Polk Audio LSi15 Left Channel Tower Speaker (Single, Cherry)
Posted by Amazon Deals | Posted in Amazon Best Sellers, Amazon Deals, Electronics Deals, Polk Audio | Posted on 10-05-2010-05-2008
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Polk Audio LSi15 Left Channel Tower Speaker (Single, Cherry)
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 List Price: $924.95 Sale Price: $849.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping 
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Product Description
New high definition audio formats such as Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio demand a new level of performance from today`s loudspeakers. LSi are the ultimate expression of Polk Audio's mission to provide the highest quality audio products at a reasonable price. The LSi15 is a floorstanding speaker that delivers superior linearity, definition and imaging, as well as bass response that`s rich, deep and satisfying. Like the whole LSi Series, they are highly accurate and intensely musical. Their mirrored image driver arrays and Ring Radiator Tweeter present a large soundstage without sacrificing pinpoint localization. Listen to the LSi Loudspeakers with SACD and DVD-Audio sources to reveal their higher accuracy and resolution, with more dynamic response and superb focus. The LSi Series delivers three-dimensional imaging and remarkable reproduction of even the finest details. The LSi Series from Polk Audio is the new standard in affordable loudspeakers for serious listening. The Evolution of the Polk Sound.
Details
- A single tower speaker with mirror imaged speaker pairs for true three-dimensional sound imaging
- Equipped with two 5.25-inch dynamic balance aerated polypropylene composite drivers
- Contains a built-in 8-inch subwoofer for true full-range performance
- Equipped with one 1-inch high performance ring radiator tweeter
- 1.5-inch side panels provide a totally inert enclosure
Rating
I recently upgraded my Denon 2801 5.1 receiver to the Denon 4310Ci 7.1 and wanted to upgrade the entire speaker set, except for the Velodyne sub woofer. There are many choices available for the $5K price range. My overall goal was to have all matching speakers and they must sound good for both movies and music. I read many reviews and listened to several brands; B&W, Kilpse, Definitive Tech, Vieanna Acustics,Polks RTi and LSi series. Ultimately I selected the Polk LSi for it performance, looks, and cost.
The 7.1 speaker setup I selected are Polk LSi15 for fronts, LSi9 for front wide, LSiC for center, and LSi7 for rear surround. All of these speakers were purchased from Amazon except the LSi15. I originally purchased the LSi15 from a supplier through Amazon but had to return them because it was not new as it was stated. The LSi15 were purchased from OneCall which turns out to be a vey good internet supplier like Amazon. All the speakers shipped from Amazon and also OneCall came in on time and in perfect condition!.
The sound of this LSi 7.1 surround setup is just awesome and it sounds great for both movies and music. Great imaging and depth for the LSi15, Lsi9, and LSi7. Each of these sets were evaluated as stereo pairs first in my setup and as the speaker size increased so did the sound of the base of course. The LSi15 being the best on the bass end versus the LSi7. The LSi9 are very good and could be a good choice for fronts also, with sub woofer.
The sound from these speakers for movies and music video is just amazing, all blending in seamlessly. Try the Chris Botti or the Kenny G latest music video in Blue Ray. Chris Bottis music video is recorded in 7.1, the video and sound through my LSi setup is just like you are almost there. I’ve also played my older CD recordings to compare with my existing SARA front speakers and the LSi15 just sound so much better.
Overall I’m very happy with my purchase of the Polk Audio LSi speakers, LSi15, LSi9, LSi7, and LSC centers. They all blend together in both looks and sound. The speaker finish and the sonic quaility of these Polk Audio LSi offer a great performance for the cost, best bang for my buck!
Rating
This is Polk Audio’s top end line, but this is a serious case of getting what you paid for. The audio reproduction these speakers are capable of, at the price level, is simply fantastic. I replaced a set of Polk RTI8s with right/left channel Lsi 15s, and top to bottom, there is simply no comparison. I have them set up in a 5.1 channel arrangement, with the LsiC as the center, and two RTIA4s at the surround channels. Denon 4308CI used as a processor to a outlaw 7125 amp driving the speakers, with the l/r channels passively bi-amped using the 6th and 7th channels on the outlaw. The positives:
1. Full range response such that I no longer need to use a sub-woofer to supplement to bottom end on 2-channel listening.
2. Incredibly detailed sound that brings out elements within music that were previously undetectable.
3. Smooth top end that you wouldn’t associate with Polks, which are often described as either “clear” or “harsh” depending on your point of view. You can listen to these things for hours without the slightest bit of fatigue, something I couldn’t say of my previous speakers.
4. These things are beautiful, back, front and side. Piano black with cherry side panels. And no ugly bass port on the back. Port is in the gap at the bottom, where 4 columns raise the tower about 2 inches from the base.
The negatives:
1. 4 ohm load along with relatively low sensitivity (88db) = power hungry speakers! Be prepared to buy a separate amplifier, as most integrated receivers are not designed to drive this kind of load. Even my 4308ci was running a little hot for comfort, trying to drive these things directly. And that is a pretty hefty receiver. The moral of the story is that the price of the speakers probably isn’t the end of the upgrade, unless you already have a good amp. This is a big consideration, depending on your budget.
2. Sometimes detail can be bad. SACD, DVD-A, Vinyl, Blu-ray = good. CD = sometimes not so good. And if you listen to compressed mp3s on your home audio system on a regular basis, these speakers probably are not going to be worth it to you. Source material counts, big time, but that is true of any speakers in this price range. They are not going to make bad source material sound good. They are going to make good source material sound great.
3. Somewhat picky about placement and listening position. They are great if set up properly, and you are in a good listening position relative to that set up, but you won’t get the full effect otherwise. This applies to all speakers, but more to these than to other speakers I have had the opportunity to listen to. Not a big deal to me, but possibly for others.
I am very happy with my purchase, overall, and would recommend these speakers to anybody who is making the jump from big box consumer audio equipment into entry level audiophile equipment. They work well in a 5.1 arrangement with movies, and they are fantastic with good 2-channel material. That being said, everyone has different tastes, and it pays to listen before you purchase (if possible). I believe this product is a bargain compared to other speakers that are similarly capable, and I am not alone in that opinion (just search the forums, and professional reviews). But it pays to take your time, and consider all the options, especially when you are spending this kind of money.
Amazon buying experience was, as usual, without hassle.
Rating
I have recently bought a left and right channel of these LSi 15s and I paired them with my Martin Logan Aeon i speakers. The LSi 15s hold there own with the Martin Logans, which cost 3 times as much. The MLs are a little more transparent and have a crisper high end, but not by much. When you play the LSi 15s you are listening to one of the best speaker bargains on the market today. Well made and designed. They are a beautiful speaker as well. When you listen to the MLs and the LSi 15s at the same time the sound is awesome and they complement each other very well. I know it sounds hard to believe but it’s true. Speaker placement is critical for both speakers. If you follow the manufactures recommendations placement is fairly easy. You should have a fairly powerful amp at least 90 watts to really get the most from them. The only negative about the LSi 15s is the spikes and feet. This is a minor concern.
Rating
you can get a pair of these from a certain auction website for $1100 with a factory warranty. yay.