Bit by the upgrading bug

josh_parsons626

Hello it's been a little while since y'all have read one of my annoying posts so I thought it was time LOL j/k. I think I'm being bit by the upgrading bug. I currently have monitor 40 fronts, cs1 center, and paradigm cinema dipole's ran off an Onkyo 503. I'm thinking about completing my monitor lineup with the 70's up front and taking my paradigms down and putting my 40's in the back. But I've been told the LSi 15's and 9's just by themselves in 2 channel mode sound better than the whole 5.1 or 7.1 monitor series itself. Should I stick it out with the Monitor series who's been pretty good to me so far, or go ahead and get the floor-standing 15's and sell the rest?

danger boy

i say go listen to the LSi's first.. before you decide to do anything. the LSi's have a different sound charaterics than the Monitor or RTi line do.. and of course cost 2 to 3 times as much.

go listen to them.

Early B.

If you decide to get into the Lsi series, you'll need a separate amp.

If you want to upgrade, start with the center channel, then the fronts, then the sub.

josh_parsons626

Hey this is probably a dumb question but you said...

Early B. wrote:

If you want to upgrade, start with the center channel, then the fronts, then the sub.

What are you talking about exactly? The LSi line or the Monitor line? Believe it or not I've thought a lot about this and am thinking that I'm just gonna upgrade to the best of the entry level Monitor series and get a better receiver. That way when I got a big enough room to play with I'll get the LSi speakers and just hook an amp to my preouts.

Does that seem like a better idea or go ahead and sell all my speakers and go buy the LSi? There's no way I can demo the LSi because the closest place is Crutchfield in Virginia and I'm only off work 2 days a week sometimes only 1 and no way at all I can afford to call off a couple of days. Does it seem better to complete what I've got or start all over with the best out?

Early B.

What is your budget? If you have the funds to buy the Lsi series and the accompanying amplfication, by all means, go for it. If not, I was thinking more along the lines of moving up to the Rti series and starting with a Csi5.

Does your Onkyo have pre-outs?

Schwingding

I've moved up a similar upgrade path. After 20 years with a pair of Monitor 5Bs pulling duty for all of my movie and music needs, I moved up to a pair of Monitor 70s. The 5bs were then put into use as surrounds. I also bought a matching center - CS2. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! But they need a good bit of power to come to life. Then I moved from the Monitor series to the RTi series - 10s up front, 8s as surrounds, CSi5 center. Another huge jump in sound quality. I don't have the $$ or power to move up another level to the LSi speakers, but if I could I surely would, and wouldn't be messing around with the monitor series at all. The 70s are nice, but the RTi10 is WAY nicer. If the LSi jump is as big a diff - I can't wait till I can afford that upgrade path.

audiobliss

If you're eventually going to end up with the LSi series, it'd be stupid to waste money and time on the Monitor series first. Even if your room isn't what you want it to be for the LSi series, it'll be better than the Monitor series. you shoudl realize that you will need a separate amplifier, but beyond that, I'd go for the LSi series if you can afford it.

Also be aware that you'll have to spend a good deal of time getting their placement dialed in just right, but from what others have said, it's worth every effort.

audiobliss

Oh, and also, don't waste any more money on receivers. I started off with a receiver, and I hate I did that. Biggest waste of money. If your current receiver doesn't have preouts, watch the flea market on this forum or ever post a want-to-buy in the wtb forum and get a cheap preamp. It'll do much better than a receiver, imho.

faster100

The Lsi's are worth every penny... if ya have the cash.. if not it doesnt matter anyways,..

