Lsi-9's (1 Viewer)

[Tyler Cookson]

Through my accomodations at Circuit city, I can obtain a pair of polk LSi-9 speakers for $410 shipped. Did a lot of searches on this forum, and found that this is a spectacular deal. But now I am not sure if I have the proper equipment. I am just an audiophile 16 year old kid right now with some spare cash from working too damn much.

equipment right now

reciever is Harmon Kardon AVR130

A sony dvd player I got for a $149 a year ago. (using digital coax for connection)

- 1 year old pair of Bose 301's (which I plan on replacing)
- infinity alpha center (something nice during movies)
- some older bose speakers for surrounds

keep in mind this is mainly for music, and I know mixing the speaker brands isnt very good, but I just normally do stereo listning

Using a 12" rca sub i got from radio shack for like 100 dollars a year ago. (doing a DIY subwoofer with an 11cubic foot box tuned to 20hz using a 15" resonant engineering HC)

I am pretty sure using this equipment would def not be using those lsi9's to their full potential. I just bought the receiever, and keep in mind I only make about 300 worth of spending money every month (but don't really want to spend ALL that towards audio gear)

How would the lsi-9s sound with just this equipment in comparison to my bose 301's? Or what else should I buy (within a 300-400 price range) to make the lsi-9s sound better? (like power amp)

 

[Tyler Cookson]

Any help would be much appreciated, I am not new to the audio world, just new to the audiophile world.

 

[Huy T]

The lsi-9s' Nominal Impedance is 4 ohms, your Harmon Kardon AVR130 will not handle it well, and you will occasionally experience temporary shut down of the receiver . I suggest you to either get a receiver or a power amplifier that can handle 4 ohms load. Or you can get the rti8s for $300 through your accomodations at Circuit City.

 

[Paul_J_D]

I own both the LSi 9's and the 15's. The 9's do respond very favorably to amplification rated for 4 ohms. I have run them with good results on NAD C270, Rotel RB 1070, and B&K ST125.2 amps. You can also look into Outlaw amps.

The NAD power amps are nice budget amps and have good sound for the price. If your H/K has preouts you can try this combo out. Check out Yawaonline as they are a factory authorized NAD dealer.

Can you return the H/K receiver? NAD and Rotel make receivers that can handle 4 ohm loads nicely but those might be a little out of your price range.

 

[Frank Zimkas]

The 9's are a phenominal speaker if provided with the right amplification. If your receiver has preouts you could add a seperate amp and bring those 9's to life.

Placement and toe-in are critical with the 9's. Don't be shy about moving them around and trying various amounts of toe-in. Try setting them up spaced the same distance from each other as they are from your listening position (equalateral triangle). Aim them both at the same point and enjoy!

 

[Tyler Cookson]

Sounds excellent, any other factors I should put into consideration to help improve sound from them considering my equipment, or is placement and better amplification the best route to go?

Also is $450 dollars for a good amp for these as cheap as it gets? keep in mind I am just a kid who wants some excellent sound (limited budget)

Would a Crown XLS202 work well on it, or would it be craving higher quality power?

 

[Frank Zimkas]

I'm not familiar with Crown amps so I really cant say yea or nay. You might want to try a pair of Outlaw mono blocks.

 

[Lewis Besze]

What Frank said.
Besides placement and good amplification,there isn't much to be done maybe room treatment,which I wouldn't worry about right now,if I were you.First stop, get a descent amp.

 

[Tyler Cookson]

Awesome, I checked out the outlaw m-block amplifier. looks sweet. saw it does 8 ohm and 4 ohm, but somewhere it said it can even handle down to 2 ohms.

I know you can do this with subs, but I never thought about it for speakers. Could i just wire the polks into series so the amp gets an 8ohm load (100 watts each. But subs are mono, So I don't know if it will work with that. maybe just a stupid idea

 

[Frank Zimkas]

Nope. Just get 2 monoblocks and your golden.

 

[Tyler Cookson]

I just dont think I can afford something like that right now. I can do the speakers.. but is their not a 200-300 dollar amplifier I can buy for them. How much of a difference am I looking at from just powering them from my reciever, then with a new amplifier?

 

[Tony Genovese]

Buy the speakers and get the amp when you can afford it. You might find it'll be ok with 130 as long as you don't push it.