LSi7

[audiobliss]

I'm thinking about getting some LSi7 bookshelf speakers. However, I have some doubts.

1) Will my Yamaha RX-V1400 be able to adequately power these speakers? how about these and some others for HT?

2) If I go with these, will I have to use all LSi series speakers when I fill out my HT system? I won't be able to afford an all LSi HT set-up, so can I use speakers from a different series with these bookshelves. Though, I could just use these for stereo.

3) If I use these for stereo for music, would I need a subwoofer for the bass? I'm not a fan of big, thumpin' bass, but I do like to hear some.

Any and all comments/suggestions welcomed; either something listed above or something I forgot.

Thanks!!

[scornful]

1) I guess the Yamaha is comparable watt wise with the 3805 I heard driving 15's and 25's last night. Will it play them?? Oh yeah and should sound decent too... will it really do LSi's justice?? Not in my opinion. Now I must say, I havent heard an LSi on an amp, but I just added 2 m200's to my rig and I really was missing alot. Depth and clarity are now vastly improved. It's one thing to read how an amp can change your sound, it's another to actually hear it on speakers you know well. I would expect a similar change in sound out of the LSi's.

2) I'm not a big fan of using different speakers families in conjuncture. The differing speakers, tweets in particular, will likely not blend very well. IMO you'd be better off sticking with one or the other. However, you may consider buying used LSi's used down the road to fill in your system if cost for the full set is way above your buying point. It's one of the ways I'm trying to justify making the transition to LSi's myself. One piece (pair) at a time.

3) I dont have any insight into the 7's bass extension. My Hi-Fi Buys doesnt carry them and I didnt even give the 9's a listen. Someone else will likely give you better advise. I would expect -3dB to be somwhere in the low 40 hz range. Is that low enough for you?

As usual, these are my opinions and you will likely get different views from different people. I suspect I'm still in noob status around here, but I've picked up alot from good threads here. Hopefully I'm not too far off the mark.

[Early B.]

1) Yeah, your receiver will drive them OK, but an amp will make them sound better.

2) I have Rti10's up front, Csi40 in the center, and the Lsi7's in the rear on my HT system. Sounds great. In fact, it actually sounds better than the RTi38's I had before, in spite of being timbre matched with the rest of my speakers at that time. If you decide to put the 7's up front, you'll need the LsiC.

3) I also have a pair of 7's on my 2-channel system powered with Outlaw monoblocks. You'll definitely need a sub for most types of music. I have a Hsu STF-2 and it works great.

If you have a separate system for music, go for the 7's. If you want to slowly ease your way into Lsi's for HT, sell your rear speakers, then buy the 7's and put them on the rear. Then fill out the front soundstage with Lsi's when your budget permits.

[audiobliss]

Thanks, Scornful and Early B.

Could I just bi-amp them? Just hook them up to the A&B terminals on the back? Would that be bi-amping?

Hmm. I think I'd want more bass than that. I guess that'd do until I could get a sub, though. That could be a while.

Right now, I'm thinking that either:
A) These aren't the speakers I really want.
B) I could just use this as a music set-up. (Though if I do that, wouldn't I want something that'd provide more bass??)

Then again, maybe they would make some good music speakers......

[dorokusai]

Just buy them, you won't be losing anything, period. That is a great price. Pick them up for a nice simple 2CH rig. I would find a nice quality Integrated(NAD/Cambridge), pick up a Universal(Denon/Toshiba/Pioneer) or SACD(Sony) player...and be pretty happy with that setup.

They have surpisingly good bass, and a very nice sound. I was suprised at how much bass they produce, tho' at some point they do start to fart. A subwoofer is a great idea, just find a cheap one....Dayton, Polk, DIY...all kinds of things to play with in that respect.

They are pretty directional in their placement, but that's not a huge deal. I was afraid to play mine much longer, lest I go changing my entire HT around :)

I would say bi-amping with the current option, may at that point cause a problem. If you really want to bi-amp, get something that you don't even have to ask that question ;)

Good luck!