I have learned the resale value on common gear and speakers doesnt hold well so if you buy small along to the path to lsi's you lose more money in the end. you will/would need a amp to go with the lsi's though and if you run 5.1 or 6 or 7.1 the amps arent cheap.. I sold my older series 2-3 year ago version of Rti's, my denon receiver and got Lsi's, 7 channel amp and pre-amp and its cost thousands to do so.. Its a large step, not just buying a new set of speakers

My advice is, keep your current speakers and get better gear first, outboard amp, pre-amp or receiver with pre-outs and then do the speakers... doing all at once is a large step.. one i did not figure before i upgraded..

but in the end im glad i did of course and should be set for my HT for several years to come,

josh_parsons626

So if I plan on being with the LSi in the end should I go ahead and shoot for that? I think I'm gonna go with Outlaw Audio 990 pre/pro & 7700 amp. Should I go ahead and save for that, or maybe try the RTi series first? Or maybe I'll go with Rotel 1098 pre/pro w/1095 and 1090 amps. Even though Rotel costs a considerable more amount which one would I probably be the most happiest with. The immediate cost of speakers and equipment isn't a concern as of now because whenever I go out and get whatever, then whatever, etc. I'll probably just take out small loans at a time and then pay them off. That way I'll be getting my speakers/equipment and I'll be building/strengthening my credit also.

danger boy

got the best you can afford.. why settle for the RTi line. if you know you'd rather have the LSi's?

the Outlaw combo with the LSi's will sound amazing.

If you got the coinage.. go with the LSi, if you don't.. go with the RTi's OR save till you can afford the LSi's.

josh_parsons626

But then again, you can say I'm annoying or get mad at me and yell a little bit but I'd really like to have all: Monitor line, RTi line and LSi line at some point in my life. These Monitor speakers along with the DB car speakers have made me really fall in love with Polk Audio. I'm wanting to complete my Monitor setup then move up to the RTi then to the LSi and appreciate what POLK AUDIO really is. But in the meantime I dont want none of y'all to tell me how much of a dumbass for spending that much money on speakers and ****.

danger boy

dumbass...

i give up.....

you already have some of the Monitor speakers.. go ahead and get the rest to complete your setup. When the time comes, move up to the RTi line. then finally the LSi line.

it's not that tough dude.. why do you keep posting the same question over and over... just do it.. like the Nike commercial says..

Schwingding

I cry uncle, too. I'd also suggest NOT taking out loans to buy audio equipment.

audiobliss

Yeah, don't take out loans; just save up some money first.

And please just forget the Monitor and RTi series. Sheesh. I wish I had as much cash to blow as you apparantly do.

Schwingding

audiobliss wrote:

Yeah, don't take out loans; just save up some money first.

And please just forget the Monitor and RTi series. Sheesh. I wish I had as much cash to blow as you apparantly do.

I doubt you wish that. He doesn't have cash - see: loans.

AndyGwis

It will probably cost you close to a grand or more in sunk cost to "try out the RTi Series." If that's worth it for you, go for it. If not, just go demo them at a store for a few hours, then listen to the Lsi's. If the Lsi's are better to your ear, why throw away 1K?

Or, get the RTi's from tweeter audio. They will give you 100% of purchase price back towards upgrades within a year. . . so, you'll have a year with the RTi's and then can trade up without depreciation.

But, you'll end up paying full retail for the Lsi's unless you can find some open-box items on their floor.

Midnite Mick

If it is just for home theatre and not really 2 channel music I think that there are better options out there than having an Lsi setup when one considers all of the other costs of properly driving power hungry 4 ohm speakers. Stick with Rti if you like how they sound it will save you money.

There are other manufacturers other than Polk. Shop around, find what you like at a price that you can afford. Don't throw money away unnecessarily (even though we have all done it). That is just my opinion.

Good luck,
Mike

zombie boy 2000

This all sounds vaguely familiar...

josh_parsons626

Alright guys look everybody seems to be getting upset just forget I said anything.

jayman_1975

Josh, do you know a guy that goes by "polk_audio_lsi" by any chance?

josh_parsons626

Um......

audiobliss

Ahh, just ignore him.

faster100

doesnt sound like anybodies getting upset.. you havent seen upset around here

maybe its the same question over and over,