URGENT Assistance!!

Shicks18
Shicks18 Posts: 397
edited June 2008 in Speakers
Got a decision that needs to be made asap:

LSi9s New in box for $550
RTi12s New in box $700
LSi15s Slightly Used $800

What do yall think?

edit: ORRRR keep waiting for a better deal.
TV: LG 55LW5600
Pre: Marantz SR6001
Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
Center Amp: Marantz MA500
Mains: Polk LSi9
Center: Polk LSiC
Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
Games: Xbox360 and PS3
Post edited by Shicks18 on
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Comments

  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited June 2008
    What do you want them for and what will you be running them with?

    Given what you have listed and based on my biases and what I have seen prices for, go with the LSi9's.

    (the 12's are just not my cup of tea and the 15's, should be $750 or less (that is my limit to purchase them used anyway)

    The 9's are a decent deal and sound fabulous for 2channel or home theater.

    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)
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    Will be used for HT. Will be running with a Yamaha RX-V663 receiver (has preouts so I will be purchasing an external amp as well)

    is $550 for the LSi9s brand new worth jumping on or should I keep looking. The reason this is urgent is because the seller wants to know asap. Thanks for your help
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited June 2008
    For a new pair? - yep, sounds like a price good enough I would jump on.

    (don't forget the price of decent stands for them as well. Also if large dogs or kids are in the house, the 15's may be little more stable than the 9's on stands)

    Just based on the price though, the 9's are the better of the deals you posted and what I would go with.
    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)
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    No kids or dogs and won't be needing stands. Will having a good subwoofer to compliment the 9's sound similar to 15's with a subwoofer as well?
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited June 2008
    9's and 15's are very close in sound with some preferring one over the other. With a sub in the mix (required for either speaker when used for home theater) I would give the 9's a nod as having a slightly better sound.

    I have both large dogs and kids, so the instability of stands made the choice a no brainer for me. Stable towers were required if I wanted LSi's (and the sound quality is very close).

    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)
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited June 2008
    the best deal there is the 9's. NIB thats a good price. the 15's are par to a little high (emphasis on little) if there in real good shape and want them, offer 700 ish.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited June 2008
    Shicks18 wrote: »
    and won't be needing stands.

    I take this to mean you already have stands? If not, what do you propose to do with the 9's?
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    I have long built-ins that they will rest on about 12 feet apart or so and about 4 feet off the ground.

    Is that not a very good layout? Not sure about that kinda stuff.
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited June 2008
    Shicks18 wrote: »
    I have long built-ins that they will rest on about 12 feet apart or so and about 4 feet off the ground.

    Is that not a very good layout? Not sure about that kinda stuff.

    Not really ideal at all. They will perform the best on independent stands coupled to the floor with spikes. I suppose you can get by with your set-up as we all have to make some allowances based on our listening space.

    Myself being a hardcore audiophile would not choose to have them sitting on a built in or shelving unit. 48" off the ground is the absolute max I would place those too. Ideally you want the tweeters at ear level or a bit higher. 48" might get it done.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    It is not quite 4 feet off the ground. More like 44" or so. I could get some stands for the speakers as well, how much of an improvement will I see?
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited June 2008
    I would think the bass would be better on stands, but before you start spending money on a solution to a problem you may not have....

    Put them where you plan to have them and listen to a few songs.

    Put them on some bar stools (or something they can sit on that is stable and about 36" tall or so) a few feet in front of where they were and listen to the same songs again.

    Decide for yourself if the improvement is worth the expense and trouble 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)
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    Good plan, the built-ins is a long shelf , some mighta thought I meant like an actual bookshelf insert.

    They will be sitting on a shelf and not enclosed by anything.
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited June 2008
    That should help, but I'd check it either way...
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    moderator can lock this thread and my other one.

    Just purchased my LSi9's !!!
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited June 2008
    but then where will you post your pics and impressions????

    BTW - congrats. :)
    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)
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited June 2008
    The 9's are something I would have chosen.
    Enjoy, and congrats.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • SlowcarIX
    SlowcarIX Posts: 887
    edited June 2008
    Shicks18 wrote: »
    moderator can lock this thread and my other one.

    Just purchased my LSi9's !!!

    now you need a single LSi9 for center channel

    congrats on the nice purchase!
    my 7.(1x4) HT setup
    TV - Mitsubishi WD-65734
    AVP / Amp - Onkyo PR-SC885P / D-Sonic 2500-7
    Front - Emerald Physics CS2
    Center - JTR Triple 12LF
    Surround L/R / Back - Polk RTi4 / Polk FXi A4
    Sub - 4 X Hsu ULS15 playing nearfield
    DVD / CDP - Sony PS3/40GB / Sony SCD-XA9000ES
    Belkin PURE AV PF60 / UPS
    Buttkicker

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60612
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    Don't worry about another thread Michael... I'm sure I will start another noob thread in time haha
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2008
    If you can base your decision on what speaker you really want then find the lowest price for it used if possible.
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  • knownalien
    knownalien Posts: 143
    edited June 2008
    it's tough to beat new and a 5 year warranty since the warranty is non-transferable. as good as the drivers are in polks, it just take's one moment of stupidity to blow one or at least frazz one.
    Outlaw 990 PreAmp
    Outlaw 7500 5 Channel Amp
    Polk LSiC Center
    Polk LSi9 FRONTS
    LG 42LK520 42" LCD
    SONY BDP-S300 Player (Blu-Ray)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited June 2008
    knownalien wrote: »
    it's tough to beat new and a 5 year warranty since the warranty is non-transferable. as good as the drivers are in polks, it just take's one moment of stupidity to blow one or at least frazz one.

    I've had about 5 pairs of Polks in 26 years and never had a driver issue, so either people get really stupid or I'm extremely smart ;):p.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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