Hey guys, this is my first post here so I figured I'd ask 21 questions in here instead of all over the place lol I recently bought a pair of LSi15's, a LSiC, and was given a PSW404 sub, for $600. The speakers, other then a few dings are in great shape. My old system consisted of Polk TSi500's, a CS20, and a PSW5050. So as it stands I may sell the sub or hook it up, haven't decided. Finally got around to hooking up the LSi's and so far I like them, but I'm only running them off my Pioneer SC-37. With them being 4 ohm speakers, I understand my receiver probably isn't going to be able to "push" them like I'd want. I do listen to music here and there, but mainly my set up is for home theater. So here are my laundry list of questions, and please attack them as you see fit. I'd much rather have someone much more knowledgeable about these things chime in.
1) For music, I can definitely tell an upgrade over the TSi's. But with movies, they seem more "laid back" and not as explosive as I'm used to (and like subsequently). I'm wondering if that's because I NEED an external amplifier, or if its just the way the speakers are when it comes to movies. I don't mind buying an amp if I can get the sound I'm looking for, but I don't want to drop another few hundred more just to end up in the same spot I am now. I've always heard the RTiA's are more geared towards home theater, but I was hoping with the LSi's they wouldn't feel like a downgrade so to speak.
Not likely. More likely they just sound different. As long as you don't hear distortion you don't need more power.
2) For my rears, right now I am using some in-ceiling Infinity CS60r's I pulled out of my mother in laws old house. They were supposed to be just temporary but ended up becoming a permanent fixture. Sadly space and room lay out wont really let me have rear bookshelf type rears, so I'm stuck with in-ceiling speakers. Am I screwed with getting any good sound quality from in-ceiling rears or is it possible to find a set that could go well with the LSi's and possibly benefit from an external amp?
It is a matter of how important you think the rears are. I don't even use rears so I don't consider them important but, if you do, then you can probably improve things with better speakers.
Little side questions
1 - With the Pioneer Receiver, I used the MCACC to help me set up the speaker settings. Is there anything I should do specifically to dial in the LSi's? Figured because they have the built in sub I should set the speaker settings to "large"
It is easier to set them to small and use the bass management in the receiver. Personally I set them large and integrate the subwoofer manually but that is a little harder to do.
2 - The sound in general seems not as dynamic, defintly clearer. I wasn't sure if an amp would open the speakers up?
Amplifiers don't "open up" speakers. They make the sound louder.
3 - Do you think I got a decent deal for the LSi's and LSiC? If need be, I'd sell off the LSi's so I could get a set of RTiA9's, as long as I could at least get my money back
Thanks again
I have no idea. Sorry.
