LSi15 vs RTi12

dinnu
dinnu Posts: 33
edited January 2006 in Speakers
I stopped by the local FRY's store yesterday to check out LSi15s. They had all the RTi series (12s, 10s and 8s) and the LSi15s set up in one demo room. I spent over an hour listening to these speakers. I am no audiophile and consider myself a novice when it comes to audio gear. I actually took the separates route almost a year ago when I bought my first Rotel amp from Jesse (thanks Jesse, it's still in great shape). Though I visit this forum almost everyday, I rarely post. But I digress....

Coming back to the point, I asked the sales guy to randomly switch between the LSi15 and the RTi12 while I listened with my eyes closed. I have to mention that it was not an optimal setup and probably was not the best way to compare as these speakers were powered by a HK receiver (and according the the sales guy is 200 w/ch). I could tell when he was switching the speakers b'cos of the change in the volume level (8 ohm vs 4 ohm?).

Even with my limited experience auditioning speakers, I was clearly able to tell the difference between the LSi15s and the RTi12s. Now I understand what you guys mean by "bright" and "forward" when describing the RTi series. The LSis are definitely more laid back and seem to reproduce music more accurately. The biggest issue I have with LSis is, I don't have them :rolleyes: . I am now in the market looking for a used pair of LSis15s (black) :) .

FRY's has the LSi15s on sale for $1400 (they are giving you $200 off instead of the free sub) is anyone is interested.
Post edited by dinnu on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited January 2006
    Cool. You should be able to find a used pair of Lsi15's for $1,000 or less. A pair on audiogon recently went for $850.

    Will these speakers be used for a 2-channel rig? If so, what kind of CD player will you be using? Will they be powered by your Rotel amp?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2006
    Check audiogon; there usually are LSi15's under a grand; there was a nice pair for $850 recently....

    Edit: Ok, EarlyB. just showed why he picked that name :)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2006
    Will you eventually use them for HT? If so..then you may want to consider the total cost of an LSI 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 system. Not to mention the power for them. I am not familiar with your amps but my Outlaw 770 runs HOT pushing just 5 LSI speakers for HT. That's why I have an Earthquake Cinenova (600@4 ohms) on the way.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dinnu
    dinnu Posts: 33
    edited January 2006
    They will be part of my home theater setup. I will replace my center and sorrounds eventually. And yes they will be powered by my Rotel amp. I don't have a dedicated CD player right now and I am not even thinking about one at present. I have to upgrade my old receiver to a pre-processor (like Rotel RSP 1068) or another reciever (like Rotel RSX-1056?). This is going to be done over a long period of time, but I have to start some where.

    As you can tell I am suffering from severe upgraditis :eek:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited January 2006
    rti12's make no sense to me unless you don't want to upgrade your center speaker- which is prob. an rti model.

    Both speakers cost about the same- both need separate amplification to work, and the lsi15 sounds so much better. To me it's not a difficult decision at all. I'm surprised anyone buys rti12's.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited January 2006
    Well, I personally wouldn't describe the RTi 12 as "bright". It may be brighter than the LSis but compared to some aluminum/titanium domed tweeter speakers out there, RTis have a nice sound.....
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited January 2006
    RTi series...designed for Home Theater;Reference Theater...

    LSi series...designed for Music&Home Theater...much better quality tweeter.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GaryZ06
    GaryZ06 Posts: 317
    edited January 2006
    aaharvel wrote:
    rti12's make no sense to me unless you don't want to upgrade your center speaker- which is prob. an rti model.

    Both speakers cost about the same- both need separate amplification to work, and the lsi15 sounds so much better. To me it's not a difficult decision at all. I'm surprised anyone buys rti12's.
    Andrew I have the RTi12's powered by Outlaw monoblocks and I am very happy with the results.When buying them I tried both the RTi12's and the LSi15's and to me the RTi's just hit me better.To me what sounds good to the listener is the best choice for them.You must remember our ears are not the same.The LS1's sounded great also but when the RTi's were cranking to some heavy metal it hit my sweet spot.
    Panasonic 50" Plasma + Pioneer 6010
    Toshiba XA2 HD-DVD
    Panasonic BD30 Blu-Ray
    Pioneer 1014
    Polk RTi12 (front)...Polk CSi5 (center)
    Polk RTi4 (rear)...Velodyne DLS 5000-R Sub
    3 Outlaw M-200 Amps
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited January 2006
    GaryZ06 wrote:
    To me what sounds good to the listener is the best choice for them.You must remember our ears are not the same.

    point taken.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter