Karma: Polk Audio Surround Bar

Refefer

Most definitely in. This would be perfect for my super cramped apartment.

Update is the way to go: get rid of the 7's since the 9's are that much better and try to rethink the 25's in a way that doesn't use their built in sub-amp.

Personally, I'd get rid of the gloss finish since it has never appealed to me for some reason (perhaps from all the fingerprints I wiped off). Maybe thin out the wood on the sides and apply it to the other planes for a more wooden like effect. I dunno.

I like their sound and their staging in two channel. Keep it at least as good and you'll keep me happy.

May I just mention how awesome Polk is for offering this up for karma? Thanks Polk!

Dennis Gardner

Count me in please.......

You've got to update/expand all lines to stay relevant in the instant marketing mode of internet review/gossip/forum/direct sale world that we live in. Keeping the LSi line as is with the tiny cosmetic upgrade that was made a few years back is basically sitting still in this fast pace environment. I think a revamp of current offerings, or a reference line above them is imperative. I do like the idea of micro offerings of the best quality components as many are currently doing.

Shizelbs

In

I personally would be more interested in a series above the LSi in performance than seeing a generally good product messed around with. I'd love to see Polk's version of a WAF is no factor, performance first product. Something big and ugly. Something that looks like a car door and sounds like magic.

mrbigbluelight

NOT in, but one heck of a nice kharma !

A number of posters have mentioned that they haven't had the opportunity to listen to the Lsi's in person.
Include me in that bunch, and that is a major change I'd suggest for the Lsi series: Marketing/merchandising.
At their price level (which definitely isn't excessive and has an excellent price/performance ratio), most users are going to want to listen before buying. Somehow, and I don't know how and it must not be easy, a way has to be found to get the Lsi's out on the sales floor.
I personally like their looks, and I believe if others have a chance to see them, they'll at least auditon them. Once that happens, sales happen and everybody wins.

I'd keep the Lsi series basically as it is, with perhaps a few tweaks.
Mazeroth mentioned tightening up the quality of the bass on the Lsi15s.
The Vifa XT25 tweeter has an excellent rep, by all accounts, so keep it.
Polk bass rep, however, isn't on par with the rest of their drivers. Not that they're bad, mind you, but the focus hasn't been on the lower end, apparently.
Work on that aspect.
Offer, as StrongBad mentioned, a tower/sub option. Gives the end user a choice; go with a juiced Polk Lsi designed sub or use your own. That gives folks who are working their way up the food chain a viable means for getting there. "I'll get the Lsi towers now, and use my own sub until next year when I get the awesome Polk Lsi sub".

Don't concentrate so much on re-vamping the Lsi line. Tweak, as I mentioned, but instead work on a line ABOVE the Lsi line
that'll be jaw-dropping. This will come with a corresponding jump in price, to be sure, but that will help solidy Polk's rep as
a "HI-fi" company, not "MID-fi".

ESavinon

In please.

I believe the lsi series should be updated. There should be a dedicated 2 channel lsi series comprised of 2 separate monitor and 2 powered subwoofers ala rt3000p as well as a 7.2 channel surround sound system for high resolution multichannel surround sound found in sacd/dvd-a and in the new hd dvd formats.

danger boy

In please.

I would like to keep the LSi line up just as is.... but then come up with a new LSi V2 that would be similar but utilizing the best parts... a no holds barred LSi V2 with top notch drivers and crossovers that no expense is spared. I also agree the cab needs to be updated.

G-2

In Please,

We couldn't be more pleased with our LSi's. Perhaps in another year they can start looking at changes! Thanks!

george daniel

In please.
I think a a tweak or so with the side firing subs may be in order,
Great Karma--thanks.

jflail2

Not in since I just won some karma, but I'd appreciate a revamp on the aesthetics side of things for the LS series. I've only heard them in stores, so I could only dream of what they sound like (properly amplified) in one's own home

bigaudiofanatic

I AM IN In my opinion from what I have heard they can upgrade there tweeters to something that dosent sound like its comming from a bookshelf speaker. Just my two cents

avelanchefan

IN please

"Do you think the LSi line should be updated, upgraded or completely overhauled?"

Absolutely. These speakers have served their purpose I would like to see polk come out with another line in the similar fashion as the LSi's. BTW- I love my LSI 7's. Best speakers ever!!

jdhdiggs

*bump* (I'm digging some of the ideas)

And:

I really dig Russ' RLC idea as a replacement for the LSiC/9.

rskarvan

In please.

I think Polk needs to concentrate on the wood veneers of the speaker and make them absolutely gorgeous. Audio guys are getting killed by the WAF. The LSI speakers should both look and sound like a million bucks. Maybe an LSI Z06 edition needs to be offered for the audiophile with substantially upgraded performance. Chevy needs the Corvette to sell the Cobalts. Polk needs a new/better/very-impressive Flagship speaker.

JimBRICK

IN PLEASE,

I believe the speakers are fine. 3 changes are needed. change the finishes. (more real wood vaneers) Also to work on the efficiency of the speakers. For being a powered speaker they stiull need a ton of power to make them rock and roll. Also make them a few inches wider they tend to be a little tippy.

thanks
Jim

sbpolk

Definately in... my 50" Pio Plasma in the family room is nekid since I got rid of the RTi100s that flanked it! (You guessed it, the WAF factor!)

