Choosing Speakers

majcap

I really need some guidance in selecting which floor standing Polk product might be good for me.

I have a 12 X 12 room opening up into a significantly larger living room and the speakers must be at the back of the 12 X !2 room.

I am running a MAC 4100 receiver which is conservatively rated at 100 WPC into 4 ohms. Will this be enough to power the LSi 15 adequately?? My "backup" system is a McIntosh 2505 amplifier rated at 50 WPC.

Is there a better choice from the Polk floor standing lineup?? I am confused by the RTi A series and the monitor series. I wonder if the obvious design differences cause a noticeable increase in sound quality.

Do the "big box" audio stores usually have some or all of the high end models to listen to?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Lionel

skipf

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the RTi or monitor series. The ls series should sound great in your room, either the LSi9 or 15. I prefer the 9's. While 100wpc into 4 ohms will drive the LSi series, much more power will make them sound much better. Most recievers don't do a great job handeling 4 ohm loads. I drive my 9's with a 250wpc into 8 ohms amp, so I'm probably pushing about 400 wpc into them.

majcap

Ok, thanks. I am tending now more toward the Rti a 7's, just based on factory literature. I left the speakers till last and really need to make a right decision. Right now am using Sony SSU thrift store speakers.

Jim Shearer

skipf,

I think he might be OK w/ LSi on that Mac 4100. I agree that w/ most AVRs the LSi won't live up to their potential. But MAC isn't like Pioneer, Onkyo, Sony, etc. It's a two channel receiver in the old style where power supplies have reserves undreamed of by modern AVRs.

None the less, before buying, get your ears on lots of different speakers to find out what you really like. Only you can judge what's best for you.

Cheers, Jim

Hawkeye

Quite a few people say that the RT line is on the bright side. When mixed with the Mac, it may tone that down a bit. Then again the Mac and the LSI may be too smooth for some. Comes down to a matter of taste.

I also think your receiver can handle the 15 with gusto. It is not built like they are today. Conservative is an understatement when it comes to Mac gear.

Nice pieces by the way!

Gordon

Face

Another Mac fan here.

While using a MC-7270 with Tannoy HPD-385A's, it was a little too warm, so I had to throw some silver cables in the mix to balance everything out. Since then, I've switched my amp to a MC-126. It isn't as rolled off up top and it has the perfect synergy with my HPD's. I then moved my 7270 to my SDA rig, and now they sound better than ever. Synergy is a ****.

Has your 4100 or 2505 been recapped? They're getting up there in age and may have trouble with LSi's. My all original MC-2105 had no problem driving a pair of SDA 2B's, but when I hooked it up to a pair of SRS 2's, it couldn't keep up at all.

You may be better off picking up the RTiA's for the time being. Since their top end is more on the hot side and they are easy to drive, they will probably work the best with your current setup. You can always upgrade later on.

joe.inom

Try this Polk Audio Monitor 70 CH Each FLOOR-STANDING Speaker
Main (floorstanding)
Frequency response 40-24,000 Hz, Dynamic Balance drivers, cherry vinyl finish
Part #: Monitor 70

Lowest Price:
$199.95

majcap

Thanks everyone for taking the time to leave your most helpful comments. I am now much enlightened!!!