Author Topic: Polk Audio LSI Series  (Read 57098 times)

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Offline Conan

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #60 on: Jan 31, 2011 at 08:09 PM »
STAGEA - Which class-d amp was that? happen to have a link to more info?


Onkyo A-5VL.
Polk Audio Reserve R200
B&W 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
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Offline Stagea

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #61 on: Jan 31, 2011 at 11:14 PM »
STAGEA - Which class-d amp was that? happen to have a link to more info?


Hi Manoj,

It's the Onkyo A-5VL. It's not a really powerful amp (90wpc @ 4 ohms), and the output isn't so dynamic. However, it's very clean and enjoyable... reminds me of Rotel's Class-AB integrateds. :) The price isn't much cheaper than a Rotel, but it's the novelty of having a built-in DAC and being a PWM amp that got me thinking. :)

We turned it up, and the amp remained stone-cold. :D
« Last Edit: Jan 31, 2011 at 11:17 PM by Stagea »

Offline ivo

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #62 on: Feb 01, 2011 at 12:15 PM »
Hi StageA,

I'm also a fan of the Onkyo A-5VL. I listened to this amp paired with a pair of  sand-filled QAcoustics 1030i's. Its a clean sounding amp even high volume.. sayang lang the store here didn't have the C-S5VL so they hooked up a DX-7555 instead.

I was looking at getting this amp before but I didnt think the 90w/ch would be enough power to drive my LSi9's so I went for a more powerful amp.

Offline Stagea

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #63 on: Feb 01, 2011 at 12:30 PM »
I was looking at getting this amp before but I didnt think the 90w/ch would be enough power to drive my LSi9's so I went for a more powerful amp.

Good to know that you also liked this amp. :) There's nothing wrong with a more powerful amp. That's always a welcome move. The A-9755 is the big brother of this amp after all. :)

I was just pleasantly surprised with the performance of this relatively small and inexpensive PWM amp. I've been using bigger linear amps for the most part, and it made me realize that good things can still come in small packages. :)

Offline ivo

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #64 on: Feb 01, 2011 at 12:46 PM »
Sir, back to the LSi7's how is it compared to the LSi9? or to other bookshelf speakers at the same level (except for the CMs which you've mentioned on your review)? Or maybe how will it fair with an analog source?

Offline Stagea

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #65 on: Feb 01, 2011 at 01:20 PM »
Sir, back to the LSi7's how is it compared to the LSi9? or to other bookshelf speakers at the same level (except for the CMs which you've mentioned on your review)? Or maybe how will it fair with an analog source?

The LSi7 sounds similar to the LSi9. The LSi9 has more scale and oomph, and is slightly more neutral in the midband. However, I like the fact that the LSi7 is less particular with mounting height.

I have not tried it with an analogue source, but I suppose it'd work just as well with analogue as long as the front end / phono stage / amp combination tips towards the bright-neutral side. The speaker itself is a bit warm to my ears (probably because of the top-end roll-off), so I'd prefer it with gear providing vigorous highs.

Offline avshop

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #66 on: Feb 10, 2011 at 12:09 PM »
Check out the lsi 7 matched with the Onkyo a-5vl amp. :)

Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #67 on: Feb 24, 2011 at 05:57 PM »
Available na ba LSiM bookshelves?
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Offline Sanjay

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #68 on: Feb 24, 2011 at 06:04 PM »
Available na ba LSiM bookshelves?

LSi 9 bookshelf are available.

Offline avshop

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #69 on: Feb 25, 2011 at 03:08 PM »
Available na ba LSiM bookshelves?

Not yet. Will post when available. :)

Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #70 on: Jun 06, 2011 at 09:55 PM »
Marc,

Thank you for letting me audition the Polk Audio LSi 7 + Harman Kardon HK 980 a while ago.

I was in the vicinity of your shop and had extra time hence decided to give you guys a visit

Let's just say Jennifer Warnes' 'Rock you gently' bookmarked the speakers for my next upgrade

Hope you can 'borrow' an LSi 9 so I can compare next time I visit.

Cheers!

-Mikee-
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Offline avshop

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #71 on: Jun 06, 2011 at 10:08 PM »
Marc,

Thank you for letting me audition the Polk Audio LSi 7 + Harman Kardon HK 980 a while ago.

I was in the vicinity of your shop and had extra time hence decided to give you guys a visit

Let's just say Jennifer Warnes' 'Rock you gently' bookmarked the speakers for my next upgrade

Hope you can 'borrow' an LSi 9 so I can compare next time I visit.

