LSi9 or LSi15

paganana

I have pretty much decided on getting a pair of LSi series speakers, and my question is whether to get the LSi9 (which would be best with a subwoofer but I'm not sure if I can have powered sub with my amp) or LSi15 (probably better if it is my best/only option for getting more/lower bass). I have a 2-channel system, and I use it only for music. The amp is an Onkyo A-9555 and I am happy with it except it does not have a subwoofer preout for a powered subwoofer. It is 200 W x 2 at 4 ohms and I think it should be fine for LSi series but at 4 ohms I can only add one speaker pair (two pairs at 8 ohms, but LSi series are 4 ohms). I've read that it may be better to have nice bookshelf speakers and separate subwoofer, rather than have "full range" speakers with the subwoofer included in the main speakers, as it is in the LSi15. So, LSi9 plus powered woofer may be best but again I'm not sure if a powered sub is compatible with my amp (which I'm not upgrading). Yet another option is LSi25 which includes powered subwoofer (not separate) but I'm not sure how that works, and if it would require the preout subwoofer jack that I don't have. I'm thinking, if not, it may be a third and possibly best option, other than expense. However, I'm also concerned whether my amp could power these (and even the LSi15) adequately, even if according to specs, it should be fine. Thanks for any suggestions.

LessisNevermore

Looking at the measurements for your amp, and given the fact you do not want to change it, I'd say grab the 9's and a sub. The amp starts hitting 1% distortion at around 180-190W, that's usually at, or beyond the point of clipping. I would be sort-of comfortable, but cautious with it powering LSi9's, but think it would struggle to push the 'subs' on the 15's. LSi9's can, and do drop into the 2 ohm range. If you really want these speakers to sing, you have to give them lots of high current power. To be blunt, I don't think that amp would do the 9's justice at anything but low volume, and that's not much fun.

Face

Why would you want to run two pairs of speakers at once?

Bernal

My recommendation based on your configuration: LSi9

---

01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's
03) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
04) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio / DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
05) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
06) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
07) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround speaker)
11) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES (High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)[/QUOTE]

Hilbert

I say get LSi15s, on the grounds that, if you get the 9s, you'll always wonder how much better the 15s would have been.

Also, 15s are said to be a bit easier to drive, for whatever reason.

You can add a sub later with a speaker level connection, if need be. Whether you need it depends imo on what sort of music you listen to.

EDIT get the speakers from Polk Direct in either case.

jimmydep

I ran my 15's off a 90wpc receiver and they sounded pretty good, when I added an external amp they sounded incredible.

My vote goes to the LSi-15's, with that integrated amp, you should be fine.

I also think you should look at Polk DIrect, I've made several purchases from them and have been very happy.

Welcome to the Club

Jimmy

paganana

Thanks for all the quick replies. You mean Polk Audio Direct via eBay? They only have LSi7 currently but I will check back when I'm ready to buy. I was planning to get them shipped (free shipping) from Crutchfield when they are back in stock.

I wasn't really planning to attach 4 speakers, but without a preamp jack for a subwoofer, I was thinking maybe some people attach a pair of subs as a second set of speakers, which I couldn't do if I get 4 ohm speakers. I'm not planning to play these terribly loud so I don't bother neighbors (I am up most of the night and like music in the middle of the night), but that's good if they sound nice even when not very loud. I listen to many types of music, including classical and rock and gypsy jazz. And I do like bass with my rock. I'm very sensitive to "bright" treble and my impression from user descriptions is that these speakers won't hurt my delicate ears.

The LSi9 and 15 are both rated at 20-250 w but I can believe if one is easier to drive. The LSi25 can take 300 w but the sub is powered, so maybe it's easier to drive?

dorokusai

LSi9.

paganana

Also, I think the main reason to attach two speakers to this amp is to run the speaker wires to another room, to have the choice of playing musing in different rooms -- I don't think it is designed to have subs attached.

paganana

Thanks again for the suggestions. I think I'd be very happy with either speaker set, and considering that one is ~$600 less.... possibly with my amp, the extra cost is not worth it. But I'm still deciding, I'm not in a rush.

BlueFox

LSi15. It comes with a built-in speaker stand that also has a woofer.

domflane

If you insist on not upgrading the amp, go with the 9's. But I suggest holding off and saving the money for an amp with some pre outs, or go seperate. Then you could upgrade infinitely . . .

mmadden28

BlueFox wrote: »

LSi15. It comes with a built-in speaker stand that also has a woofer.

