Lsi9 vs. Monitor 10

datamon
datamon Posts: 13
edited July 2007 in Speakers
I'm considering upgrading my Monitor 10s with Lsi9s.

I've read some other posts that say that the Lsi series is a big step up from the vintage Montor series, but I guess I need some more convincing since I have really enjoyed the 10s all these years.

Also, I believe the limiting factor in my listening experience is source material. I have some CDs and SACDs that sound great on my 10s and I am very satisifed with that sound. Many other CDs, however, don't sound as good and I'm sure it has to do with recording techniques, compression, etc..so maybe I need to look at my front-end also (Sony DVD/SACD player), but can anyone comment on how the Lsi9s sound with less than optimum recordings?

FYI: My Monitor 10s have the Peerless tweeters and I have upgraded the crossovers with better caps, etc. Also, I have a hefty H/K Citation 4-channel amp (rated 150Wx4 into 4 ohms) that should work well in bi-amping the Lsi9s.

I have a Paradigm PDR-10 subwoofer that I would use if I needed some extra bass out of the Lsi9s and I mainly listen to rock music.
Post edited by datamon on
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Comments

  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited July 2007
    you really can't compare vintage Polks with newer LSi series speakers.. two very different sounding speakers from different era's of speaker building.

    alot of people don't care for the sound of vintage speakers... and other's only like their sound.

    it would be cool to own both the monitor 10's and a pair of LSi9's.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited July 2007
    As of Saturday, I will have both and I will let you know. I fully expect the 10s to have better bottom. I am hoping the 9s will be better detailed and great tweets. My 10Bs have the SL1000s.
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited July 2007
    that citation should drive the 9's nicely. I feel the LSi line is just something that should be tried. I love mine to death, adnt he 9 is a very impressive bookshelf
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited July 2007
    NeilGabriel wrote: »
    As of Saturday, I will have both and I will let you know. I fully expect the 10s to have better bottom. I am hoping the 9s will be better detailed and great tweets. My 10Bs have the SL1000s.

    The LSi's do everything better than any of the vintage Monitors. But as Danger said they are 2 completely different designs using different principles and driver types.

    The LSi's will have more bottom end than your 10's by a wide margin. Vifa tweeter vs. any other Polk tweeter (inc. Peerless) win hands down. The RD0's are close but the margin is still pretty wide. I've compared my former 9's to SDA's (I prefer the SDA's) but the 9's are that good. I would have kept both the LSi 9's and my newly aquired SDA 1C's if I had any use for the 9's at all.

    YMMV

    H9

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited July 2007
    Well, let's see....I still have my Monitor 7As(Peerless) and 10As(Peerless) and SRS 2s, but my LSi7s and LSi9s have both been moved on down the road. I guess you see I prefer the vintage Polk sound.

    How anyone can just flat out say that the LSis are just a flat out superior speaker "in all aspects" is beyond me.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited July 2007
    ND13 wrote: »
    Well, let's see....I still have my Monitor 7As(Peerless) and 10As(Peerless) and SRS 2s, but my LSi7s and LSi9s have both been moved on down the road. I guess you see I prefer the vintage Polk sound.

    How anyone can just flat out say that the LSis are just a flat out superior speaker "in all aspects" is beyond me.

    I stand by my opinion, but I moved my 9's down the road as well. It all comes down to what you like about a particular speaker. The 9's biggest weakness to me (for others it's strength) was the lower midbass hump which was very unnatural sounding. Again comparing them to SDA's the soundstage couldn't compete but it isn't intended to nor should it.

    The LSi's are a hell of a speaker line and I *personally* think overall they are better than the avg. classic Polk.

    Again YMMV

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited July 2007
    I personally really like the LSi9's for HT! I wasn't such a big fan for music only, and after acquiring H9's LSi9's and playing with them on music, I am still of that opinion. Now for HT, where the mid-bass hump isn't as noticable and actually seems to accentuate voices, and where you can use some equalization, the LSi's are the bomb :cool: My LSi HT rocks!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • G-2
    G-2 Posts: 533
    edited July 2007
    We sere weened on Polk 7B's, now we love our LSi's but would love to get some of the older 5 monitors...
    Home Theater
    Chane     A3rx-c's, A2rc-c, A1rx-c's|Miller & Kreisel V-125's|Sony XBR65X810C 65" 4K LED TV|
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    2 - Channel
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