LSI9's compared to LSI 15's and 25's

Sneak
Sneak Posts: 8
edited January 2008 in Speakers
Seems to me the Polk LSI9's are basically the same speaker as the LSI 15 and 25 with the exception of the added 8" Sub on the 15's and 10" powered sub on the 25's. Is that correct? Am hunting speakers and these are on my list. Looks like the deals on the 15's and 25's are over and done with so the LSI9 is looking like my choice. Though maybe, just maybe I can find some 15's. Maybe even the 25's. Will see.

Also what would you think of a Polk VM20 as a center channel with any of these LSI speakers? The size of the VM20 is perfect for the space I have. The LSIc is too big.
Post edited by Sneak on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited January 2008
    Crossover is different between the 9's and 15's. The sound is different as well. (imo) Better or worse is for you to decide, but there are definately people on both sides of that choice. When pricing the 9's keep in mind the cost of decent stands for them.

    I chose the 15's mainly because I did not want speakers on stands with children and large dogs running around. (I did not want to deal with speakers crashing to the ground off of stands)

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited January 2008
    Oh - and I am not a huge fan of the VM series (basically an upscale RM series) so I would choose a phantom center before I tried to run the LSi's with the VM center.

    My vote is save your money.

    Michael

    Oh, and welcome to Club Polk... :)
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sneak
    Sneak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    McLoki, thanks for the welcome. Well no doubt if I could nail a deal on a set of 15's that's where I would go. Anything is possible. But I do like the 9's as well. I should look at stands, saw a pic on this site with some stands that matched the speakers. No info on them though but they look nice.

    Saw your reply over at AVS forums too. Didn't look like I would get any responses over there.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    I would not suggest the VM series as a center channel compliment to the LSi series.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sneak
    Sneak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I would not suggest the VM series as a center channel compliment to the LSi series.

    Any particular reason? And could you suggest one? The width of the LSIc is fine but the height and depth; I don't have the room.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hockeyboy
    hockeyboy Posts: 1,428
    edited January 2008
    Check with Z-Tech Electronics out of Los Angeles. I bought my 15s there. Email them and they can tell you pricing shipped to you on 15's and 9's. Authorized dealer with terrific prices.

    http://stores.ebay.com/Z-Tech-Electronics
    My Main Gear
    Mitsu HC5000 (Proj.)
    Marantz SR8001 (AVR)
    Sunfire TGA7200 (AMP)
    Marantz DV7001 (SACD)
    Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-Ray
    LSi 15's (Front)
    LSiC (Center)
    LSiFx (Surrounds)
    DUAL SVS 20-39 CS Plus     (Passive Subs)
    Marantz IS201 I-Pod Dock[/SIZE]
    Panamax M5300EX
    Carada Criterion 106" Brightwhite Screen
    Sunfire TGA 5200 & (4) B&W 605's in the party room
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited January 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I would not suggest the VM series as a center channel compliment to the LSi series.
    Sneak wrote: »
    Any particular reason? And could you suggest one? The width of the LSIc is fine but the height and depth; I don't have the room.

    Have you listened to the VM series to compare it to the LSi's? The sound will change ALOT traveling from the left to center to right.

    The VM series looks nice and is small, but there are alot of sound compromises to get the speaker that dimention. If you are looking at compact speakers, the VM series is a good choice among them, but they are sonically a cut below most full size speakers (as all compact speakers are) and several cuts below the LSi series.

    If the LSiC will not work for you at all, I would recommend no center and just run with the front speakers. If you figure out a way to make the LSiC work, get it then.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2008
    Timbre is very important, don't mix and match the front end. Keep them all uniform.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    Sneak wrote: »
    Any particular reason? And could you suggest one? The width of the LSIc is fine but the height and depth; I don't have the room.

