LSI 7 vs RTI 8 for mains?

bopicasso

Would a LSI 7 give me a better 2 channel than the rti8s I currently have?
I have a chance to buy the lsi7s for the price I paid for the rti8s..
I prefered the RTI8s over the Rti6 because of the more transparent soundstage. Would the LSI7 give me that? Also would my onk 805 power them considering they are 4 ohm speakers?? I know it will do 4 ohm but is it to much of a load for it?

ben62670

The 7's are more forgiving than the 9's for sure. Your receiver should handle them decently depending on how hard you drive them. Can you audition both of them in a similar environment? LSI's win favor with there nice Vifa tweeter for most people, but you are the one who is going to listen to them.
Ben

Face

You will probably need a sub for the 7's, I would consider the 9's if possible.

For music, LSi's win without a doubt. If you do pick up a pair, you may want to consider eventually adding a external amp though.

bopicasso

I am running the rti8s with a svs 25-31pci sub. The rti8s just dont wow me.. Im looking to upgrade and sell the rti8s... So Lsi9s are a big difference from the lsi7s?

Face

It depends on the room.

john22614

I've heard that the 9's are a bit clearer than the 7's, but I haven't had a chance to do a comparison. I can tell you I am very impressed with the 9's however and picked them hands down over the RTi 8 and 10's they just sounded too harsh to me.

treitz3

How far away are you from the speakers, how large is your listening room, how loud you listen to music generally and what kinds of music do you prefer?

ALL of these will have a direct bearing as to what is ultimately recommended.

Airplay355

definitely the Lsi series. 9's are much more bass heavy then the 7's and probably won't do as well powered by a receiver. They might sound muddy if you don't give them enough juice.

I loved my 7's. I kick myself every day for selling them and my musical fidelity pre. Oh well, there's always something else out there for me to buy, right?

RutgersFTW

I have been using RTi8s for the last week and a half in my set-up and I'm swapping them back out for my bookshelves (in this case, humbler RTi6). I heard the LSi7 in a listening room and they sounded very vanilla. Vanilla being my favorite flavor, I was very taken with them. They were neutral, airy, open, and smoother than my 6s (though there wasn't a set of 6s hooked up for side by side testing), but I kind of dig the RTi's spunkier sound. A little more character, perhaps. Or maybe that's just my way of not buying more beautiful speakers and enjoying the equipment I have.

PSOVLSK

I think the 7's would be an improvement for 2 channel for sure. If you already have the SVS, I wouldn't recommend the 9's over the 7's. Also, I think your Onk will be fine driving the 7's.

Norm Apter

I haven't heard the Rti8s. I see that they are a floorstanding speaker and thus probably have more range and power potential than the Rti6s. What I can tell you is that I went into a Crutchfield retail store in December to audition both the Rti6s as well as the new RtiA3s. I had saved up roughly $300 and had read many good things about the Rti6s and yes they sounded great. But then, just for fun, the staff suggested that I try the Lsi9s. Same amp. The Lsi9s just blew me away -- my wife and I just started smiling at each other, each of us knew what we were thinking (we've got to get these speakers!). Even though, they were priced about $500/$600 higher than my original budget, I decided right on the spot that I'd have to wait and save up for the Lsi9s and I did just that.

Got them a few months ago expressly for 2 channel music and am very happy. And I don't even have a good amp yet! While I can't comment on the Rti8s, I can just tell you that the Rti6s and the Lsi9s are apples and oranges (and I don't mean to be dissing the Rti6s because they are fine for what they are). If possible, I would at least try to go to a retail store to listen to the Lsi7s or Lsi9s. For me, it was and is an entirely different listening experience.