Upgrade from LSi9

dmamsa

Hello Folks;

What speakers brand do folks look at when they are thinking to upgrade from Lsi9.

I am still going through the amp selection as I got the following loaner amps.

Halo A51
Cinenova Grande 7
Gemstone 7

So I like it in the following order.

Gemstone 7
A51
Cinenova

In my opinion gemstone had the most "clarity" when it came to Lsi9 along with an awesome lowend. The A51 was a closed second but it lacked the clarity of the Gemstone. The Cinenova is a brute force amp and you can feel it when driving the Lsi9. It was great at the low end but did not match the above two when it came to clarity. These amps were driven by a B&K 507 S1 as a pre amp and the CD player is a Denon 2910 . This was for two channel only-as I havent had a chance to test the HT side yet!


Again these are my opinions based on my preferences.


I am thinking going the Gemstone route and wanted to "upgrade" from the Lsi9s' if there such a thing.

I am looking at the paradigm studio 40/signature S4 and the B&W 805S..


any thoughts and opinions.

polkatese

dmamsa,

I bought my Gemstone almost purely based on AVS' feedback and Steve's recommendation (SoundVideo owner/Gemstone owner) and given the fact that I've been doing business with him for several years, his opinions I valued. I am glad I did, beyond size issue, which is strictly my issue. I had it for over a year now, and still happy to have it power the system (front: SF Cremona, rest: LSi9/FX/Center).

I can say the gemstone allows the Cremona to shine, from the bottom up.

Thank you for doing the comparo, it is good to know it was a good purchase.
Njoy!

jm1

dmamsa wrote:

I am thinking going the Gemstone route and wanted to "upgrade" from the Lsi9s' if there such a thing.

Had the LSi9's with a Rotel RB-980BX amp for 3.5 years. Upgraded the Rotel to a Simaudio W-3 amp and used the 9's with this for several months. Actually, the entire two channel system has been upgraded in the past two years, but that is another story.

I still found the 9's to be lacking in several performance characteristics. The 9's were replaced with some Dynaudio Contour S1.4 monitors. I found these to better the 9's in every performance characteristic. I have since moved to the Dynaudio Confidence C1 speakers which were once again a significant upgrade in performance and especially refinement. The S1.4 were moved to the second two channel system (old equipment from the recent upgrades) for family use.

There are many options to further improve your enjoyment if you decide to move on from the 9's. The 9's are a great speaker for the price and I have no regrets owning them.

dmamsa

Thanks for the feedback. I will check out some paradigm this weekend

shack

I personally prefer the LSis to the Paradigm Studio series and would consider it a latteral move (AT BEST). Not a big fan of Paradigm though, so I guess I am biased.

McLoki

Personally I would put Paradigm and B&W as lateral moves from the LSi line. (slightly different sound, but not significantly better imo)

Most who upgrade from the LSi's seem to go to Dynaudio (WingNut went with Von schweikert) or a completly different technology like ribbons or planer speakers of some kind.

Personally I would go with a different technology than a direct radiating speaker to see if you like what it offers. For a traditional speaker line, the LSi's are really pretty far up the price/performace curve. (you will have to spend some pretty good coin to get a worthwhile upgrade that is significantly better)

Michael (all comments are in my opinion of course)

Joey_V

I would say that the Paradigm series are very attractive at the moment... why?

Because of 2 things:
1. Upgrades to their studio line that should put it at almost the same level as the previous Signature series.... with the implementation of the gold tweeter onto the Studio line, they should be a better speaker.
2. Upgrades to the Signature line... a massive upgrade which includes a new midrange driver and a Beryllium tweeter. Should be a great speaker...

Now, I would agree that most of the BW series are a lateral move, but if you are talking about 80x series, then it's a different story altogether.

YMMV... go out and listen to the new Paradigms! One thing is for sure, they sound cleaner than the LSi, but LSi have musicality on their side.... or that's my opinion atleast.

Joey

Ferres

I'm very much enamoured with the Aurum Cantus Melody M102's.

I'm hoping to purchase a pair in a few months.

dmamsa

thanks Shack and McLoki..I will keep that in mind when I check out the Paradigms this weekend...


Joey,

The dealer I talked to has the entire line and he said he has the V4 of the studios so I have to check them out..

Will keep you posted

Lsi9

After you listen to the Paradigms listen to the Jm Lab/Focal Chorus Line

McLoki

Report back here what you think of the V.4 line.

