LSi15 vs LSi9 + PSW1000

knownalien_

this sub is not out yet, but I am in a bit of a quandry. I love to listen to music, esp. rock and Classical, but I fear that my current amp will not make the LSi15's sing. I watch movies too, but to be honest, I don't listen critically to the sound, unless I am listening to music. Here is my current setup:

Denon AVR-2105
Sony DVP-CX985V
Polk RTi100 Fronts
Polk CSi3 Center
Polk Rti28 Surrounds
Polk PSW350 Subwoofer
Sony KDF-50WE655 50" LCD

It is in a small to medium sized room. What I really desire is a full range sound. Though the LSI's are rated down to 22 hz, the LSi9's mated with this new Polk sub would drop to 20 hz.

as an aside, why do sites like Crutchfield rate the LSI15's only down to 32 hz? Is it because they consider only the -3B limit?

McLoki

knownalien_ wrote:

this sub is not out yet, but I am in a bit of a quandry. I love to listen to music, esp. rock and Classical, but I fear that my current amp will not make the LSi15's sing. I watch movies too, but to be honest, I don't listen critically to the sound, unless I am listening to music. Here is my current setup:

It is in a small to medium sized room. What I really desire is a full range sound. Though the LSI's are rated down to 22 hz, the LSi9's mated with this new Polk sub would drop to 20 hz.

as an aside, why do sites like Crutchfield rate the LSI15's only down to 32 hz? Is it because they consider only the -3B limit?

For a 2 channel setup, I would say go with the Lsi15's. For double duty as 2 channel and HT setup, I would go with the LSi9's and forget about the polk sub. For the same price as the polk sub you can get an SVS PC-Ultra to run with you LSi-9's. That will be a killer setup for both HT and 2 channel listening.

No matter which speaker you purchase (the 9's or the 15's) you will want to plan on a decent 2 channel amp to run them with. If you are going to purchase the speakers first and then an amp later - the 9's will present an easier load than the 15's, but to get the most out of them you will still want a separate amp.

The -3db point for speakers (especially ported speakers) is really the only number you should follow. For deep bass, the 15's will not hold a candle to the 9's with a decent sub. The 15's are fine by themselves for most music listening, but if you are running them as the fronts in your HT, you will still need a good sub to fill in. If I put the 15's as my front speakers in a HT setup, I would try and set them to small and cross them over to the sub at 40hz.

good luck and welcome to club polk,

Michael

Jeffrey_B

I agree with Mklocki

In my family room, I have LSi9s in my HT with two SVS 20-39 PC+s and in my living room I have a paris of LSi15s for stereo listening. the 15s are good for music, but you will need a sub for HT and the 9's are good enough. Get an SVS sub as they give you great value and performance for the price. JEFF

wingnut4772

I agree. Go SVS or Outlaw LFM-1 and you will be happy.

jmierzur

I had the LSi9 with PC-Ultra subs for over one year for both two channel and HT duty. Once setup and calibrated, the 9's and PCU integrated to produce a seamless presentation down to the lowest octave. I would select a ‘monitor’ speaker with my PCU subs over most full range speakers without hesitation. In addition, I have to agree with McKoli and also recommend the PCU based on personal experience.

You might want to consider purchasing an external amp for two-channel listening regardless of your speaker solution. This will give you additional performance benefits with your existing equipment.

I still use monitor speakers with the PCU subs for both two channel and HT as they can handle any source material I wish to throw at them. One of my favorite discs is Telarc’s latest recording of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. I have the SACD version and listen to the two-channel DSD mix. It’s quite stunning from the opening choruses to the ending cannon volley. I highly recommend this disc for your collection.

Ferres

If you can't afford a power amp yet, you could get some good speaker cables like xlo's er11's or ultra 6. They help a lot for none power amp set ups.

knownalien_

i broke down and bought the lsi15's tonight!

lol

I have wanted these for over a year now! Even with my weak amp, they'll sound better than my RTi100's.

aaharvel

congratulations knownalien. welcome to the forums

knownalien_

the next purchase is either going to be this new Pok sob mentioned above or a nice Denon amp.

I am breaking these guys in right now. Even NOT broken up they sound very clear. I get goose bumps at some parts of recordings because I hear things like I never have before.

knownalien_

i don't want to sound **** or anything, but I am listening to classical music on these speakers that I have not heard before. Having a masters in violin performance, all I can say is that I am near tears with what I am hearing.

awesome.

particularly I was listening to Ravel's Piano concerto in G Maj. and Debussy's La Mer "Dialogue of the Wind and Sea."

damn!

knownalien_

i swear I can hear every single mistake!

lol

now I am wondering how much those two outlaws can make those speaker sound?!! they are within my budget.

hmmmmmmmmmmm.

okiepolkie

Out laws. Out Laws. OUT LAWS. OUTLAWS

Hope I made myself clear.

aaharvel

i think he like outlaws.

