LSi Cherry Finish-How many varieties?

mmadden28

When I got my first set of LSi-9's I was surprised that they didn't look more like the RTi12's I had. I was hoping to keep them in the same room and just switch between the speakers for HT or music. I was a bit disappointed in that they didn't match but I really did like the finish anyway. Actually it's because they didn't match the RTi12's or the Cherry entertainment center I had to relocate them to a separate room, the wife wouldn't have the different woods right next to each other. This relocation quickly morphed into a dedicated 2 channel rig :D. Its all good though because the 2ch rig is in a better room sonically now.

Anyway, in pictures I saw online of other LSi9's, 7's, and 15's, they all looked more like I originally thought, closer to the RTi12 finish. I figured it was always just the way they photographed or that different LSi models had diff finishes. Its hardto show texture in a photo unless that is the intention of the photo.

I just recieved my 2nd set (both direct from Polk), and the Cherry finish is radically different than my first set. While I think each finish is beautiful on thier own, I am a bit disappointed since they won't mix well in the same room if I decided to setup a multi channel LSi rig.

What is the normal finish?
Do I have an oddity?
Or did they change the finish at some point?I know the new RTiA series has a different finish than the RTi sereies as I also have a CSiA6. Its a darker or more brown cherry finish to my eyes. (Its mostly concealed so it doesn't matter in my case)

Here's a shot of the side of my RTi12, just for comparison:



Some pics of the newest set I just got. It has a very smooth texture-but not glossy-almost velvety smooth. Its a deep brown/red-I would call it a deep cherry finish. Ahough they look similar in the photo, I think the new LSi9's finish is similar but darker than the RTi12s. A much better match though.
Its very hard to photograph this finish as it always shows up too orangey or red in the pic when a flash is used (I tried several white balance settings) so here are two shots; one with and one without a flash. Neither are completly accurate to what I see with my own eyes though. I need to take better pics with a camara with a hotshoe flash.

With flash

w/o flash


Angle shot to help show texture


And here is my first set. It has a wood grain texture-not smooth and its much less deep in cherry color. I can;t even be sure its actually Cherry wood. Almost oakish.

Notice even with the flash its not nearly as red.






Side shot to help show texture


Another texture shot



Thoughts?
Anybody notice the same differences with the Ebony colors?
Feel free to post your own pics

phuz

There are 2 versions of the cherry on the LSi line. The original, which is the lighter, textured version and the second one. The second (current) version is the more red, smooth textured version.

They switched it some time in 2004 I think? I prefer the original version.

Eric W

Yes, production was changed. Infact there's 3 versions of the LSi. You can tell by the part number. If it ends in "-A" then that's the very first version that had the beveled top. "-B" do not have the beveleled top but has the "grainier" side panels and the gloss black is a veneer (the edges are square) and looks like what you have with your original set of LSi9s. The texture and color remained the same between the wood side panels though.

-C (and -D) the wood grain is now "smooth" and "redder" and the cabinet is painted gloss black and the edges are slightly rounded.

mmadden28

Ah I see...Thanks

Yep, 'my' older textured, lighter finish ones do in fact have the black gloss as a veneer-I'll check the model # when I get home since that should be a '-B' based on your description, but as you can see in the pics above, they do have a beveled top-or am I misinterpreting something? I guess I haven't seen any non-beveled ones yet.

You can see the veneer edge on the front edge here:


I never thought to look at that on these newer ones. On the (my) new ones it seamless/painted. These newer ones I have are in fact "-A" on the box.
Hmm.

How about the Ebony finish? Was there a change in that finish/texture as well?
Would that lineup change be across the LSi line or just the LSi9's?

Thanks

mmadden28

I've also noticed that the grills have a different texture fabric to them. I'll dbl check when I get home, but the newer ones I got seem to have a more rugged fabric-and almost shinier.

Eric W

The ebony also changed (especially noticeable texture wise) but it's not as obvious as the cherry.

Yea the cloth changed a little too. The beveled top is pretty obvious, it sticks up about 1/4" from the cabinet, so it gives the box a more "prismatic" look. You can see it here:

mmadden28

Ahh I see , the top of the box itself, not the top of the side panels. Interesting.

VXR8

Eric Wong wrote: »

Yes, production was changed. Infact there's 3 versions of the LSi. You can tell by the part number. If it ends in "-A" then that's the very first version that had the beveled top. "-B" do not have the beveleled top but has the "grainier" side panels and the gloss black is a veneer (the edges are square) and looks like what you have with your original set of LSi9s. The texture and color remained the same between the wood side panels though.

-C (and -D) the wood grain is now "smooth" and "redder" and the cabinet is painted gloss black and the edges are slightly rounded.

Hi Eric,

When you say the part number, is that a component of the serial number? My right channel LSi9 has a serial number of AM219703300 - does that indicate that it is an original set of LSi9s? If not, where would I locate the part number to verify whether it is A, B, C or D? I am only questioning this as I purchased these brand new from the Oz Polk distributor about 6 months ago.

Thanks in advance.

mmadden28

VXR8 wrote: »

Hi Eric,

When you say the part number, is that a component of the serial number? My right channel LSi9 has a serial number of AM219703300 - does that indicate that it is an original set of LSi9s? If not, where would I locate the part number to verify whether it is A, B, C or D? I am only questioning this as I purchased these brand new from the Oz Polk distributor about 6 months ago.

Thanks in advance.

Good question-I just got home and the part # on the box from the old ones also has a '-A' after it. My S/N is #02607. I don't have it handy but I believe the SN from the newer set is similar to VXR8's.

VXR8

mmadden28 wrote: »

Good question-I just got home and the part # on the box from the old ones also has a '-A' after it. My S/N is #02607. I don't have it handy but I believe the SN from the newer set is similar to VXR8's.

Just looked at the box and it has a -D, so I know it is the latest - all good.:D