I have LSi15s, LSiC, and four LC65is in a dedicated theater, and they sound fantastic. I do think they are a bit underwhelming in the looks category though. I like to run my front soundstage "grill-less," and so I think the LSi series could stand to have a cosmetic overhaul.

I would love to see an LSi speaker with multiple drivers on the front, no side-firing woofer. I love the wood sides on the LSi15, but I would like to see it go all the way to the top. A five driver LSi15, with wood sides similar to the current style that go all the way to the top, and are offered in different finishes would be great.

I actually really like the piano black fronts, looks very rich. NO holes on the face of the speaker, so you would probably need magnetic grills. Change the color of the driver as well, the blue driver looks a bit dated... NO SILVER!

I would also love to see a four driver LSiC, with a wood panel on the top, mainly to reduce light reflection from my projector screen!

These are the kinds of things that would lead me to buy new LSis...

phuz

Awesome Karma, not in.

Short answer: Update and upgrade at the same time. Complete overhaul is not needed. If going that far, introduce a new top tier line and just refresh the LSi.

It's good to leave a good thing alone, but if we could make a good thing better then I'm all bout it.

Clean up the bass accross the board. Work on the imaging (can be difficult to place properly to get a wide soundstage, too center focused), overall just make them sound better. If they're 4.5 stars right now, make 'em 5 star speakers. They are freaking awesome speakers as they are, so if those types of changes would be cost prohibitive to polk and to the consumer, then keep them as they are with maybe a cosmetic refresh.

Additional wood finishes, maybe the ability to remove/change the wood panels - although I'm sure they need to be securely coupled to the enclosure. MAPLE people, MAPLE.

And for heaven's sake, DONT put ANY silver or metalic accents that everyone is using these days.

Give us something *special* - LSiS (signature?). Something out of the ordinary... something limited... one of those best kept secrets in audio that tells everyone else to eff off because this is how it's done.

Whatever happened to that ribbon tweeter?

ND13

In please.

After owning the 7s and 9s and hearing the 15s, I'd say I'd definitely go away from the side-firing woofer in the 15s and 25s(way to tricky in the placement department for most anyone). The 9s were by far my pick of the bunch. So, update/upgrade the bookshelves and completely overhaul the floorstanders. And I also agree with offering some exotic woods.

I'd like to see a line above the LSi series and get back to a passive radiator design or even see Polk dabble with acoustic suspension. I've never really liked the bass in ported designs.

VR3

Not in ---

But I would like to see a MTM tower design... no woofers ---

Joe08867

I would love to be in.

I think they need to change the Lsi's. My biggest issue with them is the side firing woofer. I understand it thins the look of the speaker but the same could be done with multiple small diameter woofers in the front. Plus this would tighten up the boomy sound I hear from them.

I agree with phuz. they need to open the soundstage up or make them easier to place in a room. They seem very dependent on walls to get there sound out.

I also think they need to make them more reciever friendly. Get them into the 6ohm range instead of the 4 and under they are now.

I would also like to see other finishes for them or maybe even endcap them with real wood veneers.

Face

I edited my post, #2 in this thread or http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=731923&postcount=2.

jamesguthrie

In please.

I think the LSi series should be updated. It's perhaps the best-reviewed product line Polk has had (at least in the decade I've been following the company's product line), so you don't want to mess too much with it. But consumers' ideas about aesthetics do change over time. One idea I had is interchangeable side panels that run the full height of the speaker. With some more exotic wood choices, you could have something that resembles a Salk or Sonus Faber product, which might attract another layer of consumers that hadn't previously given much consideration to Polk.

As long as the line is being updated visually, it would also make sense to incorporate the latest advances in terms of driver technology.

Pablo

Nice Karma

I kinda like the looks (still). I'm not crazy about the side firing woofers because of where they may be placed for a home theater set up. My speakers are sqeezed between my TV and the audio rack (I use every inch of space on the entire wall. I'm actually worried how I could fit a new TV when this one goes). I would be concerned about hearing vibrations from either the TV or the audio rack with a sub being so close.

avelanchefan

Has there been a drawing for this yet?

AndyGwis

IN if still open to participants.

I would get rid of the LSi25s, or at least "unpower" them. I'd add a smaller floor stander w/o side firing woofers. Maybe give the 15s an extra midrange, and for the new Lsi11's, just the tweeter and one midrange in a nice, slender cabinet.

The 9s and 7s seem pretty good. I would come out with a newer, bigger LsiC with wood trim on the top and bottom. The LsiC is nice, but it seems a little insignificant compared to the rest of the speakers. Not quite big enough, not quite heavy enough. Maybe mount the tweeter on top to give it a newer look.

dorokusai

The drawing will be on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

dkg999

In please!

My suggestions for the LSi line would be:

LSi7 - increase the bass response just a tad and this would be the absolute jewel of the line (if it isn't already).

LSi9 - x-over revisions to smooth out the transitions between drivers to make this a better speaker for music. It's excellent for HT, but needs some tweaking to do music well.

LSi15 - upgrade the bass driver, the SQ of the bass is just a little behind the rest of the drivers, IMHO.

LSi25 - not sure you need this one if you upgrade the LSi15.

Awesome Karma! Doug.

Refefer

How'd the drawing go?

mrbigbluelight

What drawing ?

shadowofnight

dorokusai wrote: »

The drawing will be on Sunday, November 18, 2007.

No drawing yet ?

wingnut4772

Drum roll please..........