B&W 864 vs. LSi9

lando885

hey guys, i have a problem. I'm setting up a new hifi system, and i was really looking at going for the sli9 speakers, but at my local music shop, they recommended the B&W 864's. I can get these speakers at half off, $600 for the pair, and they normally run $1100. I have looked at some reviews, and it seems that their are mixed reviews about these speakers. If anyone has had experience with the B&W's, can you tell me how they compare with the LSi9's? I'm running them through a Cambridge Audio 740A.Thanks for the help guys

Lando

mantis

I never heard of the 864's but if you mean 684's then I can talk to you about them. I think they are on par with Lsi. Lsi is a very refined polk audio speaker. I feel the lsi line is polks best ever sounding speaker line. The 6 series from B&W are fantastic in there own right. Whats nice about B&W is that there lower end speakers can compete with other companies higher end. I think they are a better speaker then the polk Rti line. More refined sounding and better controlled. But it's my personal opinion not fact.

If I had to choose between the 2, I probably go with the Lsi 15 floor standing. I like them alittle better then the 684's. But the 684's are easier to drive and can sound fantastic with a Pioneer Elite receiver. They are a 8 ohm speaker and the Lsi's are 4.
I see you are using a Cambridge amp so ohms is not a problem here. I say listen to both and hear what you like better. If you like rock music and heavier stuff, the Lsi's will come home with you. If your more a classical jazz guy, then probably B&W. I know thats stereo typical but it holds water for me. Lsi can do classical and jazz but not as good as B&W does it. Lsi's smoke the B&W's on heavier stuff.

Dan

curved

Is there anyway to demo each to see which ones you like with YOUR SETUP?

lando885

Yeah, sorry, i meant the 684's. Well, the store has my same amp, so I'll be hearing my speakers through the same rig as at home. And I'm not sure if they have any polk's right now. Last time i talked to the sales guy, he said they didn't have any, but were going to soon. And i really like all kinds of music, but would mostly be listening to hard rock, classic rock, and nu metal (like dream theater). Although the cd i am bringing in to sample the system is The Door's, and the one song in particular i am going to judge the system on is "Riders on the Storm". One of the cleanest recorded songs I've heard. I guess deep down, i want the polk's, but like i said, i am getting a sweet deal on the 684's, 50% off. My dad is pressuring me to go with B&W's because of the price.

curved

Have a listen and let us know what you think. I definetely wouldn't pull the trigger until you hear both regardless of a sale.

mmadden28

How much were the LSi9's?

lando885

the best deal i can get on lsi9 is $670.00 shipped, for the pair. Which is about what the 684's cost with the half off deal. But the 684's are floor standing, and the lsi9's are only bookshelf. And i have been looking into the lsi15's (recommended by mantis), which look amazing, have good reviews, and i can get them for $550 a piece on line. But again, i don't know if they have any polk's in yet. I'm going back to the store again this weekend, to check out the equipment again, do some test runs, and hopefully they will have lsi9 or 15 to try as well

SKsolutions

Most Cambridge and B&W gear that I've had/heard have had some degree of the 'British' sound which is purported to be on the lean or forward side. . . but I'm sure there are some that would argue this. Knowing the LSi was a tad warm or 'American', I paired it with Cambridge gear with good results. I still have 2 Cambridge sources and think they are great for the money, but I wouldn't intentionally pair Lean w/ Lean or Warm w/ Warm. I also prefer the 9's over the 15's, but I'm partial to stand-mounts. Add a sub if you want to, and you have most of a HT setup.

Face

I agree with Cambridge sources can be forward, but I wouldn't call them lean.

A complete Cambridge setup, source, integrated, and speakers together, is very neutral though. I know their speakers use Bennic caps, which are neutral to forward sounding, so I bet the warmth comes from the integrated, which is what the OP is using.

Lando, what are you using as a source?

lando885

i will be sourcing my pc directly into the 740A via a 3.5mm (mini) to rca plugs from my creative elite pro sound card. It's supposed to have a real high quality DAC. All my movies and music are on my pc, but in the future i want to get a nice cd player so i can get a really good quality sound from my favorite cd's instead of digital mp3's and the like.

lando885

sorry, i am kinda new to good sound, what does lean/ forward mean? and is it a bad thing?

ben62670

Lean means the sound is kinda thin. Forward means the sound sounds like it is coming from a point in front of the speakers.