Rti12 vs Lsi25

Tequila

Hey friends, I did see than the Lsi25 has 88 db and the Rti12 is 90 db, what is this?

The Rti12 is for 50-500w amp and the Lsi 25 is 20-300w I am not a speaker specialist... but I want a pair for my music system. Can you help me?

The price in my city is the same The Rti 12 is 1900 usd and the Lsi has 30% off and is 2000 usd, BUT is for show in the store, is used.

I have a pair of Rti8 for surround (may be). Is a good team Lsi25 w Rti8?

Thank you.

Dennis Gardner

Not a fair comparison. The LSi-25 has a powered subwoofer section in it, thus it is designed totally different. The LSI-15 compares with the RTi-10/12 better. If you are going to have RT surrounds stick with RT mains, since the upper ranges sound very different between the LSi and RTi lines.

In general, the LSi series are more accurate and reproduce music better than the RT models that tend to be better matched for home theater use.

FutureAudio

If price is same and you can afford ..get Lsi25 + a nice amp (if you havent got one already).
Just my 2 cents.

Eman

Dennis Gardner wrote:

Not a fair comparison. The LSi-25 has a powered subwoofer section in it, thus it is designed totally different. The LSI-15 compares with the RTi-10/12 better. If you are going to have RT surrounds stick with RT mains, since the upper ranges sound very different between the LSi and RTi lines.

In general, the LSi series are more accurate and reproduce music better than the RT models that tend to be better matched for home theater use.

I dont know about Lsi towers reproducing music but the Rti4 bookshelves are more accurate than the Lsi7 according to measurements done by stereophile. I dont claim they are better just more accurate. It seems the high end is emphazised in thr RTi while the low end is done in the LSi. Perhaps the woofer of the Rti should be combined with the tweeter of the Lsi to make a better speaker with a flatter response?

tdeluce

I would go with a separtate powered subwoofer and
the LSi15s.

The LSi15 are a very impressive speaker and I like the
overall sound better than the LSi25 ( although of
course they have the same tweeter and midrange ).

Ferres

'88 db and the Rti12 is 90 db' with the higher db it would sound louder at the same volume level.

Ferres

Some say the Lsi25's lows are a little too strong for music listening, maybe because of the extra powered subs. I could be wrong.

I'm looking into the Lsi15's myself

LuSh

Comparing the RTi lineup vs the LSi's is imho comparing VW to BMW. Just for a second consider value. The RTi's are easily equal or bested by companies like Paradigm, PSB, Energy, Athena, where the LSi's are usually at the very top of their class.

Dennis Gardner

I like to think of them as a 5 series Beemer to a 7 or 8 series BMW. You might be closer with your analogy further down the line comparing satellites that Polk makes, but the RTi line is no slouch.

shack

The 88 db for the LSi vs the 90 db for the RTi is simply a measure of sensativity, ie the RTis are a little easier to drive. That and the fact that the LSis are a 4ohm speaker vs the 8 ohm for the RTi.

Lush is right...About the VW vs BMW comparison ...but not about the value of the RTi vs the brands he mentioned...same price...equals...but not better.

Airplay355

The Rti line is no slouch, and definitely sounds great great for the price. However, like Lush said, there are many other brands to choose from that offer good value and good sound. Don't limit yourself. The Lsi, however, pretty much kicks everyones **** in the pricepoint.

ohskigod

if you rprimarily doing music listening (you said music system in your post) I'd go Lsi over RTi

you can sell the RTi8's and get an lsi surround down the road if need be, see if you can listen to both the LSi15 and 25. I dont have experience myself (I only heard the LSi7) but others have said they prefer the 15 over the 25 especially for music.

Tequila

Thanks everyone.

I think that the Lsi 25 is winning. But I need more. I am not sure, but I think than I wwill buy the Lsi25 for fronts and the Lsi15 for surrounds..., I have the PSW505 for sub. That wiill be a great team. Or, may be change the Lsi15 for the Lsi9 for surrounds. I don´t need a center channel.

My system is only for music.

My Rti8 can be for my HT system, beacuse i have "a room music" and a "roomm TV".

Thanks.

MacLeod

Stop measuring and start listening!

Listen to both and buy the one that you like best and can afford.

Holydoc

MacLeod wrote:

Listen to both and buy the one that you like best and can afford.

Eeek! I must of stopped reading at liked best. Forgot the part about what I can afford.

cfrizz

Holydoc wrote:

Eeek! I must of stopped reading at liked best. Forgot the part about what I can afford.

WAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

That's the most important factor!!!!

Airplay355

I vote you save money by getting Lsi15's for fronts, Lsi9's for rears and ditch the 505 sub for something nicer. Lsi25's have powered subs, but with a nicer dedicated sub, you won't really need them unless you are one of those people that feels bass should be equal from both speakers or something.

mrmusicman

Tequila,
If the speakers are just for music,you would be better off with 4 matching speakers.4 lsi9 and a killer sub might be another option,the money saved from the 15's and 25's ,sell the polk sub and buy an SVS.

aaharvel

Rti12 or LSI25? no to both.

