LSI owners your speakers suck!

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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited August 2010
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    Do you know how much the upgrade for the lsi7s is (I searched through this thread and didn't see a list) and would you be interested in doing the upgrade and for how much? it may be out of my range for the moment, by I am selling several things so hopefully I might be able to pull it off soon.
    Peace,
    Paul

    click the "LSi7 crossovers upgraded" link in my sig....

    Or just click here....
    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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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited August 2010
    Rooftop
    Face modded my LSi7's. The mod was top-shelf, He might be really busy...but if he can do'em....jump on it
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • camtah
    camtah Posts: 128
    edited October 2010
    I think I am going to upgrade my Lsi15 crossovers with external ones. Where are you guys getting your inductors at?
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2010
    camtah wrote: »
    I think I am going to upgrade my Lsi15 crossovers with external ones. Where are you guys getting your inductors at?

    Try Parts Express, Erse Audio, or Madisound.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    Solen and Parts Connexion also.
    "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
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  • camtah
    camtah Posts: 128
    edited October 2010
    Thanks for replies..time to dig in..
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  • camtah
    camtah Posts: 128
    edited October 2010
    Yikes !!!! I didn't realize the cost of these components for a full remake of the crossovers..(sigh)
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2010
    camtah wrote: »
    Yikes !!!! I didn't realize the cost of these components for a full remake of the crossovers..(sigh)

    For my Mission Statements they were $170, for my Zaph ZDT3.5's (Center and L/R) ~$200.

    It will be cheaper and yield better results than money on an amp, source, or interconnects.
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  • camtah
    camtah Posts: 128
    edited October 2010
    jinjuku wrote: »
    For my Mission Statements they were $170, for my Zaph ZDT3.5's (Center and L/R) ~$200.

    It will be cheaper and yield better results than money on an amp, source, or interconnects.

    My mission was to build a completely new crossover (external). By the time I added up the components (caps, inductors, resisters, etc) it was close to
    ~$500/pair. (sigh). I wanted to save reworking the existing crossover so I could put them back to stock if I decided to sell in the future.

    I must have been looking for parts in the wrong place...
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited October 2010
    camtah wrote: »
    My mission was to build a completely new crossover (external). By the time I added up the components (caps, inductors, resisters, etc) it was close to
    ~$500/pair. (sigh). I wanted to save reworking the existing crossover so I could put them back to stock if I decided to sell in the future.

    I must have been looking for parts in the wrong place...

    Upgrade the XO internally (rework or new) and reuse the existing Inductors. What I've been gathering from other opinions so far is that new inductors will provide minimal if any improvement for the money. My opinion would be to put any extra money in better caps and resistors, before the inductors.

    Why put them back to stock if you sell them? Wouldn't you want the upgrade to be added value?
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited October 2010
    camtah wrote: »
    ...

    I must have been looking for parts in the wrong place...

    One tip I would offer is to be patient and buy your parts when they go on sale, such as the occasional 20-25% off sales they have on caps at Sonic Craft.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • camtah
    camtah Posts: 128
    edited October 2010
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    One tip I would offer is to be patient and buy your parts when they go on sale, such as the occasional 20-25% off sales they have on caps at Sonic Craft.

    Thanks for the tip..I shall research this further
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    Upgrade the XO internally (rework or new) and reuse the existing Inductors. What I've been gathering from other opinions so far is that new inductors will provide minimal if any improvement for the money. My opinion would be to put any extra money in better caps and resistors, before the inductors.
    Normally I would agree, but not in this case. Except for the tweeter shunt, the rest of the inductors are cheap steel core inductors and should be upgraded. If you have lots of time and patience, everything can fit inside, I believe I posted pics a few pages back. I don't remember the exact amount, but it did cost between $400-550, and none of the parts were that exotic(Sonic Caps, Solen, Mills, Dayton, etc..).
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    One tip I would offer is to be patient and buy your parts when they go on sale, such as the occasional 20-25% off sales they have on caps at Sonic Craft.
    This I agree with.
    "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
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2010
    camtah wrote: »
    Thanks for the tip..I shall research this further

    Hit this link before committing the inductors to glue or zip ties. Inductors can Cause interference with other inductors if not placed correctly.
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  • veerapaneni
    veerapaneni Posts: 112
    edited October 2010
    I am sad that i am parting away from my Lsi series. I hope i could keep them in my bed room but dont have space:(
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    Which inductors did you use?
    "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
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  • Ericw2431
    Ericw2431 Posts: 228
    edited October 2010
    i will be gettin the 9's soon kinda regretting it! =[ why so much bad revewis?!
    Room Theater:
    Fronts:RTIA3
    center; CSIA6
    AVR: Onkyo 709
    panasonic 55"plasma
    Ps3 slim 250gb
    surrounds.Fxia6
    Sub...svs pc13 ULTRA
    Amp:Emotiva xpa3
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,210
    edited October 2010
    Ericw2431 wrote: »
    i will be gettin the 9's soon kinda regretting it! =[ why so much bad revewis?!