[audiobliss]

Originally posted by dorokusai
That is a great price.

I haven't even posted a price!!! :D
But, yeah; I thought it was.

Thanks! Now I just have to convince Dad to let me buy from a stranger in Arizona. That might not be easy; maybe impossible. :( (Especially since I don't have the money.)

We'll see.

[dorokusai]

Well, the pair you are talking about is from Brett....I probably have a good idea of what you are paying :)

[audiobliss]

just curious; what's the difference in the older verion that he's selling and the new one?

thanks

edit: and may I add that I am continually amazed with the prompt, knowledgeable, and sincere replies everybody on this forum is seemingly oozing with; a great forum!

[audiobliss]

and I dont' mean to be totally ignorant; I just am. :D But, you said that it may cause problems bi-amping at at certain point with my receiver and that you'd wait 'til I got, I take it, something more powerful and more stable at 4 ohms? I really didn't get that at all.

:confused: :confused:

Thanks!!

[dorokusai]

I meant that if you run them on the current AVR, straight....you should be fine. Bi-Amping on that same AVR, is going to increase the load on it, thus you MAY have issues at that level. Depending on the manufacturer, the AVR may also limit your options in order to do that. You have an impedence issue for one(4/8), which normally requires a switch to be thrown on the rear....and most likely you will only be able to enjoy the bi-amping when in stereo only. If that's what you want, then cool, but there is an impedence issue you should inquire into your manual about.

For example, my SonyES will not allow that. When A+B or B only is selected, which are the only ways to get B output signal, it reverts to 2CH only stereo. That's great if you want stereo, but not great if you want HT, you are getting no output from your B output unless it is selected. I also have an impedence switch that must be thrown.

I don't know everything about your AVR, just specs and various reading here and there....you may be fine bi-amping, who knows.

[audiobliss]

Ok, thanks. I'll look into that if if I decide to get them. Right now I have to be real nice to the 'bank' and 'president' (father). So, we'll see if this'll work out.

Thanks!!

[Sami]

Originally posted by audiobliss
Could I just bi-amp them? Just hook them up to the A&B terminals on the back? Would that be bi-amping?
No, not really. You are still running the speakers from the same power source and not taking any load off from the receiver.

[audiobliss]

Well, I guess we can all just forget it. I told Mom about it today and she is totally against it. Well, it was good dreaming while it lasted....:(

I really appreciate all the prompt and thorough replies y'all gave.

[madmax]

Originally posted by audiobliss
Well, I guess we can all just forget it. I told Mom about it today and she is totally against it.

Just explain to her that you will take up using drugs instead then. :D

[audiobliss]

hahahahaha!!! rofl!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, ya know; she might kill me if I take that route.....

[Jazzdrummer]

What exactly happens when you throw the "< 8 ohm" switch on the back of a receiver.? Does this increase the receiver's ability to safely produce more current that it's 8 ohm rating? I know a lot of us (including me) are using receiver's to power Lsi7's and are taking this action.:)

[audiobliss]

and, I still want to know the difference between the older and newer versions of the LSi series speakers;

Also, maybe I could get a friend here to buy a pair, then I could buy 'em from him...:D :D

[audiobliss]

Alrighty folks; one last-ditch effort here. Anybody think of any good arguments I might can use to persuade parents into getting these LSi7s at such a great deal? Man, they'd sound so good in a stereo set-up.....

[jefft1314]

Take them to Tweeter, ask them to bring some of their favorite music, and make them listen to them. That'd be my suggestion.

[Sami]

Originally posted by jefft1314
Take them to Tweeter, ask them to bring some of their favorite music, and make them listen to them. That'd be my suggestion.
Look at the price at Tweeter and tell them you can have them for much less, legit. :)

[Early B.]

Don't try to convince them 'cause it ain't gonna work. Tell your parents what you're willing to do to get them. Do it the old fashioned way and earn them.

