Karma: Polk Audio Surround Bar

snow

Im in.

I think that the lsi series should be upgraded and redesigned to appear more like the paradigm reference or signature series with options of different types of finishes and a few more drivers. The narrow deep look should stay the same but with an empahasis on more design options regarding finishes.

And whatever you do make certain that whoever sells them pair it with decent seperates. I listened to the 15s and 25s both and was dissapointed in the sound because it was demoed with a 110wpc receiver. Later on I heard them with a decent amp and wow what a difference. First impressions are everything in a luxury item.


REGARDS SNOW

Mike682

I think the LSIs could use a face lift/redesign, especially moving the powerport off the bottom of the cabinet on the 15 and 25.

I'm in please

dylan

In please. I'd think about staying basically the same, with updated cabinetry. For appealing to more people... if the components stay about the same, hopefully the prices should come down. I'm assuming making them 8ohm would change them completely (?), but would also appeal to more people's gear.

daboyz

In please.

I've only heard the bookshelves but was very impressed. I think they sound and look great.

PhantomOG

in please. I think a minor update is all that's needed. I love them the way they are.

MSALLA

In please. I would like too see the Lsi cabinets get a face lift. At least the wood panel take a more refined shape. I think a total redesign will also cause the price to take a big jump. To me, the best thing about the Lsi's is that it has the sound quality of a higher end speaker at a price a family man can still justify spending.

janmike

In Please - Great addition to the game room.

I own the LSi9's, LSiC & LSiF/X. IMO the speakers look great and sound great. They are difficult to drive so if that could be changed without affecting anything then that would be my choice. As well, it would be nice if the LSiC & the LSiF/X came with the option of matching the appearance of the 9's that I own. Having all 5 speakers either in piano black gloss or a combination (Cherry with piano gloss on top) like the 9's would be my preference. BTW - Nice Karma Mark.

MattN03

In please. I've only had the pleasure of hearing LSi7's once and they sounded very detailed to me. They also look awesome. However, all products need improving to keep with the newest competition so I'd say it's time for an update.

WilliamM2

In please.

I like the Lsi's. Maybe a freshening of the look, dump the piano black, but that's about it. It wouldn't hurt to have better distribution of them as well.

Systems

snow wrote: »

Im in.

I think that the lsi series should be upgraded and redesigned to appear more like the paradigm reference or signature series with options of different types of finishes and a few more drivers. The narrow deep look should stay the same but with an empahasis on more design options regarding finishes.


REGARDS SNOW

^^ Thats exactly what I was thinking with my statement. I've I were going ot buy new speakers at that price level, I would be buying the Paradigm's.

markmarc

In please!!

The LSi line is due for a makeover, whether it be minor or major. The LSi's main competition is the P-dime Studio reference, and they have undergone two updates I beleive in the same period. Time to freshen things up a bit.

The biggest change should be in marketing. Polk need to focus on the Boutique shops or the higher end mail order line, such as Audio-Advisor to get the product into the audio community.

Or, Polk could go radical, and sell the LSi's as Internet direct. In all reality, they would only tick off Crutchfield and Fry's, and probably not all that much.

The point being, the competition has upped the anty, and Polk must respond if the LSi series is expected to keep and grow in marketshare in an ever-increasingly crowded marketplace.

SLOCOOKN

In please,

I would agree with most everyone. Upgrade to a larger woofer and redo the cabinets!

Thanks

Steve

shadowofnight

In ....

The smaller versions look/feel(solid) and sound great , as do the larger versions....my only gripe would be the side firing drivers on the larger versions....down firing would clean that up nicely. Polk already has engineering time invested in a very fine downfiring setup ( SRT ) that could be adapted to a smaller footprint.

cmy330go

I think the LSI's are pretty good as a whole. If they choose to change them I would like to see a more basic design with high quality drivers, and simple crossovers with top notch components. I sometimes feel the complexity of the LSI's interferes with the music.

As a side note. I would love to see Polk introduce a higher line. Something to truly compete with the big dogs.

In Please!

Fireman32

In Please!!!

Awsome karma by the way.