    The title of this thread is tongue-in-cheek to get people's attention. The 9's are a great speaker that is made even better with an XO upgrade. I'm planning to upgrade my 15's next month.

    If you power them correctly you'll love your 9's and won't be regretting anything.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    anonymouse wrote: »
    Jantzen 15AWG air core from Parts Express
    Were you sure to match the DCR of the stock components within 5-10%?
    "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
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited October 2010
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    The title of this thread is tongue-in-cheek to get people's attention. The 9's are a great speaker that is made even better with an XO upgrade. I'm planning to upgrade my 15's next month.

    If you power them correctly you'll love your 9's and won't be regretting anything.

    I started this thread and I do not think LSI's suck. A little time and a few key parts makes them shine. The design and cabinets are top notch.
    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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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,210
    edited October 2010
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I started this thread and I do not think LSI's suck. A little time and a few key parts makes them shine. The design and cabinets are top notch.

    IMO it's obvious that you mean they "suck" compared to a modded pair (and that you don't really think they are a bad speaker). I think the title is genius because if you own LSi's, you have to open the thread and read it.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited October 2010
    Face wrote: »
    DCR of the stock components within 5-10%
    I see your OCD was of the short term variety.:wink::biggrin:
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2010
    FTGV wrote: »
    I see your OCD was of the short term variety.:wink::biggrin:
    A 16 hour work day today will do that. :tongue:
    "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
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited October 2010
    Face wrote: »
    A 16 hour work day today will do that. :tongue:
    Kinda like when closing time approaches the standards begin to slide and the bigger gals start looking a little smaller.:biggrin:
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited October 2010
    FTGV wrote: »
    Kinda like when closing time approaches the standards begin to slide and the bigger gals start looking a little smaller.:biggrin:

    Kinda like in this? :biggrin: :tongue:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ9QWe221sU
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited November 2010
    anonymouse wrote: »
    I felt the same way about upgrading the binding posts on my SDA's, so maybe my ears are not as sensitive as others.

    May be NOT coz what you can hear or not! Not every upgrades / little tweaks adds performance as much as we like to think. If there is nothing wrong, there is nothing wrong. Additional gains are to be achieved when there is something wrong to begin with. There is little gains to have for upgrading binding posts and air core inductors.

    I think the Caps and the Resistors should be a nice touch in the XO upgrade though. I don't hear any difference from inductors or coils. May be my ears are biased. LOL
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited November 2010
    megasat16 wrote: »
    Kinda like in this? :biggrin: :tongue:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ9QWe221sU
    He He:biggrin: That was a funny movie.
    megasat16 wrote: »
    There is little gains to have for upgrading ..... air core inductors.
    Agreed assuming no big disparity in the DCR.However I would expect to hear improvements when replacing a cheap saturation prone ferrite core in a woofer or mid circuit with an air core.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited November 2010
    The stock 9's are just fine.

    any mass speaker can be upgraded and the Polk brand is no different. The thread title was inappropriate then and I am sorry to see it brought back.

    typical C is for cookie thing.

    Put some quality electronics on polk speakers and they will take you a long way right out of the box.

    RT1
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited November 2010
    I feel RT's argument on this. I recently got another pair of 9's I am rolling in my office rig. dayum they sound good. there only flaw is that you need very high quality amplification to get the most out of these......amplification that is often priced at a higher point than these speakers were (evens out a bit if you go use amplification, but new retail? eesh).......which made it a bit of a marketing fail (emphasis on a "bit")

    oh, those of us in the know get to enjoy the benefits. I might have these modded just to see the deal, but I have been told they "open up" the highs....I am not 100% sure I would like that, as the laid back highs is something I love about this speaker.
    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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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited November 2010
    ohskigod wrote: »
    oh, those of us in the know get to enjoy the benefits. I might have these modded just to see the deal, but I have been told they "open up" the highs....I am not 100% sure I would like that, as the laid back highs is something I love about this speaker.

    I owned the 9s for nearly two and half years before having the mod performed. In addition to the highs, I noticed a much better defined low end (as someone else explained its because in part greater clarity was brought to the highs). I'm glad I didn't get the mod done right away...I don't think I would have appreciated it as much without those 2+ years with stock sound. But in the end the mod was worth every penny and then some, at least to my ears. For me at least, it delivered all benefits without any compromises or negative impact (except on my wallet).

    I'll be taking my modded Lsi9s to our SoCal get together next weekend. I'm looking forward to hearding the opinions of the other guys (especially those who have heard stock Lsi7s/Lsi9s.
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
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