Comparing the LSI series with Rockets and Axioms

mwaarna

Somethign Along the lines of these stands:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accsrack&1173396798

polkatese

yep, I have that one, and another one of older model with a semi round base.

heiney9

mwaarna wrote:

Just before i make offers on Audiogon..

How much do LSi9's typically go for used and shipped?

Cause they are asking for about 500, what is an offer i could make them without having them totally ignore me.

On the sub portion i've been doing research as well.

The #1 contender currently is the HSU VTF-3 HO. Subs are alot easier to research and find out which ones are the best vs speakers..

Depends on on how good the reviews for the new SVS Ultra and the price difference, but more than likely i will order the HSU

$500 is a steal for nice cond. used LSi 9's. I'd say make an offer of $500 shipped, which could run anywhere from $40-60.

P.s. There! post 3000 is out of the way.

littleb

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

I wouldnt even consider the Axiom line up.

They freaking build their stuff out of cardboard practically. Cheap materials, cheap finishes, cheap drivers. More so compared to the RT series than the LSi series.

Sadly though, if I were to buy a pair of speakers right now between the LSi and Onix - It would most likely be Onix. Sorry Polk.

PS: The LSi series is excellent - but I just like the way the Onix line up looks. Haha. *sigh*

I've been on the fence about upgrading my HT speakers for awhile. I have been looking for some towers that do music as well as HT. After reading umpteen reviews and message board entries, I have been convinced that a good music speaker is hard to find these days. For arguments sake let's accept some statements that have been made, here and elsewhere. Lets' start off with Axioms, like Klipsch, are too brights or harsh, and overall poorly put together, and mention what others on this board have said about the Polk RTI series, mainly that they are good for HT, but are undesireable as a music speaker. Let's just say that we accept the opinion that the LSI series is the best of the Polk line up. I would say that may be true, but I think most people would be unwilling to pony up the cash needed to purchase them and look elsewhere. Most people are looking for a deal. That brings us to the Rockets, they are a little pricey, but the shipping charges erases them from my memory banks. So, what affordable speakers remain. Sony, maybe Infinity, the PSB image series??? I've auditioned the B&W 600 series, the PSB image line, the Paradigm monitor and studio lines, Polk's R and RTI series and frankly, I'm still waiting for that speaker that makes me want to pack away my Axiom's. I'm sorry, but I think most of the brands of speakers are quite similar. I just don't think there is that much difference when it comes to brands. Most of these speakers were made to excel with HT, but aren't so hot when you just want to listen to tunes.

heiney9

For you to make a broad statement like that means you've never listened to LSi's or perhaps never had good electronics running them. Making broad/general statements about audio can be foolish.

McLoki

Since you brought price into it. What is your overall budget for the upgrade?

Do you have to purchase new (is used an option - or at least no warrantee)?

I assume you would want to purchase 5 speakers (or do you need 7)?

What are you currently powering them with? The added cost of decent amplification if often overlooked when thinking of purchasing the LSi series of speakers.

You can put together an all LSi home theater for not alot of money if you are willing to purchase used and wait for a deal on your components. You may have to factor in amplification though and that will drive up the cost.

For a music/home theater speaker I personally like the LSi line (obviously - as that is where I put my money) other lines to look at though would be Paradigm, Energy and B&W. At least give them a listen and decide for yourself if you like the sound over the LSi line.

Michael

McLoki

littleb wrote:

Let's just say that we accept the opinion that the LSI series is the best of the Polk line up. I would say that may be true, but I think most people would be unwilling to pony up the cash needed to purchase them and look elsewhere. Most people are looking for a deal.

BTW - what did you mean by this statement? I am not offended or anything, just confused as to what was meant. Obviously many people on this board have thought the LSi's were a great deal for what they offered and "ponyed up the cash to purchase them". If you are willing to purchase used, you can get great deals on almost anything.

Just curious what your real hold up is on the LSi line? I would stop reading reviews and just go out and get your listen on to as many different manufacturers and lines of speakers as you can find. Take a small notebook and jot down your thoughts while listening to them. Demo for music, not home theater. (play CD's of music you know and like - not movies) Decide from that - not reviews - what sounds best to you.

Michael

beardog03

No smokee da marti wanna...!!