Persoanlly, knownalien I would go Emerson.

or maybe Casio. Doesn't Casio offer HDMI on all their top end gear now?

knownalien_

I can get two of these for $624. should I pull the trigger? At 4 ohms, they are rated at 300 watts! That sounds like too much for the LSI15's to me.

McLoki

You can never be to rich, to thin, or have to many watts.....

Michael

BTW - those would work fine.

knownalien_

would you bother bi-wiring my amp and the outlaws with the LSI15's? or just run them off of the outlaws? I am about to buy the pair of outlaws now.

okiepolkie

Don't bother bi-amping the Denon with the Outlaws. You can try it, but I think you will have better sound overall if you just go with the Outlaws.

Anthter thing to keep in mind is that you can get a good, used two channel amplifier for cheaper. Or you could wait until a couple of used Outlaw monoblocks showed up However, it is hard to wait, I know.

Zach

knownalien_

if I bi-amp then I will have to buy two sets of VERY expensive speaker wire.

this is what I want to get:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=AQT44B&product_name=Type+4+Speaker+Cable+%2D+Factory+Terminated

they cost $132. 4 ft of AudioQuest Type 4 speaker wire.

I am also getting AudioQuest copperhead interconnects for the two outlaws to be connected to my Denon's pre-outs.

okiepolkie

Those would be nice, but if you want good wire for a little less money(maybe not a whole lost less), look at these: http://www.signalcable.com/speaker_cables.html

If you mention you are a Club Polk member, you get 5% off. There are a lot of people here on the forum using these cables.

McLoki

I am not going to say if purchasing very expensive wire is worth it or not since I have not heard your system, but I would purchase some decent but inexpensive wire and interconnects to get you by, then join the cable swap program to decide what you like. That way you only have to purchase what you hear is better in your system.

Just a thought.

Michael

audiobliss

Congrats on the LSi15!! They're definitely awesome speakers.

Those Outlaw monoblocks should do you just fine, but I would also consider looking at some nice 2-channel amplifiers (Rotel, Adcom, etc.). Either way you should be all grins, though.

As someone else said, don't worry about bi-amping with your Denon. Just use the pre-outs and your Outlaws (or whatever you decide to get), and you'll be happy.

I would also recommend you get some cheap(er) speaker cables and interconnects until you get a good solid foundation (Preamp, amp, source, etc.). Joining in on the speaker swap program wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

aaharvel

Outlaw Monoblocks, and McLoki's advice on speakerwire.

knownalien_

i can't believe what I just did. I wimped out of buying the outlaws for NOW. Instead, I went to the store and bought the LSiC!!

lol

I'm such a dork! I figured, I like to listen to music more, BUT, the wife likes to watch movies more. and you know how that goes. I gave her the choice: outlaws or massive upgrade from my current center speaker? She chose the latter.

I also bought 70 ft. of Monster Ultra 600 THX. Just using that alone from the generic cable I had has made a MAJOR difference. When I first powered up my speakers tonight, I thought the subwoofer was on. It was not. the cable alone gave the LSi15's a massive bottom end! I am watching LOTR without a sub!!! I also used bannana plugs at the speaker and amp ends. It's rather stunning how pretty the LSi series is. I chose cherry.

So many things to upgrade and add, but it's a great start the LSi's.

also, since I have so much speaker cable left I will gladly send anyone a length of it to try, but Monster is probably beneath many here.

audiobliss

Congrats on the new center channel! Next you gotta get those Outlaws! They'll make a world of difference. Glad you like your new speaker cable, too. I've gotta get me some new wire, as I'm just running some generic stuff from Radio Shack.

knownalien_

according to another thread, the cable exchange is no longer happening.

audiobliss

Oh really? Wow. I didn't know that. (Obviously I wasn't participating in it.)

okiepolkie

Only problem you have now is you will have to get three Outlaw monoblocks :eek:

knownalien_

okiepolkie wrote:

Only problem you have now is you will have to get three Outlaw monoblocks :eek:

i think that Denon will be alright with the center. but I do agree that outlaws are needed for the fronts. Afterall, the center doesn't have the 8" woofer that the 15's have.

audiobliss

Hmm. I'd still wanna go with three monoblocks. Sure, if money is tight just go with two for now. But plan on getting one for the center later on.

aaharvel

audiobliss wrote:

Hmm. I'd still wanna go with three monoblocks. Sure, if money is tight just go with two for now. But plan on getting one for the center later on.

right on. don't skimp on center amplification- especially if the stereo pair already have it and you won't a coherent front soundstage.

knownalien_

the third one will come. You know, I am having trouble ordering from their site.

?

I'll try again today.