Polk Audio LSi 15 - are these the REAL DEAL ???

LSI 15....what type of amplifier / preamp or integrated would work best with this speaker ?

Thanks!

Lush,

Pairing LSI 15 speakers, I guess you are just recommending these amps because there are pretty good, I am actually hoping to hear from actual experiences of using electronics with these amazing speakers. I agree that all of the above amps are outstanding, save the Moon product - Moon gear never did it for me sonically.

Thanks Lush! I was inspired by your comment that ''Every single upgrade you do from now on, you'll hear with those speakers'' Well, I followed the word from the wise and upgraded my speaker cables to Nordost Red Dawn (from an entry-level Kimber cable, not bad in itself). All I can say is that the sound improved in every way. This LSi 15 speaker is indeed stunning, and not just for the price. Main improvements are: Bass is just as tight and low, but know I can actually hear the actual vibration of the strings, and the vocals are just eerie and grab you with emotion. I am set with my speakers for a long time now ''hopefully'' as I can now just relax and enjoy the music. One last thing, I tried this little gizmo called the ''Quiet Line'' that I have been wondering about it's merit for quite some time. It DEFINITELY WORKS in the right direction ! I would like to hear about others who have tried this also...and would appreciated input from other LSi 15 owners and how they got the best of this amazing speaker...thanks!

Sorry for the late response, my source and amps: Sony 9000ES DVD player for a source and a Unison Unico integrated. Nice match. I am also using Nordost Blue Heaven interconnects, MIT Terminator-2 speaker wire, and a Richard Gray power conditionner. (the conditionner I am not sure about it's benefits).BTW, I just saw an LSi-15 for sale here on A'GON at a real good price. It would make a nice purchase for the holidays at the price it is being offered.

Ok my mind is made up! I'M getting the LSI 15 ! Just back from a business trip where I had a chance to take some time off to go for an audition (no used LSI 15 available on audiogon, unfortunately, they seem scarce).

I had the opportunity to do some critical listening of the LSI 15 against the LSI 25. Not the best setting, I may add. The LSI 25 is a fine speaker, but I think the LSI 15 is a more neutral and coherent speaker. It is the more accurate speaker in my opinion. I am paying almost full retail for mine, but what can I say, they are worth every penny, and I'M buying them with a smile. I hope I won't get too many laughs for buying a ''Polk Audio'' speaker ( I can just hear them...) It's a no brainer for me, and I can afford more expensive gear but I see no reason for paying more. They truly are excellent for the money.
Thanks for all the replies, this is a great site to share ideas and experiences. I hope they will sound as good in my home...

Lush, thanks for your comments. Concerning the Moon products by Sim Audio, I wish I could go into details but I better not...I have owned a couple of Moon I-5,s ( 5 years apart) and sonically, I could never get to like that sound. I guess I was a sucker for good looks. Furthermore, I had issues with them. The first had a faulty volume control that would take a sudden discharge of static electricity from me touching the knob (from walking on carpeting). My volume control went from 15 to 50 in a snap, and blew my speakers at the time. The second unit had been under servicing a few times. The Moon units look nice, but it's nothing to me if it's not reliable. I'm sure they corrected the problems, but in all honesty, for gear this expensive Sim's service/claims dept need to treat their customers better. Above all, it has to sound involving enough - and that's where they just didn't do it for me....but try, I sure did!

LSi 15, the continuing story! I feel that Lush has some perfectly valid points about the Politics of Audio. I personally know of a strong Totem dealer who had to get rid of QUAD'S L series loudspeakers for one main reason.

Whenever a potential buyer would audition any of the QUAD offerings (mainly the 21L and 22L), it would make for a harder sell to spend the extra green for a Totem product. This does not make Totems any less of a speaker, but speaks volumes for QUAD value.

I am absolutely convinced that if the LSi found it's way in High-End Audio Snob Shops, it would be exaclty the same story. The LSi series would hold its own agains twice-the-price comptetition, and smoke a few in the process. Someone in this forum mentionned that for a bit more money ($300.00?) he gladly went for a B&W 704. It is a fine speaker indeed, and all a matter of taste...but for my taste at least, I feel that the 704 is very expensive...

I think this Polk Audio LSi series, along with the ''L'' series from QUAD, deserve better exposure. But let's face it, it will never happen. At least for Polk - imagine, a Polk speaker next to a B&W, JM Lab or Sonus Faber speaker - in the the SAME ROOM !! Rags do not hang out with the riches in Audioland...except when clearly identified as budget gear, and placed in the ''lifestyle'' corner of the shop alongside the theatre-in-a-box systems and Bose wave radios. Too bad, dealers (and manufacturer's reps) might learn a thing or two about going back to just plain having fun with audio, instead of this *%$@/?? analyzing the ''sound'' all the time. Tapping your feet because it sounds good without having to break the bank, and getting connected with the music and the artists are the only way to go, in my book !!!! I'm open to comments here, tell me I'm wrong on this one!

Rumadian, you are right on the money here. After all is said, it is up to the dealer. How many are truly listening to clients out there ? A few I'm sure, but for the most part, they are elitist and look at you the wrong way if you do not speak ''their'' language. I have been around, and owned obscenely expensive gear myself, but it's all personal. I would never judge on ones knowledge - or lack of- the audio scene. Again, most of them would never carry Polk Audio. And this is pretty stupid as this should be a business decision, as these babies should sell well, especially if you can A-B them with other, more expensive speakers that the store carries. - I would surely carry this line if I was a dealer - if only to make it more affordable to get a whole new group of potential audiophiles, in this great hobby. Then, if they liked it, they would be back for cables, cd players, you know, the works. And with the Polk LSi series, many would stop right there and be done with it for speakers and just enjoy the music. Not a bad scenario if you asked me, because there are so many other opportunities to spend in audio it's not even funny. Sure there are good dealers. The one close to my place ? Never a smile, and they follow you around as if you were about to steal something...so much pressure.Sooo unpleasant. On the other hand, this very situation makes Audiogon a welcomed and justified place in audiophilia. It's not all bad after all.