif from the wife, I decided to forge ahead. I wrapped a 3" putty knife in an old t-shirt (now shredded) and started to work the putty knife into the corner of the side/speaker. I felt it give way and started working the putty knife around the speaker working it in about 1/4 inch to help loosen the hold of the tape.

When I got back to my starting corner, I pushed the putty knife inabout 1" and pulled it back out. (part of the shirt stuck and tore under the wood) I worked the knife in and out about 2/3 of the way around the speaker before the side was loose enough to just pull away.

The entire side is gloss black as i had hoped. There are no holes in the sides (also as I had hoped)

I worked off the other side the same way and cleaned up the mess. I will post some pics when I get home from work tonight, but let me say, Polk should offer these without sides as an option for surround mounting. It looks absolutely fantastic all in gloss black with the slimmer profile.

More with pics later - I have to get back to work.....

Michael.

bobman1235

I seem to remember someone having pics of the BIG LSi's naked at some point....

Ah yes, gotta love the search feature :

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27613

McLoki

Thanks for the link to the naked 15's. That is actually what got me thinking about doing this, but I could not find the post again.....

Here is after removing one side....

McLoki

Here are the tools I used. (at this point side one is done, and side 2 is under way.) I ended up not using the wide putty knife. My 3" one is pretty flexable a more rigid knife would have been handy....

McLoki

Here they are side by side. (I have not done the second channel yet - I did not have time) I think the slimmer profile looks great. (keep in mind this is for a surround to mount to the wall....)

billbillw

McLoki,
I don't think you will like the sound with them mounted using the built in keyhole. I had my RT25i mounted like that and the bass was dull/hollow. I now have them mounted using some Btech BT77 mounts.
Link here

Look at my showcase to see what they look like with some Polks mounted. They will allow you to angle/swivel if needed, plus they hold them firmly from the bottom and are SOLID!!! I use a little bluetak to isolate them further. They sound night and day different.

Joey_V

Can you show pics without the grll?

McLoki

Here is the single speaker.

McLoki

Here they are side-by-side.

Airplay355

So in the end, was it worth it? It doesn't look like you saved that much space to me...

McLoki

Originally posted by Airplay355
So in the end, was it worth it? It doesn't look like you saved that much space to me...

Keep in mind they are not mounted yet (will post pics when they are) but yes, I think it was worth it. It took an 8.5" wide speaker and made it 7" wide - a savings of about 22%.

For my mounting locations, that will make a big difference. (plus I like the slimmer gloss look for the surrounds)

I was careful taking the sides off so I can always remount them if I want to at some point in the future. I think they will stand out a little less than they would have otherwise (the wife requirement) and I am sure the sound will blow away the RM series I was using.

looks like a win/win and I can always go back to the way they were if I want to.

Michael

(BTW - all marks in the pics are either flash or fingerprints - that gloss is gonna be a **** to keep clean. (glad they are being mounted high...))

McLoki

Originally posted by billbillw
McLoki,
I don't think you will like the sound with them mounted using the built in keyhole. I had my RT25i mounted like that and the bass was dull/hollow. I now have them mounted using some Btech BT77 mounts.
Link here

Look at my showcase to see what they look like with some Polks mounted. They will allow you to angle/swivel if needed, plus they hold them firmly from the bottom and are SOLID!!! I use a little bluetak to isolate them further. They sound night and day different.

Thanks for the tip. I will look into purchasing a set if I decide I do not like the sound the way they are mounted.

A few questions for you though:

How far out into the room do the BT77's extend the speakers (over mounting them with the keyhole)?

Does the arm that comes out from the wall move or just the plate that the speakers are mounted to?

About how far below the plate does the mount extend? (from the bottom of the speaker, how much of the mount can you see?)

I am thinking about using these as mounts for my fronts as well as my surrounds. (when I post pics of my setup, you will understand....)

Thanks for the great tip. I will keep you all posted what I end up doing. (will have to do something because my right surround has to be angled in about 15-20 degrees)

Michael

Joey_V

Any scratches on the glossy side while you were taking out the wood panels?

billbillw

Originally posted by McLoki
A few questions for you though:

How far out into the room do the BT77's extend the speakers (over mounting them with the keyhole)?

