I bought the LSiC...but I'm not sure...
adjutant said:
O.K.,
I've researched all I can on this site, and I guess I have answered my own question already, but wanted "to leave no stone unturned."
I have a pair of LSi15's and was all set to buy the LSiC. I see that I can get the CSi5 for about 1/2 the price.
I have read about the importance of matching your center to floorstanders. Timbre being the most important factor. Tweeters determine timbre.
So, the tweeters on these two are different, but they are both Polk. Would I be sorely disappointed in the CSi5s match to my floorstanders? Is the match that far off, or non-existent to warrant the additional $300?
Thanks in advance for your input
I have the LSi15's and debated the same exact thing. The salesman at Tweeter emphasized the importance of not skimping on a cheaper center...but how can you believe him? He gets twice the commission on the LSiC! He mentioned the timbre matching as well. To his credit he did tell me I definitely DO NOT need the LSifx for the rears which cost about 3 times the amount of the FXi3 which he sold to me.
He basically told me I could buy one of the centers (my choice) and he'd lend me the display model of the other to compare for myself. I bought the CSi5 and borrowed his LSiC display and the difference in the movie dialogue and vocals coming out of the LSiC was quite noticible (to my ears). Joni Mitchells voice was much more detailed on "Hijera" and Stevie Wonders on "Innervisions"...two of my favorite vocal albums. Grover's sax on the DVD-A of "Winelight" was also lightyears better on the LSiC. Hearing Samuel L. Jackson reciting Ezekial 25:17 was far scarier as well! I returned both speakers, got the full refund for the Csi 3's and bought a new pair of LSiC's.
I did the same experiement with the LSiFX and the Fxi3 for the rears and I saw (heard) no improvement whatsoever. I pretty much agreed with the salesman. So either he successfully brainwashed me...or he was actually correct!
My evaluation was not a measure of the "matching" of the Tweeters...just the overall sound quality of the speaker itself. I'm not sure what kind of experiment you could do to measure the timber/tweeter matching. Perhaps somebody like Gene or Clint could chime in on something like that.
See if your salesman will give you the same option. I find doing this kind of stuff in the audio room is not very convincing...but I guess it's better than nothing if you can't do it in your own home.
Good Luck!
