LSi15 initial review

ohskigod

I'll start with backround, for those that give a whoop

In case you didnt know, My first introduction to the LSi series was at jdhdiggs house (I was picking up SDA 1b's at the time) He wipped out a pair of LSi7's, and long story short, I really liked what I heard.

Fast forward to about a month ago, I got a heads up that a pair of LSi9's new (floor model) from IEI in Hazlett NJ for 499+tax. A great deal that i couldnt pass up. Long story short, absolutly amazed at what these little bookshelves could do. Until today, was actually using them in my 2 channel over the Carvers a)for fun, and I want to change grill cloth and some wiring upgrades c) basements a mess, needed more room. (No, I'm not selling em )

Then, I see wlmdx was selling some LSi15's, and soooooooo close (NYC). My mind started churning (which is bad for my budget :rolleyes: ). I could try these in 2 channel, then eventually go the all LSi route in my theater. Such a plan. After some more egging on from Criverajr, I decided to get the 15's. Long story short, they're in my house now (hooked up to the 2 channel).

WOW. Initial impression is, I really like these speakers alot. I put this and above experiences together and I have to say it. I think I like LSi's better than SDA's. I KNOW I'm gonna catch **** for that, but hey, they're my ears. SDA's still kick **** nonetheless.

Same sound charachteristics in the 15's that I liked in the 9's. They just feel more well rounded and effortless. Remember, I have a big open basement. As surprised as I was at how well the 9's commannded the room for a bookshelve, the 15's just seem to fill in small gaps. I'm still curious which one I would like better in a smaller room, but that is for a later experiment.

I noticed that with other speakers, I allways had trouble getting the bass to sound right in the basement (yes, the carvers included). The basement just had a knack for sucking bass responce out of anything I put down there. That effectivly stopped with the LSi15's. Bass problem? what bass problem! With that, the 15's just sound smooth, effortless, and oh so right from top to bottom.

I know some have said that the bass seems a little disjointed with the 15's, which is why some like the 9's and 7's better, but I have not experienced that. I have a feeling my unusual situation with the basement might have something to do it, somewhere down the road I would like to compare them side by side in a better listening environment. (will be building a dedicated sound room in the basement eventually, its on the house to do list)

Anyway, in non audiophile terms, Me likey the LSi15's. I really think Polk put together a hell of a speaker series with the LSi's. built well, sound great, even for there price point at full retail. A big thumbs up to Polk for putting these things out there.

audiobliss

Dibs on the SDA's!!!!

:D

But, in all seriousness, glad you're liking them!

2+2

Thanks for sharing your thoughts... the LSi15 is pretty hard to beat, especially for acoustic music....enjoy!

DAGLJAM6

ohskigod wrote:

I think I like LSi's better than SDA's

Blasphemer....i can't hea...i won't read this again you are so outta the club:)







Actually i'd like to hear a set of the bigger LSI's

Airplay355

Me too. I always wonder what the differences between Lsi7's and a sub filling in the bottom end and lsi15's with the sub only filling in the very deepest parts would be for me. Lsi15's are certainly prettier and I have an affinity for towers, but I wonder if the difference would justify the price difference. I also wonder how much harder the Lsi15's would be to drive. My amp isn't a slouch but it doesn't have all the headroom in the world.

wingnut4772

Glad you like them. For the money, I don't think they can be beat.

ohskigod

Airplay355 wrote:

Me too. I always wonder what the differences between Lsi7's and a sub filling in the bottom end and lsi15's with the sub only filling in the very deepest parts would be for me. Lsi15's are certainly prettier and I have an affinity for towers, but I wonder if the difference would justify the price difference. I also wonder how much harder the Lsi15's would be to drive. My amp isn't a slouch but it doesn't have all the headroom in the world.

funny thing, it actually seems like my amp doesnt work as hard driving the 15's as it does the 9's. not that it was working hard wither way, but judging by the level meters, it seems herder to get them to move, even at loudder volumes with the 15's then the 9's. just a little odd

ohskigod

DAGLJAM6 wrote:

Blasphemer....i can't hea...i won't read this again you are so outta the club:)

I've never heard the 1.2tl's though, that should be noted.

and that statement notwithstanding, I still miss my 1B's with the upgraded tweets.

cfrizz

Nice write up. Congrats on the purchase.

Airplay355

are the 15's more efficient maybe? seems like my 7's kinda red line in the spl department alittle early...but when i turn it down my ears are still ringing like i had been blasting it. i think i was so used to hearing distortion when i turned it up loud, and now that i don't hear distortion it's harder for me to guage how loud things are by just using my ears.

are you driving them with the carver amp? tonight i decided to use my mom's m.05t and the musical fidelity integrated as a pre. i thought the carver was rated at a higher power then my MF int. but i can't find specs on the carver for 4 ohm. the MF is 185wpc into 4 ohms. i found that the tweeters sounded much harsher and hissier with the carver amp. i thought using the balls of the carver and the high class sound of the MF integrated would be a great combo but i like the integrated amp all by itself. the carver amp didn't impress me. i'm glad though. i think i managed to squash an upgrade bug tonight. little **** tried to sneak up on me...

