LSiC Center Channel (alternatives for LSi system) ???

kmartin971

Recently I contacted polk customer service and ask what other options I had to the LSiC as a center channel for the LSi series system.

Customer service gave two suggestions upgrade to the LSi9 or use the LC265i (need to place in a custom 1 cubic foot box) instead.

They stated that this will add more base:
"Well if you do not like the LSiC, there are a few alternatives. One
is to use a single LSi9 for the center channel either vertically or
turned on its side. An alternative for the hobbyist would be to use an
LC265i and build yourself a 1.0 cubic foot enclosure to use as the center
speaker."

Has anyone done this?

Also, I do not want more base I really want to add more detail and better front sound stage for movies.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Demiurge

Are you using any amps?

kmartin971

This based on my listening experience at various high end audio stores. My system is not yet hooked up. I wish polk offered more than ne center channel for the LSi series.

Demiurge

Being that these speakers are rather expensive (to me at least) I would say part of your listening experience is going to be the environment you're using it in and what's powering the speakers. I also know there is a 'break in' factor to consider with most Polk lines, especially the LSi line of speakers. Most people here feel that they're better suited towards 2 channel aduio than HT, but they're still great.

Did you get a presentation in an actual sound room or was it just out in the open in a big room with other stuff going on?

kmartin971

Each presentation was in a sound room. Don't get me wrong I loved the system thats why I bought it. But I heard the Martin Logan center channal and that was amazing!!!!!!! I think you could get close to that it they offerred a better center channel. I think the LSi series is good for both music and movies.

Keep in mind the Martin Logan system I am comparing it to was $2,500 more.

Demiurge

kmartin971 wrote:

Each presentation was in a sound room. Don't get me wrong I loved the system thats why I bought it. But I herd the Martin Logan center channal and that was amazing!!!!!!! I think you could get close to that it they offerred a better amp. I think the LSi series is good for both music and movies.

Keep in mind the Martin Logan system I am comparing it to was $2,500 more.

You're right, they are really good speakers for HT, I didn't mean to say otherwise, plus you already bought them! You get the best of both worlds. My suggestion would be to stick it out with the LSiC for a while and open it up a bit (it makes a world of difference). If you still don't like it you can sell it off, I mean...nobody can argue with what your ears are hearing.

I'm still curious what you're going to be powering these speakers with (AVR, Amps, etc.).

Some others here will be able to give you some suggestions once that's all out on the table. I don't own any of the speakers you're talking about, but I have heard these speakers in full force before and they're amazing (to my ears anyways).

Airplay355

Someone change the crossover on their LsiC to that of an Lsi9 because they liked the sound of the 9 better. i'm pretty sure it worked.

kmartin971

I have also noticed that people seem to prefer the LSi7s or 9s for surround sound as opposed to the LSiFXs. The nice thing about the LSi series is seems each speaker in the 7.1 channel setup in interchangable.

polkatese

I have my LSiC for the past three years, and never really have any issue with it (or maybe I am less demanding on HT). I have switched over my front speakers on HT to SF Cremona, and recalibrated LSiC with +2dB hotter, and it blends nicely. Given that timbre matching supposed to be the key, I find myself pretty content with LSiC's ability to blend in with the Cremonas.

Lsi9

I use the Rm3000 for my center channel. Two satelites wired with the passive sub. I set the CC in my preamp to large, sounds great matches the Lsi9s better than a chesty CC speaker, plus I get to set my CC to large.


Hey Polkatese!

kmartin971

Why did you switch? Were you using Polk towers previously? What towers did you replace?

polkatese

hey, LSi9, how things? how's the 3000 treating you?

kmartin, I assume you are asking me the why switch question. It was supposed to be an upgrade from LSi15, which it has been on my two-channel system. The plan was to have 15 back to the main HT, but as it turned out, I like the way it is. The 15 plays very nicely on my two-channels with the Krell, so I let the Cremona with the rest of the LSis, in the main HT area (although I spend substantial time listening to two-channels audio in this system.)

kmartin971

I read in one review where a guy used an LSi15 as a center channel!

kmartin971

Has anyone turned an LC265i into a center channel by building a custom box as the polk CS suggested?