[audiobliss]

Alright; clarification. The problem isn't the speakers or the money. It's buying from "some guy in Arizona; and, how'd he get 6 pairs of these $700 speakers? And, how do we know they're new? And...."

That's probably even more impossible to overcome than if it were the money.

:(

[Sami]

Refurbished speakers that sold for $199 at Fry's. Tell them he is making profit in reselling them. I have 3 pairs as well, got them for $199 a pair. I wouldn't blame the parents though, they are only looking for your best interest and they are right in asking all those questions. Too many shady business going on and it has only gotten worse since internet became popular.

[audiobliss]

Yeah, I can't blame 'em, either. It's only too bad when you miss out on a good deal. I imagine knowin' they're refurbished would really help out, though. I'm not sure I'd want 'em as much knowin' that, either.

Anyhoo, we'll see. If this doesn't work out, I guess I still want some Klispch RB-35. That brings up a good question.

How do y'all think the LSi7 compares to the Klipsch RB-35? I wonder if anybody'd prefer the Klipsch....

[brettw22]

Audio, I understand your parents concerns, but there isn't anyone here that I've both sold to or bought from that wouldn't give me high marks with regard to online transactions with me.

Pjdami just bought a pair and received them on Wednesday. Ask him......ask John D. Strong, dorokusai, russman, hoosier21, etc., etc....

If your parents want to talk to me about their concerns, I'm more than willing to talk to them if that would ease their mind. At least one thing to note here is that I've been around on the forum for several years.....it's not like I got here yesterday trying to pawn off stuff quick then ditch the place......

EDIT: There is NOTHING refurbished about these speakers. They were sold as that, but as everyone will tell you, there is nothing damaged looking about them. Several are under the impression that Fry's was just trying to move some merch.....

[dorokusai]

Have them give Boris a call, get it straight, and get the speakers.

[Sami]

Originally posted by audiobliss
How do y'all think the LSi7 compares to the Klipsch RB-35? I wonder if anybody'd prefer the Klipsch....
RF-35? LSi7's hand down IMHO. Don't worry about them being refurbished, there is nothing wrong with them.

[audiobliss]

correction: RB-35; they're the bookshelves; the RF-35 are the floorstanders.

Anyhoo, I'll talk to 'em and see what happens. It's all a moot point; I ain't gonna be gettin' 'em. :(

[jefft1314]

i haven't heard the lsi 7's and I have no way of hearing them without traveling at least three hours (I hate Vermont) but I was very impressed by the Klipsch reference line, though from what i understand, the lsi 7's sound completely different.

[Joey_V]

i had a chance to compare the rb-25 to the lsi7 at home in AB testing (i bought the rb25 for a coworker from ebay). i must say, the rb-25 are pretty good especially with acoustics. also, the rb-25 have a larger dispersion of sound due to the tweeter... the lsi7 in comparison are more of a smaller sweet spot speaker.

however, imaging was much better on the lsi7... especially at higher volumes when the klipsch horns slap you with high frequencies right in the face.

i felt, after listening to the two for a few hours, that the lsi7 are the better speaker for the following reasons:

1. lsi has much much better construction, klipsch has massive resonance on side panels during audio playback. the klipsch reference cabinet is very sad for something a company labels "reference".

2. lsi7 had much better imaging, more precise as a monitor speaker although i felt that klipsch has a *slightly* wider soundstage.

3. lsi7 has sweeter highs and still retains the most of the detail found with the klipsch tweeter (perhaps the klipsch has a little more detail).

klipsch were a pleasure to listen to though.. i love the high end clarity these rb25s belted out. however, i dont know how long i would last before my ears would fatigue... however, the "WOW FACTOR" was definitely there with the horns. my parents have a full klipsch ht setup downstairs in the living room so this isnt the first time i heard klipsch.

in the end, i found that the lsi7 are better speakers... however, the klipsch are definitely the better "loud" speakers (aka party speakers or ht speakers). those suckers got loud fast! talk about efficiency!