LSi9, or LSi M703...?

Are they actually going on shelves? If they are I would recommend neither and find a sealed not rear ported bookshelf speaker. With that said I would take the LSIM 703 over the Lsi 9's all day long. I have both and the 703's are much easier to drive and are more versatile for all genres of music and HT as well.

Just my humble opinion YMMV.

703's then

I know I'm a minority on this one, but I do not like the 703's. There's a disconnect in there that is most evident with guitar. MillerLiteScott heard it too....actually before I did.

For me, it was a night and day difference between the 9s and the 703s.

I've owned both.

Still have the 703s without one regret.

daddyjt wrote: »

Thanks for the input, Dan. I should have mentioned that these will mostly be playing acoustic and vocal music - No techno, heavy rock, or the like.

The only thing I find peculiar with the LSi9, is the small ports on the front baffle - they seem as though they would color the sound - I've never seen ports that small... Although there are two of them, and the drivers probably aren't pushing that much displacement.

@daddyjt

In this instance we were NOT listening to any of that lol.. mostly the stuff "regular" people listen to. Think "BlackBird" by the Beatles, Dianna Krall, etc.

My wife (who is NOT a audio nut and hates doing A/B tests) described the LSi sound as more ENGAGING. Does that mean its accurate and nuetral... probably not... but we found the LSi's more like being at the concert v the 703's like listening to it on the radio.

Both the LSi9 and LSiM703 are pretty imposing in size for those who haven't seen them before. Not what most people think of when they think of speakers that could go on a bookshelf. The friend's wife may be less inclined to rearrange the room for speakers that big. The LSi7s may be another smaller option with similar characteristics.

As far as the LSi9 vs LSiM703, they are similar in performance to me with the LSiM line being better built and sounding more refined. The LSi9s were my favorite from the older line followed by the LSi7. I'd say the LSi9s are more lively/energetic and the LSiM703 slightly more accurate and mellow. I'd be happy with either, knowing that they will sound a bit different. Both put out decent bass for being bookshelf speakers. A Polk Friends and Family sale could bring the cost difference between a used pair of LSi9 and new pair of LSiM703 down to $200-$300 a pair. The LSi9s have a more difficult impedance curve and require good amplification to work well. That doesn't appear to be a concern for your friend now, but it could be further down the line.

There are two cosmetic variants of the LSi9. The older version with the seamed black laminate finish could be quite a few years old by now. The twin small ports on the baffle were a design feature of the LSi series, with a larger port out the back, or on the bottom for the floostanders. The design of the rear ports on both speaker lines for the bookshelf speakers is such that the speakers can be placed relatively close to a wall and still sound good.