LSiM703

by Dawgfish, October 10, 2011

Strengths:

Great highs, mids,lows,and build quality. Very good soundstage and imaging. These things put out more sound than any bookshelf speaker should!

Weaknesses:

If you are used to the soundstage that some vintage SDAs or a good pair of electrostatic speakers puts out, than the soundstage is not going to be quite on the same level as those. That's being pretty nit-picky because honestly the soundstage and imaging are very good and not to many speakers period have the soundstage and imaging of some good SDAs or electrostatics.

Review:

The first thing you'll notice right out of the box is the absolute first-rate build quality of these speakers. They are a work off art and I haven't seen anything in their price range that's close. I have the cherry finsih and they are simply gorgeous speakers to look at. I'm happy to say they sound as good as they look! The highs are wonderful, detailed yet buttery smooth with lots of natural decay on cymbals. The mids are wonderful, warm, and liquid. I have a lot of tubes in my system that lends itself to this lush, liguid mid-range. The bass is very impressive, especially for a bookshelf. The 703s replaced a pretty well known and respected set of vintage towers and they actually have more mid-bass slam, are more detailed, and have more low end extension and weight than my towers. It's hard to believe the sound that comes form these bookshelfs. The soundstage and imaging are also very good. Out of the box they were just ok in these regards, but after about 80 hrs. break-in, they opened up greatly. The soundstage is now wide and deep, with a very three-dimensional, life-like sound. The soundstage is not quite as wide and deep as my vintage towers, but it's very close. The towers were known for their exceptional sound-stage however, so the fact that the 703s are clsoe says volumes. The imaging is also very precise within the soundstage. I love these speakers. They are winners. Give them a try, you wont be sorry.

by ohskigod, December 19, 2011

Strengths:

detailed highs, shockingly detailed at this price point

Weaknesses:

At this price point? I would really have to play devils advocate to come up with a weakness. Some dont like bookshelves that dig too deep bass wise....this speaker might be one of those....they sound very full range for a bookshelf.

Review:

In terms of build quality, one can easily see the effort Polk put into these. The cabinets are top notch, the magnetic grills are certainly a nice touch, and the binding posts smack of high end audio fit and finish you see on much more expensive speakers. The Aluminum plate the binding posts are mounted to instead of the usual plastic terminal cup you see also exude a high end look. Thankfully, the sound quality matches it's look. Crystal clear highs without being bright. The detail on the high end is definitely something of note. The soundstage from top to bottom these things present, for a bookshelf, are surprisingly wide. They also dig pretty deep bass wise for any speaker, much less a bookshelf. A little less warm than the departing LSi9 it will be replacing but in a good way. Even with the more neutral voicing and increased detail, there isn't a hint of listeners fatigue....and trust me, I listened to them loud enough to try to find it. Yes, some will look a the price and see they are a notch up from the older LSi price point....but you can definitely see why as soon as you take these out of the box. Want LSim quality without breaking the bank on the towers? these will fill all but the largest rooms......and even then...

by G.A., January 22, 2012

Strengths:

NATURAL AND DETAILED MIDRANGE. PURE HIGHS AND STRONG BASS RESPONSE WITH EXCELLENT EXTENSION.

Weaknesses:

NONE. NONE. NONE

Review:

I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT HOW CAN POLK REPLACE LSI-9 BECAUSE I'VE FOUND A "LOT OF SPEAKER" IN THE LSI-9. I AM SPENDING NOW 2MONTHS WITH MY LSiM703. AND ALL I CAN SAY IS WONDER. IN ANY GENRE OF MUSIC, THIS LSiM703 IS SHOWING TO BE A PURE CONCEPTION. I'VE REFUSED TO CONSIDER THE BEAUTY OF THIS SPEAKER 'TIL IT PROVE TO BE NOT ONLY NICE LOOKING BUT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY VERY SWEET AND SMOOTH WITH NO FATIGUING. I TURNED OFF MY SUBWOOFER BUT I AM NOT BELIEVING IT AND I HAVE TO UNPLUG THE SUB TO MAKE SURE I AM LISTENING TO A PAIR OF BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS. MY PIANO SONATA "TRAUMEREI" HAS MORE BODY AND PUT THE PIANIST HERE IN THE ROOM. THIS SPEAKERS BRING SMOOTHNESS TO MY HEAVY SYMPHONIES( MAHLER'S FOR EX.) AND THE MAGIC OF OPERATIC VOCAL MUSIC. MAHLER WOULD BE GLAD IN HEAVEN. MY SWEET GUITAR&VOCAL FROM: MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER(ALBUM:TIME SEX LOVE), MARTIN SEXTON(TRACKS:GLORY BOUND,BLACK SHEEP,OVER MY HEAD,FREEDOM OF THE ROAD...), NATALIE MERCHANT(TRACK:BIRDS&SHIPS,COWBOY ROMANCE,RIVER.....), ALISON KRAUSS(TRACKS:LOOKING IN THE EYES OF LOVE,WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL.....)...THE 703 CAN EASILY "FLY YOU" TO THE STUDIO OR THE CONCERT TO SAY "U R THERE". WHAT A HELL OF MY JAZZ COLLECTIONS: DO U EVER LISTEN TO "NOBLESSE"(ALBUM:"GERRY MULLIGAN MEETS SCOTT HAMILTON)? WHEN I WAS PLAYING "NOBLESSE", MY WIFE WAS TAKING SHOWER BUT SHE RUN TO TAKE A QUICK LOOK OF WHAT GOING ON IN THE ROOM;I ASK HER WHAT'S UP? AND SHE SAID:"...BUT THIS THING LOOKS LIKE REALITY..." THE 703 CAN BRING THE STUDIO OR CONCERT HOME SOUNDING REAL. "CRY ME A RIVER"BY RAY BROWN SOUNDS SO GOOD AND DIANA KRALL"S "A CASE OF YOU"&"NARROW DAYLIGHT" SOUND BETTER THAN LOVE-CANDY.... A WELL-ENGINEERED SPEAKER, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW POLK CAN SELL THIS FOR $1,500. FOR 3TIMES THIS PRICE, I WOULD BUY THIS SPEAKER AS AFFORDABLE. ALL I CAN DO AS MUSIC LOVER IS TO PRAY FOR POLK NOT TO CLOSE BUSINESS FOR SELLING THE DIAMOND FOR THE PRICE OF THE GOLD. THIS 703 IS WORTH AUDITIONING BY ANY SERIOUS LISTENER; 2 OR MULTICHANNEL MUSIC AND HOME HT LOVERS ALIKE. I'VE COME INTO AGREEMENT WITH MYSELF THAT THE 703 IS A TRUE STEP UP FROM THE LSI-9 WITH 8OHM AND EASIER ON THE AMP.AND BEAUTY...BUT I WILL ALWAY KEEP THE 9 IN THE OTHER ROOM. KEEP UP THE GOOD THING,POLK.GOD BLESS POLK. BUT I WANT TO TELL AUDIOPHILE THAT THE AUDIOENGINE LITTLE D1-DAC IS NOT A TOY BUT TRULY A SERIOUS SOUNDING DAC. WHEN COMBINE WITH APPLE TV, IT SOUND VERY CLOSE TO MY $1,000DAC MEANING COMPONENTS DON'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE TO SOUND GOOD.IT IS ABOUT THE RIGHT COMBINATION. ELECTRONICS:PS AUDIO DL3 DAC, PS AUDIO TRIO 100AMPS, AUDIOENGINE D1 DAC, NAD C162, NAD C372,APPLE TV,WADIA DOCK i170, MACBOOK PRO 2011, HARMONY ONE REMOTE AND AUDIOQUEST INTERCONNECTS. G.A&WIFE FROM NEW JERSEY,USA.

by Paul, July 29, 2012

Strengths:

Everything is great, but the bass that these put out is the most impressive strength to me.

Weaknesses:

More color options? As you tell, I really can't think of a weakness.

Review:

These speakers replaced LSi 9's in my computer room which is a small 11x11 room with 12' ceilings. System consists of a NAD 116 Preamp, Grant Fidelity B-283 Tube Buffer, Carver TFM-55 amp, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Pro-ject Debut iii Turntable, and a Squeezebox. I was a big fan of my LSi 9's, but they are no match for the 703's. I honestly have to say that they do everything better than the 9's, including looking better when they are not even turned on. I have the midnight mahogany finish and it matches very well with the other furniture in my room. These speakers are top-notch from the time you open the box as even the packaging is first rate. They are a beautiful, well-made, high-end looking speaker. I love the magnetic grill which is a simple, nice touch. Out of the box these speakers sound fantastic, but they do get even better with a little break in. I'm happy to read in a previous review that they really open up after about 80 hours because I'm at about 40 hours right no and I think they are phenomenal. If you are in the market for a pair of speakers in this price range, I highly recommend you give them a listen. They may not be for you, but you should at least hear them to decide.

Positive Feedback

—Francisco Duran

"I must admit that I was surprised by these speakers. But I shouldn't have been. With their excellent build quality and fine engineering the music followed suit...Their earthy yet inviting sound will have you listening for hours."

[ Open Review ]

Stereophile

—Robert J. Reina

"In the LSiM703, Polk Audio has created a revealing, neutral, dynamic, and cosmetically stunning, three-way bookshelf loudspeaker, and has once again demonstrated its ability to offer excellent value for money...Once again, my hat is off to the Polk design team."

[ Open Review ]