LSi7 - Naked !!!!!

[McLoki]

Got in my LSi7's last friday and was trying to decide where to mount them. The WAF was pretty low mounting anything larger than the RM series speakers I have now as surrounds.

I decided it had to be done and decided to try and pull off the wood sides from the LSi's I just got to make for a slimmer profile mounting them to the wall. (I am currently planning to use the wall bracket built into the lsi7)

I have called Polk CS before about this and they thought it would work if I used a wide implment to pry it off with and took my time. The person I spoke with then thought they would still sound very good (like LSi's should) even with the wood removed. (it is still 3/4 mdf with internal bracing - I figure that is all most subwoofers have so I shouldn't have much resonance problems from a 5-1/4 woofer crossed over at 80hz)

I called Polk CS again just before I started to pull it off to get their reassurances again before I start and spoke with a different CS rep. The story I got this time was the old series (what I have) used double sided tape to attach the wood, the new series uses glue and the sides will not come off. Even though I have the old series, he still STRONGLY recommended that I not try to remove the sides as he has seen the finish pulled off the speaker due to the strength of the tape used.

So much for assurances - Since I will not be able to mount these to the walls in their current state without alot of greif from the wife, I decided to forge ahead. I wrapped a 3" putty knife in an old t-shirt (now shredded) and started to work the putty knife into the corner of the side/speaker. I felt it give way and started working the putty knife around the speaker working it in about 1/4 inch to help loosen the hold of the tape.

When I got back to my starting corner, I pushed the putty knife inabout 1" and pulled it back out. (part of the shirt stuck and tore under the wood) I worked the knife in and out about 2/3 of the way around the speaker before the side was loose enough to just pull away.

The entire side is gloss black as i had hoped. There are no holes in the sides (also as I had hoped)

I worked off the other side the same way and cleaned up the mess. I will post some pics when I get home from work tonight, but let me say, Polk should offer these without sides as an option for surround mounting. It looks absolutely fantastic all in gloss black with the slimmer profile.

More with pics later - I have to get back to work.....

Michael.

[bobman1235]

I seem to remember someone having pics of the BIG LSi's naked at some point....

Ah yes, gotta love the search feature :

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27613

[McLoki]

Thanks for the link to the naked 15's. That is actually what got me thinking about doing this, but I could not find the post again.....

Here is after removing one side....

[McLoki]

Here are the tools I used. (at this point side one is done, and side 2 is under way.) I ended up not using the wide putty knife. My 3" one is pretty flexable a more rigid knife would have been handy....

[McLoki]

Here they are side by side. (I have not done the second channel yet - I did not have time) I think the slimmer profile looks great. (keep in mind this is for a surround to mount to the wall....)

[billbillw]

McLoki,
I don't think you will like the sound with them mounted using the built in keyhole. I had my RT25i mounted like that and the bass was dull/hollow. I now have them mounted using some Btech BT77 mounts.
Link here (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-a513EgTRlTJ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=15830&I=121BT77B&search=bt77)

Look at my showcase to see what they look like with some Polks mounted. They will allow you to angle/swivel if needed, plus they hold them firmly from the bottom and are SOLID!!! I use a little bluetak to isolate them further. They sound night and day different.

[Joey_V]

Can you show pics without the grll?

[McLoki]

Here is the single speaker.

[McLoki]

Here they are side-by-side.

[Airplay355]

So in the end, was it worth it? It doesn't look like you saved that much space to me...

[McLoki]

Originally posted by Airplay355
So in the end, was it worth it? It doesn't look like you saved that much space to me...

Keep in mind they are not mounted yet (will post pics when they are) but yes, I think it was worth it. It took an 8.5" wide speaker and made it 7" wide - a savings of about 22%.

For my mounting locations, that will make a big difference. (plus I like the slimmer gloss look for the surrounds)

I was careful taking the sides off so I can always remount them if I want to at some point in the future. I think they will stand out a little less than they would have otherwise (the wife requirement) and I am sure the sound will blow away the RM series I was using.

looks like a win/win and I can always go back to the way they were if I want to.

Michael

(BTW - all marks in the pics are either flash or fingerprints - that gloss is gonna be a bitch to keep clean. (glad they are being mounted high...))

[McLoki]

Originally posted by billbillw
McLoki,
I don't think you will like the sound with them mounted using the built in keyhole. I had my RT25i mounted like that and the bass was dull/hollow. I now have them mounted using some Btech BT77 mounts.
Link here (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-a513EgTRlTJ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=15830&I=121BT77B&search=bt77)

Look at my showcase to see what they look like with some Polks mounted. They will allow you to angle/swivel if needed, plus they hold them firmly from the bottom and are SOLID!!! I use a little bluetak to isolate them further. They sound night and day different.

