Powering the polk Lsi 9 / Lsi center

ALWALLER

Hi all
I have two Lsi 9's (mains) & the Lsi center. Board wisdom calls for 200 wpc,
from a separate high current amp to make them sing. Since the Lsi's are
rated @ 4 ohms, should the amp at least provide 300 wpc @ 4 ohms ? I am
running a Outlaw 7125 amp (194 wpc @ 4 ohms), a Denon 3300 receiver as
a pre/pro. I listen to my movies from -17 to -23. My room is 15x15x10.
Do I need to move up to the Outlaw 7200 amp (5 x 200 wpc) to open up
my speakers ? I understand that the 200 wpc will give me more headroom,
for peaks during a movies, but at my listening levels is there any difference ?
In addition to headroom will I also notice a change in the soundstage,
channel separation and detail that will makes the upgraded worth it ?
I know that there has been alot of threads about this lately, and I have
read most of them. I think the questions I asked will clear up my confusion.
Thank you for your time.

wingnut4772

Hi Al.
Are you currently unhappy with their sound now at your listening levels?

You will get an improvement moving to a 200 w per channel Outlaw but I don't think it would be significant enough for you to justify the expense at your listening levels. I used to have a complete LSI set up an Outlaw 200w per channel amp and I was left wanting. But I listen at -10 or more sometimes. I upgraded to an Earthquake Cinenova (600w @ 4ohms) and it sings even at high volumes.

ALWALLER

Hi wingnut4742
I am not unhappy, just want to know if I am missing anything that
I can fix with better hardware. Is there another level ?

wingnut4772

Yes there definitely is but if you are not unhappy and not listening at reference levels, I would save your dough.

ALWALLER

Hi wingnut4742
When you moved to the Cinenova were you still using the Lsi set up ?
You were left wanting @ 200 wpc, was the difference in moving from
300 wpc @ 4 ohms to 600 wpc @ 4 ohms or moving from Outlaw to
Earhquake Cinevova ?

wingnut4772

Yes.
I would imagine it was the power as well as the brand. Outlaw is very nice for the price point though and with most speakers enuff said..but for some reason the LSIs are a particularly picky speaker.
You can use the search feature and find some comparisons.

engtaz

wingnut4742 is right. The more power does not always just mean louder but cleaner at all volumes.

Monster Jam

If 200 wpc is necessary to make thhe LSis sing, how much would it take to make them rap? Just curious being a Dr. Dre fan and all....

wingnut4772

I don't know but they will yodel at 100.

cyberhazard

I'm not that familiar with your Denon AVR. But check and see if it will let you bi-amp your mains with unused back surround channels. I have mine set up that way.

cyberhazard

wingnut4772 wrote: »

I don't know but they will yodel at 100.

Helpfull just in case Mars attacks, again.:D

ohskigod

the LSi's reward amplifier upgrades more than most speakers I have owned, but if your happy with the sound, there's no need to upgrade. The Outlaw you got is plenty to do justice to the LSi's

your are in a position where I would upgrade amplification befroe upgrading speakers if and when the upgrade bug hits ya though

ALWALLER

cyberhazard, are you happy with your Outlaw 7125 ? I am still looking at
my Denon to see if could bi amp. I tried to bi-amp using the extra
channels on the Outlaw, didnt hear any difference.

Sami

If you're going to upgrade, upgrade to a different brand. Move up in rated output isn't going to make much difference, if at all.

Sherardp

Monster Jam wrote: »

If 200 wpc is necessary to make thhe LSis sing, how much would it take to make them rap? Just curious being a Dr. Dre fan and all....

That earthquake probably has them doing the human beat box and the Harlem Shake at the same time. What about the Sunfire TGA 5400, it puts out 800w@4 ohms.

McLoki

We all know Darla is compensating for something - so whats my excuse???

wingnut4772

McLoki wrote: »

We all know Darla is compensating for something - so whats my excuse???

Hey now!:D