|
Post by eric84405 on Sept 27, 2009 12:15:41 GMT -5
Hello all, I currently own Polk Lsi 15, LsiC and LsiFx speakers. Has anyone had these speakers and subsequently replaced with a full compliment of Emotiva speakers? I'm trying to determine if this would be worth the effort. My Lsi speakers are very good but can be overpowered by the XPA-5. I have also thought about sticking with the Lsi setup and performing upgrades on the crossover networks as info to do this is readily available. Thanks in advance for any insight.
|
|
|
Post by localnet on Sept 28, 2009 14:03:07 GMT -5
I had an older set of Polks, and also have 12 pairs of their TC line in my ceilings for the whole house audio system and a few others in use around the house. I cannot comment on your particular set, but I found that the Emo's walked all over my Polks, then kicked them out the door, bounced them down the driveway and threw them in the pond.
If I were you, I would go with the 8.3's and grab a 6.3 for the center. The sound is night and day, bass is so tight during movies and the two channel sounds incredible. I am awaiting the arrival of the Emo subs to use in my two channel music setup. My SVS PC13-Ultra is just a touch to boomy for music compared to the 8.3 Emos.
Mike
|
|
|
Post by iskandam on Sept 28, 2009 14:10:33 GMT -5
I haven't heard any of the Emo speakers but if you want to keep the LSis just find a used MPS-1 and hook them up with silver ICs. You'll be surprised at the jump in sound quality over the XPA-5. Tighter bass, improved imaging, increased clarity, bigger and deeper soundstage. I used to have the LSis and found the perfect synergy with silver ICs and MPS-1.
I never got around to upgrading the crossover but do this too and you'll up the sound another notch.
|
|
|
Post by eric84405 on Sept 28, 2009 20:47:00 GMT -5
Thank you guys for the input. I have not had the XPA-5 very long (it replaced an LPA-1. Maybe if I can find an MPS-1 for not too much money, I'll check it out.
|
|
|
Post by devani on Sept 29, 2009 8:46:08 GMT -5
so any difference in going from LPA-1 to XPA-5?? I am thinking of downgrade to LPA from XPA-5. I would just keep LSi speakers for now and find MPS-1 like Mike said.
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Ben on Sept 29, 2009 9:01:20 GMT -5
so any difference in going from LPA-1 to XPA-5?? I am thinking of downgrade to LPA from XPA-5. I would just keep LSi speakers for now and find MPS-1 like Mike said. The LPA-1 and XPA-5 share the same basic design (as do the UPA amps), they're just scaled up/down. So they should sound nearly identical, except when going beyond the capabilities of the LPA-1. The MPS/RPA amps are a different design.
|
|
|
Post by devani on Sept 29, 2009 12:19:25 GMT -5
so any difference in going from LPA-1 to XPA-5?? I am thinking of downgrade to LPA from XPA-5. I would just keep LSi speakers for now and find MPS-1 like Mike said. The LPA-1 and XPA-5 share the same basic design (as do the UPA amps), they're just scaled up/down. So they should sound nearly identical, except when going beyond the capabilities of the LPA-1. The MPS/RPA amps are a different design. Thanks, but I wanted to know from an actual owner who had both LPA and XPA for LSi's...
|
|
|
Post by meanuc on Sept 29, 2009 16:25:24 GMT -5
I have your speaker set up and the MPS-1/DMC-1 combo. I love the MPS-1 for all the speakers but I keep looking to add (2) XPA-1's to my system for the fronts when I am in 2 channel mode. I moved from Polk RT600's to LSi's and am very pleased. I would love to try out the ERT8.3/6.3 combo and the XPA-1's but am limited on space/funding. I do listen to loud music and I do get the MPS-1 heating up with the fans running and a slight electrical smell to it but I have read that on here before and only when I am running them about 110 db in 2 channel. I tried passive bi-amping the 15's with the MPS-1 and noted no difference at all. The biggest difference I noted was when I put 10 gauge Blue Jean Cable speaker wires from the MPS-1 to the 15's and the soundstage opened up dramatically along with the bass response. My old cables were probably 14 gauge crap from Home depot. You can't go wrong with the MPS-1, you could wait for the XPA-7 or go get (2) XPA-1's and a XPA-3. So many choices so little $$$$.
|
|
|
Post by eric84405 on Sept 29, 2009 16:40:22 GMT -5
Devani, I did not notice a huge difference going from the LPA-1 to the XPA-5. The Polk Lsi' are a 4 ohm load and relatively inefficient. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the LPA-1 has plenty of power (I still have it). The sound quality of the two is so close that I doubt anyone could tell a difference. Or as Mr. Ben said-the only time it would be noticeable is when you go beyond the power capabilities of the LPA-1.
|
|
|
Post by devani on Sept 30, 2009 7:47:33 GMT -5
good, thank you....huge difference means that it's noticable tho?? but not much?? i know MPS are rare and good match with LSi....but it's rare....
|
|
|
Post by eric84405 on Sept 30, 2009 17:17:50 GMT -5
I guess you could substitute the word "much" where I used the word huge. Then my post might make more sense. I would consider the LPA-1 to be ideal for driving the Lsi lineup. The only time I see the extra power of the XPA-5 being necessary is if you are trying to fill a very large room. For me, the XPA made sense as my theater will be about 4000ft3 when finished.