Thanks for the tip. I will look into purchasing a set if I decide I do not like the sound the way they are mounted.

A few questions for you though:

How far out into the room do the BT77's extend the speakers (over mounting them with the keyhole)?

Does the arm that comes out from the wall move or just the plate that the speakers are mounted to?

About how far below the plate does the mount extend? (from the bottom of the speaker, how much of the mount can you see?)

I am thinking about using these as mounts for my fronts as well as my surrounds. (when I post pics of my setup, you will understand....)

Thanks for the great tip. I will keep you all posted what I end up doing. (will have to do something because my right surround has to be angled in about 15-20 degrees)

Michael

[Joey_V]

Any scratches on the glossy side while you were taking out the wood panels?

[billbillw]

Originally posted by McLoki
A few questions for you though:

How far out into the room do the BT77's extend the speakers (over mounting them with the keyhole)?

Does the arm that comes out from the wall move or just the plate that the speakers are mounted to? Maybe 3", not sure exactly though. It depends how you center the speaker on the base/grip. The arm is fixed, the base swivels/tilts.

About how far below the plate does the mount extend? (from the bottom of the speaker, how much of the mount can you see?) Approx 5" total

I am thinking about using these as mounts for my fronts as well as my surrounds. (when I post pics of my setup, you will understand....)

Thanks for the great tip. I will keep you all posted what I end up doing. (will have to do something because my right surround has to be angled in about 15-20 degrees)

Michael

By the way, I thought the LSi7 were you mains. Here you are talking like they are your surrounds. Are they going to be both? Did you look at my showcase? That should give you a good idea since the LSi7 are similar in size to my RT25i. Good luck. Just don't let your wife totally hamstring you on mounting these. You need a little freedom.

[McLoki]

Originally posted by billbillw
By the way, I thought the LSi7 were you mains. Here you are talking like they are your surrounds. Are they going to be both? Did you look at my showcase? That should give you a good idea since the LSi7 are similar in size to my RT25i. Good luck. Just don't let your wife totally hamstring you on mounting these. You need a little freedom.

I have been using LSi7's as my mains and I just purchased another set for my surrounds. I purchased them used for a good price just because I was planning to remove the side panels (and wasn't sure it would work). The new set is the ones I was planning to mount on the walls, but if it works out, I may do the same with my fronts. Right now they are not in the best of positions.

For WAF - I just wanted to get them in the room first, then I will worry about better mounting setups.. :)

JoeyV - Glad to say both the speakers and side panels are still in good shape. No scratches at all. The finish must be more durable that I was giving it credit for.

Michael

[PolkThug]

Originally posted by McLoki
It took an 8.5" wide speaker and made it 7" wide - a savings of about 22%.

Before - After = Reduction
8.5 - 7 = 1.5

Savings/Original = % Reduced from Original
1.5/8 = 17.65%

Or, you could say the new speaker is 82.35% of the original's width.

:D

[fireshoes]

It should be 1.5/8.5 there, smarty. ;)

[billbillw]

Originally posted by fireshoes
It should be 1.5/8.5 there, smarty. ;)

It was a typo. The math is right though 1.5/8.5 = 17.65%

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

LSi's look better naked. Night and day difference, not even the same speaker anymore really

[Joey_V]

I like the side panels and I like them naked... its a mixed bag for me.

BUT.... I'm glad you got the panels out and you like it this way... TWO THUMBS UP!! :D

[fireshoes]

I like them better with the cherry wood, but it is nice that there are options. At some point I would like to make a pair of maple LSi's.

[Dennis Gardner]

Kinda like a properly displayed thong............





As long as what's underneath has a nice fit and finish, I can take it either way.:)

[Airplay355]

i prefer a smooth glossy finish on whats under thongs as well....

[McLoki]

BillW. Just wanted to say thanks for the tip on the speaker stands from Crutchfield. I finally got them in and installed and they look and work great.

Here is a final picture of my right speaker and you can see why 1.5" in speaker width made such a difference in the speaker working for me or not....


Thanks again,

Michael

[billbillw]

Originally posted by McLoki
BillW. Just wanted to say thanks for the tip on the speaker stands from Crutchfield. I finally got them in and installed and they look and work great.

Here is a final picture of my right speaker and you can see why 1.5" in speaker width made such a difference in the speaker working for me or not....


Thanks again,

Michael

That's cool. I'm glad they worked for you. Someone (Whadyasay) recommended them to me back in March when I was looking for something similar. They are definetly one of the most robust, yet attractive designs out there. They will firmly hold any bookshelf without the need for drilling holes.

[Joey_V]

SEXY!!! WOOT!!!