    They are not matched in regards to series nor design. I feel your pain and I'm just stating what I know.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bykes
    bykes Posts: 132
    edited January 2008
    hockeyboy wrote: »
    Check with Z-Tech Electronics out of Los Angeles. I bought my 15s there. Email them and they can tell you pricing shipped to you on 15's and 9's. Authorized dealer with terrific prices.

    http://stores.ebay.com/Z-Tech-Electronics

    I was thinking of getting my lsi7 from them. Glad to find someone else who knows about those guys.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sneak
    Sneak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    Well I have heard the VM20 but it was not between the LSI fronts so it was not the best listening test. It sounded pretty nice just to listen to it as a center but it was far away and to the right of the front speakers which were the LSI9's.

    Thats why I asked, was hard to tell how well it jelled with the LSI's. So it isn't recommended. Too bad! Would have been a good fit.

    So basically what you are telling me here is that I should not use any center that is not part of the same series or at least an equal series. Otherwise it will sound out of place. I understand. Doesn't give me a lot of options on that center does it? Except that phantom Center. :)

    Well I will scrounge around for some 15's. If not then the 9's it is.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • revfanbak
    revfanbak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    I don't know what your location is, but I was at the Fry's in Burbank, CA on Saturday morning. In their home theatre room they had a pair of cherry LSi25's, open box, full warranty for $375 a piece (left and right). They had brand new LSi 25's in black. Left's were $399, rights were $1250. They had demo Lsi 9's for $799.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited January 2008
    Doro, bad quote on my part. Sorry for the confusion - back to our regularly scheduled thread....


    For a compact speaker, the VM series is very nice, but I have not heard a compact speaker from any manufacturer that can hang with even a midrange full size speaker. Let alone the LSi's...
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    Sorry McLoki....must not have taken the time to re-read that earlier.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scottnbnj
    scottnbnj Posts: 709
    edited January 2008
    Sneak wrote: »
    ...Doesn't give me a lot of options on that center does it? Except that phantom Center. :)

    Well I will scrounge around for some 15's. If not then the 9's it is.

    welcome sneak, the lc*i in-walls are also voiced to match lsi's.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/builtincenter/lci-c/

    )
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sneak
    Sneak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    Thanks for all the replies. So I have the LSIc on my mind at the moment. Is it a good, bad, or indifferent idea to set something on top of it? Something with some weight like say a receiver or, darest I say it, an LCD TV. Am having my own doubts about that one but am seeing if I can find a workaround here. Never hurts to ask for opinions. Maybe I can find a way to engineer this thing.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited January 2008
    The LSiC would support the weight, but if you wanted to tilt it twords the listeners ears it may not work. I would also be worried about the stability of an arrangement like that. Maybe post a picture of what you have to work with and we may be able to help you come up with something. (the in-walls is another great idea depending on your space...)
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bykes
    bykes Posts: 132
    edited January 2008
    Sneak wrote: »
    Thanks for all the replies. So I have the LSIc on my mind at the moment. Is it a good, bad, or indifferent idea to set something on top of it? Something with some weight like say a receiver or, darest I say it, an LCD TV. Am having my own doubts about that one but am seeing if I can find a workaround here. Never hurts to ask for opinions. Maybe I can find a way to engineer this thing.

    In my opinion its a bad idea to set something on top of it. Firstly the LSIc has a glossy black finish, you'd scratch it up. Secondly, its a speaker...it vibrates. Please please please do not put your tv on top of it. Get some #10 drywall anchors and a drill. Good center speakers like the LSIc are designed to be very "non directional" You really don't need to angle it downwards. If you can mount it above your TV, set back behind it a little is ok and just above you'll be good to go.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sneak
    Sneak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    bykes wrote: »
    In my opinion its a bad idea to set something on top of it. Firstly the LSIc has a glossy black finish, you'd scratch it up. Secondly, its a speaker...it vibrates. Please please please do not put your tv on top of it. Get some #10 drywall anchors and a drill. Good center speakers like the LSIc are designed to be very "non directional" You really don't need to angle it downwards. If you can mount it above your TV, set back behind it a little is ok and just above you'll be good to go.

