David Strand
Agent
- Joined
- May 10, 2004
- Messages
- 42
I've been hearing about the $199 deal for a pair of (refurbished) Polk LSI7 speakers at Fry's. I've been debating upgrading my setup with the LSI series all the way around, so I ended up buying a pair (their last pair besides display models). My first impression of them out of the box is very positive, the finish on them is perfect. I would not have known they were refurbished if it was not printed on the Fry's pricing sticker on the box (beware if you think you are buying brand new ones off ebay).
Upon bringing them home I compared them to my current JBL HLS-810 bookshelves (2 way, 8", horn tweeter) in 2 channel stereo mode with no sub using a few CDs such as the IASCA test cd, Nora Jones, the Eagles, Brian Seltzer orchestra, Blues Travelers. At the moment I am running an Onkyo 676 HT receiver.
To be honest, I've had the JBLs for a number of years and am still pleasantly impressed by them. The Polk's do sound a little better, vocals a bit more natural, imaging and separation of instruments a bit better. The JBLs do have smoother and a bit more bass, the Polk's are a little punchy which was surprising for their size, but overly punchy in my opinion. These LSI7s will end up being my surround speakers; I'm not sure I would use them as mains even with a sub. Maybe that opinion will change as they get broken in. I will use them as mains for a few weeks to see.
For $200 I think they are a great buy. I actually use this mostly for home theater, not much 2ch music. I hope that once I get the rest of the set it will be no comparison to my current setup. I plan on lsi-15s in the front and lsi-center in the center. Currently I have 6 of the HLS-810s, same speaker all the way around.
Upon bringing them home I compared them to my current JBL HLS-810 bookshelves (2 way, 8", horn tweeter) in 2 channel stereo mode with no sub using a few CDs such as the IASCA test cd, Nora Jones, the Eagles, Brian Seltzer orchestra, Blues Travelers. At the moment I am running an Onkyo 676 HT receiver.
To be honest, I've had the JBLs for a number of years and am still pleasantly impressed by them. The Polk's do sound a little better, vocals a bit more natural, imaging and separation of instruments a bit better. The JBLs do have smoother and a bit more bass, the Polk's are a little punchy which was surprising for their size, but overly punchy in my opinion. These LSI7s will end up being my surround speakers; I'm not sure I would use them as mains even with a sub. Maybe that opinion will change as they get broken in. I will use them as mains for a few weeks to see.
For $200 I think they are a great buy. I actually use this mostly for home theater, not much 2ch music. I hope that once I get the rest of the set it will be no comparison to my current setup. I plan on lsi-15s in the front and lsi-center in the center. Currently I have 6 of the HLS-810s, same speaker all the way around.