I agree with your choice....go with the the 9`s
You will love them...

Get a SVS (I have two), or the sub of your choice and you will be VERY happy...

If your doing an HT rig, there are 7`s and a Center on the `Gon also..

500 and below is a good price on the 9`s if they are a 9-10 rating

Get them, if ya don`t like them, resell and make your $ back....no harm . no foul

littleb

McLoki wrote:

BTW - what did you mean by this statement? I am not offended or anything, just confused as to what was meant. Obviously many people on this board have thought the LSi's were a great deal for what they offered and "ponyed up the cash to purchase them". If you are willing to purchase used, you can get great deals on almost anything.

Just curious what your real hold up is on the LSi line? I would stop reading reviews and just go out and get your listen on to as many different manufacturers and lines of speakers as you can find. Take a small notebook and jot down your thoughts while listening to them. Demo for music, not home theater. (play CD's of music you know and like - not movies) Decide from that - not reviews - what sounds best to you.

Michael

I didn't mean anything, really. Just simply that I'm accepting on what I have read here that the LSI are the bees knees, and that if you go over to other boards there are other favorites there. I guess it all depends on what your particular preference is. Some like Polk LSI best, some like Paradigm, B&W, Ascend and yes, even, Axiom. And let's not forget Rockets, they have their lovers, also. I've never heard the LSIs, only read about them. There aren't any dealers in my area who carry these, but I have heard the R30s, R50s and the RTI12s at a local dealer. The salesman didn't even know there was a difference between the R series, the monitor series and the RTI series until I told him. I'm glad I didn't inform him there was a another more expensive series. I thought the RTI12s sounded OK, but I kept thinking to myself that I could do better for $1400 for the pair. So far, I haven't purchased anything, since I can't justify the outlay of funds to myself. I have been considering the PSB image T55s as mains, but my local dealer seems to have trouble getting these in stock. So, I am in waiting mode.

VR3

I think Bose kicks Polks ****$$$$$$$

cfrizz

If you think that there are no differences between speakers, then you don't really care how they sound as long as they are cheap.

I'm sure Best Buy & Circuit City will be right up your alley.

VR3

Amen, I agree with that...

I think speakers are one area where most of the time you really get what you are paying for, unless it is Bose. Because really there is alot of technology and materials to be put in these higher end speakers...

SLOCOOKN

No highs....No lows....They gotta be Bose.

littleb

cfrizz wrote:

If you think that there are no differences between speakers, then you don't really care how they sound as long as they are cheap.

I'm sure Best Buy & Circuit City will be right up your alley.

I believe there are differences, but most of the time these differences are subtle, but I'm not an expert so I'm probably wrong.;)

shack

littleb wrote:

I believe there are differences, but most of the time these differences are subtle, but I'm not an expert so I'm probably wrong.;)

From someone who has listened to many, many speakers (even though not an expert)... you are wrong. It has been discussed here often and many believe speakers are the single most important item that can make the greatest difference in an audio setup (including the audio portion of a HT).

cfrizz

You ARE wrong & I would suggest getting your hearing checked!

Holydoc

cfrizz wrote:

You ARE wrong & I would suggest getting your hearing checked!

Cathy is feisty tonight! *starts bobbing his head* You go girl!

Sami

mwaarna wrote:

My name is Matti Waarna, and people butcher it and it sounds like Mary Jane if you say it all bunched up and fast.

Another Finn on CP, cool!

Judging by your first name you're either first or second generation emigrant, correct?

mwaarna

Sami wrote:

Another Finn on CP, cool!

Judging by your first name you're either first or second generation emigrant, correct?

Olen Suomalainen, Kiuruvedelta :-)

How many other finn's are here?

josh_parsons626

How about this: you already have the LSi9's correct? Do you have the cash right now to purchase some Rocket's off AV123? If so, buy them hook them up side by side to your Polk's determine which sound you like better (more than likely LSi) then sell the other one. If you happen to like the Polk's better than you can just send back the Rocket's free of shipping charge. And there you go!

josh_parsons626

See what I'm thinking about doing is selling everyone of my speakers and starting all over first off with the front towers. Starting off with a 2-channel system and turning it into a full 7.1 HT.

But I think it would make more sense to replace what I've got right now, one at time.