    That is what I was thinking, especially the vibrating part. But I think this is workable. Looks like I could hang it on the wall; as you said; above and slightly behind the TV. I thought the LSIc would be heavier. This site says the shipping weight is 20 pounds. I can work with that, even in sheet rock.

    But I might like to have it under the TV. So I know a guy who builds cabinets. I could get him to build me a nice rectangular box of some nice wood that is open on the front. I could slide the LSIc right in the front of the box with a hole drilled in the back for speaker wire. A bit of stain and some lacquer, would work. My TV would sit on top of the box and it would only raise the TV maybe 8 inches up. I have a Samsung 46 inch that weighs 78 pounds.

    So I have two options up there. Not as easy as just sitting the VM20 in front of the TV in a space that was just made for it, but probably better sound.

    Looks like an LSIc is in my future. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SBrown712
    SBrown712 Posts: 202
    edited January 2008
    I have a LsiC on order that is scheduled to ship tomorrow. This site had the best price I could find by far:

    http://www.highdecibels.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LSiC&gclid=CPn-56f-_pACFR0MIgodyCKa-g
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited January 2008
    Good luck on receiving it. Hope everything turns out ok...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bykes
    bykes Posts: 132
    edited January 2008
    SBrown712 wrote: »
    I have a LsiC on order that is scheduled to ship tomorrow. This site had the best price I could find by far:

    http://www.highdecibels.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LSiC&gclid=CPn-56f-_pACFR0MIgodyCKa-g

    I've seen that site before. Let us know how your order goes. To me they look a little...well...iffy.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fumoffu
    fumoffu Posts: 80
    edited January 2008
    Sneak wrote: »
    But I might like to have it under the TV. So I know a guy who builds cabinets. I could get him to build me a nice rectangular box of some nice wood that is open on the front. I could slide the LSIc right in the front of the box with a hole drilled in the back for speaker wire. A bit of stain and some lacquer, would work. My TV would sit on top of the box and it would only raise the TV maybe 8 inches up. I have a Samsung 46 inch that weighs 78 pounds.

    So I have two options up there. Not as easy as just sitting the VM20 in front of the TV in a space that was just made for it, but probably better sound.

    Looks like an LSIc is in my future. :)

    Umm, the LSIc has polk power ports on that back. The box you are describing sounds like it may cause problems with their function. I would recommend against putting it in a "box".
    Home Theatre: Epson 5020ub, Elite Screen Sable Frame 100", Onkyo 818, Oppo BDP-103, Tivo Series 3, Xbox 360, Sealed Dual Sound Splinter RL-p 15" DIY sub powered by Behringer EP2500 with FBD, QSC RMX1400 powering LSi15, LSiC, LSiFX sides, and Lsi7 for the back, Technics SL-1200M3D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sneak
    Sneak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    fumoffu wrote: »
    Umm, the LSIc has polk power ports on that back. The box you are describing sounds like it may cause problems with their function. I would recommend against putting it in a "box".


    I can't find a pic of these ports. Can you link me to one? I would imagine that holes could be drilled in the back to line up with those ports.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VSchneider
    VSchneider Posts: 443
    edited January 2008
    I would make the back end of the box completely open aside from maybe a reinforcing brace or two to keep interference with the power ports to a minimum. Simply drilling holes will not help much.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sneak
    Sneak Posts: 8
    edited January 2008
    VSchneider wrote: »
    I would make the back end of the box completely open aside from maybe a reinforcing brace or two to keep interference with the power ports to a minimum. Simply drilling holes will not help much.

    Thanks for the pic. There will have to be a brace across the back to keep the box from racking side to side with weight on top of it. Will have to look at the LSIC in a store to be sure but this can be worked around. I think a wood brace right across the center of the back from side to side would work.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited January 2008
    SBrown712 wrote: »
    I have a LsiC on order that is scheduled to ship tomorrow. This site had the best price I could find by far:

    http://www.highdecibels.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LSiC&gclid=CPn-56f-_pACFR0MIgodyCKa-g

    They aren't on Polk's list of authorized online dealers. If they're not authorized the warranty will be null and void.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter