Missing Our Tsi Setup. Are We Crazy?

We had a Polk 3.0 setup for a very long time. It consisted of the Tsi400 towers and the CS10 center. We (my wife and I) loved how the cherry finish looked and always thought they sounded great for our needs; TV, movies, and music in our fairly small living room, never playing at very loud levels. Having read all the hype about the Polk Signature line, we decided to sell the Tsi set and buy the Signature series.. We now have the S30 center and a pair of S50 towers in black. Well, we're kinda less than thrilled. They are connected to a late-model Denon receiver and Audyssey has been run on them.

While the S30 center sounds somewhat better than the old CS10, the S50 towers don't sound like an improvement and, perhaps, sound a bit worse than our Tsi400s did. And the black finish, while loved by many, leaves us flat. I know all of this is subjective but we're seriously thinking about going back to the Tsi. Would I be thrown out of the Hallowed Halls of Home Theater for making such a move? Does anyone else think that the Signature line has been overhyped? Or is it just our preference? Anyone still enjoying their Tsi speakers? Anxious to hear any opinions. And yes, I guess we're looking for some validation for our thinking!

Comments

  • I have found that a move up in speaker sometimes requires a move up in amplifier to get the most out of the design. I assume that it has to do with the lower models being able to sound better on lesser gear at low power output.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2018
    You like what you like. But are you sure you have given yourself enough time to adjust to the difference. What are the differences besides looks that you don't like compared to the Tsi's?

    Is it possible you are missing the third driver that the 400s have but the S50s don't? You probably should have gotten the S60s instead. I know having the third driver had an immediate impact of what I heard compared to my RTA-8Ts 2 drivers. Maybe you like walnut color instead.

    But I wouldn't call the Signature series overhyped. Too many people who's ears I trust have said they are terrific, so I took a chance sound unheard and got the S60s and I have not been disappointed.

    They can do music/HT with ease, without any shrillness of an overworked tweeter, and the bass is fairly substantial, and I personally love the understated elegance look of them. They have handled every kind of music I have tossed at them without a hiccup.

    I had been waiting for years for getting another pair of all round speakers that can do both without breaking the bank, and I now have them.

    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
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    edited December 2018
    If you are used to a tipped up treble you might think the smoother Signature speakers sound dull when in fact they sound more natural. How long have you had the Signature speakers?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • sponger
    sponger Posts: 325
    The Tsi400 has one more bass driver than the S50, so my first guess is that the latter perhaps doesn't have the lower end room presence of the former. In which case I'd suggest letting the S50 break in a bit more to balance things out. Do you have a sub? The Tsi like the monitor series is a very laid back, forgiving speaker. In contrast the sigs are comparatively more forward and detailed. If you have a hardwood floor or a lack of furniture in the room, then they could even sound too harsh from all of the acoustic resonance. Whereas, the tsi couldn't sound harsh even if they tried.
    Denon X7200WA
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,708
    Ha, I assumed the TSi series would be on the bright side, which I hate. I don't find the Signature series bright or forward.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,454
    S50 should have a sub in the mix. They are not really great on the low end. S55 with the 6.5" drivers have a much better low end, even the S20. The S60 has a nice low end that doesn't need a sub unless you want one. I've ran my S60 in full range with the sub off, they are fantastic.

    TSi are a decent speaker but the 400 to an S50 I would say is a slight step down. 3 drivers to two. The third driver in the 400 most likely was crossed over just for bass.
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
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  • sponger
    sponger Posts: 325
    F1nut wrote: »
    Ha, I assumed the TSi series would be on the bright side, which I hate. I don't find the Signature series bright or forward.

    I wouldn't say the sigs are bright, but they are when compared to the monitor / tsi.
    Denon X7200WA
    LSiM 705 703 704c
    Denon DP 400
    Yamaha CDC 775
  • HTGuy
    HTGuy Posts: 5
    Well, guys, we were able to get some Tsi speakers in the house at the same time that we still have the Signature series. So, yes, we ARE crazy. When hearing them back to back, it is no contest that the Signatures sound better overall.

    It's interesting how our mind (ears?) can play ticks on us to think one speaker sounds better than the other when we rely only on our memory. I'm glad we were able to do this back-to-back testing. It kept us from making a mistake. So, we're keeping the Signatures. Thanks for all your comments. You may return to your regularly scheduled discussions!
  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,454
    edited December 2018
    add a sub in the mix to make them shine. You don't need a monster sub just a decent one to pickup the low end.
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,560
    The Signatures may need 50-100 hours of use on them before they open up. Give them a fair shot.
  • sponger
    sponger Posts: 325
    edited December 2018
    Can't beat the old side by side comparison method. I have to admit I think that's kind of admirable that you went to the trouble instead of just taking them back.

    I don't know what Klipsch is thinking by allowing their demo display to sit next to the sig demo rig at BB. They aren't terrible speakers, but compared to the sigs they sound like a backyard boom box meant to entertain inebriated guests who can't hear the difference over the conversation. The sigs come across with much more balance and openness for serious listening.

    I just wish Polk had more than one song to demo. Where the Klipsch display has the edge is a touchscreen menu with a variety of music types; whereas the sigs have that one song from Alice Merton. But there is a video screen and she isn't hard on the eyes...no sir she is not.
    Denon X7200WA
    LSiM 705 703 704c
    Denon DP 400
    Yamaha CDC 775
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,560
    sponger wrote: »
    I don't know what Klipsch is thinking by allowing their demo display to sit next to the sig demo rig at BB. They aren't terrible speakers, but compared to the sigs they sound like a backyard boom box meant to entertain inebriated guests who can't hear the difference over the conversation.

    This gave me a chuckle, thanks. :)
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    HTGuy wrote: »
    Well, guys, we were able to get some Tsi speakers in the house at the same time that we still have the Signature series. So, yes, we ARE crazy. When hearing them back to back, it is no contest that the Signatures sound better overall.

    It's interesting how our mind (ears?) can play ticks on us to think one speaker sounds better than the other when we rely only on our memory. I'm glad we were able to do this back-to-back testing. It kept us from making a mistake. So, we're keeping the Signatures. Thanks for all your comments. You may return to your regularly scheduled discussions!

    Hey @HTGuy welcome to CP!

    I have to agree with your comments, it's difficult to directly compare A/B based on memory. Always best to do a direct comparison, and limit the number of variables that could affect the performance.

    But, as a newbie, I like to rely on the opinions and judgments of many here on CP. Most of us are on a journey - what's new to me is most likely something that someone else here has traveled before. Their advice is always a great place to start for me.

    But in the end, it's your personal preference and taste that matters. Enjoy the new speakers! :smile: And hang around! :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
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