Polk LSi Speakers

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Comments

  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2008
    They simply have a more pleasing refined sound over the RTI's. As for the bass, for bookshelves they have a surprising kick!

    They are a versatile well rounded speaker that can handle just about anything you toss at it. Providing they are properly amplified.
    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
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2008
    From reading numerous posts, I know they have a lot more detailed sound. However, are they better in other aspects? Better sound stage? I doubt better bass. What aspect makes them "better"? Is the differences subtle or drastic if you did a side-by-side comparison? I haven't been able to hear them and the nearest dealer is about 3 hours away. Thanks

    They sound completely different side by side. I prefer the bass output from the smaller LSi drivers. The extension doesn't pair up but it's impact and weight in that region is better.
    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.
  • wizzy
    wizzy Posts: 867
    edited March 2008
    What aspect makes them "better"?

    Probably that Vifa tweeter :)
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,238
    edited March 2008
    What is the general consensus... LSI9's or RTi A7's. Used mainly for music but with some HT?
    For music? LSI's. The 9's are a respected speaker that raises an ear or two from folks that thought sound like that couldn't come from a speaker that size.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • SBrown712
    SBrown712 Posts: 202
    edited March 2008
    The other thing about highdecibels.com is that they sell product they don't have. They will even give shipping dates when they still don't have the item and they don't like to give back your money.
    'nuff said?
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2008
    Drop Shipping is not uncommon at all from electronics e-tailers but unfortunately some handle it worse than others.
    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.
  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited March 2008
    So the consensus is the 15's are better than the 9's.

    Are the 15's heavy to move around?

    I have both.

    They're both heavy. I hate moving the 15's when I'm vacuuming. I hate moving the 9's around when I'm trying out different things.

    I prefer the 15's but I'm partial to large speakers.

    Receivers, at least the low budget kind and even the Harmon HK-347, don't do them justice. They like separate amps. The difference is not subtle.
  • be83663
    be83663 Posts: 192
    edited March 2008
    I wonder the difference in sound quality between a pair of LSi25's and a pair of LSi9's as far as the highs and mids are concerned.
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited March 2008
    When are the LSi 7's and 9's due for an updating? I would think soon, since the RTiA's just came out.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2008
    cfrizz wrote: »
    They simply have a more pleasing refined sound over the RTI's. As for the bass, for bookshelves they have a surprising kick!

    They are a versatile well rounded speaker that can handle just about anything you toss at it. Providing they are properly amplified.

    So what is the purpose of the RTi line? I know many say it's the HT speaker, but others say that the LSi does well in both music and HT. Why would someone buy RTi 10's, 12's, A5's, A7's, or A9's over a used pair of LSi9's? All the RTi's listed will still require a good sub for good HT. A used pair of LSi9's will cost around the same price as the 10's or 12's. A used pair of LSi15's can be bought around the price of A7's or A9's. So where is the benefit in these speakers over the LSi series?
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2008
    Simple marketing business Max. Most companies have different tiers of products at all different price points. That way anyone can get a good quality product at the price they are willing to pay.

    Buying a set of LSI's is a very expensive proposition. Because as well as getting the speakers, you also have to be willing to spend a lot more money making sure you have the proper amplification to run them. Your average, Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc just won't do any of them justice & worse put the speakers at risk for damage if driven to hard/too loud then what the receiver is capable of giving of giving them.

    Some people simply aren't willing to take on that kind of investment. The RTI's will also play music well, if you like how they sound with the equipment you drive them with. Some do, and some don't.
    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
  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2008
    cfrizz wrote: »

    Buying a set of LSI's is a very expensive proposition. Because as well as getting the speakers, you also have to be willing to spend a lot more money making sure you have the proper amplification to run them. Your average, Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc just won't do any of them justice & worse put the speakers at risk for damage if driven to hard/too loud then what the receiver is capable of giving of giving them.

    Yes, I am aware that the LSi's are 4 Ohm speakers and are power hungry. However separate amps are highly recommended for the bigger RTi speakers (10's and A7's and up) as well. So right now I could buy a pair of RTi 10's from Amazon for about $500. For the same amount I could get used/refurbed LSi9's. People recommend driving both with an amp and using a sub for HT. Again, what's the point of buying RTi10's or even A7's when a pair of 9's would probably sound better and cost about the same as new 10's? Why do people recommend the 10's so much, and why do people spend a grand on A7's when they can get a 9's (maybe even a pair of used 15's) which are better? True the A7 might be able to run off a good AVR whereas the 15's will most likely not.

