Which surround backs for LSi setup?

gil

I have LSi9 standmounted upfront with LSi-F/X on the sides. The LSi-F/X are actually only behind the listener for the 1st row of seating so not optimal for the rear seats.

I am getting around to adding surround back speakers and want opinions on what to go with. They will be mounted on the rear wall.

1) single LSiC
2) pair LSi-7
3) par of LSi-F/X
4) pair small RTi bookshelves or other cheap pair (ie save the cash for something else)

Also, can the LSi-7 and LSi-C be wall mounted via the power port baffle like on the LSi-F/X ?

cmy330go

gil wrote:

I have LSi9 standmounted upfront with LSi-F/X on the sides. The LSi-F/X are actually only behind the listener for the 1st row of seating so not optimal for the rear seats.

I am getting around to adding surround back speakers and want opinions on what to go with. They will be mounted on the rear wall.

1) single LSiC
2) pair LSi-7
3) par of LSi-F/X
4) pair small RTi bookshelves or other cheap pair (ie save the cash for something else)

Also, can the LSi-7 and LSi-C be wall mounted via the power port baffle like on the LSi-F/X ?

Any of the first 3 would work great. 4 would also work but I really think the timber matching is worth it. I personally use LSi7s and am quite satisfied with the results. To me another pair of FXs is just over kill, but that is just my opinion. However if you have a really wide room they may be a better choice. Also I feel that if you are going to do 6.1 you may as well spend slightly more and do 7.1 if you have the ability.

Yes the LSiC and 7s can be mounted by a key hole slot in the power ports.

Enjoy!

Shizelbs

I concur. There is a quite a difference in the tonal qualities between the LSi and RTi series. R to RTi is fine, but RTi to LSi is a totally different sound. I personally would lean towards either the LSi7 pair for 7.1 or LSiC for 6.1. I have not heard the difference between 6 and 7, so no comment. Stay away from the RTis for your system.

kmartin971

4 LSi FX's

unc2701

LSi 9's are kind of overkill there. I had mine set up for awhile in a 7.1 and decided I'd rather have them for a dedicated 2ch system than have the extra 2 back channels. As for FX vs LSi7 or LSiC, that's going to come down to personal preference. There's no true 7.1 material out there, so you're not missing anything just having the C, so you gotta consider your room size. I'd say in ascending order of your room size you'd go C, 7, FX... but some people prefer the more diffuse sound of the FX's in any room size.

kmartin971

THX recommends direct firing for rear wall in 7 channel setups. However, I emailed Polk many times and they conrinue to recommend going with all LSiFXs all around as opposed to LSiFXs on the sides and LSi7 or 9s on the rear wall.

gil

Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards a pair of LSi7 or a just single LSiC for now in the back. I don't run a center at present so could use the LSiC in the back now and move it to the front later if I get a pair for surround back later on. I'm more concerned with surround enveloping the rear seats (ie sounds like coming from behind you) as the rear seats will be behind the LSiFX on the side walls.

I haven't really experimented with 6.1 and 7.1 - are the surround back(s) always active for regular DD5.1 material or DPL2 processing?

gil

kmartin971 wrote:

THX recommends direct firing for rear wall in 7 channel setups. However, I emailed Polk many times and they conrinue to recommend going with all LSiFXs all around as opposed to LSiFXs on the sides and LSi7 or 9s on the rear wall.

What was the reason from Polk on the LSiFX for the surround back? My seating and back wall are about 10' wide where the room is 12-13' wide elsewhere. Seats are to one side of the room with a 3'x3' closet in one corner. So the LSiFX on the rear wall will be about 6' apart and 2' from a side wall.

I do however like the slick look of the LSi-FX on the sides. How big is your room?