Polk RTi9's or LSI15's

bdtae5656

Ok...quick question, Im building a home theater system. I've got the TV,a LSIC, and HK AVR354. Will the HK be enough power for the Rti9's or LSi15 until I but a amp? If not what AVR would you recommend thats will support 4ohms or 8. What would be good surround speakers

Menasor

It looks like you have a good start. Since you have a LSiC already, I would go with an LSi setup and go with the LSi15, which is an awesome speaker.

You'll need external amplification. No reasonably priced AVR can handle the LSi's or the RTi A9's anyway. Look at the Emotiva XPA-5 (200wpc x 5). It's very good value for the money. As for the surrounds, I'd go with the LSiFX.

bdtae5656

Menasor wrote: »

It looks like you have a good start. Since you have a LSiC already, I would go with an LSi setup and go with the LSi15, which is an awesome speaker.

You'll need external amplification. No reasonably priced AVR can handle the LSi's or the RTi A9's anyway. Look at the Emotiva XPA-5 (200wpc x 5). It's very good value for the money. As for the surrounds, I'd go with the LSiFX.

Will the 15's be ok w/ my HK for now? At least until I get a amp

Menasor

bdtae5656 wrote: »

Will the 15's be ok w/ my HK for now? At least until I get a amp

Honestly I don't think so. They're very power hungry. Don't change your AVR because of this though. The AVR354 is a very good receiver

bdtae5656

Menasor wrote: »

It looks like you have a good start. Since you have a LSiC already, I would go with an LSi setup and go with the LSi15, which is an awesome speaker.

You'll need external amplification. No reasonably priced AVR can handle the LSi's or the RTi A9's anyway. Look at the Emotiva XPA-5 (200wpc x 5). It's very good value for the money. As for the surrounds, I'd go with the LSiFX.

Also...what G wire should O be using on the 15's or Rti9's?

Menasor

bdtae5656 wrote: »

Also...what G wire should O be using on the 15's or Rti9's?

I'd go with a 12 or 14. Take a look at the Belden 12AWG here:

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

I'm currently using the BJC 12AWG.

wizzy

Did you mean RTi9 or LSi9 ??

Many would say LSi9, and get yourself a separate(s) for the subwoofer part.

bdtae5656

wizzy wrote: »

Did you mean RTi9 or LSi9 ??

Many would say LSi9, and get yourself a separate(s) for the subwoofer part.

Separate for the sub?

bdtae5656

Menasor wrote: »

It looks like you have a good start. Since you have a LSiC already, I would go with an LSi setup and go with the LSi15, which is an awesome speaker.

You'll need external amplification. No reasonably priced AVR can handle the LSi's or the RTi A9's anyway. Look at the Emotiva XPA-5 (200wpc x 5). It's very good value for the money. As for the surrounds, I'd go with the LSiFX.

Menasor,
is it hard to hook up a amp to the AVR? Do you have to tune it, etc?

curved

bdtae5656 wrote: »

Menasor,
is it hard to hook up a amp to the AVR? Do you have to tune it, etc?

It's extremely easy to hook up. You will have to tune it just like you would with just your AVR. Each speaker has a different sensitivity as amps have a different gain from one another (outside of being the same model). Plus, we'll help you:D

bdtae5656

curved wrote: »

It's extremely easy to hook up. You will have to tune it just like you would with just your AVR. Each speaker has a different sensitivity as amps have a different gain from one another (outside of being the same model). Plus, we'll help you:D

Question....Amp to AVR by RCA. AMP to Speaker by Cable wire right? What would happen if I also hooked my speakers up to my AVR? Thats bi-amping correct

curved

bdtae5656 wrote: »

Question....Amp to AVR by RCA. AMP to Speaker by Cable wire right? What would happen if I also hooked my speakers up to my AVR? Thats bi-amping correct

AVR to Amp with RCA. Amp to speakers with speaker wire.

I wouldn't suggest doing that because the amp probably have the same gain as your AVR. The correct way to bi-amp is 2 seperate amps being the same exact model.

wizzy

bdtae5656 wrote: »

Separate for the sub?

Yes, the LSi9 is like a LSi15 just chopped off at the top and no woofer. Look at the pictures.

So if we can ignore all facts we get:

( LSi9 + separate subwoofer ) == ( LSi15 with built in subwoofer )

but the general feeling is you can do better with LSi9 + sub ... or invest the money saved buying the LSi9 over the LSi15 into a subwoofer.