As far as the LSI's I think that they sound great and if it aint broke dont fix it. I just wished I owned a pair of them. The surroundbar would go great in my livingroom by the way.

billbillw

Definitely in for the karma! The surround bar would be a great addition to the bedroom. I think the LSi bookshelf models and center channel should be mostly left alone. I think they are excellent sounding, looking, and a very good value for the price. The floorstanders should be rethought/redesigned. They don't seem to offer the equivalent sound/$ ratio.

BIZILL

in for sure. don't have any lsi's and haven't gotten a chance to hear any since no one in my town seems to sell them.

everyone loves a re-designed product from the bottom up due to it being the newest thing out there. of course, some have more faith in a tried and true product that has been refined over time. i would say whatever costs the consumer the least amount of money for the greatest amount of product would be the way to go. hope this qualifies for the karma.

Poee7R

Not in. I have no real use for it at the moment.

Damn nice Karma.

As for the LSi line, well i would vote for overhaul. Everyone likes something new. Not saying there is anything wrong with the current line of course. Just a progression maybe, similar sound, looks, smell, taste or what have you but i would like to see something new, born of the LSi's.


Dave

Maurice

Waaay in!!

I really cant comment on the LSi series because I've never heard them properly powered.

MillerLiteScott

Awesome Karma. In please.

To answer Marks question. A minor cosmetic redo in the short run with a complete overhaul and new marketing approach in the not to distant future.

I have only listened to the LSi series in Tweeter and was not impressed because they were powered with an AVR and placed within inches of another speaker and about 12 feet apart. This is what I believe is the LSi biggest problem.

I love the MTM design but I do not really like the looks of the current LSi series and would like to see a fresher, cleaner, simple but elegant look.

To repeat what ( Either Cathy or Darla has said many times) a LSi 9 derived tower would be a great addition to the line. Someone else also mentioned utilizing 6.5" drivers which is something I would also like to see. Personally I would like to see an LSi tower with Passive Radiators like the RTA 11t. I don't know if that would work but I would sure like a speaker in that configuration.

My question to Polk Audio is, Who is Polk Audio looking to sell an LSi series to?

Scott

Mazeroth

I'm in with some gin.

I've owned the 15s, 9s, 7s and the C and while I think they're fine speakers they surely can be improved upon. One of the main downfalls is all the speakers use mids that don't live up to the XT25 tweeter's performance. The Vifa XT25 is one of the finest tweeters available on the market (if you cross it over high enough; it suffers from horrible 2nd and 3rd order distortion below 2khz - see attachment) and pairing it with mediocre mids is a real disappointment. For a few bucks more per driver Polk could include a better mid with much lower distortion that would take the LSis to another level.

Another downfall is the poor quality 8" woofer in the LSi15s. Come on Polk, don't skimp on the bass. There is a common misconception that bass distortion is the least noticeable but actually the lowest frequencies are the most critical of all.

The reason it is the most critical and also the reason it is not recognized as the most critical is in the Munson equal loudness curve. At low frequency our hearing is rolling off pretty fast. It's a function of level and at the lowest levels the roll off is about -24 dB/oct. At about 90 dB, which is a more typical listening level, it is about -20 dB/oct. So here is what that means: You play a 20 Hz tone on a woofer having a 2nd harmonic at -20 db (10% 2nd harmonic distortion) and your ear hears both the 20 Hz and the 40 Hz 2nd harmonic at the same loudness. (100% perceived 2nd harmonic distortion).

The industry, in general, has long argued that tests have proven that distortion at low frequency is hardly noticeable. Well, if they start with a woofer that has more than 100% perceived distortion and they intentionally induce another 10% it's no wonder they conclude 10% induced distortion is not very noticeable. The 10% induced equates to another 100% perceived so if they have a woofer that is only as good as the LSi15s woofer then they are starting with well over 100 %. They may think they are comparing something very low to the 10% they induce but in reality they are perhaps comparing 200% to 300% in terms of the perceived distortion.

Well, enough of the technical talk! In short, Polk needs to spend a few more dollars in R&D which will yield a much, much better speaker that could rival speakers in the $10k+ range. I've listened to many high end speakers, especially at the recent RMAF, and if Polk would just instate the aforementioned suggestions I know they will have a huge winner!

