LSis singing "What a Wonderful World!"

zx_toth
zx_toth Posts: 417
edited October 2007 in Electronics
Finally! After many months of waiting I finally picked up my ordered Rotel 1080. Not having much music laying around I put in on of my old favorites, Louis Armstrong and did he ever sing.

I have my LSi 25s powered by a 2 channel Rotel amp. This being my first foray into a seperate amp and decent speakers I was wowed by the quality of sound ... probably like the visual difference when I first went from VHS to DVD. Wow ... the sound seemed 3-dimensional, thats the only way I can describe it ... I have a limited audio vocabulary.

I put in Predator and the the music and SFX were amazing through the front speaks. As imagined I was disappointed with the mismatching center speaker, though I hadnt calibrated it at that time. The center speaker made it seem like there was a hole in the front stage in the movie ... as if a panning sound went from 3-D to flat than back to 3-D. I sat right in front of the speakers .... The LSi with my ear to the speaker (not at high volume) and could discern a real improvement in sound from my previous RM series of speaker (not a surprise of course). I than put an ear to the RM series and definately noticed a quality of flatness to the sound.

I will keep this center speaker for now as I wish to purchase a new HDTV in the new year but the center speaker will always be on my mind until I change it. Oh well at least my upgrade path is fairly clear for now :) HDTV, LSiC and monoblock amp or 5 channel amp.

I appreciate everyones advice re: upgrading my front speakers and advice in choosing an amp (despite the fact that I bought new).

Ive updated my system showcase for those wanting to check it out. In my signature.

Zsolt
Post edited by zx_toth on

Comments

  • Dave38
    Dave38 Posts: 101
    edited October 2007
    No center speaker needed with either the LSi-15 or the LSi-25's. The imaging and soundstage is THAT good.

    I purchased the LSi-15's recently and I am pleased. What turned me off from purchasing the LSi-25's, was the fact it's powered. Personally, I am not a fan of powered speakers except a Subwoofer of course.

    I would have changed a few things on the LSi-15's. Use a 10" woofer instead of the 8", add the Polk audio logo in gold like on the older Polks, and not have the front grill go the whole length of the speaker. Too much, not necessary.
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2007
    Congratulations. Enjoy.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
  • john22614
    john22614 Posts: 214
    edited October 2007
    I disagree with Dave on the center speaker issue.....while the LSi's with good electronics offer a beautiful soundstage for music in stereo.....I still think the center speaker adds a lot for movies and TV. Localization of dialogue and other audio images is much more realistic using the LSiC than just the mains, at least that's been my experience. Anyway, congratulations on your new amp.....you're gonnal love it.
    B&W 804s mains
    B&W HTM4 center
    Polk PSW 1000 sub
    Outlaw 990 Pre Amp
    Anthem MCA 30 Amp
    Monitor Radius 180 surrounds
    Audiosource Stereo Amp for surrounds
    Denon 2910 Universal DVD/SACD Player
    Comcast DVR
    Pioneer Elite 42" Plasma 940 HD
    Harmony Universal Remote
    Blue Jeans interconnects and biwires
    Itunes Air Express
  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2007
    Congrats. I agree as well. For me HT without the CC is like having one piece missing. Test for yourself.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!

    NORTH of 60°
  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited October 2007
    the majority of dialoge is through the center channel

    don`t sell yourself short

    get a LSiC

    There is a good deal on one in the FM !!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)


    :cool:
  • john22614
    john22614 Posts: 214
    edited October 2007
    and also.....nice looking set up and photos. You might try tossing an area rug on the floor in front of your rig to see how it affects your acoustics......that hard wood floor might be comprimising things a bit. Just a thought....
    B&W 804s mains
    B&W HTM4 center
    Polk PSW 1000 sub
    Outlaw 990 Pre Amp
    Anthem MCA 30 Amp
    Monitor Radius 180 surrounds
    Audiosource Stereo Amp for surrounds
    Denon 2910 Universal DVD/SACD Player
    Comcast DVR
    Pioneer Elite 42" Plasma 940 HD
    Harmony Universal Remote
    Blue Jeans interconnects and biwires
    Itunes Air Express
  • zx_toth
    zx_toth Posts: 417
    edited October 2007
    john22614 wrote: »
    and also.....nice looking set up and photos. You might try tossing an area rug on the floor in front of your rig to see how it affects your acoustics......that hard wood floor might be comprimising things a bit. Just a thought....

    The girlfriend is doing the 'area rug-pick up' this weekend. We always had an area rug infront of the set up in the old place. We decided to throw it out as the dogs kept crapping on it :mad: ... it was long, shaggy and soft,and they must have kept thinking it was grass :eek: no matter how much I beat them (gentle beatings, easy there PETA/animal activist people) they wouldnt understand! So shes picking up a new, short 'haired' rug.

    I do have a center speaker at present, an RM series center in the mean time. I did try out without the center speaker to test Daves theory just for fun while watching a movie but did find that something was lacking. Sometimes it was hard to discern much difference when people and objects were static but as soon as movement occured something just didnt sound right, didnt sound bad but just a bit odd and unrealistic at times. I can see how it would work for music as when I listen to music the vocalist does sound in the center of the stage but with movies and movement doesnt work just right.

    I agree that I should upgrade to an LSiC ... next year, after my hdtv purchase and hi def player purchase. The reason I got that particular Tv stand is because the top drawer will accomodate an LSiC! The current RM center is too wide so that it has to go in the bottom cabinet and when watching a movie it seems like the dialogue is coming from the actors' groin rather than from their mouth ... so upgrading will allow for better sound quality as well hopefully remove this 'groin dialogue' phenomenon.

    I appreciate all the adivce and commentary.

    Zsolt