$700 Budget... best Polk fronts?

Shicks18 · June 2008

Open to all options.

This will be for a 7.1 setup. 70/30 for HT/Music. Whats the best I can get for $700? +/- $100 on the budget depending on whats available. If there is something outside of Polk I am open to it as well.

Thanks!
Scooter

Face · June 2008

Used LSi15's. Be prepared to budget for a timbre matched center and rears(LSiC, LSi7, 9, 15, or FX).

SlowcarIX · June 2008

do you mind getting used?

3 LSi7 or LSi9 for L/C/R will be real nice

Shicks18 · June 2008

wouldn't mind getting used at all.

Would adding a nice big subwoofer to the LSi9's match tower speakers + sub?

edit - why did you get rid of your LSi15's for LSi9's ?

Face · June 2008

Shicks18 wrote: »

wouldn't mind getting used at all.

Would adding a nice big subwoofer to the LSi9's match tower speakers + sub?

For HT, a sub would be needed for LSi9's or 15's.

Shicks18 · June 2008

Yea I am gonna upgrade to a bigger sub regardless of my fronts.

Basically whats the difference between LSi9's and LSi15's using a big sub for bass on both.

Also - How do LSi9's compare to RTi12's in terms of loudness and quality.

Thanks.

Face · June 2008

For 2 channel listening, the 15's are a full range speaker and wouldn't require a sub. Some use the 9's for music without a sub, but only in smallish rooms.

As for LSi's vs. RTi's, if you're going to be listening to music, LSi's win hands down.

Shicks18 · June 2008

70/30 for HT/Music

How loud does the LSi9 or 15 compare to the RTi12's

These are the 3 speakers I am considering.

SlowcarIX · June 2008

Shicks18 wrote: »

wouldn't mind getting used at all.

Would adding a nice big subwoofer to the LSi9's match tower speakers + sub?

edit - why did you get rid of your LSi15's for LSi9's ?

yes. 2 things i did not like about the LSi15 is high xover to the internal sub and the side firing sub, you are limited to where you can place them to get the best sound. so i went with lsi9 and a sub that i can place to give the best sound.

SlowcarIX · June 2008

Shicks18 wrote: »

Yea I am gonna upgrade to a bigger sub regardless of my fronts.

Basically whats the difference between LSi9's and LSi15's using a big sub for bass on both.

Also - How do LSi9's compare to RTi12's in terms of loudness and quality.

Thanks.

this is comparing a CSi5 and a LSiC...

the tweeter on the CSi5 gets a bit shrill when the volume is cranked up compared to the LSi tweeter...they are mellow...very easy on the ears

SlowcarIX · June 2008

Shicks18 wrote: »

70/30 for HT/Music

How loud does the LSi9 or 15 compare to the RTi12's

These are the 3 speakers I am considering.

the 3 will play loud, your ears will give up before the speakers.

go with the lsi, good for ht and music

MillerLiteScott · June 2008

Modified SDA 2B's to the TL spec with Sonicaps. If you look around you can do it for a good bit less than $700 and your 70/30 split will switch to favor music rather than HT. IMHO YMMV.

Scott

McLoki · June 2008

If you are willing to go used, I would not overlook the SDA series either. 1c's would be easy on your budget. If you look hard, you could walk into 3.1tl's or 2.3tl's. That would require a little luck and patience on your end though.

End result may be worth it to you. Definately a different sound than the LSi's and a more classic speaker look. They would be considered at least the LSi's equal if not better.

McLoki · June 2008

Damn - missed it by 8 min. I meant to say - listen to Scott....

cfrizz · June 2008

Well his budget is going to go right out the window with any purchase of the LSI's since he will also have to get proper amplification for them if he really wants to hear them at their best.

leroyjr1 · June 2008

cfrizz wrote: »

Well his budget is going to go right out the window with any purchase of the LSI's since he will also have to get proper amplification for them if he really wants to hear them at their best.

And a receiver with pre outs as well.

jcaut · June 2008

Don't overlook the new TSi line.

If I can get it edited, I'll be posting a review of the TSi500's shortly. Scroll down a few pages and you should find another one.

Shicks18 · June 2008

Nono, my budget will be totally fine. I am budgeting $700 for speakers.

I have a Yamaha RX-V663 with preouts. Do you think the Yamaha RX-V663 can handle a 4 Ohm Load?

I am also Budgeting $400 for an external amp, which I will have to decide on later depending on the speakers I get.

cfrizz · June 2008

The Yami will handle them at low volume, just don't get too carried away. If you plan on getting an all LSI setup, you will need a 5-7 channel amp with at least a minimum of 200wpc to really hear what they are capable of.

But if you are just going to have the front speakers then you should be able to find a 2 channel amp to get the job done.

Some brands to look at are, Outlaw, Emotiva, Rotel, Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom.

Shicks18 · June 2008

Yea I planned on Bi-Amping whatever speakers I get with the Yammy and a dedicated amp.

MillerLiteScott · June 2008

Schicks, where are you located?

Also with most of the vintage SDA 2B's,1C's and there other cousins of do not need to be bi-amped.

My case was a pair of SDA 2B's with the sonicap upgrades and RDO -198's for @ $575. Local pick up is the key.

Scott

RutgersFTW · June 2008

If it's $700 just for fronts, he could get LSi9s off eBay and an amp to bi-amp with, but...

Why no love for RTis? They own this budget bracket and will play nice with the amp he already has.

The TSis sounded an awful lot like Monitors to me when I checked them out at BB. Listening conditions weren't the best, but once the newness wears off I don't think anyone's going to recommend them over RTis. That's not to say they aren't also great, but RTis are already a fantastic value.

obieone · June 2008

IF, IF, IF you live near a Tweeter, check out the clearance page.
They're selling RTi10's for $480/ pr.

Shicks18 · June 2008

There is a tweeter by my house in Houston. Considered the RTi10's as well.

Only problem is I'm living here for the summer before going back up to Missouri (thats where my set up is). I could local pick up things but then ship up to missouri (looking at + $200 shipping which I don't mind doing but that cuts into my budget a little.)

deep bass · June 2008

I am not sure where you are located, however there is a pair of Polk Audio 2.3TL's in Seattle for $1,200. Maybe you can get him down on the price... (just a thought)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/ele/725624861.html

Shicks18 · June 2008

Located in Houston,TX and Columbia,MO.

That is more than likely way out of my price range =P

leroyjr1 · June 2008

three good options

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Output-Floorstanding-Loudspeaker/dp/B00011CRZE/ref=sr_1_50?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1213931660&sr=1-50

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Channel-Speaker-Single/dp/B000FK6XMY/ref=sr_1_94?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1213931741&sr=1-94

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000BP8AYC/sr=1-120/qid=1213931798/ref=olp_tab_refurbished?ie=UTF8&coliid=&me=&qid=1213931798&sr=1-120&seller=&colid=&condition=refurbished

Shicks18 · June 2008

bummer someone on here must have seen the refurb you posted... its been dropping $10 in price every 3-4 days now.. was waiting for it to drop even further. ive had my eye on it =P

leroyjr1 · June 2008

Shicks18 wrote: »

bummer someone on here must have seen the refurb you posted... its been dropping $10 in price every 3-4 days now.. was waiting for it to drop even further. ive had my eye on it =P

sorry its my fault

Shicks18 · June 2008

hah naw its all good. I was leaning more towards LSi anyway. Can't make any sort of speaker purchase for another 7 weeks, they wouldn't have lasted that long on amazon.

$700 Budget... best Polk fronts?

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