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View Full Version : LSis singing "What a Wonderful World!"

zx_toth
10-19-2007, 09:36 PM
Finally! After many months of waiting I finally picked up my ordered Rotel 1080. Not having much music laying around I put in on of my old favorites, Louis Armstrong and did he ever sing.

I have my LSi 25s powered by a 2 channel Rotel amp. This being my first foray into a seperate amp and decent speakers I was wowed by the quality of sound ... probably like the visual difference when I first went from VHS to DVD. Wow ... the sound seemed 3-dimensional, thats the only way I can describe it ... I have a limited audio vocabulary.

I put in Predator and the the music and SFX were amazing through the front speaks. As imagined I was disappointed with the mismatching center speaker, though I hadnt calibrated it at that time. The center speaker made it seem like there was a hole in the front stage in the movie ... as if a panning sound went from 3-D to flat than back to 3-D. I sat right in front of the speakers .... The LSi with my ear to the speaker (not at high volume) and could discern a real improvement in sound from my previous RM series of speaker (not a surprise of course). I than put an ear to the RM series and definately noticed a quality of flatness to the sound.

I will keep this center speaker for now as I wish to purchase a new HDTV in the new year but the center speaker will always be on my mind until I change it. Oh well at least my upgrade path is fairly clear for now :) HDTV, LSiC and monoblock amp or 5 channel amp.

I appreciate everyones advice re: upgrading my front speakers and advice in choosing an amp (despite the fact that I bought new).

Ive updated my system showcase for those wanting to check it out. In my signature.

Zsolt
Dave38
10-19-2007, 10:30 PM
No center speaker needed with either the LSi-15 or the LSi-25's. The imaging and soundstage is THAT good.

I purchased the LSi-15's recently and I am pleased. What turned me off from purchasing the LSi-25's, was the fact it's powered. Personally, I am not a fan of powered speakers except a Subwoofer of course.

I would have changed a few things on the LSi-15's. Use a 10" woofer instead of the 8", add the Polk audio logo in gold like on the older Polks, and not have the front grill go the whole length of the speaker. Too much, not necessary.
cfrizz
10-19-2007, 10:49 PM
Congratulations. Enjoy.
john22614
10-20-2007, 10:21 AM
I disagree with Dave on the center speaker issue.....while the LSi's with good electronics offer a beautiful soundstage for music in stereo.....I still think the center speaker adds a lot for movies and TV. Localization of dialogue and other audio images is much more realistic using the LSiC than just the mains, at least that's been my experience. Anyway, congratulations on your new amp.....you're gonnal love it.
janmike
10-20-2007, 10:32 AM
Congrats. I agree as well. For me HT without the CC is like having one piece missing. Test for yourself.
beardog03
10-20-2007, 10:36 AM
the majority of dialoge is through the center channel

don`t sell yourself short

get a LSiC

There is a good deal on one in the FM !!
john22614
10-20-2007, 11:09 AM
and also.....nice looking set up and photos. You might try tossing an area rug on the floor in front of your rig to see how it affects your acoustics......that hard wood floor might be comprimising things a bit. Just a thought....
zx_toth
10-23-2007, 12:37 PM
and also.....nice looking set up and photos. You might try tossing an area rug on the floor in front of your rig to see how it affects your acoustics......that hard wood floor might be comprimising things a bit. Just a thought....

The girlfriend is doing the 'area rug-pick up' this weekend. We always had an area rug infront of the set up in the old place. We decided to throw it out as the dogs kept crapping on it :mad: ... it was long, shaggy and soft,and they must have kept thinking it was grass :eek: no matter how much I beat them (gentle beatings, easy there PETA/animal activist people) they wouldnt understand! So shes picking up a new, short 'haired' rug.

I do have a center speaker at present, an RM series center in the mean time. I did try out without the center speaker to test Daves theory just for fun while watching a movie but did find that something was lacking. Sometimes it was hard to discern much difference when people and objects were static but as soon as movement occured something just didnt sound right, didnt sound bad but just a bit odd and unrealistic at times. I can see how it would work for music as when I listen to music the vocalist does sound in the center of the stage but with movies and movement doesnt work just right.

I agree that I should upgrade to an LSiC ... next year, after my hdtv purchase and hi def player purchase. The reason I got that particular Tv stand is because the top drawer will accomodate an LSiC! The current RM center is too wide so that it has to go in the bottom cabinet and when watching a movie it seems like the dialogue is coming from the actors' groin rather than from their mouth ... so upgrading will allow for better sound quality as well hopefully remove this 'groin dialogue' phenomenon.

I appreciate all the adivce and commentary.

Zsolt