RTI12 vs LSI15

crd2002

I know that the 15's have more defined sound than the 12's and I have the 12's right now but my question is those of you that had both lines I like to hear the music really loud especially after a couple of drinks on the weekends and I hear that the 15's wont push as hard as the 12's need comments to see if its worth it to upgrade to the 15's or stay with the 12's loud is my main thing

lakesailor

response deleted by author

ohskigod

the 15's will go pretty loud, but if that is your main preference, keep the RTi12's. I never heard them side by side, but the RTi12's have alotta slam, which probably keeps the grin on your face.

crd2002

especially after a couple of drinks
I have heard that the lsi are laid back and just want first hand opinions before I upgrade

m00npie

crd2002 wrote: »

I know that the 15's have more defined sound than the 12's and I have the 12's right now but my question is those of you that had both lines I like to hear the music really loud especially after a couple of drinks on the weekends and I hear that the 15's wont push as hard as the 12's need comments to see if its worth it to upgrade to the 15's or stay with the 12's loud is my main thing

I owned the RTi10’s, so it’s not the comparison you are looking for. However, I found the differences between the two be equal as far as volume (loudness) is concerned. Just to qualify that, I basically go to the same (-5) DB level on my Pre when listening loud and usually don’t go any further regardless of the speaker I am trying. Room size is everything so what may have been the same in my room would probably be different in yours. We have the same amp except you have 2 more channels than mine.

For HT, the move for the floor standers was a lateral move. Also, to keep the front 3 matched, the LSiC will need to be looked into. For me, I liked the CSi5 much better.

For music, the LSi15’s are definitely an upgrade for my ears.

Lowell_M

crd2002 wrote: »

I know that the 15's have more defined sound than the 12's and I have the 12's right now but my question is those of you that had both lines I like to hear the music really loud especially after a couple of drinks on the weekends and I hear that the 15's wont push as hard as the 12's need comments to see if its worth it to upgrade to the 15's or stay with the 12's loud is my main thing

LSi15's for sure!!! (althought I personally can't stand the tweeter in the RTi12's, 10's, 8's etc)

Sami

Nothing wrong in playing the LSi's loud, in fact they like to be played very loud. Looks like you already have plenty of amplification so if you like to listen to music, LSi15's are a very worthy upgrade over RTi12's.

SolidSqual

The Lsi play extremely loud. Especially with the right gear to keep them in line. At that price, focus on quality . . . trust me you will have the quantity of sound with the 15s.

When people say liad back, they don't mean boring or slow. They mean more or less neutral. The 15s present the music to you as it was intended to be heard. They just let the notes stream out.

The 12s take you buy the balls and shove it down your throat with much less finesse. That tweeter can be head-splitting at high levels as far as I am concerned.

crd2002

I know the sound is much clearer in the lsi I'm just concerned about volume need a lot of volume :D:eek:

m00npie

crd2002 wrote: »

I know the sound is much clearer in the lsi I'm just concerned about volume need a lot of volume :D:eek:

If you are looking for the effect that Marty got in "Back to the Future", you may not get that in LSi or RTi's.

Sami

For that, I'd recommend adding something BIG (or double BIG) from SVS...

SolidSqual

My new speakers have two 15" subs in each speaker. They are run by two odyssey SE Extreme Monoblocks and two Bel Canto e.One 1000s monoblocks . . . with those four amps and my CS2s I should have near 1.21 gigawatts to catapult myself back in time.

Lowell_M

SolidSqual wrote: »

The Lsi play extremely loud. Especially with the right gear to keep them in line. At that price, focus on quality . . . trust me you will have the quantity of sound with the 15s.

When people say liad back, they don't mean boring or slow. They mean more or less neutral. The 15s present the music to you as it was intended to be heard. They just let the notes stream out.

The 12s take you buy the balls and shove it down your throat with much less finesse. That tweeter can be head-splitting at high levels as far as I am concerned.

+1 on the entire comment. I've played my 15's louder than any human should endure and couldn't believe the clarity and presentation of the music at those volume levels.

crd2002

thats what I'm talking about let me tell you the 12's can sing loud and clear with the right power

Lowell_M

crd2002 wrote: »

thats what I'm talking about let me tell you the 12's can sing loud and clear with the right power

A friend of mine has Rti12's powered by Carver Mt..something-or-others at 400 wpc. They definately have some slam and play loud. I don't really care for the head splitting tweeter. If you are aiming to step up, though, I really don't think you would be dissappointed with the LSi15's. They play very loud and strong with good power.

crd2002

they always say that the lsi is laid back but it sounds like they have some output also that is way I want you guys opinions thanks

bbeacham

a_mattison wrote: »

+1 on the entire comment. I've played my 15's louder than any human should endure and couldn't believe the clarity and presentation of the music at those volume levels.

Same here. One night after a few beers (sounds like a common theme) I got out the SPL meter and the LSi15s were past 110db. Sounded clear as could be. Of course that was with a 170W/ch AVR. I haven't had that much to drink yet since I added the Sunfire TGA-5400.

crd2002

cool I'm using a sunfire cinema 200wpc/at 8ohms and a sunfire tgaIII

Monster Jam

At risk of getting flamed, my response is keep the RTi's if thats wat you've got. Thats not what I would expect to start the flames, however, this is:

If you're looking for a louder speaker, and you're down with some seriously head-splitting highs, I recommend going with the biggest Klipsch towers they got. You'll be hard pressed to find something louder than Klipsch with their horn tweeters.