Cheers!

-Mikee-

Will work on it. :)

By the way, the Hk 980 was on direct mode so the treble and bass adjustments werent working. I tried it again with direct mode off and enhanced the treble. It sounded a lot better pa. :)

Offline Stagea

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #72 on: Jun 07, 2011 at 01:17 PM »

Hope you can 'borrow' an LSi 9 so I can compare next time I visit.

The LSi9 is cleaner-sounding, imho. Take out the resonant/nasal character that sometimes comes out of the LSi7 and extend the lows a little more, then you get the LSi9.

Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #73 on: Jun 07, 2011 at 03:27 PM »
Will work on it. :)

By the way, the Hk 980 was on direct mode so the treble and bass adjustments werent working. I tried it again with direct mode off and enhanced the treble. It sounded a lot better pa. :)

Well I'll come back with my HK3470 one of these days and let's hear the LSi 7's once again.

I'll SMS you when I'll drop by so hopefully an LSi 9 will be lying there somewhere LOL.  ;D

I'll also be bringing my CDs over.
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Offline avshop

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #74 on: Jul 10, 2011 at 04:29 PM »
Lsi 9 available for demo upon request. :)

Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #75 on: Sep 23, 2011 at 11:22 PM »
Lsi 9 available for demo upon request. :)

My lips are sealed ... sometimes hihihihi  :P
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Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #76 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 12:13 AM »
Ok,

After much 'auditioning' with my HK3470 (since friday and saturday afternoon) and getting the go signal from my hubby who went with me at AVShop to hear the 'upgrade' speakers, and after an expensive 'bribe' for the approval (yes, corruption starts at home)

Its official - my upgrade is an LSi9.

Can't wait to bring them home after the formalities (aka full payment).

Oh, my hubby's also still recovering from the sticker shock. :o

It's a first time for me to get a flagship bookshelf of a known american marque, a far cry from DIY speaker contraptions I had to put up with when I was still starting out in audio during my elementary till high-school days.
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Offline jon2

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #77 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 01:49 AM »
Ok,

After much 'auditioning' with my HK3470 (since friday and saturday afternoon) and getting the go signal from my hubby who went with me at AVShop to hear the 'upgrade' speakers, and after an expensive 'bribe' for the approval (yes, corruption starts at home)

Its official - my upgrade is an LSi9.

Can't wait to bring them home after the formalities (aka full payment).

Oh, my hubby's also still recovering from the sticker shock. :o

It's a first time for me to get a flagship bookshelf of a known american marque, a far cry from DIY speaker contraptions I had to put up with when I was still starting out in audio during my elementary till high-school days.
wow lsi9, congratz ;)

Offline Billabong

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #78 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 02:37 AM »
Ok,

After much 'auditioning' with my HK3470 (since friday and saturday afternoon) and getting the go signal from my hubby who went with me at AVShop to hear the 'upgrade' speakers, and after an expensive 'bribe' for the approval (yes, corruption starts at home)

Its official - my upgrade is an LSi9.

Can't wait to bring them home after the formalities (aka full payment).

Oh, my hubby's also still recovering from the sticker shock. :o

It's a first time for me to get a flagship bookshelf of a known american marque, a far cry from DIY speaker contraptions I had to put up with when I was still starting out in audio during my elementary till high-school days.

Congrats sir! ;) Sarap sigurado makinig diyan. Sulit ang gastos at tanggal ang pagod! :D

Offline Stagea

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #79 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 07:01 AM »
Congrats sa LSi9. Those are great-sounding speakers. :)

Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #80 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 08:47 AM »
Congrats sa LSi9. Those are great-sounding speakers. :)
Thanks Jon2, Billabong, Stagea

Yeah, it actually trumped out a more expensive B&W 683 in the A/B listening tests using my receiver, to thnk the 683 is a floorstander.

What mesmerized me with the LSi9 over the LSi7 is its ability to 'disappear' when playing music. The sound staging is just so wide when I close my eyes, the sound seems to be coming from somewhere else except from the physical location of the speakers.

My RTiA3 can almost go as low as the LSi9s, its midrange and highs are also as potent, but what I paid for as 'upgrade' is the experience of the speakers disappearing in the listening area,a feat usually found in speakers way above the PhP100K mark.

