Come on you Polk experts, advice needed

bondslex

Hey guys, I am considering upgrading my current home theater speaker system. I have 2 cherry RT1000i for fronts, CS400 center, and 2 FXI5s for surrounds. For the extra base I have a Velodyne CT100.

I am thinking about upgrading to the complete LSI series. Is it worth it? Will I have a dramatic sound improvement to justify the price?

Come on you Polk experts, I need your advice.

dorokusai

Is it an overwhelming need or are you sitting on a wad of cash?

It looks like you have a great setup, why not think about your rig from another direction like electronics or even a subwoofer upgrade??? What are you looking like on the front end of things?

MSALLA

What are you powering your speakers with? The Lsi line is expensive and requires expensive gear to go with it. It's not like you have bad speakers now. What is the rest of your rig.

bondslex

I am actually using an Onkyo Integra 939 receiver. It was a Boss back in the day. It is an older model, but check it out.

If I do upgrade the speakers I would try to buy a new amp for my power.

bondslex

sorry
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/Amplifiers/Onkyo/OnkyoTX-DS939.php

ben62670

If you go the LSI line you really wouldn't gain anything with out external amplification. If you are willing to get a good pre pro, and external amplification you would gain a lot. The LSI's are 4 ohm speakers that don't get along well with receivers. Even if the receiver is rated at 4 ohms, it is currant limited.
Enjoy
Ben

engtaz

ben is right. The LSI's are require power and something that will run down to 4 ohms. Generally the power should be around 200 watts a channel (external amps) to get the best out of the LSI's.

engtaz

G-2

Again, looks like you've got a solid setup right now. You will definately NEED some amplification to go with those LSi's. We've got a wonderful LSI setup, but not until we added amps, did we feel we were getting what the speakers had to offer...

Just our $.02

cfrizz

Hi Bond. I noticed that your Onkyo does have preamp outputs. So you could get the LSI's & just get an amplifier to run them.

Or you could still get a separate amplifier to run your current speakers. I can tell you that it will make a big difference in what you hear!

Adding a 200wpc amplifier was the single biggest improvement I have ever made to my system.

Keep us informed as to what you decide to do.

reeltrouble1

The LSI were developed with music in mind, the RT line with HT in mind, accordingly the RT are easier for a reciever to drive.

They are both great.

RT1

bondslex

Power seems to be what I might be lacking. My speakers are perfect in every way cosmetically. What would be a good amp for me? I was thinking of the Rotel 1075. Maybe something else would be better!

cfrizz

I think you would be better served with a Rotel 1095. That will give you enough power to run your current and any future speakers you might want to upgrade to.

The 1075 WILL work & sound good, but I believe the 1095 will sound even better & give you more headroom. (especially if you decide to upgrade to the LSI series in the future.

engtaz

Rotel,Outlaw,Adcom,and Sunfire are good names of amplifiers.

engtaz

MSALLA

bondslex wrote: »

I was thinking of the Rotel 1075. Maybe something else would be better!

Thats a great amp. But, If you are thinking about upgrading to Lsi's in the future you may want to get something with 200wpc and up. The 1075 will push them but 200 is better. If that move is not in your plans, I wouldn't even worry about it.

disneyjoe7

That Onk 989 was the top dog in it's day, but makes a fine pre / pro for any add on amps. I use the little bother of this Onk 898 for a pre / pro also.