Just looking for some opinions on the Polk Audio LSi series speakers. How do they compare to Klipcsh, Paradigm and some of the other well known manufacturers?

they don't...

not as well built

decent sound

poor price points in comparison with competitors

WAY too much presence in B&M stores...

Look at lower end Triads, Boston Acoustics, Pinnacle, Energy, PhaseTech, even MK (if you can get ahold of em') etc...

avdude

I hope the two replies above mine are just jokes. I've sold Polk, Paradigm, & Klipsch speakers for over a decade and can say with confidence that these speaker brands compare very favorably with each other. It depends on what you need the speakers to do for you. Sounds easy, but for many it isn't. Do you want speakers that sound incredible? Of course, but do you care if they are humongous and expensive? Do you want them to be nearly invisible, or do want them to peel the paint off the neighbor's house without breaking a sweat? No problem, except the fact that ALL speakers are a compromise.

There is no speaker that is the smallest, best-sounding, best-looking, AND cheapest. The best way to find out what speaker is right for you, sonically speaking, is simply to listen to them with the same music you plan on playing through them at home. Of course you may find many speakers you like, so you will need to whittle down the pack to a few choice units. Your process of elimination should include: price, placement will determine size and /or type (in-wall, tower, bookshelf, mini, micro), and looks (important to some). Use these criteria to get down to a few units for sonic comparison.

Take your own music for demo's, DO NOT rely on a salesperson having a great selection of music to listen to, many leave their 'best' stuff at home. Take some time to do a listening comparison. DON'T let anyone rush you into a decision, including yourself, unless you don't mind being stuck with buyer's remorse. DO NOT buy a speaker based on price alone, unless you really just don't care. The few bucks you save today won't mean crap over the lifetime of a speaker you don't really like. Also don't buy another speaker because the speaker you like is not in stock, trust me they'll make more.

DON'T buy a speaker based on some BS 'new' technology alone. Speakers have improved mostly in materials over the years, but much of the technology continues down a narrow path of 'improvement' that has not changed significantly in nearly 75 years! And although it's quaint to hear a good surround sound demo, DON'T be fooled into buying a speaker based on a great experience/presentation vs. a solid music-only demo, it’s easy to be distracted by what's going down on-screen.

Human hearing is very subjective. Ever go to a concert buzzed with your good buddies? You would probably say that was the best "sounding" concert ever! Realistically, the music could have been too loud, overdriven and distorted with bad reverberation. Your "experience" as a whole can artificially raise your perception of the 'quality' of the music you hear.

Additionally, human memory retention doesn't work well in terms of absolutes. Therefore, it is a good idea to compare speakers' sonic qualities in as short a period of time as possible. All in one listening session is best, if a dealer carries all the brands your interested in. That dealer may also not pressure you as much, knowing that you will be buying something from that shop.

Also, try to listen to the different speakers with the SAME music @ the SAME volume. This may be tough to do, but if you are truly comparing the sound quality of speakers, then hearing them at the same volume will eliminate the bias many people have to buy the ‘louder’ speaker. Just as with the ‘brighter’ TV, the difference in quantity output may shadow differences in true quality.

And finally, that comment about the Polk LSi-series not being as well built, hogwash. Well built as what, a tank! The LSi-9 speakers weigh over 65lbs. per pair (shipping weight), and that's for a speaker only 15"hx9w"x15"d! The LSi-series are probably the finest speaker Polk has ever produced. That's not to say there aren't better speakers out there, there are if you have the dough and the time to hunt them down and demo them. You should of course listen to the Klipsch and Paradigm 'Reference' series lines and see what you think of them as well.

I hope this helps you find the speaker that is right for you. Remember why you are buying speakers in the first place, and stick to that goal.

Crazy Ed

I hope the two replies above mine are just jokes. I've sold Polk, Paradigm, & Klipsch speakers for over a decade and can say with confidence that these speaker brands compare very favorably with each other. It depends on what you need the speakers to do for you. Sounds easy, but for many it isn't. Do you want speakers that sound incredible? Of course, but do you care if they are humongous and expensive? Do you want them to be nearly invisible, or do want them to peel the paint off the neighbor's house without breaking a sweat? No problem, except the fact that ALL speakers are a compromise.

There is no speaker that is the smallest, best-sounding, best-looking, AND cheapest. The best way to find out what speaker is right for you, sonically speaking, is simply to listen to them with the same music you plan on playing through them at home. Of course you may find many speakers you like, so you will need to whittle down the pack to a few choice units. Your process of elimination should include: price, placement will determine size and /or type (in-wall, tower, bookshelf, mini, micro), and looks (important to some). Use these criteria to get down to a few units for sonic comparison.

Take your own music for demo's, DO NOT rely on a salesperson having a great selection of music to listen to, many leave their 'best' stuff at home. Take some time to do a listening comparison. DON'T let anyone rush you into a decision, including yourself, unless you don't mind being stuck with buyer's remorse. DO NOT buy a speaker based on price alone, unless you really just don't care. The few bucks you save today won't mean crap over the lifetime of a speaker you don't really like. Also don't buy another speaker because the speaker you like is not in stock, trust me they'll make more.

