[NoOne]

I've been eyeing line arrays for a long time.  I've wanted to build a set but time never allowed itself.

It is time to replace my Def Tech 7002's.  I found a pair of LS6's(from AV123) for sale but have never heard them.  I've heard all kinds of great things about them but a blind purchase is still a blind purchase.

I have heard the DefTech ST's and both speakers fall within my budget, the LS6's actually begin less expensive.

I know this is a hard question and I'm not looking to start a "this speaker is better than that speaker" discussion but it looks like on paper that the LS6 should be a better all around speaker, but again I've not heard one and have heard the other.

I've got to go 11 hours to hear the LS6's.

My room is 20x20 with sloped ceilings from 14' at the edges to 20' at the peak, so those good with math can figure the angle 

The room is open, it opens into the foyer and loft area.  Split between HT and music.

I have no sub but I'll add one or two.

Right now I just have a Yamaha A-1000 but I'll be adding separate's.  The A1000 does all I want audio wise but doesn't have the power that my older RX-V2600 had so I'm looking some amps in the 125w range.

The price is right on the LS6's, and actually on most of the LS series that I've seen for sale. 

WAF is no consideration, she actually asked me if I was going to be OK 'settling' for the 6's vs the 9's. 

So my mind says the ST's are a safe bet since they are local, I've heard them, etc...but what am opportunity am I giving up for the risk of buying the LS6's basically blind is what goes round and round in my head.  I know I need a sub but I'm looking at about $800 less for the LS6's than the ST's which should give me a good headstart on a decent sub.

[kingdeezie]

I think you are comparing apples to oranges here honestly.

The DefTech stuff that I have heard is mid-fi at best.

The price on the LSs that you have seen are in no way indicative of their performance. AV123's initial price on these was unrealistic, and it helped drive the company into the ground.

Stereomojo did a review on these speakers years ago, and they placed well with speakers upwards of 20K, that the reviewer, Art, had been looking into purchasing. He went with the LSs.

They are the real deal.

AV123's low original price, plus AV123's demise and the circumstances there in, have led them to be practically given away.

The DefTech haven't an honest chance in hell to compare with the LSs, in any way shape or form.

I heard 40K Sound Labs recently, and while they did a few things better then the LSs, they didn't embarrass them either.

If these are AV123 LSs there is also huge room for improvement without much financial outlay. Upgraded crossovers, polyfill, no rez, etc, etc, etc, can bring them up even a few more levels.

Run, don't walk, to get those local LSs if you have the cash, and Line Source speakers are of interest to you.

[mono-tubeleosis]

WAF is no consideration, she actually asked me if I was going to be OK 'settling' for the 6's vs the 9's. 

I can only dream of being that lucky.  It would be the equivalent my wife waking up one day and telling me to come watch a football game with her.   

Seriously though, my wife seems to like the look of my OB-5 speakers because they don't look like "typical speakers".  She even commented the H-frames of my V's looked cool.  I almost fainted hearing that from her.

From what I've heard the 6's are great speakers and the 9's are incredible.  I don't think you could go wrong.  I was in the process of building cabinets for the 6's before I bought the kit (They're big in person). 

Right after that I decided that The Super-V's would be a better fit for what I wanted, so I stopped where I was at and used the MDF parts I already cut to make the H-frames for the V's.  I think sometimes the 6's and the V2's both get overlooked some because of their bigger brothers. If it wasn't for that I think people would really be raving on them.

I wish I could comment on the sound but It sounds like you've got a good enough room for them and like I said I heard they were great.

[JCarney]

The DefTech haven't an honest chance in hell to compare with the LSs, in any way shape or form.
Run, don't walk, to get those local LSs if you have the cash, and Line Source speakers are of interest to you.

What he said. And don't be surprised if you feel no need for a sub.

Good Luck,
JCarney

[nickd]

You can't go wrong with the LS6. The imaging and detail of the Neo8 tweeters will blow your mind every single day. The 9's are better if you can go that way. They are not even comparable to the DT stuff. Those are great next to your big screen watching Star Wars but the LS series brings you to a full concert every night. Some of Danny's best work. sounds like you are one of the few who have a room and wife that will let you enjoy what they can do.

I would still have my 9's if I had a bigger room.   

[Racer X]

I'd compare them like this def tech is a Pontiac solstice an attractive package without much substance. LS are like a Porsche Turbo  while there is better your going to spend three to four times there old retail of 4599.00 to do much better and the fact that the LS have more demand.then supply and if bought right you could sale for what you paid. And the def tech will loose  thirty to forty percent the day after you buy them if buying new.

[NoOne]

Thanks everyone.  I appreciate the solid endorsement of them.

There were a pair of 9's for sale a few weeks ago but wasn't crazy about the finish.

This whole thing is my wife's idea anyways.  She said we don't spend enough time at home like we used to so lets replace the TV, speakers, etc...etc...etc....she picked out the 65" TV too.

Oh and she was the only who wanted season football tickets   

I've emailed the seller.  Hopefully still around and I can pick them up.

The ST's I was looking at were demo's at about $3,100 for the pair. 

[SoCalWJS]

Maybe Cheeseboy can chime in here with a bit more info and specifics, as this was awhile back. My emails are long since gone, and my camera had the wrong date on it, so I can't remeber the date that way either. This is where I met Cheeseboy.