Joey_V

Congrats on the 15... solid solid speakers!

mantis

Very Cool man. I also perfer the Lsi over the SDA series. I think they are more acurate and clear. I also find them to have better depth.

The Lsi15's are my favorite 2 channel Lsi speaker. I owned all of them except the Lsi25's and I done a few side by side demos with the Lsi15's and Lsi25's and they are very very close with the Lsi25's having better bass response. I don't care for the powered tower design and that alone doesn't allow me to own them.

The Lsi9's and Lsi15's do sound different. I felt the 9's to be alittle muddy in compasion. I owned both and did countless hours trying to find out why other liked the 9's over the 15's. The 15's are clearer and the effortless comment you made is exactly what I found. They sound like everything is easier to play. The 9's seems like they gotta work harder to perform.

Good luck with your Lsi system. Very nice.

Dan

ohskigod

yeah, I'm not a big fan of powerred towers either. Its like a general prejudice, they just dont seem right to me. Just my opinion and couldnt even put in words why I feel that. I'd rule them out completly for 2 channel but would entertain them for theater use.

would like to hear the 25's just so I can say I heard the whole line. Doesnt seem like that many here have em, of course, that might be because they are the most expensive.

Dan, you put the nail on the head in terms of how I feel about the 9's and 15's. that being said, the 9's, as a bookshelf alone, amazed me in perormance for their size

*Seby*-Polk-

The LSi are the most expensive speakers of Polk. Really great speakers. But my question is...

(With the correct A/V or amp.)
¿Works better for movies or music?.....¿Or maybe two? Thanks.

Airplay355

Both. I heard things I never knew were in the movie with the Lsi's. I think the scene that really convinced me was a scene in Troy where the really hot blonde chick, her name escapes me, and orlando bloom were talking in a room. I could hear ocean waves in the background. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I'd say they kick **** as movie speakers.

trees

As surprised as I was at how well the 9's commannded the room for a bookshelve, the 15's just seem to fill in small gaps. I'm still curious which one I would like better in a smaller room, but that is for a later experiment.

Look forward to the next test. I'd guess many of us are in the same situation and I'm curious if you hear the same improvement or if the small size of the room will be the limiting factor.


Thanks,
Trees

dorokusai

Why would you get flak for enjoying LSi's more than SDA's? I say congratulations.

kingsqueak

Hey I live locally so I'll take those 9's for $250 and I'll even be so big as to pick them up. :-)

ohskigod

kingsqueak wrote:

Hey I live locally so I'll take those 9's for $250 and I'll even be so big as to pick them up. :-)

yeah, 250.00 each slick, if I was sellin em LOL

they will be pulling surround duty when I put the LSi theater together down the road. this will be when the Carver Amazings get put back in rotation for 2 channel. After grill cloth repair and rewiring of at least the bass drivers (wire looked a bit thin to me)

adam2434

If you ever get the chance, I'd be interested your observations of the 15s vs. your LS90s.

15s will be on my short list if/when I decide to change speakers, and it would be cool to get someone's personal opinion comparing the two.

Enjoy your new speakers.

fireshoes

Airplay355 wrote:

Both. I heard things I never knew were in the movie with the Lsi's. I think the scene that really convinced me was a scene in Troy where the really hot blonde chick, her name escapes me, and orlando bloom were talking in a room. I could hear ocean waves in the background. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. I'd say they kick **** as movie speakers.

I agree. I have my RTi12's for my ht setup right now, but I really prefer the LSi15's, which are currently in my 2 channel rig.

criverajr

Ohskigod,

Hey I told you, I too enjoy the LSi series better than the SDA. The 15's are very very good for both 2 Channel and HT duty. I will always own SDA but my 15's are here to stay. I find that my B&K setup and the 15's are working very well together. In the past months I've tried Onix, Parasound and a few others Monitor Audio, but the Polks at their price point are hard to beat. Hey Lou, don't tell the Misses I egged you on, I want to here that awesome LSi HT hook-up when I'm up their. I say sell the 90's move the 15's upstairs along with the 9's for surround duty, get the LSic they would look killer in your living room, fix the carvers for 2 channel, and **** anyone would be envious. Get the basement fixed and we could have a rockin Polkfest in Jersey.

CRj

ohskigod

criverajr wrote:

Ohskigod,

I say sell the 90's move the 15's upstairs along with the 9's for surround duty, get the LSic they would look killer in your living room, fix the carvers for 2 channel, and **** anyone would be envious. Get the basement fixed and we could have a rockin Polkfest in Jersey.

CRj

you pretty much outlined my plan, including work in the basement. Thats on the list after the kitchen is done, ah, the joys of home ownership

once things tighten up on the home front, I would definitly consider a Jersey minimeet.

reeltrouble1

Congrats my man, r u driving to PF? Hint hint hint..........

RT1

ohskigod

I plan on going, but still in the air on mode of transport. Taking stuff back with me will be more of a challenge if I fly