Does the arm that comes out from the wall move or just the plate that the speakers are mounted to? Maybe 3", not sure exactly though. It depends how you center the speaker on the base/grip. The arm is fixed, the base swivels/tilts.

About how far below the plate does the mount extend? (from the bottom of the speaker, how much of the mount can you see?) Approx 5" total

I am thinking about using these as mounts for my fronts as well as my surrounds. (when I post pics of my setup, you will understand....)

Thanks for the great tip. I will keep you all posted what I end up doing. (will have to do something because my right surround has to be angled in about 15-20 degrees)

Michael

By the way, I thought the LSi7 were you mains. Here you are talking like they are your surrounds. Are they going to be both? Did you look at my showcase? That should give you a good idea since the LSi7 are similar in size to my RT25i. Good luck. Just don't let your wife totally hamstring you on mounting these. You need a little freedom.

McLoki

Originally posted by billbillw
By the way, I thought the LSi7 were you mains. Here you are talking like they are your surrounds. Are they going to be both? Did you look at my showcase? That should give you a good idea since the LSi7 are similar in size to my RT25i. Good luck. Just don't let your wife totally hamstring you on mounting these. You need a little freedom.

I have been using LSi7's as my mains and I just purchased another set for my surrounds. I purchased them used for a good price just because I was planning to remove the side panels (and wasn't sure it would work). The new set is the ones I was planning to mount on the walls, but if it works out, I may do the same with my fronts. Right now they are not in the best of positions.

For WAF - I just wanted to get them in the room first, then I will worry about better mounting setups..

JoeyV - Glad to say both the speakers and side panels are still in good shape. No scratches at all. The finish must be more durable that I was giving it credit for.

Michael

PolkThug

Originally posted by McLoki
It took an 8.5" wide speaker and made it 7" wide - a savings of about 22%.

Before - After = Reduction
8.5 - 7 = 1.5

Savings/Original = % Reduced from Original
1.5/8 = 17.65%

Or, you could say the new speaker is 82.35% of the original's width.

fireshoes

It should be 1.5/8.5 there, smarty.

billbillw

Originally posted by fireshoes
It should be 1.5/8.5 there, smarty.

It was a typo. The math is right though 1.5/8.5 = 17.65%

VR3

LSi's look better naked. Night and day difference, not even the same speaker anymore really

Joey_V

I like the side panels and I like them naked... its a mixed bag for me.

BUT.... I'm glad you got the panels out and you like it this way... TWO THUMBS UP!!

fireshoes

I like them better with the cherry wood, but it is nice that there are options. At some point I would like to make a pair of maple LSi's.

Dennis Gardner

Kinda like a properly displayed thong............





As long as what's underneath has a nice fit and finish, I can take it either way.:)

Airplay355

i prefer a smooth glossy finish on whats under thongs as well....

McLoki

BillW. Just wanted to say thanks for the tip on the speaker stands from Crutchfield. I finally got them in and installed and they look and work great.

Here is a final picture of my right speaker and you can see why 1.5" in speaker width made such a difference in the speaker working for me or not....


Thanks again,

Michael

billbillw

Originally posted by McLoki
BillW. Just wanted to say thanks for the tip on the speaker stands from Crutchfield. I finally got them in and installed and they look and work great.

Here is a final picture of my right speaker and you can see why 1.5" in speaker width made such a difference in the speaker working for me or not....


Thanks again,

Michael

That's cool. I'm glad they worked for you. Someone (Whadyasay) recommended them to me back in March when I was looking for something similar. They are definetly one of the most robust, yet attractive designs out there. They will firmly hold any bookshelf without the need for drilling holes.

Joey_V

SEXY!!! WOOT!!!

cfrizz

And well done! If I was the wife I would definately approve!

Cathy

mantis

I like the look without the side panels on. Nice work

audiobliss

+1..

audiobliss

Or if you prefer actual input:

Very interesting. Sure is neat you knowing you can take the side panels off; almost like personalization. They sure do look like totally different speakers without them, but they still look just as good as before. Can't decide which I'd prefer.

Looks great in your set-up, McLoki. Congrats!

faster100

Its a good thing your handy, because those could have been ruined easily if not so gingerly.. That gloss seemed real sensitive to marks when i had my lsi7's.. and if you spend 4 -5 hundred on a set or more retail.. you may be scared to try the removal... But they do look cool.. I liked the side panels myself though