A member on the AV123 forums hosted a GTG at his house in the South Bay (SF) area a few years ago to let those who were interested listen to his LS 6'es. He had performed the Sonicap upgrade and was using very nice gear (Cary SLP-05 pre - modified, NuForce Reference amps, being fed by  a Transporter). He had bought these to replace his Def Techs - not sure the exact model, I believe he said they were the "top-of-the-line model".

I asked him his opinion on the change. He said that at first, he was a little concerned and disappointed, but as the speakers were broken in, the LS 6'es just got better and better. After he did the crossover mods and they were broken in, he said there was no comparison, He said that  it took almost 500 hours. Afterwards, he put the Def Techs back in. IMMEDIATELY swapped them back out.

NO COMPARISON, according to him. Everything was better - soundstage, vocals, instruments, etc.

I own LS-6'es with Sonicap mods - they replace old Thiel CS 3's. Definitely an improvement.

[kingdeezie]

The Sonicap upgrade makes a huge difference.

I didn't feel comfortable with soldering onto the crossover board, so I had Purity Audio, Bill Baker specifically, build me externals using better auxiliary parts like the inductors and resistors and the high end clarity caps instead of the sonicap stuff.

The crossover made a huge huge difference in detail, separation, and sound staging and took the speakers up a few levels for sure.

[poseidonsvoice]

Okay, this one is very easy, thank goodness.

Take the LS6's and laugh all the way to the bank.

Anand.

[Jerrin]

Reminds me of the old line, "I liked them so much... I bought the company!"

Well, I liked the LS series so much I bought three pair!  I have 2 pair of 9's and 1 pair of 6's.  They are without a doubt, the best sounding speakers I have ever heard for less than 40K.  In fact, they even beat the couple of speakers I have heard north of that number.  I concede that it's possible that there may be better speakers out there.  I also confess that I've never heard them.

To me, these are still Danny's masterpieces.  If you have the room; and it sounds like you do, buy them.

[Jerrin]

The Sonicap upgrade makes a huge difference.

I didn't feel comfortable with soldering onto the crossover board, so I had Purity Audio, Bill Baker specifically, build me externals using better auxiliary parts like the inductors and resistors and the high end clarity caps instead of the sonicap stuff.

The crossover made a huge huge difference in detail, separation, and sound staging and took the speakers up a few levels for sure.

And by the by King, did you use the Clarity Cap MR's in your crossovers?  I'm trying to justify using the Duelunds or go with the less expensive CC MR.  Everything I've read says that the copper Duelund are better, but not by much.   OTOH, there is that whole $$$ thing....

[PDR]

Perhaps the "L" series of arrays is just what your looking for......perhaps the "V" series is something you should listen to.....I have 2 arrays....they stand unused besides the Vs.......

Just saying......

[NoOne]

Perhaps the "L" series of arrays is just what your looking for......perhaps the "V" series is something you should listen to.....I have 2 arrays....they stand unused besides the Vs.......

Just saying......

Does that mean your interested in selling your array?

[S Clark]

Perhaps the "L" series of arrays is just what your looking for......perhaps the "V" series is something you should listen to.....I have 2 arrays....they stand unused besides the Vs.......

Just saying......

I'm sure that your Symmetrica arrays are good speakers, but the LS series are universally reviewed as top calibre.  I still prefer the sound of the LS9 to the V series. 

[kingdeezie]

And by the by King, did you use the Clarity Cap MR's in your crossovers?  I'm trying to justify using the Duelunds or go with the less expensive CC MR.  Everything I've read says that the copper Duelund are better, but not by much.   OTOH, there is that whole $$$ thing....

Yes, I used the Clarity Caps. The duelunds are amazing for sure, but the added cost is a factor.

I didn't rewire the internals of the LSs, I am not so sure I would hear the difference between the Clarity and the Duelunds with likely the cheap wire AV123 used.

If you are rocking something different and better like JPS wire or something internally, maybe the duelands might be worth it.

I would also look at what gear you are using as well. At that point between the Claritys and Duelunds, I think you would be at the mercy or grace of your amps, preamp, source, etc, etc.

Either way you can't go wrong. The clarity crossover is very nice; smooth and detailed at the same time without being overly warm.

Good luck! 

[NoOne]

Thanks again for the comments

Speakers are still available and making some plans.  I had stepped away from audio for the past 2 years while getting our business going so pretty excited to get back into it.

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of the LS6's from a long term standpoint.  There are upgrades I can do and the speakers will no longer be the weak point in the system so I can build around them and get significant improvements without having to replace them.

It also looks like digital has caught up with the times and I can move a lot of my DVD-A stuff into a server and use a DAC to play all our stuff.

[doug s.]

i haven't heard either of these.  but if i had the budget - and the space - and was looking for something relatively long-term, i'd wait for the ls9's.  your listening room certainly has the space for them, and having 1/3 more drivers simply means everything will be more effortless, regardless of actual spl...

doug s.

[PDR]

No, not interested in selling my arrays.....
They do somethings better than any speakers I've heard, but the Vs just knock the socks off of about anything. The "L" I have never heard, but have read enough to know theyre outstanding. Guess it would take
someone thats lived with the Ls and Vs to chime in......anyone?

On a side note Bob Carver has just developed a new line array....its a whole different animal.

[Jonathon Janusz]

Wandering further off topic for a bit, I just checked out the new Carver arrays with some google-fu, and the design is interesting.  A strip of ribbons floor to ceiling, with basically no baffles to account for, and I thought in particular side loading all the woofers in a staggered alternating ladder up the sides of the cabinets to basically make the cabinets as small as the ribbon array was a clever approach.  I have no idea how they will (do?) sound, but definitely a cool looking design!