Yep, just keep in mind that you will need a stand for the LSi9's

Bernal

mmadden28 wrote: »

Yep, just keep in mind that you will need a stand for the LSi9's

Good advice

danz1906

LSi15

cfrizz

Reported Michagans!

If you truly want to be a part of this forum, post your gear in your signature & get rid of that $hit you have there now!

Buhbye!

paganana

This is an electronics question -- how does one know if an amp can power speakers, other than by trying it? Is it not possible to tell from the specs? That just seems odd -- unless it is not possible because the specs are sometimes dishonest, but that seems unlikely for Onkyo. Maybe more specs for my amp will help: 85 watts minimum continuous average power,RMS at 8 ohms x 2 channels, with no more than 0.5% harmonic distortion. (Maybe that refers to the 20 in the 20-250 W specs for the speakers, so it is good than my amp is above that minimum?) Then it describes both power output and dynamic power, which at 8 ohms is 100Wx2 DIN power output, 120Wx2 "front" dynamic power. At 4 ohms it 200Wx2, same for plain "power output" and dynamic power. At 3 ohms, 230Wx2 "front" for dynamic power output. Speaker impedance is 4-16 ohms.

My other questions is, since both the LSi15 and LSi9 are rated at 20-250Wx2 at 4 ohms, aren't they about the same to power? I mean should not those numbers guide what can power the speakers -- and the numbers are the same?!?! If my amp could do as well for either speaker, then I'm leaning towards LSi15. But if that's wasting money on what will be underpowered speakers (hard on amp, hard on speakers, hard on wallet), and the LSi9 is better suited for my amp, as some posters stated, then I will go with the LSi9 and also save money. The amp won't go to the max 250 watts but no way would I want to max -- I don't want music that loud.

Sorry to go on and on, on this topic, but I can't be the only one confused on these points.

cfrizz

It's not about loudness. It's about what the speakers need to operate safely & to their full potential. Receivers simply are not able to give 4ohm speakers what they need to do so. It's about the speakers having all the power they need when they need it.

You won't be able to turn up the volume that loud without risk to your receiver or the speakers. And sitting practically on top of them to hear playing at a safe level is unacceptable as well.

More than one person has thrown their reciever into protect mode trying to push the LSI's with a receiver. And a few have also damaged their brand new speakers.

Do a search here on the board regarding LSI's and power. We are telling you what we know from experience. If you decide to proceed without the needed power, than proceed at your own risk. You have been warned.

devani

either will be fine....but i would go with LSi9...LSi15 are not truly full range...sub is needed either way

paganana

But it is not a receiver -- I don't own a receiver (I have a Squeezbox instead:)). So, I'm thinking (hoping!) that you think I have lower grade equipment than I actually do. Also, the fact that the manual gives specs for using 4 ohm speakers and specifically discusses attaching them (saying that if I use 4 ohm, I should only use one set, not both A and means that the amp is designed to power 4 ohm speakers, and it can deliver to near the max of the two LSi's I'm contemplating, and how often do you power speakers to their max watts? I'm not planning to shake the house and have the neighbors call the police, and that's what would happen if I fed them 250 watts (fed the speakers, not neighbors, though either way the police would get called). I did search the forums and found posters powering these speakers with somewhat lower wattage amps than what I have (for example, 150x2 watt-rated at 4 ohms, which of course does not mean it's okay), and on an other audio site there was some heated debate on this point, so I'm still confused. Some people debated that the amp needs to be able to go past the speaker's max Watts, but neither my amp manual nor manufacturers' speaker descriptions ever say something like that. I won't fight reality and I won't get the speakers if my amp really is a poor match for them, but I'm honestly not convinced either way, if it is or is not. Everyone sounds intelligent and confident in their statements, but the statements conflict....

Also, for people recommending the LSi9 instead of LSi15 -- it sort of makes sense because the 15's have a woofer, but how can you tell from the specs that they need a more powerful amp (and they don't, according to at least one poster, plus Polk's recommended Watt range is identical for them).

I had my heart set on these speakers, but after the discouragements I checked out other Polk series, and again my amp is below the max for most of the speakers, except at 8 ohms rather than 4 ohms. And Onkyo's newest separate amp outputs ~1/2 as much as my amp. I don't think Onkyo would be designing amps that can't handle even the "mass market" mid-range Polk speakers. More likely, they are rating the amps honestly, and opinions are formed from experience with amps for which the watts are over-rated.

cfrizz wrote: »

It's not about loudness. It's about what the speakers need to operate safely & to their full potential. Receivers simply are not able to give 4ohm speakers what they need to do so. It's about the speakers having all the power they need when they need it.

