Thoughts on LS-70's?

lakedmb
lakedmb Posts: 35
edited August 2009 in Vintage Speakers
Hey guys -

I was just wondering what the general consensus is regarding the LS-70's?

Were they good speakers? What are some downfalls or area's that they lack in?

Thanks!
Post edited by lakedmb on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited August 2009
    Folks seem to like the 50s better and/or the 90s alot better from what I've read. Doesn't mean they are a bad speaker. I'm sure they're not. Might be similar to the comments between the A5s/9s vs the A7s...thin in the midrange or too much bass muddies their midrange. All that's pretty subjective of course. I have heard the 50s and thought they were stellar for a small tower.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SoundArtillery
    SoundArtillery Posts: 39
    edited August 2009
    Do they sound at all like the Lsi series?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited August 2009
    SoundArtillery wrote: »
    Do they sound at all like the Lsi series?

    I've wondered that myself...

    Are the LS-50/70/90's the predecessor to the newer LSi line? Anyone know?

    I'd imagine they sound quite a bit different...they have the Dynamic Balance tweeters, rather than the Vifa tweets that the newer LSi's have.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited August 2009
    I think it's the same trilam tweeter (SL6000) that's in the early RT revs too. The LS speakers are smooth, but not Vifa tweeter smooth. That said, I like them better than the early RTs...warmer, detailed and neutral. I wouldn't doubt that there are some that would like them just as much if not more than LSis, but not everyone.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited August 2009
    The 70's use a different size driver than the 50/90s. To me, they sound "muddy" and somewhat bloated in the midrange. They all share the same tweeter.

    Yes, they are supposed to be the predecesor to the LSi series although they share very little, if anything, in common with them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,861
    edited August 2009
    Having owned all 3 liked the 90's and 50's ..didnt really care for the 70's, as the midrange did not sound as good as it did on the 90's or 50's Still have the 50's and they are a great lil speaker for what you can buy them for...still have and plan to keep them....The 90's were sold after the 2.3's came to the home.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SoundArtillery
    SoundArtillery Posts: 39
    edited August 2009
    I would love to snag a pair of 90s if they ever come up for sale near me.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited August 2009
    A pair of 90s sold here in the Bay Area on CL for $200 this weekend.
    NotaSuv wrote:
    Still have the 50's and they are a great lil speaker for what you can buy them for...still have and plan to keep them....

    One of my kids has the 50s I picked up. I'm thinking of taking them back. Very impressed.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lakedmb
    lakedmb Posts: 35
    edited August 2009
    Thanks for all the great feedback.

    I was pretty excited to hear the 70's, but felt let down because of the muddy midrange. I picked these up very cheap locally, so I am not worried about the expense of it, but was hoping for more. I actually prefer the sound of my M5Jr+'s.

    If anyone wants a pair of LS-70's cheap let me know. ;)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,205
    edited August 2009
    lakedmb wrote: »
    ... I picked these up very cheap locally ...

    If anyone wants a pair of LS-70's cheap let me know. ;)
    It might help if you specified where "locally" is!
    Alea jacta est!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,205
    edited August 2009
    In case it helps anyone interested in these:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/recent/ls70/

    They appear to be 8 ohm rated (and very efficient), not 4 ohms like the current LSi series.
    Alea jacta est!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lakedmb
    lakedmb Posts: 35
    edited August 2009
    Greenville, SC.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited August 2009
    Ron Temple wrote: »
    A pair of 90s sold here in the Bay Area on CL for $200 this weekend.

    Lol. Well I paid twice that for the 90's I just bought. Given my location in the the back woods of used audio gear I am ok with it. Actually, I paid $200 for the pair and $200 for the shipping/packing. That they arrived unmolested and in great cosmetic condition makes the high shipping worthwhile to me. OKC was too far to drive :)
    Haven't listened to these puppies yet. Tonight will tell the story. I think my afternoon productivity will be sorely affected.:o
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited August 2009
    vc69 wrote: »
    Haven't listened to these puppies yet. Tonight will tell the story. I think my afternoon productivity will be sorely affected.:o

    That's the rule...didn't you know? Whenever you get a new piece of audio gear, you've gotta take the day off of work and cancel all of your other engagements...doctors appointments, court dates...meetings with the President of the USA etc. etc. You've gotta learn to put your priorities first.;)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    edited August 2009
    I had the 70's and now own the 90's. I didn't get the muddy sound that others have noted with the 70's. That said, you should go for the 90's if you can get them. Your ears will bleed before the speakers start to distort. Excellent sounding speaker.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited August 2009
    I was kind of hoping vc69 would give us a review...hopefully, tomorrow:D

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited August 2009
    I posted a new thread so as not to jack a LS70 thread. ;)
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter