LSi9's for HT

janmike

I am thinking about upgrading my HT system. Currrently I have:

2 RTi100's (front)
2 RTi6's (rear)
1 CSi5 (centre)

Driven with:
Rotel RB-1080 (front) & Yamaha RX-V1500

My thought is to replace all the speakers with 4 LSi9's and 1 LSiC.

Any thoughts as to this configuration as well as the gear to drive all 5 speakers. Thanks.

LessisNevermore

I considered using 9's for my surrounds, but decided they would not be used to potential, so I bought a pair of 7's and saved some $$. (I'm sure your amp/reciever will thank you as well...:D

ohskigod

if you havent allready, try moving those rti6's to the front. will give you an idea what the new RTi series will sound like timbre matched, you might still want more, but at least you can try it for free with what you got in house.

move the rti100's to surrounds for now (overkill for surrounds? sure), but again, to timbre match the front soundstage is a good thing in my opinion, and you might be surprised with the results.

janmike

I moved the speakers around and there is a huge difference. I did not change the power allocation (Rotel - front / Yamaha - rear) and will probably keep it like this for a while. The sound seems to have more fullness to it and I think I like the added bass in the back a lot better. Time will tell. Still, if I can dump what I have I am still considering the LSi upgrade. Not sure at this point which ones.

Joey_V

I would go 9s all the way around if you can and do the LSiC for center.

If not, you could always go 9s and then FX.

I had the 9s and the 7s... but something was awkward with the sound - a little more pronounced vocals with the 7s and it didnt sound as coherent in multichannel audio. I would definitely timber match completely.

Go to ebay, buy it from ASD for 650$ or so an LSi9 pair.

janmike

I thinking 9's all round. As for power. I have seen a lot of views on this one. Currently I have a Yamaha RX-V1500 and a Rotel RB1080. Would this suffice for HT for now. Later I was thinking of selling the 1080 and purchasing a 1095.

wingnut4772

I used to have Rti100s as fronts. I got the LSi15s and moved the Rtis to surround duty. It worked out really well until I could get my current set up in the new crib.

I would also go 9's all around (including center) if you listen to mostly music but I would recommend the LSifx as surrounds for flicks depending on your room.

*Seby*-Polk-

LSi9 are outstanding speakers. Excellent quality. Same the LSiC. if you upgrade your system for those speakers, you'll won't be dissapointed

Anyway, try to listen them.

janmike

Well if I can uload some of this gear up here I think the LSi9's are the way to go. Unfortunately there are no dealers around to audition them, so I will go on the sound advice all you Polk Folk always offer. Thanks.

Toxis

I love my 9's and C. But I HIGHLY recommend upgrading to a 5ch amp though. Otherwise you WILL hear a distinct difference in the center and fronts. Trust me, I did the 2ch. route for a while and I hated the center.

janmike

You are exactly right Toxis. The amp would have to change or add a 3CH for the centre and the rears. Too many things on the list at this moment.

tdeluce

Toxis wrote:

I love my 9's and C. But I HIGHLY recommend upgrading to a 5ch amp though. Otherwise you WILL hear a distinct difference in the center and fronts. Trust me, I did the 2ch. route for a while and I hated the center.

3 channel for the front LCRs is the way to go.

You can use a smaller stereo amp or a couple smaller monoblocks for
surrounds. The surrounds simply do not need the same amplification
as the LCRs...

The above scenario will also allow you to upgrade more often :-)

janmike

I emailed Rotel and made inquiries into using the RB-1080 to run a pair of LSi9's. I actually forwarded the specs on the LSi9’s from the Polk web site without disclosing the name of the speakers. The response I received back is as follows:


"Depending on how loud you play them this amplifier will reach power of 350 in to 4 ohms."


"These speakers are not very efficient. You may find yourself turning them up to hear them properly. You also may find that because this amplifier is so clean that you can turn it up and will not hear any distortion, and perhaps you will blow your speakers. Try to be reserved when using this amplifier with these speakers."

McLoki

janmike wrote:

"Depending on how loud you play them this amplifier will reach power of 350 in to 4 ohms."


"These speakers are not very efficient. You may find yourself turning them up to hear them properly. You also may find that because this amplifier is so clean that you can turn it up and will not hear any distortion, and perhaps you will blow your speakers. Try to be reserved when using this amplifier with these speakers."

At max (continuous) power they should be putting out well over 100db. (around 110db at one meter) Peaks would be above that. I guess it just depends on how "properly" you need to hear them.

Michael

Joey_V

THe 1080 should have an easy time powering the 9s. My 1070 did.

McLoki

BTW - I never had any issues feeding my LSi7's (rated at 150 watts / channel) power from my 500 watt Cinepro.

If the amp sounds clear or not - when the speakers starts to strain the soundstage will start to collapse. When that happens, just turn it down. It is easy to hear, and you should notice it right away.

Don't worry - the amp isn't the only thing that will tell you when you are reaching the limits of your system.

Michael

aaharvel

LSI 9's for the LCR
LSIfx for the surrounds.

wirebill

Hello Mike,
You have a P.M.
Thanks,
Bill

Toxis

tdeluce wrote:

3 channel for the front LCRs is the way to go.

You can use a smaller stereo amp or a couple smaller monoblocks for
surrounds. The surrounds simply do not need the same amplification
as the LCRs...

The above scenario will also allow you to upgrade more often :-)

Personally, this has the same mental thought as the old pro logic days. Sorry, I'm all about equal power.

janmike

Totally agree Toxis.
I'm no expert, but I will go one of two ways. Either purchase a 3CH 200 watts amp for the rearss and centre or trade in the Rotel and purchase a 5CH 200+ wpc amp.

DiscoMike

I have a pair of LSi9's for sale if anyone is interested.

janmike

Exactly my thinking as well. So I either dump the 1080 and buy a 1095 or find a 993 to compliment the 1080. The really like Rotel for HT. In the end, 200w all round.