You won't be able to turn up the volume that loud without risk to your receiver or the speakers. And sitting practically on top of them to hear playing at a safe level is unacceptable as well.

More than one person has thrown their reciever into protect mode trying to push the LSI's with a receiver. And a few have also damaged their brand new speakers.

Do a search here on the board regarding LSI's and power. We are telling you what we know from experience. If you decide to proceed without the needed power, than proceed at your own risk. You have been warned.

paganana

Okay, I have a "high current" amp according to this nice description from Polk's educational files (these files also had other helpful info):

http://www.polkaudio.com/education/showanswer.php?question_num=46

So my amp should be fine with either LSi set. Now that that's settled, I still have to choose between 9's and 15's, but it helps to know that either should be fine.

paganana

Yes, this is super helpful, and thanks for the encouragement that I'm making a good decision. I've pretty much settled on getting the LSi15. Thanks everyone for the advice!

xcapri79 wrote: »

Welcome to Club Polk.
You are right your Onkyo A9555 amp is a high current Class D amp and will power any of the Polk LSi's.
Can you improve on this? Certainly, but what you have will work.
The LSi's love good clean power, so the more available, the better they will sound.

The LSi25's, LSi15's , LSi9's and LSi7's all make wonderful two channel systems.
I have the LSi'9s and LSi'7's on separate two channel systems and the LSi25's and LSi15's as front speakers on my two multichannel systems.
I prefer the LSi25 best. You can feed its powered subwoofer via the speaker inputs, so there is no need to run a LFE cable, if you can't or don't want to.
For two channel, I would recommend the floorstanding LSi25's or LSi15's first.
The floorstanders are richer in their sound. Not to say the LSi9's or LSi7's are bad - both are wonderful as smaller bookshelf speakers.
As such, I would pick the LSi9 over the LSi15 for mounting or space reasons.
In my case, I have a nice two channel system with LSi9's on a bedroom dresser, and the LSi7's on a "TV" stand in the kitchen eating area and enjoy listening to them everyday.

Is this helpful?

Good luck on your audio journey.

DeusExa

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/lsi9-lsi15-technical-question-454634/

look what happened here....FYI, Skyline has expressed his opinion multiple times about the LSi series...I guess to each his own..


To Paganana? +1 LSi15.

cfrizz

I was looking at the signatures of some of the critics. They are all fans of ear piercing metal tweeters. So naturally with the LSI's laid back sound & they probably didn't amplify them enough they didn't sound very good.

paganana

Yes, I also noted their speakers too, and know the difference in comments for those and Polks. So if anything, I'm more encouraged to get the Polks. Plus I've now read enough posts to know not to take such things too seriously, unless of course there are lots of negative comments (Bose?).

Also, I should correct: I've been saying that the LSi9 and 15 are rated the same but I misremembered, it is 200 W for 9's and 250 for 15's, max. I am definitely getting the 15's. I have a project due next Friday, and the speakers will be my present to myself for finishing it -- so I have to wait about a week more. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

cfrizz wrote: »

I was looking at the signatures of some of the critics. They are all fans of ear piercing metal tweeters. So naturally with the LSI's laid back sound & they probably didn't amplify them enough they didn't sound very good.

lumpy

I don't have the 15's but I can compare the 9's with the 25's

in my opinion - if you like to spend time tweeking - the 9's and the sub are more fun. You will spend some time playing with the cross overs to get the sound that you want. I think that the 9's have considerably more punch in the 110 to 160hz range and are much better for rock.

does your amp have rca pre outs for left and right channels? you could send the line levels to the sub.

I think that the 25's are smoother and have better clarity, and can not say for sure if the 15's are the same. I bet the 15's would be the easiest to drive and set up though.

I also love the polk ebay store and have had great luck with them.

Bernal

LSi-9

NewHTguy

Hilbert wrote: »

Also, 15s are said to be a bit easier to drive, for whatever reason.

No they aren't. The 15s are probably the most difficult to drive speakers in the entire Polk (present day) line up.

Face

NewHTguy wrote: »

No they aren't. The 15s are probably the most difficult to drive speakers in the entire Polk (present day) line up.

LSi9's dip to 2ohms, the LSi15's only dip to 3ohms.

treitz3

For music? I would personally recommend the Polk LSi9 over the LSi15.

paganana

Yes, it is only for music. Also, I don't have a sub pre-out, and wasn't planning to get a powered sub -- that's partly why I leaned towards the 15's, plus not having to get stands. I like some rock (Rolling Stones!!) for which bass is nice but I don't need it loud and don't want it too boomy.

So interesting, to hear the different opinions, especially on which speakers are easiest to power.