I'm sure people will argue either way on pluses and minuses.

devani

your HK will be fine for moderate listening with LSi15....as long as stay within reasonable level although you will benefit from adding an amp....

leroyjr1

You will definately need a external amp for the LSI 15's.

maximillian

wizzy wrote: »

( LSi9 + separate subwoofer ) == ( LSi15 with built in subwoofer )

but the general feeling is you can do better with LSi9 + sub ... or invest the money saved buying the LSi9 over the LSi15 into a subwoofer.

The crossover network for the speakers are different. The LSi9's have to handle the more bass than the LSi15's upper portion. The cabinets are also slightly different because of it. The LSi15's do not have a rear power port since it is on the bottom for the woofer.

In calculating the cost of the LSi9's don't forget to also include a good stand. This is at least $100 for a pair and can be up to $250.

bdtae5656

wizzy wrote: »

Yes, the LSi9 is like a LSi15 just chopped off at the top and no woofer. Look at the pictures.

So if we can ignore all facts we get:

( LSi9 + separate subwoofer ) == ( LSi15 with built in subwoofer )

but the general feeling is you can do better with LSi9 + sub ... or invest the money saved buying the LSi9 over the LSi15 into a subwoofer.

I'm sure people will argue either way on pluses and minuses.

How bout teh Rtia9's vs the Lsi15??? So what your saying is that I wont need a sub if I get the 15's?

Ricardo

For Home Theater you will need a sub, period. Very few speakers will give you the slam you need for action packed movies with explosions, etc.

RTi line is great for HT; if you're also into music, then the LSi line will be a better choice. You already have the LSiC, but if you decide to go with the RTi line you can always sell it.

You can use your HK receiver temporarily for LSi's, but as someone already said, you need to watch your level or you could damage the speakers (too little power will damage speakers faster than too much power).
The RTi line requires less power, but if you go with the RTia9, you will also need an external amp to get best out of of all those woofers; the RTiA5 will work fine without one.

Enjoy the ride.

bdtae5656

Ricardo wrote: »

For Home Theater you will need a sub, period. Very few speakers will give you the slam you need for action packed movies with explosions, etc.

RTi line is great for HT; if you're also into music, then the LSi line will be a better choice. You already have the LSiC, but if you decide to go with the RTi line you can always sell it.

You can use your HK receiver temporarily for LSi's, but as someone already said, you need to watch your level or you could damage the speakers (too little power will damage speakers faster than too much power).
The RTi line requires less power, but if you go with the RTia9, you will also need an external amp to get best out of of all those woofers; the RTiA5 will work fine without one.

Enjoy the ride.

That sounds good! Where is a good place other than ebay to start looking for Rti9's or Lsi15's that wont break the bank?

tonyb

If it was me,I would go LSI9's with a good sub,not a cheapo sub,a good one that can play nice and tight for music and HT.You still need an amp though.If money is tight,drop down to the RTI line and maybe you can eliminate the amp part.Seems to me you are trying to build a system around a center channel speaker.Take the amount of cash you have budgeted for a system and start over.If that means selling the LSI center,then so be it.You will get more enjoyment from a complete system.

bdtae5656

tonyb wrote: »

If it was me,I would go LSI9's with a good sub,not a cheapo sub,a good one that can play nice and tight for music and HT.You still need an amp though.If money is tight,drop down to the RTI line and maybe you can eliminate the amp part.Seems to me you are trying to build a system around a center channel speaker.Take the amount of cash you have budgeted for a system and start over.If that means selling the LSI center,then so be it.You will get more enjoyment from a complete system.

Your saying use the Lsi'9's as the L/R

tonyb

bdtae5656 wrote: »

Your saying use the Lsi'9's as the L/R

Yes sir,since you have the center,the surrounds aren't as important as the front 3 are.Get the 9's,a sub,an amp,and pick up surrounds on the cheap in our flea market,and you'll be happy as a clam,untill you have some coin burning a hole in your pocket that is.

wizzy

Fry's has cherry LSi9 on sale now for $699/pair

You can find a better deal on e*bay, but even from Polk you won't get the five year warranty you get brand new.

That's probably a bit of $$$ saved over rtia9/lsi15 that you can add to the subwoofer fund - probably enough where you could get a > $1,000 sub

http://shop1.frys.com/product/3586894

W

danz1906

Although both the RTiA9 and Lsi15 will do Music and Home theater,the Lsi15 will be better for Music:D...RTiA9 better for Home theater:D