Trash-talking the LSi series...
Comments
-
Most Carver and SunFire amps do not use conventional power supplies found in many regular amplifiers design. Instead, they use Bob Carver's Patented Technology known as Magnetic Field Amplifier and Down Tracking Converters (which both seems to me as a similar technology to switch mode power supply but some differences) to increase the efficiency of the power regulation in these amplifiers. You may consider them something like Class D amplifier if you may but they are not truly Class D amplifiers either. You can read a lot about Magnetic Field Amplifier and Tracking Down converters in AES library or from the patent documents. If you want, I can find link to these documents but they are also readily available in the Carver Forum too.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
-
You know, it's possible that the amp itself is just a better design than what you were using. Just because it has more watts doesn't mean it'll sound better.
Having heard stock and modded LSi15's and SRS 2's in the same rig, I believe I can answer this.I have heard Brocks (Heiney9's) modded 1c's and they sounded very good, but I will have to bring my 15's (once I mod them) to a RAS meet for a direct comparison. I know his 1c's did best some stock LSi15's we had on hand when I last heard them. A comparison to a pair of modded 15's would be very interesting indeed.
Modded LSi15's are more detailed and coherent top to bottom. Meanwhile, modded SDA's have a larger soundstage, cleaner and deeper bass. Modded LSi's can really hold their own against some big dollar speakers. Meanwhile, SDA's aren't as refined, but are still unique in ways that no other speaker has yet accomplished. Pick your poison.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85058What all do you gain when modding the LSI series speakers? I like the laid back tweeter but find the soundstage very narrow.Wait until you hear what they sound like with a good amplifier!
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Polished is a very good term used when in this compare. I had SDA-2b's.nooshinjohn wrote: »The LSi's are no match for the old-school SDA's. In fact, to even compare the two as even being worthy of being in the same room is complete B.S.... When will Polk wake up and make SDA's again....Bla... Bla...Bla...;)
Now that I got that off my chest I feel much better. I have been running my LSi-15's now for a couple days with my new(to me) Sunfire Stereo Grand 600x2, which doubles down to 1200wpc at 4ohm. NEVER again will I doubt the performance of the LSi's. I have been a hardcore SDA guy for quite some time now, but after experiencing the 15's with the power of the 600x2, I must confess to being completely overwhelmed by what I am hearing. So impressive that I am actually contemplating leaving the SDA club.:) These speakers are so polished and clean sounding when properly powered and set up.
I do still give the nod to the SDA's when listening to vinyl however, but I have not been spinning vinyl on them yet, as my TGP-5 is on it's way fror a few tweaks and I have no phono stage. The respect I now have for the LSi's has grown tremendously.:)Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
I will chime in here and agree with Face. I have LSI25's and I would say they are more polished than SDA's with a smaller soundstage. The tweeter in the LSI line is awesome and would say if powered correctly the LSI line is the best HT system I have heard. I run LSI25's main, LSIC, LSI F/X and LSI 7 rear center in a 7.1 system. It is a tremendous system in HT form. It is very good for music but there is something about the SDA SRS 1.2tl's in 2 channel form. When I listen to those speakers, I feel the band is in the room with me. When you here them for the first time it is stunning. SDA SRS speakers are just special speakers. They are truely a sonic experience.Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.
Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp
Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9 -
I love my LSi series
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 12" (High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
-
cokewithvanilla wrote: »bah, LSi -.-
running 400wpc to mine with no results. Perhaps I should trade them for some 15's or 9's so I can biamp and run 770 wpc....
Ok! Your LSi25 are not so for me threads are well documented here, it's time to move on from LSi speakers if LSi25 can't do the job for you. The other LSi might not be what you are looking for.
Go listen to some Sonus Faber or B&W or Usher Bookshelves and see they fit for your taste.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
Lsi15 gets no where near the respect it deserves, IMO.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
-
Just to add a note here....isn't there an old thread here that talks about the speakers that Matt Polk, himself, runs..and aren't they a pair of LSi-9s with two monstrous monoblocks powering them (possibly Threshold? or not--does anyone remember)....I forget the brand but something very powerful and higher end.
Yes. I heard that system and was not very impressed with the sound (not bad, didn't wow me).
Can't say the same about his HT. That, did sound VERY good to my ears._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
I miss my LSi15s
-
Ok! Your LSi25 are not so for me threads are well documented here, it's time to move on from LSi speakers if LSi25 can't do the job for you. The other LSi might not be what you are looking for.
Go listen to some Sonus Faber or B&W or Usher Bookshelves and see they fit for your taste.
I know, it's getting old :P
I would love some Sonus Fabers... just can't afford them
-
DarqueKnight wrote: »Thoughtful designers of high performance electronics and mechanics build some performance "headroom" into their products.
Why do they make cars capable of maximum speeds of 120 mph, 150 mph and even in excess of 200 mph when the legal highway speed limits in most places ranges from 45 mph to 70 mph? I expect that if they made engines that were only capable of doing the legal speed limits, the engines wouldn't last too long because they would always be running at or very near their performance limit.
A engine that is capable of doing 140 mph will feel no stress at all at 70 mph. Likewise, an amp capable of 600 watts continuous will feel no stress at all at the low power requirements (typically less than 30 watts) of most music. Furthermore, such an amplifier will be able to satisfy high transient power demands that last for only fractions of a second.
Designers of high power amplifiers don't expect that their products will be run continuously at their maximum outputs. Really, even if one had speakers that could absorb 600 watts continuous, who could stay in the room and listen?
If 4 ohm speakers were attached, and the Sunfire's stood ready to deliver their 1200 watts, I expect that the speakers would blow up, melt, etc. long before the AC receptacle commenced melting.
Make sense?
That is a great way to look at it. I'm impressed. -
DarqueKnight wrote: »Thoughtful designers of high performance electronics and mechanics build some performance "headroom" into their products.
Why do they make cars capable of maximum speeds of 120 mph, 150 mph and even in excess of 200 mph when the legal highway speed limits in most places ranges from 45 mph to 70 mph? I expect that if they made engines that were only capable of doing the legal speed limits, the engines wouldn't last too long because they would always be running at or very near their performance limit.
A engine that is capable of doing 140 mph will feel no stress at all at 70 mph. Likewise, an amp capable of 600 watts continuous will feel no stress at all at the low power requirements (typically less than 30 watts) of most music. Furthermore, such an amplifier will be able to satisfy high transient power demands that last for only fractions of a second.
Designers of high power amplifiers don't expect that their products will be run continuously at their maximum outputs. Really, even if one had speakers that could absorb 600 watts continuous, who could stay in the room and listen?
If 4 ohm speakers were attached, and the Sunfire's stood ready to deliver their 1200 watts, I expect that the speakers would blow up, melt, etc. long before the AC receptacle commenced melting.
Make sense?
Nice post DK, makes a lot of sense.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