    Thanks
  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited March 2008
    You could say that about any line of speakers or any audio product for that manner. Why buy anything new when you could get twice the product used for the same money.
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited March 2008
    I "think" they are a registered Polk dealer...Good price on the 9's


    http://www.highdecibels.com/products.asp?cat=15&pg=6

    Or direct from Polk,reman. with full warranty

    http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm


    That highdecibels.com store looks really shoestring budget...I mean their homepage STILL says the superbowl is coming up :eek:. If using online and want help after the sale , go with someone like Crutchfield or Onecall. Be really curious to see if the HD store is really an authorized polk dealer.
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited March 2008
    Yes, I am aware that the LSi's are 4 Ohm speakers and are power hungry. However separate amps are highly recommended for the bigger RTi speakers (10's and A7's and up) as well. So right now I could buy a pair of RTi 10's from Amazon for about $500. For the same amount I could get used/refurbed LSi9's. People recommend driving both with an amp and using a sub for HT. Again, what's the point of buying RTi10's or even A7's when a pair of 9's would probably sound better and cost about the same as new 10's? Why do people recommend the 10's so much, and why do people spend a grand on A7's when they can get a 9's (maybe even a pair of used 15's) which are better? True the A7 might be able to run off a good AVR whereas the 15's will most likely not.

    Thanks

    You asked what's the point? Well...here's a few differences between USED lsi9's and NEW rti10's or a7's.

    Used 9's are bookshelves and wont have warranty.
    New rti10's or a7's are floor standers and will have warranty.

    Pretty simple.
    Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Arcam CD37
    Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
    Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
    Vandersteen V2W
  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2008
    Used 9's are bookshelves and wont have warranty.
    New rti10's or a7's are floor standers and will have warranty.

    Refurbished 9's cost around $550 from Polk Direct and have a short warranty. However, new 9's costs around $900 which is the same as A5's, and the A7's are around $1K. Sure the A7's will have more bass, but the general consensus is that the 9's will have better sound quality. Since both require a sub for HT, why would anyone buy the A5 or the A7 over the 9? What am I missing?
  • wizzy
    wizzy Posts: 867
    edited March 2008
    Not much, and the 9's will sound better for two channel listening.
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited March 2008
    With the LSi's and HT, you have to look at the total cost of a 5.1 or 7.1 setup, and with that the LSi's can run significantly more expensive than the RTi's. For a 2 ch system, then you can buy just the LSi9's for a comparable cost, and although I am not a huge fan of the LSi's for music, they would be a better choice than the RTi's IMHO.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited March 2008
    VSchneider wrote: »
    Ken says, they are not an authorized Polk dealer.

    What I thought....
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2008
    dkg999 wrote: »
    With the LSi's and HT, you have to look at the total cost of a 5.1 or 7.1 setup, and with that the LSi's can run significantly more expensive than the RTi's.

    From my understanding, matching the surrounds and rear surrounds is not crucial. I have heard people using the R series for surrounds (with RTi's) and they think it sounds fine. It's more important to match the center channel. I know the LSiC is slightly more expensive than a CSi5 (A6), but I don't think it's that much. Of course, one could buy the cheaper CSi3 (A4) and save considerably more, but then one probably wouldn't be shelling out money for bigger RTi fronts either.

    So if you compare a system with two LSi9's and an LSiC versus a system with A5's or A7's and an A6 center, I think there isn't that much of a cost difference. The surrounds could use R's, monitors, or FXi's and probably sound fine with either front speaker selection.
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited March 2008
    I had the opportunity to try the RTi surrounds and rears with an LSi front/center. There is too much difference in the sound signatures and it just doesn't sound right. Mixing RT and RTi speakers is OK, as the sound signatures are fairly close. For HT, I would go all LSi.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited March 2008
    Max, there's some overlap on all the Polk products pricing. Factoring in used vs new always is a value question. Personally, I think used is the way to go in nearly every case. The differences between the RTi/A and LSi are cosmetics and sound signature. They are really 2 different solutions. The LSis are subjectively better to those that value musicality as a primary reason for their purchase. Though many find the RTis an excellent choice as well (I do). So, to your question, if I were buying today, after an audition, I'd probably always opt for the used 9s with a sub...better value. That doesn't diminish the value of the RTiAs, which might be perfect of someone else's application.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2008
    I haven't heard the new RTiA's, but compared to the old RTi's, the LSi series images better.

