LSi15 and low-power

jderdock

I've been trying to get this question answered for a while and am trying to put my mind at ease once and for all:

Will LSi15's sound better at low volumes with a high power/high current amp than with a 50 watt NAD integrated?

If yes, would this difference be significant?

I really like the LSi's, but you need to crank them quite a bit to get them to open up. I live in a small townhouse and only sit 6 or so feet away from the speakers, so cranking them is a rare occasion.

I listened to a pair of Totem Arro's powered by an Arcam Solo yesterday and they sounded a lot more natural and less congested at lower volumes. I don't know if that's because they were sufficiently powered or if they just don't require much gain to open up like the Polk's (possibly) do.

I've been told to borrow an amp from a friend before I go spending money on a high current amp, but that's not possible. I'd hate to order a big amp and still be stuck with the same problem when I could have ordered something like the Totem for the same price.

Thanks for any replies!

F1nut

Will LSi15's sound better at low volumes with a high power/high current amp than with a 50 watt NAD integrated?

Not only will they sound better at low levels, they will sound better at higher levels too.

jderdock

Thanks for the reply

I guess I just don't understand how this works, technically. At low-volumes, I only have the dial at the 8 o'clock position (7 being off). In my mind, that tells me that I'm not even close to using the amps' full output.

Is that not how it works?

heiney9

I have the 9's and I do find their low level resolution is a tad less than when listening at normal or above normal listening levels. But, I wouldn't go as far as saying they don't sound good at lower levels or have congestion or less detail. Part of the problem is they need sufficient power to open up.

So to answer your question +1 to what F1 says. You get more of everything with a higher power & higher current amp and it will sound better at lower levels as well as higher levels. Mirco dynamics is what it is refered to and you get more micro-dynamics with a better amplifier as well as more wattage and current (solid state anyways) tubes are whole other game.

Don't think you can go out and a very high wattage pro-type amp and you will automatically solve the problem. The quality and design of the amp is just as important as the wattage and current it can produce.

Hope this helps

H9

jderdock

heiney9 wrote:

Hope this helps

H9

Certainly does! Thanks!

rh911

My LSI15's are powered by a Hafler DH500 amp. This amp is a powerful high current amp that delivers in excess of 500 watts per channel into a 4 ohm load. High volumes can blow a lot of speakers into the hereafter so listening levels have to be carefully monitored. Polk speakers need high powered amps to open them up. With sufficient power the LSI15 is a good clean speaker at any listening level. The amps can be found on various web sites at reasonable prices. Also there are numerous audio modifications and rebuilds available and they have a pretty large following although they are a product of the 1980's