DON'T buy a speaker based on some BS 'new' technology alone. Speakers have improved mostly in materials over the years, but much of the technology continues down a narrow path of 'improvement' that has not changed significantly in nearly 75 years! And although it's quaint to hear a good surround sound demo, DON'T be fooled into buying a speaker based on a great experience/presentation vs. a solid music-only demo, it’s easy to be distracted by what's going down on-screen.

Human hearing is very subjective. Ever go to a concert buzzed with your good buddies? You would probably say that was the best "sounding" concert ever! Realistically, the music could have been too loud, overdriven and distorted with bad reverberation. Your "experience" as a whole can artificially raise your perception of the 'quality' of the music you hear.

Additionally, human memory retention doesn't work well in terms of absolutes. Therefore, it is a good idea to compare speakers' sonic qualities in as short a period of time as possible. All in one listening session is best, if a dealer carries all the brands your interested in. That dealer may also not pressure you as much, knowing that you will be buying something from that shop.

Also, try to listen to the different speakers with the SAME music @ the SAME volume. This may be tough to do, but if you are truly comparing the sound quality of speakers, then hearing them at the same volume will eliminate the bias many people have to buy the ‘louder’ speaker. Just as with the ‘brighter’ TV, the difference in quantity output may shadow differences in true quality.

And finally, that comment about the Polk LSi-series not being as well built, hogwash. Well built as what, a tank! The LSi-9 speakers weigh over 65lbs. per pair (shipping weight), and that's for a speaker only 15"hx9w"x15"d! The LSi-series are probably the finest speaker Polk has ever produced. That's not to say there aren't better speakers out there, there are if you have the dough and the time to hunt them down and demo them. You should of course listen to the Klipsch and Paradigm 'Reference' series lines and see what you think of them as well.

I hope this helps you find the speaker that is right for you. Remember why you are buying speakers in the first place, and stick to that goal.

CrazyEdd

no joke...just offered up the next price level..since all mentioned above are in the next price bracket...guess I should have clarified that...ohhh...and having done pro sound AND home sound for years, I'm not sure one could EVER draw an accurate comparison between horn loaded (Klipsch and almost ALL pro audio) and domed tweeters...two VERY distinctly differnet sounds...

Why does Klipsch sound the way they do? cause a horn puts a sweet spot everywhere...with no image!

Has anyone here EVER found the dead center, sweet spot, IMAGE with a pair of Klipsch? Not being antagonistic here, I really want to know....room acoustics, equipment, everything...

Oh...and most of the speakers I mentioned above, as if it matters, weigh well over 40 lbs...EACH...primarily due to the driver components on them...

By the way, I am a Polk Fan...I sell em, and I own several pairs....but there are some alternatives out there....

CrazyEdd...welcome aboard, very good input, and very true, final speaker preference is VERY subjective, objective and personal...hope you come to realize that this board is based LARGELY on opinion, as were my comments above....that's what most visitors here want.

I happen to think some of your comments are a joke...but would not have normally pointed that out...and a "decade" ago, Polk had a speaker that was 7' tall and WAS one of the very best EVER!!!

avdude

This message was edited by avdude on 11/22/03 09:49.

different strokes for different folks ... I happen to be a Klipsch fan ... great rock and roll speaker ... I'm waiting for my RF-35's to arrive any day, throw in a Led Zepplin CD and let the fun begin

lowvolt...

agree with you 100%

There may not be a finer rock n roll speaker out there in many price brackets than the Klipsch...great lows...ear splitting highs...again, horn loaded for excellent saturation and large sound stage...and ear splitting, chest thumping volumes..,

My biggest aversion to Klipsch, is that they are SOOOO widely available here, that I can't sell em...and I can't buy enough of em to get the discounts that the BigBox that has em can get, so I can't sell them as affordably either...

'sounds' like you got a good thanksgiving coming up, good music, good beverages, good food and good friends!

avdude

I suppose if your shopping at Circuit City or Best Buy, the Polk speakers are about the best in the store. But, obviously the selection is limited. We don't have alot of Klipsch around here believe it or not. So I can't give you an opinion on Klipsch, A speaker that I really like for middle of the road cost and qood quality sound is the JM Lab speakers. How do you guys feel about them? I was able to sit down and compare them with a group of other speakers awhile back and was pretty impressed.

AVDUDE's quote
"There may not be a finer rock n roll speaker out there in many price brackets than the Klipsch...great lows...ear splitting highs...again, horn loaded for excellent saturation and large sound stage...and ear splitting, chest thumping volumes..,"
STOP IT ... I'm still waiting on them to arrive ... you're making me CRAZY ... "It's been a long time since a rock and roll"
On a side note, here on the east coast(as far as I know) the Reference line is reserved for us dealers (custom) and Klipsch has just about nipped that internet thing in the bud (or so I hope) ... Definately better than it was ...