I have heard the v.3 line (studio 100's) but have never heard the v.4 or anything from the signature line. I would say the v.3 were brighter than my LSi's but I did not like the sound quite as much (I liked it a little better at first, but found it harsh after about a half-hour - the nature of the brighter speaker I suppose).

They are a good speaker though and if you like the sound - more power to you. I was unaware they have come out with new lines, so I may try and get out to get my listen on as well....

Michael

markmarc

I've found that the Paradigm's have a completely different sonic signature than the LSi's, however, I haven't heard the v.4's yet. But when I had a chance to compare the v.3's to the LSi's, the LSi's have more resonance. the v.3's are brighter. Overall, I'd agree a lateral move at best.

Moving up to the Dynaudio 1.4's is a step up, but a healthy increase in capital as well.

I'd look into modifying your cd player. To me, it depends on whether you're into home theater or two channel. If its two channel, then move into tubes.

McLoki

Well, I called the local paradigm dealer and he does not have any of the studio v.4's in stock yet. (he can get, but does not carry any of the signature line)

While he did not have any of the V.4's, he is closing out his v.3's. He currently has studio 40's and 100's. I did not ask about the 40's, but he is asking $1300 for the studio 100's. (still not enough to make me trade in my LSi's but a good deal for 100's new in box from an authorized dealer)

Michael

Joey_V

McLoki wrote:

Well, I called the local paradigm dealer and he does not have any of the studio v.4's in stock yet. (he can get, but does not carry any of the signature line)

While he did not have any of the V.4's, he is closing out his v.3's. He currently has studio 40's and 100's. I did not ask about the 40's, but he is asking $1300 for the studio 100's. (still not enough to make me trade in my LSi's but a good deal for 100's new in box from an authorized dealer)

Michael

Mike,

Same predicament up north... I'm still waiting for a dealer to carry the new Sig v2.0 and the new Studio Reference v4.0. Still no sign though...

Joey

dkg999

I have the Paradigm Studio 20.v3 running as my bedroom system. I have had them in direct comparison to the LSi7/9's. I would agree that they are a lateral move, and offer a different sound and presentation to the LSi's. For me and my ears, I prefer the LSi7 over the 9, I find the LSi9 to have some issues with the blending of the woofer/mid/tweeter, and I am in the minority that also has some issues with the sound of the Vifa tweeter in the LSi series. When I compared the Paradigms I heard a warmer top end (yes, bright with the right gear) that was more crisp and detailed, and I got a huge soundstage and less finicky about placement. I also got a much better tweeter/mid-woofer blend. With the LSi 7/9 I can hear the boxes, and the Paradigm's tend to loose the boxy sound and have a much more open presentation. With that said I do want to hear the LSi's powered by tubes!

Joey_V

dkg999 wrote:

With the LSi 7/9 I can hear the boxes, and the Paradigm's tend to loose the boxy sound and have a much more open presentation.

I will concur 100% with this finding... as I've heard this in head/head comparisons. This is the part where the lateral move "idea" comes to question for me.

Joey

markmarc

I wonder, is the "boxy" sound you hear come from the fact that the LSi7's vocals are presented a little lower in the octave?
I'm still of the belief that it is a lateral move. Now, about upgrading, the Totem Model 1's should be on your radar, if you go that route.

dane_peterson

I can't give any feedback based on my personal experience, but from a lot that I've read, the Tyler Taylo Monitors may be a good step up for you.

dmamsa

Jsut an update;

Had a chance to listen to the V3 Studio 40- Very comparable to the LSI9 but the LSI9 has an edge on clarity. Positioning was a lot easier on the Studios. Will listen to the V4 next week.

A friend of mine has a pair for Studio 40 V2-collecting dust. I am borrowing it from him to test it out in my "own" setting.

Will report back

PS: Hearing a lot of good things about the Dynaudio S 1.4s..will try to listen to them this weekend

sb_caribou

In addition to the dynaudio contour 1.4, would the focus 140 also be worth considering at a lower price point? favorable reviews. anyone demoed /compared to lsi?

sb_caribou

dmamsa, how's the search going - did you check out the 1.4's? I've been thinking of upgrading myself and demo'd the special 25's, 1.4's, 3.4's, and focus 140 from dynaudio about a week ago. the special 25's were just that, as they should be for 5 grand. i'm thinking the 1.4's may be the way to go if you don't have that kind of budget and want a bookshelf speaker.

heiney9

jm1 wrote:

I still found the 9's to be lacking in several performance characteristics.

