Own LS90's, thinking about LSiM 705's
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Curious to know if anyone has owned both the LS90 and LSiM 705, and can directly compare/contrast them.
LS90’s have served me well for years (along with a CS400i center), but I am interested in the LSiM 705 and 704C, thinking that they might be an upgrade in sound quality in some areas.
My primary focus is music in 2.1, with dual Outlaw 12” subs, an Outlaw 975 pre/pro, and a Rotel RB-1582 MKII amp. I also sometimes listen in 2.0 with an Emotiva DC-1 DAC/pre directly feeding the Rotel amp.
My only real complaint with the LS90’s is that they can be a bit harsh/forward in the upper midrange and low treble when the volume is pushed. They can have a fatiguing glare with some vocals and electric guitar. But wow, they image so well and have great soundstage width and depth! They can also handle higher SPL levels well, although the harsh glare comes into play.
Some folks describe the LSiM 705’s as pretty neutral, and others describe them as laid back. Never heard any of the LSiM series though.
Think they would be a significant upgrade over the LS90’s, or more of a lateral move with perhaps just a different sound signature?
As a side note, I’ve also considered upgrading the single cap and resistor in the crossover. What a simple crossover in the LS90, BTW. How did they get by with only an inductor (first order slope) in the midwoofer circuits, I wonder?
LS90’s have served me well for years (along with a CS400i center), but I am interested in the LSiM 705 and 704C, thinking that they might be an upgrade in sound quality in some areas.
My primary focus is music in 2.1, with dual Outlaw 12” subs, an Outlaw 975 pre/pro, and a Rotel RB-1582 MKII amp. I also sometimes listen in 2.0 with an Emotiva DC-1 DAC/pre directly feeding the Rotel amp.
My only real complaint with the LS90’s is that they can be a bit harsh/forward in the upper midrange and low treble when the volume is pushed. They can have a fatiguing glare with some vocals and electric guitar. But wow, they image so well and have great soundstage width and depth! They can also handle higher SPL levels well, although the harsh glare comes into play.
Some folks describe the LSiM 705’s as pretty neutral, and others describe them as laid back. Never heard any of the LSiM series though.
Think they would be a significant upgrade over the LS90’s, or more of a lateral move with perhaps just a different sound signature?
As a side note, I’ve also considered upgrading the single cap and resistor in the crossover. What a simple crossover in the LS90, BTW. How did they get by with only an inductor (first order slope) in the midwoofer circuits, I wonder?
5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
Comments
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The 705’s seem slightly laid back, but in a good way. They’re a pretty well balanced speaker, with nothing over emphasized.
If your looking for a speaker that does its job, while not really calling attention to itself, the 705’s should work. -
I would also recommend getting a tube preamp in the mix as well.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Sounds like the 705's will be more balanced and refined than the LS90's. I think that would be the type of improvement I'm wanting, as long as the 705's have good dynamics and can handle higher SPL levels well...let's say peaks up to around 100 dB on occasion.
The single 5.5" MW on the 705 has me a bit concerned at higher SPL. Given that the woofers cross over at a pretty low 100 Hz, the 5.5" MW has to handle a heavy load of mid-bass.
I believe I can get a pair of 705's and the 704C in the midnight finish for around $1450 total, so tempting.
I also have a pair of Klipsch RF-7 III in a separate 2-ch system, so I'm also considering moving those down to the 5.1 system, then getting the matching RC-64 III center, which is a huge, expensive beast of a center speaker. The RF-7 III are pretty balanced, maybe a little forward in the upper mids when the volume is pushed, similar to LS90 in that regard. But man, the RF-7 III have serious dynamics and a very "live" sound. Drums and cymbals sound more "real" compared to the LS90. However, I feel the LS90 have more convincing imaging and soundstage - the LS90 do the disappearing act at times.
5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
Kitchen: Sonos Play5. -
On my phone now so hopefully I can add more later, but I would say, get the 705s for sure. You will love them. But the 90’s are very good as well. It is an upgrade, but not a life changing one.2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