    LSi's have a warm sound to them, which I also happen to prefer. The LSi series is on the brighter side.

    LSi9's can work well without a sub in a small room for 2ch. For a medium or large room, a sub and/or LSi15's would be required to fill the room.
    "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
  • demaples
    demaples Posts: 266
    edited March 2008
    I just did an upgrade on my surround and probably over did it but that's me. Started with an Onkyo 805 amp, with LSi25 fronts, LSi15 rears, Genesis sides but will probably upgrade those, PSW 650 subwoofer and LSIc center. All I can say is HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT AND EAR PLUGS!! I wanted good surround but still have good music and it works. I bought most of my equipment off of ebay and didn't spend near the suggested list price, about $3500.

    Hitachi 50" Plasma full HD 1080--Onkyo 805 AVR
    Rotel RMB-1077 amp--Polk LSic center
    Polk LSi25 fronts--Polk LSi 15 rears
    Genesis G-2800 sides--Polk PSW 650 sub
    APC H15 power conditioner--Netgear digital media player
    Napster external hardrive--Linksys Wireless G router
    Samsung DVD--Blue Jeans wires
  • be83663
    be83663 Posts: 192
    edited March 2008
    demaples wrote: »
    I just did an upgrade on my surround and probably over did it but that's me. Started with an Onkyo 805 amp, with LSi25 fronts, LSi15 rears, Genesis sides but will probably upgrade those, PSW 650 subwoofer and LSIc center. All I can say is HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT AND EAR PLUGS!! I wanted good surround but still have good music and it works. I bought most of my equipment off of ebay and didn't spend near the suggested list price, about $3500.

    Does your Onkyo 805 have any problem handling a pair of LSi25 and a pair of LSi15? I have Onkyo 805 too and am thinking of buying two pairs of Lsi9's for the front and rear, but some people seem to be saying that I need a higher end amplifier to work with LSi series speakers.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,019
    edited March 2008
    be83663 wrote: »
    Does your Onkyo 805 have any problem handling a pair of LSi25 and a pair of LSi15? I have Onkyo 805 too and am thinking of buying two pairs of Lsi9's fro the front and rear, but some people seem to be saying that I need a higher end amplifier to work with LSi series speakers.

    Some people? More like "most" people.
    You can run some LSI's off a receiver if you keep the volume at moderate levels,but if you want to crank it up,or listen to movies at larger volumes,you need an amp.Unless you like paying lots of coin for speakers then a few months down the road,have to spend more to fix them after they crap out on you.Use the search button for all you need to know about powering Lsi line and what 4 ohm means.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • be83663
    be83663 Posts: 192
    edited March 2008
    tonyb wrote: »
    Some people? More like "most" people.
    You can run some LSI's off a receiver if you keep the volume at moderate levels,but if you want to crank it up,or listen to movies at larger volumes,you need an amp.Unless you like paying lots of coin for speakers then a few months down the road,have to spend more to fix them after they crap out on you.Use the search button for all you need to know about powering Lsi line and what 4 ohm means.

    But, Onkyo specification claims that 805 has certified 4 ohms performance. Doesn't that mean that it can handle LSi series as well?
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited March 2008
    be83663 wrote: »
    But, Onkyo specification claims that 805 has certified 4 ohms performance. Doesn't that mean that it can handle LSi series as well?
    One of the drawbacks of the 805/875 is they throw alot of heat even with easy to drive speakers. They have a selectable switch >6ohms and >4ohms. The 4 ohm switch limits the current to mitigate the heat, however not using the switch will allow the AVR to run ~ 180w @ 4ohm, which is respectable. The warning is that it could shorten the life of the AVR running full out. What this says to me is that these Onks will be adequate, but underpowered running in 4 ohm mode, better running in > 6ohm, but might shorten the gears life...so I'd look at it as a short term solution running a full LSi setup.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited March 2008
    If Onkyo certifies it, then by all means crank that ****' up :rolleyes:
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2008
    Just because they certify it, doesn't mean it does it well. You'll be fine as long as you don't crank the volume up.
    "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