Care to expand? Were these noticed right out of the box or did they only become apparent after you bought and spent time with Dynaudio's?

dkg999 wrote:

For me and my ears, I prefer the LSi7 over the 9, I find the LSi9 to have some issues with the blending of the woofer/mid/tweeter, and I am in the minority that also has some issues with the sound of the Vifa tweeter in the LSi series.

Care to expand a bit? I'd be interested in what you honestly think when you come over to hear the 9's at my place. I have no issue with the blending. I suppose on some material the Vifa can sound a bit forward, but I have yet to get any fatigue or for that matter any harshness out of them.

I pose my questions not to call anyone out, but just because I'm interested in other opinions. I find very little lacking with the 9's and I'm not an easy person to please when it comes to audio equipment. I know that taking a setp up the ladder to Dynaudio or Von's or Taylor or Sonus Faber is going to get better results, but I can't find too many faults with the LSi 9's regardless of price. If anything perhaps my gear is holding me back, not the speaks. I'd like a bit more depth on the soundstage (front to back) but I'm not sure what is limiting that......the gear or speaks.

It takes a lot to impress me and the 9's have done that in spades.

H9

dkg999

H9 - from the time I have spent listening to the LSi7/9 in stores, and from some very brief time with both of them in my home, my ears had some issues with the 9's. They seemed to have a pronounced mid-range boost, and I could hear the bass and mid drivers articulated in the sound. I just didn't hear a smooth blending of the drivers. The 7's seemed to be smoother from the point of blending of the total freq spectrum. My only issue with the 7's was that my ears just don't jive with the LSi tweeter. I'm anxious to hear them in your set up, and also to throw a tube pre in the lineup and see how they sound on tubes.

My comments shouldn't be taken as critical of the LSi series! The LSi's are an incredible value at their price point. No matter how good a speaker is, everyone's ears are different, and sometimes your ears just don't appreciate a certain model or driver design.

jm1

H9,

In brief, I thoroughly enjoy the engaging experience live music provides in addition to the recorded media. My main focus has been to be able to recreate the live performance experience in the confines of my audio room. To this end, I have dedicated considerable hours listening, learning, experimenting and finally purchasing or constructing.

I have also been fortunate in that some of the local establishments have allowed me to utilize their main two channel audio rooms to gain a better understanding of reproduced music. This has been an enlightening experience and I am truly grateful for this.

After having this experience, I thought the mid/upper bass was somewhat muddy and affected the overall clarity of the speaker. I found having the 9’s relieved of bass duties, to some extent, alleviates this problem, but did not totally remedy the situation to my satisfaction. Two SVS PC-Ultra’s were used and are still active within the system.

One evening, we attended a live performance of Carmina Burana. Having a CD of the piece, I was familiar with the work. The live performance was also astonishingly similar to the recorded performance. This was an informative experience and indicated where I was on my journey. I also determined the 9’s were not as dynamic as I would have liked.

The 9’s were replaced with the S1.4 in the exact same position within the room on the same stands. Every performance characteristic of the S1.4’s was more attuned to my preferences and expectations.

The LSi series has exceptional sonic characteristics for the price point. I had the 9’s for 3.5 years and have no ownership regrets. I would and do encourage others to audition the LSi series to determine if they meet their needs.

heiney9

Thanks to both you and dkg999 for being a bit more specific and you are both right on the money as to what I see as the one issue with the 9's. Although I suspect you both find it to be a much larger issue than I do. Early on in another post I made about the 9's after just purchasing I mentioned the exact same midrange warmth characteristic. It doesn't bother me anymore as to me it's a slight issue and tends to be, IMO, recording specific.

I will also state again for those who come across this thread that the 9's are an excellent speaker as well as an excellent value. They are not perfect but they do so many things very well that some of the minor shortcomings can be overlooked because the 9's are just great performers.

H9

sb_caribou

dkg999,
comparing the 9's to the 1.4s, would you say one is relatively "warmer" than the other? or both relatvely neutral?

dkg999

I haven't spend enough time with the Dynaudio line of speakers to offer an opinion. I did have some listening time with the 72SE's, and if they are true to the Dynaudio line, I would say they were a little more neutral than the Paradigm's. My old ears with some high freq hearing loss like a slightly warm, crisp, high end