Buy a pair of LSI9's and the nicest stands and subwoofer you can afford.

The end result would walk all over rti12's or lsi25's imo.

Tequila

Hello my friends...Now, I am dazed and confused...

I have multiple options: Lsi25, Rti12, Lsi9....ufff¡

In my city store there isn´t the Lsi9...somebody wants sell me a pair?

Thank you.

Ferres

The Lsi9 does have one of the best price/performance ratio and easier to place. Before getting subs, test the lsi's out first with good speak cables. I found my lsi9's not really needing subs with the help of ultra 12b cables.

tdeluce

Tequila wrote:

Thanks everyone.

I think that the Lsi 25 is winning. But I need more. I am not sure, but I think than I wwill buy the Lsi25 for fronts and the Lsi15 for surrounds..., I have the PSW505 for sub. That wiill be a great team. Or, may be change the Lsi15 for the Lsi9 for surrounds. I don´t need a center channel.

My system is only for music.

My Rti8 can be for my HT system, beacuse i have "a room music" and a "roomm TV".

Thanks.

If I had the room I would go with Lsi15s all the way
around along with the LSiC.

shack

I think that the Lsi 25 is winning. But I need more. I am not sure, but I think than I wwill buy the Lsi25 for fronts and the Lsi15 for surrounds..., I have the PSW505 for sub. That wiill be a great team. Or, may be change the Lsi15 for the Lsi9 for surrounds. I don´t need a center channel.

If this is for a music rig why do you need surrounds anyway? I bet you are one of those multichannel music guys. I don't know why one would want that but if that IS the case then you DO need a center channel. If you are truly putting together a multichannel music rig I would go for 4 LSi9s a LSiC and a decent sub. That would be a great 5.1 multichannel music setup.

However If it were me....I would get the LSi25s and be done with it. Use the money you save for gear (preamp, amp source). But that's just me....

aaharvel

i think if you need lsi15's for surrounds, then you got too much $ on your hands or a room the size of the silverdome.

Dennis Gardner

I think we moved past his initial concern long ago. He doesn't know anything about either Polk model, just looking to find the most for his $$$. I see him being limited in choices as he most likely isn't in our country. We dumped our usual speels on him without asking enough ?????s.

I may be wrong, but just my take from his few posts..............

Tequila

That´s right...

okiepolkie

Tequila,

Where are you located?
What kind of gear do you currently own, besides the RTi8's?
Will you be using your speakers primarily for music or movies?
What speaker choices do you have in you city, besides the RTi12's and LSi25's?
What type of budget are you looking at?

A lot of suggestions are very valid, but if you can't get them, then they won't help you very much.

Tequila

Where are you located?
What kind of gear do you currently own, besides the RTi8's?
Will you be using your speakers primarily for music or movies?
What speaker choices do you have in you city, besides the RTi12's and LSi25's?
What type of budget are you looking at?

I am living in Mexico City for bussiness. I have the marantz Sr5400 for amp, my speakers are ONLY for Music, but I like the surrounds mode. I don´t need a center channel. I can buy only Lsi25 or Rti 12 in this city, but on net I can buy any like Lsi9.

The Lsi25 is 40% off in the store, is the same price than Rti12, BUT that makes me need a Lsi surrounds, beacuse Lsi 25 and my Rti8 is not a good team.

Thanks everybody.

okiepolkie

I'm inclined to give you some of the same advice you have already been given, however this would be my take on it:

Your receiver probably won't be sufficient for the LSi25's or RTi12's. It is a good receiver, but the two big boys need a lot of power to sound their best.

My suggestion would be to get a set of LSi9's, or my personal favorites-LSi7's, on the net and get a separate amplifier for them. Most Marantz receivers are similar in power ratings to Denon, they have good power, but do not excell with 4 ohm speakers. I would then add a decent subwoofer(or two if you want stereo bass) to supliment the 9's, unless you are happy with them as is. You could do all of this for about the same price as the LSi25's and may even have some money left over.

My other suggestion would be to get the LSI25's and separate 2 channel amplifier. This will be a little more costly, so it would be up to you.

As far as the rears, I would keep them for now and see how you like them. Even with surround music, the rears are "mostly" ambient sounds anyway. Consequently, the rears might not make that much of a difference on your setup as a whole.

There have been several other good opinions given as well, so have fun with your new upgrades.

Zach

Ferres

"Your receiver probably won't be sufficient for the LSi25's or RTi12's"

I second that. I have a Marantz sr6300 100wpc and my Lsi9's will only play on stereo mode. Add more speakers and the Marantz would go into 'protect' and switch off. Not very many recievers can handle 4ohm loads. You'll need to add power amps and use your sr5400 as a pre/processor.

F1nut

Having listened to the entire LSi line at various locations and on various gear, the best of the lot for music are the LSi9's. I agree with the others, you will need better power no matter what you get.