LSi speaker package and Onkyo TX-SR875

jmos

Gday everyone, I have just ordered a set of LSi speakers. A pair of LSi-15's, LSi-c and 2 pairs of the LSi-fx. I have the Onkyo TX-SR875 which run speakers between 4ohms and 16ohms. I would like to know if this receiver will be suitable and do justice by these speakers.
Not alot of info at all on these speakers in Australia.
Appreciate any feedback
Thanks

jmos

Hmm, funny how the search function works when you use it properly. Found some info that should answer most of my queries.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74528&highlight=lsi15with
Would be happy to hear anyone elses thoughts though.

McLoki

In all fairness - the search function sucks. You are better off using google and limiting the results to only coming from polk audio to find anything.

You end up with something like this.....

Michael

BTW - this is what my search looked like to get the results above. (click on advanced search in google to get here)

jmos

Thanks for the tip, I'm pretty new to HT and I broke the cardinal rule of buying speakers without hearing them. I live in Western Australia and no one had the LSi speakers for me to listen to so based on reviews, feedback and price the Lsi's seemed like a great package. Most other systems in this price range were more movie based and not great for music. We seem to pay a premium for speakers in Oz. The LSi's seem to be a bit of a hidden secret ??

McLoki

The LSi's are very nice speakers (I own them as well) but they are a pretty hard load to drive. The cost of an LSi system is increased by not only the speaker cost, but they will often show any other weaknesses in your system.

Your original question was will the Onkyo due justice to the LSi's (which I took to mean will it allow them to play to their potential). In my opinion the answer is no. There is a good chance that it will work for them (although 7 - 4ohm speakers is a heck of a load for any AVR) but to get the most out of them, I would invest in at least a 3 channel (or preferrably 7 channel) external amp to run your LSi's from. (I am assuming your AVR has pre-outs on it)

Adding external amplification does not have to cost an arm and a leg (although it could). Scan your local ads (and e-bay / audiogon / etc.) for a good used deal and you may be set. I would expect $400-$600USD for a solid 3 channel amp and closer to $1000 - $1500USD for a 7 channel. Of course they could be purchased for more or less as well. It can be considered a long term investment though as it should work through many speaker and AVR upgrades and you will not have to worry about speaker load or AVR amp wattage anymore when upgrading. (you will need to make sure you have pre-outs though)

Anyway - Provided your Onk does not shut down on you from the load, it should still sound really good with what you have. Enjoy the new speakers. (also - they do break in for about 100 hours so if you are purchasing new, don't form any quick judgements on them right away)

Let us know what you think of them,

Michael

jmos

Thanks Michael, after some quick reading I was just about to ask you what external amplification you would recommend but you beat me to it. I purchased the Onkyo 875 for a great price since the release of the 876 so I am quite happy to spend some extra as both a safeguard and to improve sound quality.
The speakers don't arrive until January so it gives me time to shop around.
Appreciate your help.

Gadabout

Jmos,

First welcome to Club Polk ;-)

I think you will really enjoy you LSi's when they arrive. Many of us here, are running Onkyo's AVR's as Pre amps or maybe powering just a rear set of speakers for HT. Michael is correct in stating that you will really need external amplification to do the LSi's justice.

Just make sure the amplifier is 4 ohm stable. There are deals to be had out there if your patient and shop around a bit. Depending on your needs you might consider Emotiva (no affiliation). If you search the forum, you will find some positives and negatives about this company. I have been pretty happy with the performance of mine. The UPA -7 is on sale.

@4 ohms & 7 channels it is 185 watts per channel and should drive the LSi's well.

Is this amp high end? I would have to say no. However, it will drive your LSi's and at that price point it is hard to beat. Not sure if they ship international. Their customer support is good and will respond quickly to emailed questions.

I can also agree that external amplification doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. With the exception of my Emotiva, all my amplifiers have been purchased used.

Also, don't forget to budget for cabling / wiring. My cost was a little over $500 by the time it was all said and done.