Polk LSi Vifa XT25 distortion profile:

shepx2

In Please.

I think an overhaul is in order, with how old these are now. I would really like to see a smaller-bookshelf design; not "satellite" small, but smaller than the 7's.

MacLeod

Awesome karma!! Im about to buy a new house (if everything goes thru right) and this would go great with my new Panasonic 50" plasma that Ill soon be getting. So definitely count me in.

As for the LSi's - I wouldnt say they need to be messed with other than maybe some cosmetic touches as they sound pretty damn great as is. I think I would rather see Polk come out with a speaker line a notch above the LSi's.

tonyb

In please
And shootin' for a redisign.Some folks have allready pointed out the 4 ohm thing and wanting to run them off AVR's.But that was not Polks target.Polk has many speakers for all and for every usage.If the LSI line is to stay an upper end speaker,give it a little more on the WAF,and maybe a smaller footprint.Sound wise,I dig 'em.Though not a big fan of the powered subwoofer in a speaker.LOOSE the amp and put the money into better quality parts.Offer up some more finishes.And have the Polk police come around once in awhile to these nitwit retailers who don't know how to demo a toaster.

ohskigod

an emphatic IN!!!!!!

I loved that surround bar, enough so to reccomend it to friends, with one actually buying one. a great product overall, and in its price point. great surround ability in a speaker that fits over a big TV or wall mounts up front = no brainer

The LSi? herd to imagine getting a better product at the price point. A cabinet freshening up perhaps?, but nothing major. If I had to play devil's advocate, I would say a bigger center channel option, with 4 5.25 drivers instead of 2. I say keep the LSi as is and go for a higher statement line overall, one more for showing what polk can do, even if it doesnt come close to a good profit margin.

hmmmm, a slim line SDA product perhaps. We see SDA working in current day with the surround bar, ther ehas gotta be a way to work it into a modern statement product thats truly bad@ss.

but for the LSi's, I am pretty much in the if it aint broke, dont fix camp (or at least not too much)

Sami

I'm in.

LSi's and updating them? Yes, like someone said, I would like to get the sound stage of SDA's combined with the sweet sound of LSi's. I have both (LSi15 and 7's, and SDA 1C's) and both are great, a combination of the two would make me very happy customer.

ben62670

In please.
My old system had to get the boot due to recent changes:(

Well you know my taste, but I must concur that the current LSI line up needs to be a bit more user friendly. I love amps. Big honkin amps! I love to build my speakers all at a 4ohm loads. I don't like 8ohms (not looking for comments hear(I splelt that right)). A 6ohm more efficient speaker would be the cats meow.

I know Polk can easily pull this off.
It would be much more user friendly.
It would still please the amp guys, and gals;)
Almost all stores show them off with a receiver driving them.
I have heard a few LSI's this way, and was not impressed.
Polk would end up selling more of them.

Go 6 ohms, more efficient, and update the cabs a bit.

Rivrrat

Like others I haven't had an opportunity to hear the LSI line, but from an appearance standpoint I think an update is in order. To be perfectly honest, I'm not a big fan of gloss wood, and I think that, coupled with the side firing woofers in the bigger models tend to make them unatractive.
The LSI 9's and 7's are fine, other than the high gloss (something Id consider with a sub), But I can tell you, living in the desert, my wife would hate how the gloss showed dust.

Oh yeah. Thanks, I'm in. Nice Karma.

agfrost

Not in. Great karma, though!

Jay

RuSsMaN

Kill the 15's and the LSi9 and C. Pull the amp from the 25's and offer tri-amping on them (passive) along with a new floor standing LSi7 with a side firing woof. Offer up the SWA-500 with custom SPEX cards for the two (new) floorstanding models, if they (Joe consumer) want the woofer powered. Take the 9 and C and make an LCR sold individually. Keep the FX.

Only thing else I can think of to cover all the bases is an LSi micro, same tweeter, same crossover point, but super small, LF limited. On wall perhaps?

Not in.

Cheers,
Russ