[cfrizz]

And well done! If I was the wife I would definately approve!

Cathy

[mantis]

I like the look without the side panels on. Nice work

[audiobliss]

+1..

[audiobliss]

Or if you prefer actual input:

Very interesting. Sure is neat you knowing you can take the side panels off; almost like personalization. They sure do look like totally different speakers without them, but they still look just as good as before. Can't decide which I'd prefer.

Looks great in your set-up, McLoki. Congrats!

[faster100]

Its a good thing your handy, because those could have been ruined easily if not so gingerly.. That gloss seemed real sensitive to marks when i had my lsi7's.. and if you spend 4 -5 hundred on a set or more retail.. you may be scared to try the removal... But they do look cool.. I liked the side panels myself though

[McLoki]

From the Polk CS rep I talked to, you want to make sure you get the old series if you want to try this.

They now use a glue rather than tape to attach the sides in the new series - sticks much harder and will be equally hard to remove from the gloss once the side is off - I don't know how truthfull that info is, but that is what I was told.

I purchased a used pair just for this project for $350. A good deal, but still alot of money to waste if it didn't work out. I knew what I wanted it to look like when I was done and photographed/documented my progress so others could learn from my sucess / mistake. That is the point of being part of an online community like this one isn't it. Now that I have done it, I can say it is really pretty easy and no real skills are required. (I just didn't know that going into it)

If anyone plans to do this in the future and would like some ideas, just drop me a PM and I will do / show what I can.

Michael

[faster100]

Cool, glad it worked out easily.... I'm very mechanically inclined id like to think and work with wood for a hobby.. and still would feel uncomfortable doing it.. But that's just me, i'm sure its no big deal once you have done it.. ;)

[Gaara]

McLoki,

Thanks for all the info in this thread, I was considering doing this to my 7s a while back and took the plunge. It really wasn't that hard to do, all said in done it took me around half an hour for both speakers including cleaning them.

Personally the first speaker I tried to pry it off from the top and bottom and it didn't want to seem to go, but I tried the back of the side, 1/3 of the way from the top, and this did the trick. With the second speaker I did it in the same place, 1/3 from the top of the back of the wood side, and it popped of with little resistance.

Taking the tape off I tried pulling it off which was really time consuming, but found a easier way. I used a plastic putty knife at a 45 degree angle while pulling lightly and it came off quick and easy.

End result, the cabinet sounds more hollow, but the speakers are smaller size wise, and I love the look of the my all black 7s. They match my new speakers better, and don't look nearly as large on my walls.

Jared

[Early B.]

Gaara --

You said the cabinet sounds more hollow. When you play your "new" 7's, can you tell a sonic difference between the before and after?

[Gaara]

Early B.

Well they were used for back surround duty, so any difference in sound quality won't be a huge detriment to the system. As for sound quality, I should have tested when I had one speaker with the panels and one without, but it’s a little late. I will test them out once I get my A23 back in the system, right now it is down stairs breaking in the new speakers. All I know is comparing them with the knuckle rap it was a noticeable difference in the way they sounded.

Jared

[Early B.]

Thanks for your response. It would certainly be interesting to know if there's a difference. Looks neat naked, though.

[SKsolutions]

Does anyone when the old series and new series began/ended. I have LSi9's, and may consider "Stripping" them. I wouldn't think of it if they were of the glue/on/type. They are damn sexy with sides on, but would match my Pro series Panny better sans wood. My Lsi9's birthday 6-04

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Send Ken a model number and he should be able to tell you all about the particulars of that batch... :)

[McLoki]

Does anyone when the old series and new series began/ended. I have LSi9's, and may consider "Stripping" them.
It is easy to tell the difference between the old and new series.

If you look at the back of the speaker and the entire back is smooth from edge to the box holding the binding posts - it is the new series.

If you look at the back and it looks like the gloss was put on the back and then the side gloss was wrapped around the back and folded down (making a seam traveling around the back of the speaker) it is the old series.

Michael

[Joey_V]

As Mike said, look at the back or the front face of the speaker. If it looks like there is a portrait "frame" (you know, like the borders are distinct from the rest of the black gloss), then you have the older LSi.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df24b3127cce963df3abce6900000016108AatnDJo5ZNm

[McLoki]

You can also see it in the picture in post #8 pretty well.

Michael

[Gaara]

Early B,

I hooked my naked 7s up a couple of days ago and watched a few movies since then, and played some games. Using them as rear surrounds I honestly can say I don't hear a difference. The only time I hear a little bit of a difference is when I listen to music with just those two going, which I never do. Anything with lots of bass the sound just seems less detailed, it kinda loses it's focus. For what I am using them for, no difference.

Jared

[theunknown]

This is great. Thanks for sharing!