Lsi9 vs. Monitor 10

[datamon]

I'm considering upgrading my Monitor 10s with Lsi9s.

I've read some other posts that say that the Lsi series is a big step up from the vintage Montor series, but I guess I need some more convincing since I have really enjoyed the 10s all these years.

Also, I believe the limiting factor in my listening experience is source material. I have some CDs and SACDs that sound great on my 10s and I am very satisifed with that sound. Many other CDs, however, don't sound as good and I'm sure it has to do with recording techniques, compression, etc..so maybe I need to look at my front-end also (Sony DVD/SACD player), but can anyone comment on how the Lsi9s sound with less than optimum recordings?

FYI: My Monitor 10s have the Peerless tweeters and I have upgraded the crossovers with better caps, etc. Also, I have a hefty H/K Citation 4-channel amp (rated 150Wx4 into 4 ohms) that should work well in bi-amping the Lsi9s.

I have a Paradigm PDR-10 subwoofer that I would use if I needed some extra bass out of the Lsi9s and I mainly listen to rock music.

[danger boy]

you really can't compare vintage Polks with newer LSi series speakers.. two very different sounding speakers from different era's of speaker building.

alot of people don't care for the sound of vintage speakers... and other's only like their sound.

it would be cool to own both the monitor 10's and a pair of LSi9's.

[NeilGabriel]

As of Saturday, I will have both and I will let you know. I fully expect the 10s to have better bottom. I am hoping the 9s will be better detailed and great tweets. My 10Bs have the SL1000s.

[ohskigod]

that citation should drive the 9's nicely. I feel the LSi line is just something that should be tried. I love mine to death, adnt he 9 is a very impressive bookshelf

[heiney9]

As of Saturday, I will have both and I will let you know. I fully expect the 10s to have better bottom. I am hoping the 9s will be better detailed and great tweets. My 10Bs have the SL1000s.

The LSi's do everything better than any of the vintage Monitors. But as Danger said they are 2 completely different designs using different principles and driver types.

The LSi's will have more bottom end than your 10's by a wide margin. Vifa tweeter vs. any other Polk tweeter (inc. Peerless) win hands down. The RD0's are close but the margin is still pretty wide. I've compared my former 9's to SDA's (I prefer the SDA's) but the 9's are that good. I would have kept both the LSi 9's and my newly aquired SDA 1C's if I had any use for the 9's at all.

YMMV

H9

H9

[ND13]

Well, let's see....I still have my Monitor 7As(Peerless) and 10As(Peerless) and SRS 2s, but my LSi7s and LSi9s have both been moved on down the road. I guess you see I prefer the vintage Polk sound.

How anyone can just flat out say that the LSis are just a flat out superior speaker "in all aspects" is beyond me.

[heiney9]

Well, let's see....I still have my Monitor 7As(Peerless) and 10As(Peerless) and SRS 2s, but my LSi7s and LSi9s have both been moved on down the road. I guess you see I prefer the vintage Polk sound.

How anyone can just flat out say that the LSis are just a flat out superior speaker "in all aspects" is beyond me.

I stand by my opinion, but I moved my 9's down the road as well. It all comes down to what you like about a particular speaker. The 9's biggest weakness to me (for others it's strength) was the lower midbass hump which was very unnatural sounding. Again comparing them to SDA's the soundstage couldn't compete but it isn't intended to nor should it.

The LSi's are a hell of a speaker line and I *personally* think overall they are better than the avg. classic Polk.

Again YMMV

H9

[dkg999]

I personally really like the LSi9's for HT! I wasn't such a big fan for music only, and after acquiring H9's LSi9's and playing with them on music, I am still of that opinion. Now for HT, where the mid-bass hump isn't as noticable and actually seems to accentuate voices, and where you can use some equalization, the LSi's are the bomb :cool: My LSi HT rocks!

[G-2]

We sere weened on Polk 7B's, now we love our LSi's but would love to get some of the older 5 monitors...