Comparison Monitor 40, RTi38, RTi6, and LSi7

[markmarc]

During the 1980's I was the proud owner of a pair of 10B's. Then, with marriage I downsized to a wonderful pair of Celestion SL6si. It's now time to change up, can anyone/everyone give opinions regarding these models (comparisons if possible) as I live far from any dealer.
Thanks
P.S. I will probably buy them off of eBay, that is why I have selected older models as well as newer ones.
Harman Kardon AVR75
HK FL-8450

[aaharvel]

the rti38/rti28 are discontinued models- I wouldn't worry about them. They have been replaced by (arguably) superior counterparts. The rti38 with the rti-6 (both have 6.5" woofers)- and the rti28 with the rti-4 (both have 5.25" woofers). LSI7'S have 5.25" woofers as well, so since you're interested in the LSI-7, perhaps you should focus on the RTI-4 instead if you want a straightshooter comparo between the RTI and the LSI models.

Don't worry about the monitor40, or any monitor speakers. IMO they're not a smart buy. The rti lineup is far superior for not much more money. That's a VERY popular opinion on these forums as well.
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/...threadid=29085

Below are reviews from Stereophile magazine of the RTI-4 and the LSI-7. These are two great reviews of both the RTI and the LSI lines.
http://stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/1004polk/
http://stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/795/

I have auditioned ALL of these speakers. IMO, the rti-4 is a better speaker than the monitor 30, monitor 40, AND even the Rti-6 (I know this isn't popular, but i think the 5.25" driver is better for midrange than the slower 6.5" driver- The developers of LSI seem to think this also- all of the LSI's have 5.25" drivers in them - Accuracy over volume.). Although it's not as good as the lsi-7, the rti4 comes close to its performance and consequently is a much better speaker for the money.

[aaharvel]

"P.S. I will probably buy them off of eBay, that is why I have selected older models as well as newer ones."

The LSI-7's and RTI-4's are both old enough to be found on E-Bay used. The rti-28's, 38's AND rti-25's, 35's would be good buys IF you got them at a steal. But remember there will be no warranty and neither of them are as good as their present day counterparts.
I've seen LSI'7's on ebay for $500 new and RTI4's for $200 new. That's an unbelievable deal, especially on the LSI-7's. Just make sure you have a good outboard amp to drive them.

[marker]

Originally posted by aaharvel
I have auditioned ALL of these speakers. IMO, the rti-4 is a better speaker than the monitor 30, monitor 40, AND even the Rti-6 (I know this isn't popular, but i think the 5.25" driver is better for midrange than the slower 6.5" driver- The developers of LSI seem to think this also- all of the LSI's have 5.25" drivers in them - Accuracy over volume.). Although it's not as good as the lsi-7, the rti4 comes close to its performance and consequently is a much better speaker for the money.

What he said^. Me and another fellow CPer here were sort of discussing this very thing recently, how we both have a set of RT25i and RT35i, and how we both liked the RT25i better than the RT35i as a main pair of 2 channel speakers. We both felt it imaged better, and had tighter, faster, more accurate bass response even if it didn't go as deep.

However, we both agreed that we liked the RT35i better as surrounds.

[markmarc]

I appreciate all the input. It's kinda ironic how Polk used to be beaten up in the 1980's for using 6.5in drivers. Now those are considered too big and antiquated.

I would kill to have a pair of LSi9's, but in reality my room isn't big enough I believe to appreciate the capabilities. I'm not worried about driving a 4ohm load as I don't listen to music/movies very loud. My HK receiver has plenty of high current to handle the load especially at the volume level I prefer. I've always tried to judge speakers on how well they sound a low volume.

My only wish is that I had an independent dealer where I could bring in my Celestions and do a quality a/b comparison.

I do have in transit to me a single RTi35 that I picked up from eBay to use as a center channel for $40.

I have forgotten how much fun buying speakers can be!!

[aaharvel]

best bet is a listening comparo of the rti-4 and lsi-7 imo.
The rti4 WILL be a better blend with your incoming rt35i, however.

[Joey_V]

Either the RTi4 or the LSi7.... (or the LSi9... :p ).

The RTi are cheaper and they might be better because of that. The LSi are a level above though.

[Early B.]

I would kill to have a pair of LSi9's, but in reality my room isn't big enough I believe to appreciate the capabilities. I'm not worried about driving a 4ohm load as I don't listen to music/movies very loud. My HK receiver has plenty of high current to handle the load especially at the volume level I prefer. I've always tried to judge speakers on how well they sound a low volume.

Get the Rti series. The Lsi's should be run off a separate amp for the best sound quality. It would be an injustice to run them off a receiver, even an HK.

[masanz1]

it's about time I see someone else from Oregon. Let me know if you need any help finding the speakers. I have the RT800i and 600i and love them. There were a pair of LS70's on craigslist a couple days ago for $400. Looks like they are still there

LS

[jdhdiggs]

Just an FYI: LSi7's sound a bit dark on HK amplification. Still better than the RTi series, but not up to their potential.

As for the 5.25" vs 6.5" it is give and take. For the same volume, the 5.25" is going to have to move further peak to peak. So while the 5.25" driver may be more accurate at low volumes due to the smaller mass, this difference disappears as the volume increases until the 6.5" is superior in accuracy. It's all a bit of give and take really, but don't think because a driver is smaller that it's more accurate. Motor strength and inductance have a lot to do with it as well.

[aaharvel]

jdhdiggs that's a heck of a good point. i could see for higher volumes that that would be the case- however for low to moderate volume i still think the 5.25" reproduce mid-bass to low highs better- but then again i was comparing rti's to rti's- both new generation and old...so it could be different on another manufactorer.

At low to moderate volumes the lsi-7's would work just fine on a H/K receiver. Stereophile pretty much classified them as 6ohm speakers. Although this wouldn't unleash their true potential, (I know b/c even my 8ohm rti-4's didn't reach their true potential till i hooked up separate Adcom Amps to them=) they would do fine. LSI9's on a receiver, even an h/k- I wouldn't go that route- not for any volume. That's a true 4ohm speaker.

For the money- i'd save the extra $500 and get the rti-4's, and as an option you apply what you saved and get a nice high-quality 2ch. amplifier on audiogon, ebay or here. rti-4's on a GOOD separate amp imo is just as good as an lsi-7 on a mid-priced receiver.

[gregure]

Agree the Lsi would not sound their best on HK receiver. It may be able to handle the load, but the Lsi simply need more current and the added sound quality of a separate amp (or a multi-thousand $$ receiver such as B&K, Lexicon, Sunfire, etc.) Even still, a separate amp would sound better.
Rti is cheaper, still a good speaker, and is meant to run off receivers such as yours-as they are a very home theater oriented speaker.

[Joey_V]

The HK may not be able to unleash the LSi9 at full potential, but they (LSi9) still sound good. I'm sure that a dedicated amp will be able to fully showcase the 9s abilities. FYI, I can drive them loud with no problems on the hk.

What are you gonna do when you're a poor college student? That's why I bought the HK, it has preouts... ready for the time when I can afford an outlaw, rotel, or bk.

[aaharvel]

"What are you gonna do when you're a poor college student? That's why I bought the HK, it has preouts... "

-you read my mind.