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Anyone have experience with this new Polk model that uses the new Vifa Ring Radiator? Isn't this the same tweeter used in the new Cremona and some Audio Physics???The cabinet appears to be constructed much better than in previous Polk speakers, but what about the midbass drivers - are these Vifa's or made by Polk. I read the review in TAS and it was very good, the LSi's were not embarrassed against many other well respected hifi speakers. The high's and midrange were repotedly very good. The only weakness was reported in the bass, so I suspect the stand mounted LSi-9 with a sub is the better way to go over the LSi=15 tower. Hopefully the midbass does not suffer.
I own Sonus faber Signums and Concerto for music setup and love these speakers, but am looking for a new set of speakers for a separate theater room. So the question is will the new Polk's be better for this purpose than Sonus faber Concerto Home and significantly more $. I can't believe I am even thinking about getting some Polks...
Follow Ups:
I ordered a pair online, ETA Tuesday. I got the cherry. From what I have read none of the drivers are Polks. The only thing that polk designed is the ARC (helps midrange clarity), powerports, and 2.5 way cross over design MTM. It has think MDF walls, braced well. But I also read that the finishing quality has something to be desired. I wouldn't consider these to be truely polk speakers but a blend of highend components with some of their prioritary technology from their mainline products.
I looked at a pair of LSI-15's in cherry finish a week or so ago. The finish was about like the finish on Paradigms (color and quality). I contacted Polk about them and they told me they made the drivers as well as the tweeters for them. This tweeter is the same one used in the $38K Krells. Didn't get to listen to the LSI-9's but the 15's were outstanding. They also had 25's there, but do not like powered sub wolfers all that well.
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and I heard the woofers are also made by someone else too, but probably spec'd out by Polk...
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/speakers/messages/82119.html
I knew they weren't made in house. I suspected they were designed by Polk, but wasn't sure ... So far I like the concept of the ARC, Powerport, and 2.5 way. I've always liked Polk Audio tonal character - a little forward, warm, and just plain easy to listen to - atleast for me.
nt
Yipeee... I got them today. They are much bigger in person than in the images. Nice binding posts. Nice cherry. The finishing on the corners aren't perfect - not seemless. I had a pair of minipods, RT25i, nOrh marble 9.0, Diva 2.1 (in order of the most recently owned).Right off the back they are much more detailed in the HF than all of them except for the nOrh (I just don't know yet between the nOrh). They seem to extend low and acurate. To signs of muddiness. So far so good. No real complaints - I need to put atleast 100 hours before I really do any critical listening ... I just can't wait until the soundstage grows, frequency response smoothens, and the bass deepens :)
Rest of System:
IRD MB-100 (LeAmps)
Audio Alchemy DLC
Stock DI/O
Marantz DV6200
Kimber 4TC speaker wire
nOrh Silver IC
DIYCable IC skinny ones
Thanks for update. Please let me know how the Polks hang in there against Norh nines that use well respected Scanspeak Revelators.
I know there not broken in yet but how does the tonal balance, presence, and depth compare and how's the bass on drums.
The nOrh 9.0 are detailed and a step up for tonal balance. The nOrh 9.0 were a little more muddy in the midrange mostly due to the lower extension (the ACI 65hz HP filter cleaned it up).The Lsi9 just involve me into the music much better. The presences and depth seem very comparable. I can't speak for the midrange. The bass is fast and tight on the drums - not as much detail in the bass as the nOrh.
From what I have read the Lsi9 are more comparable to the nOrh 6.9 (same tweeter and similiar extension). The nOrh 9.0 are a step above. The problem I had with the nOrh 9.0 is that the music never grabbed me and never involved me.
These are really early impressions and I haven;t really listened to them a lot yet ....
I've had the opportunity of listening to the entire LSi lineup and for my money the LSi9's are the pick of the litter. I found the LSi7 too boxy sounding, the LSi15 too boomy, and the LSi25 too expensive. For the price, a pair of LSi9s with good stands and a quality sub would be the start of nice HT setup.
I liked the LSi9 the best out of the series too. LSi9 had a smoother midrange over the LSi7...
Specs and reviews look good. My Bogen MO-200's could push those 88 db cones in and out. Might be worth a shot.
As far as I know Circuit City does not carry the LSI line.
open to mail order, I believe
- This signature is two channel only -
NT
I can't believe I am even thinking about getting some Polks...i have said that very thing a few times since Raydog first reported on these speakers.seems like he is the only person to get a half decent audition so far.i listened to the 15's for a bit in a home theater store that had them set up all wrong,everything pioneer and basic monster cabling,not even bi-wired.
even in those horrible conditions they did a lot of things right.i could not beleive the bass,and the midrange seemed very good.i was smiling.they were spread apart way too much,and i was far too close, so i can't speculate on the soundstaging capabilities.
now onto picking up that plinius 8200 integrated and explaining to the store owners the concept of a home audition!
I've listened to these for maybe a total of 6 hours over the course of a couple dealer visits. I've heard the 7, the 9 and the 15. Granted, its just listening in a store, but I was very impressed with them. I think Polk has a real winner in this line. They would appear to offer outstanding value in their price range. I also thought the bass was fantastic.
"Honey, that's the same amp we have always had, I swear!!"
Raydog,
Did you think the bass was very good in all of the above three?
The TAS reviwer commented on the bass being it's only weakness, with the LSi15 being a tad more integrated as it does not have the powered sub. If the LSi-9 can do down to 50Hz and you need a sub with the towers for HT anyway...then why get the tower?Also, any idea how these compare to Sonus fabers and Dynaudio? I haven't heard Audio Physics or the new Cremona.
--hardwired
I've also been seriously considering these speakers. There is a review on soundstage-http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/polk_lsi9.htm
I read an interview with the designer of the speakers (I can't remember where now) and he said that Polk generally uses it's own drivers, but that the ring radiator tweeter was excellent and that it would take them several years to design a tweeter that good, so they decided to use it. The woofers are of Polk design.
http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=25&speaker=161
I've seen these speakers on sale for 30-40% off of list on line, hunt around and you can find them for under $700...
I haven't listened to them, but I'd like to...
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