Hope that helps and welcome to the fray,
Scott

jmos

Thanks Scott, very helpfull, will have a closer look at those amps

jmos

I have started searching for 7 channel power amps and the NAD RMB 1077 seems to be at the lower end of the price bracket, the next step seems to be at twice the cost.
Would you consider the NAD 1077 and my Onkyo tx-sr875 a good match with my 7 LSi speaker package or should I wait until I can afford something better ?
NAD 1077 = Power Configurations (FTC) 7 x 100 Watts
ONKYO TX-SR875 = 140 watts minimum continuous power per channel, 8 ohm
ONKY0 TX-SR875 = 170 watts minimum continuous power per channel, 6 ohm
ONKY0 TX-SR875 = Speaker Impedance 4 ohms to 16 ohms

jmos

jmos wrote: »

I have started searching for 7 channel power amps and the NAD RMB 1077 seems to be at the lower end of the price bracket, the next step seems to be at twice the cost.
Would you consider the NAD 1077 and my Onkyo tx-sr875 a good match with my 7 LSi speaker package or should I wait until I can afford something better ?
NAD 1077 = Power Configurations (FTC) 7 x 100 Watts
ONKYO TX-SR875 = 140 watts minimum continuous power per channel, 8 ohm
ONKY0 TX-SR875 = 170 watts minimum continuous power per channel, 6 ohm
ONKY0 TX-SR875 = Speaker Impedance 4 ohms to 16 ohms

Oops, I meant Rotel RMB 1077, I have been looking at too many amps

Igo

I don't know the Onkyo but I question it being the best match for those fine speakers. The LSi probably deserve sepatates. Pre-amp/amp set-up.

BigMac

Hi. I am not familiar with the Rotel but here is a suggestion. Check out the NAD M25. Has more than enough power to bring out the best in your new speakers and this amp has received great reviews. One amp you should check out for sure.

http://nadelectronics.com/products/home-theatre-amplifiers/M25-7-Channel-Amplifier/specs

polkatese

Welcome to CP, jmos!

Historically, Rotel is a great match to LSi. I had Rotel 1065, which is a 5x150watts Receiver at 4 ohms. It drives LSis great and sounds clean and tight. This amp that you are looking to get is a Class D amp. Here is the review, in case you haven't read it:

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/amplifiers/506rotel/index.html

I suspect it would be more than adequate to drive your LSis. However, I am not familiar with Class D amp and LSis. But, based on my experience with LSis, I am pretty sure it would carry the same signature and characteristics of Rotel, which is a good thing.

Good luck and please report back when you have your system.

cfrizz

Welcome Jmos!

Most LSI owners around here know that the LSI's thrive with the more power that you give them.

Give them a minimum of at least 200wpc @8ohm. While I like Rotel, I wasn't impressed with their RMB-1077. They are coming out with a 250wpc digital next year I think.

Other brands to look into are Emotiva XPA series, Outlaw Audio, Parasound, Sunfire, Old school Rotel, B & K, Adcom, Nad.

If you get the speakers before you get the amp be very careful with the volume.

jmos

Thanks everyone for your reply's. Funds are a bit limited at the moment so I may have to wait a while before I get a suitable amp. There is a demo Nad t963 and a Sherwood Newcastle A965 that I can get for a fairly good price but they are only rated at 140wpch@8ohms for the Nad and 100wpch@8ohms for the Sherwood. Would I be wasting my money on these until I can afford to get something better ?

ben62670

With the NAD you are going to get at least 200wpc at 4ohms. It has plenty of current. It is current that those speakers need.
Ben

doug lang

Before i moved up to seperates i was using a 987 onkyo with the lsi line of speakers. As we all can agree these speaks are power driven. Now the 875 maybe able to handle the 4 ohm load, but i would imagine this would be pushing it. One thing i did notice my unit ran very hot. So hot that i did have to use fans. An additional amp indeed may be the way to go in the future. I wish you luck with your purchase.

jmos

Just got back from the Hifi store with a demo Nad T973, half price and 2 years warranty.
Now I just have to wait for my speakers to arrive, what a wait that will be.
Thanks everyone for your advice, money restricted some of the options I had but I think I got a pretty good deal with the Nad. At least now I shouldn't have to worry to much about working the Onkyo to hard and the sound of the LSi's should be improved as well.

doug lang

jmos sounds like a smart decision. Let us know how you made out when the lsi's arrive. Take care.