|
|
|
Post by devani on Oct 1, 2009 7:07:31 GMT -5
my living room is about or more than 5000ft3 but this includes two open sided kitchen.....keep in mind that I already have XPA-5 and just wondering if LPA would be enough for it....
again thanks for the response....
|
|
|
Post by eric84405 on Oct 1, 2009 18:05:35 GMT -5
If you already have the XPA-5, I wouldn't bother with an LPA-1. From what I have seen, an LPA-1 sells used for about $150- $200 below what a used XPA-5 sells for. Hardly worth the savings.
|
|
|
Post by devani on Oct 2, 2009 10:37:02 GMT -5
thanks, Eric....MPS's are rarely on the market....so I will just keep the XPA-5 for now~~
|
|
scottl
Sensei
Stereo Pack Rat
Posts: 207
|
Post by scottl on Oct 8, 2009 16:32:59 GMT -5
I have had Polk LSi15's for several years now, and I just spent some time with the ERT-8.3's at RMAF. I felt that the 8.3's were the clear winner for theater applications - cleaner, clearer, more dynamic, very cohesive. You'd probably get the dynamic headroom and volume you're looking for, and an overall improvement to boot.
For music, the matter was less clear cut. The Polk's are less neutral, but they are more involving. The 8.3's didn't draw me in as much; but they were extended, tight, and clean without being harsh or forward ("Oppression" from Ben Harper's Fight for Your Mind sounded great). If you had a slightly warmer room or system, the 8.3's would probably be big musical winners, too.
|
|
|
Post by eric84405 on Oct 11, 2009 21:11:14 GMT -5
Scott, Thanks for your feedback. Exactly what I need to know. I would definitely like to hear the 8.3's before making any decisions. Thanks again. Eric
|
|
scottl
Sensei
Stereo Pack Rat
Posts: 207
|
Post by scottl on Oct 13, 2009 13:39:46 GMT -5
You're welcome! I'm glad my tweakiness was able to help someone ;D
|
|
|
Post by iskandam on Oct 24, 2009 13:31:41 GMT -5
thanks, Eric....MPS's are rarely on the market....so I will just keep the XPA-5 for now~~ Until you find that used MPS, I'd highly recommend using silver ICs. I had Ben from the Polk forum make them for me and find them to be an excellent match with XPA-5 and LSis. They add detail, clarity, and spaciousness to the sound while still maintaining the smoothness and musicality that the LSis are known for.
|
|
|
Post by solidstate on Oct 28, 2009 13:45:34 GMT -5
The biggest difference I noted was when I put 10 gauge Blue Jean Cable speaker wires from the MPS-1 to the 15's and the soundstage opened up dramatically along with the bass response. My old cables were probably 14 gauge crap from Home depot. A lot of people on other forums would practically line you up on the wall with a firing squad for suggesting speaker cables can make a difference... LOL I personally believe and have heard it make a difference. One thing I can say if you are using that Belden SKU is that Bluejeans uses really cheap WBT knockoff locking bananas that are total CRAP. They aren't even made of brass but some VERY CHEAP cast material so signal is forced into the VERY THIN gold plating. If you have those bananas ditch them and get some cheap copper spades from Vampire or something to that affect. You will hear a difference. Also if the speaker is bi-amp capable with two sets of terminals, remove the jumper plates and use speaker cable to jump the terminals. As for an LFE cable single ended the LC-1 coax is the best stuff I've ever come across for a sub cable... If your not using that with your sub get a segment!!! Now that was one cable change I heard HUGE improvements with... Just my 2 cents... Solid-State PS I used 5T00UP for a long while (6 spools at 1000') doing installs. It's great speaker cable but if your a Belden fan the better SKU is 1313A. I've been trying to convince Bluejeans to replace the 5T00UP with 1313A for a few years now... LOL
|
|
|
Post by broncsrule21 on Oct 28, 2009 21:08:58 GMT -5
The biggest difference I noted was when I put 10 gauge Blue Jean Cable speaker wires from the MPS-1 to the 15's and the soundstage opened up dramatically along with the bass response. My old cables were probably 14 gauge crap from Home depot. A lot of people on other forums would practically line you up on the wall with a firing squad for suggesting speaker cables can make a difference... LOL I personally believe and have heard it make a difference. One thing I can say if you are using that Belden SKU is that Bluejeans uses really cheap WBT knockoff locking bananas that are total CRAP. They aren't even made of brass but some VERY CHEAP cast material so signal is forced into the VERY THIN gold plating. If you have those bananas ditch them and get some cheap copper spades from Vampire or something to that affect. You will hear a difference. Also if the speaker is bi-amp capable with two sets of terminals, remove the jumper plates and use speaker cable to jump the terminals. As for an LFE cable single ended the LC-1 coax is the best stuff I've ever come across for a sub cable... If your not using that with your sub get a segment!!! Now that was one cable change I heard HUGE improvements with... Just my 2 cents... Solid-State PS I used 5T00UP for a long while (6 spools at 1000') doing installs. It's great speaker cable but if your a Belden fan the better SKU is 1313A. I've been trying to convince Bluejeans to replace the 5T00UP with 1313A for a few years now... LOL What do you think ofthe Canare 4S11 cable?
|
|