Sami

The problem with Klipsch is you can't go loud because your ears will explode.

LSi's being laid back, I think most people mean they won't make you fatigued with the highs. They are very clear but smooth, and you can play them loud without feeling pain in your ears (you'll still lose your hearing...:)).

Face

LSi's sound sexy.

treitz3

crd2002 wrote: »

I know that the 15's have more defined sound than the 12's and I have the 12's right now but my question is those of you that had both lines I like to hear the music really loud especially after a couple of drinks on the weekends and I hear that the 15's wont push as hard as the 12's need comments to see if its worth it to upgrade to the 15's or stay with the 12's loud is my main thing

What is your preference? 2-channel or HT?

edossin4

When I was shopping I heard the Lsi15 and the Rti12s side by side. I was surprised but I really preferred the Rti12s. I read that the Lsi series was supposed to be higher quality and expected to like that one better. Just my 2 cents but I love the tweeters on the rti series.

I have my Rti12s hooked up to 200 watts of Adcom power and they go crazy loud. It is effortless reproduction. I love it.

Not to mention the price of the Rti12s is very low because they are being phased out. I got mine at Crutchfield for $949 a pair. That included shipping and a free (I did say free!) psw10 subwoofer. Of course the 12s don't need a sub but I am going to sell it for $100 making the speakers even cheaper.:D

edossin4

Monster Jam wrote: »

At risk of getting flamed, my response is keep the RTi's if thats wat you've got. Thats not what I would expect to start the flames, however, this is:

If you're looking for a louder speaker, and you're down with some seriously head-splitting highs, I recommend going with the biggest Klipsch towers they got. You'll be hard pressed to find something louder than Klipsch with their horn tweeters.

Louder yes but I have always liked the sound of the polk high end over the Klipsch. I've always found the horns to sound harsh compared to the Polk domes. The 12s will go as loud as you need, unless you are trying to fill an auditorium or something.

Sami

edossin4 wrote: »

Of course the 12s don't need a sub but I am going to sell it for $100 making the speakers even cheaper.:D

For home theater use the 12's still need a sub. For music they are good on their own.

Monster Jam

edossin4 wrote: »

Louder yes but I have always liked the sound of the polk high end over the Klipsch. I've always found the horns to sound harsh compared to the Polk domes. The 12s will go as loud as you need, unless you are trying to fill an auditorium or something.

Agree all the way around.

DeusExa

edossin4 wrote: »

When I was shopping I heard the Lsi15 and the Rti12s side by side. I was surprised but I really preferred the Rti12s. I read that the Lsi series was supposed to be higher quality and expected to like that one better. Just my 2 cents but I love the tweeters on the rti series.

I have my Rti12s hooked up to 200 watts of Adcom power and they go crazy loud. It is effortless reproduction. I love it.

Not to mention the price of the Rti12s is very low because they are being phased out. I got mine at Crutchfield for $949 a pair. That included shipping and a free (I did say free!) psw10 subwoofer. Of course the 12s don't need a sub but I am going to sell it for $100 making the speakers even cheaper.:D

The LSi are higher end. The tweeter on the RTi series is overly bright, which gives the impression of a higher end.

Jer.War

I have heard both the RTI 12's ( my ex-roomate had a complete RTI HT setup w/ a HK receiver) and the LSI15's (my latest treat to myself). When my buddy first bought the RTI's I was very impressed. The have polks signature detail and clarity, and boy do they hammer. The one critque I would make is that the tweeter was quite bright, a bit harsh, and at high volumes quite fatiquing. The ring radiator tweeter peaked my interest and I sprung for the LSI15 which (I know, I know, is a crime) I am running with a Yahama RXV-1800. The LSI15 have superior clarity, astounding imaging, and the tweeter is very smooth. The LSI's are definately demanding and greedy, but the pound. At very high volumes I find the low end doesnt keep up w/ the rest of the speaker, but again I am running them under less than optimal conditions and the room shape in my apartment is probably the worth shape for speaker placement known to man. While I think the RTI 12's seem to handle bass a bit better than the LSI and pound like crazy, the mids and highs on the LSI outpreform those in the RTI hands down. LSI's with a nice power amp, and a sub (if you crave the chest shaking, police at your door bass) would be a pleasant upgrade over the RTI's. FYI, the price or LSI seem to be dropping like mad. Surf around on google or e-bay and you can get them for a steal.
My only problem now is that my CSI3 (which I purchased first before I self-justified a much more expensive LSI setup and allowed my budget to swell) sticks out like a sore thumb, and I want me a power amp. Maybe after I get a real job.....

Sherardp

Sami wrote: »

For home theater use the 12's still need a sub. For music they are good on their own.

Agreed, I have run my 12s with 525wpc using a D-Sonic Magnum 1000S. Awesome sound in my HT. For LFE I back them up with dual SVS PB12/Plus2s.