I believe that's the goal of every manufacturer/designer since the invention of the loudspeaker - to create speakers that disappears in the listening area and render music with the closest fidelity to the original recording as possible, at the most affordable price.
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Offline blue_123

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #81 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 08:56 AM »
Nice upgrade mikeer, I heard the lsi9 2yrs ago and it was paired with a marantz intergrated amp 6003 yata ,it just sounds stunning ang ganda pa ng finish niya thats one of my dream speakers congratulations.  :D.
« Last Edit: Sep 25, 2011 at 01:59 PM by blue_123 »

Offline lncc63

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #82 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 09:15 AM »
Congrats Bro. The LSI 9 was a very close contender against the RTi A9 for my fronts.  Very very nice sound to my ears.
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Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #83 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 10:06 AM »
Congrats Bro. The LSI 9 was a very close contender against the RTi A9 for my fronts.  Very very nice sound to my ears.

Thanks Blue_123, lncc63

I actually also brought in my Marantz PM45 Integrated Amp for good measure against the HK3470 for the LSi9s - It held its position with vocal music / acoustics (not much bass - more on midrange and highs) but the LSi9s hunger for power comes in when playing very bassy music, hence the need of a beefy/high current amp if you want to satisfy your inner cravings for loud bassy music on the LSi9s.

the PM6003 is the 21st century reincarnation of the vintage PM45 which won the what! hi-fi 5 star amplifier of the year in 1988. both have LDPS (for 4 ohm stability)

Since AVShop also has a pair of the RTiA7s and RTiA9s there, I also went ahead and tested them against the LSi9 - The A7s lost, A9s were almost but not quite. Both delivered really low bass and the RTi Ax's stellar imaging and brightness but they dont have that stealth capability - you know the big speakers are there in front of you even if you close your eyes.

I wish there was an LSi15 to compare it with - that would have given the A9s a run for its money since they're almost at the same price range (70-80K)
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Offline Conan

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #84 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 10:55 AM »
Ok,

After much 'auditioning' with my HK3470 (since friday and saturday afternoon) and getting the go signal from my hubby who went with me at AVShop to hear the 'upgrade' speakers, and after an expensive 'bribe' for the approval (yes, corruption starts at home)

Its official - my upgrade is an LSi9.

Can't wait to bring them home after the formalities (aka full payment).

Oh, my hubby's also still recovering from the sticker shock. :o

It's a first time for me to get a flagship bookshelf of a known american marque, a far cry from DIY speaker contraptions I had to put up with when I was still starting out in audio during my elementary till high-school days.

Wow congrats!
Polk Audio Reserve R200
B&W 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
NAD C368 Integrated Amplifier
Cambridge CXA60

Offline lncc63

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #85 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 12:29 PM »
Well said Bro.  You put into words my precise sentiments.  After deciding to go with the A9, I also put down a mental note to eventually have a separate system for music with LSI9 fronts.  I'll probably tap the receiver's pre-outs and use a beefy stereo power block. 

I'm wondering why you didn't bring them home immediately? 
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Offline Stagea

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #86 on: Sep 25, 2011 at 01:14 PM »
Congrats Bro. The LSI 9 was a very close contender against the RTi A9 for my fronts.  Very very nice sound to my ears.

Aside from a narrow listening window, there is little to fault in the LSi9 for the price that it's selling for (especially if you're like most of us whose hearing tapers much beyond 14kHz). The sound character is very unlike the RTi, as it is less forward and is a bit more mature.

The narrow listening window is typical of most ring radiators, hence it's often best to have these speakers face the listener directly (and always mount them at the proper height). The upside is undistorted HF reproduction, afforded by superior diaphragm rigidity and damping.

The woofers also reflect Polk's obsession in making this a low distortion speaker. The cone is designed to damp its own resonance.
« Last Edit: Sep 25, 2011 at 01:43 PM by Stagea »

Offline ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #87 on: Sep 26, 2011 at 02:12 PM »
Ang LSiM series kelan kaya magiging available dito satin?  ;D

Offline luis

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #88 on: Sep 26, 2011 at 02:58 PM »
i find the Lsi series intriguing after reading this thread...   :o  :o  :o  :o  :o

Offline mikeer2002ph

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Re: Polk Audio LSI Series
« Reply #89 on: Sep 26, 2011 at 03:24 PM »
i find the Lsi series intriguing after reading this thread...   :o  :o  :o  :o  :o

Because they're so underrated / unappreciated.

Well who can blame the buyers?

At the price you're paying for an LSi series speaker, people would rather go for 'image' or 'status symbol' speakers like B&W 6 series or CM series / Paradigm Reference
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