AS some of you know, I will be ordering a full new 5.1 system very soon.

I've had my mind set for 6 months straight on the epic 80 system(minus the subwoofer).

BUT...I can't stop eyeing up the flagship LFR1100 Omnidirectional speaker.

I'd have the amp power for it.

I'll never have the money again to buy these, but it is possible for me now. How well will they mesh with the VP180 and QS8's? How much of a difference for the price? Is it worth it in your opinion? Again, this would be a major investment for me, so I hope no one is offended when I ask...build quality? bugs? Will these last? Since I can't find much on the speaker(and trust me, I've read everything that's out there so far on them I think), are they similiar to the thousands of forum posts and reviews I've read about the M80?

You really want to bi-amp don't you.

Just do it.

No regrets after that way...

lol guilty. *tim the tool man grunt*

They just seem so badass, so unique. I like the idea of the extra woofer too More then anything, I want something that will knock me on my ass performance wise. People seem pretty blown away by them

My favourite speaker I've owned so far in my life was the Paradigm Monitor 90P. This seems like quite a step up

But seriously, it's a major price jump...are they worth it? Are they identical in sound to a M80, but better...more enveloping soundstage, speakers seem to disappear?

With the 70' of speaker wire and 10 sets of dual plugs I planned to buy, my original full cart price with the m80's would have been: $3449.65 (this is with die cast woofers and dual inputs)

For all the same options, but switching the m80's out for the LFR's the cost will be: $5,830.69 (with added rear speaker label :))

Is $2381 worth that? Especially when the wife finds out? lol

It is quite a bit more money. Do you really need the die cast woofers? Ian said there is no difference in sq so I didn't get them on my LFR's.

Anyway, what I can say is that they're excellent. Whether they're really more than two grand better than the M80's is very subjective. I think you can notice the slightly deeper bass of the LFR's but it is not a huge difference.

The rear firing drivers combined with the DSP do certainly add sonething. Depending on the source material, the difference can be anything from very subtle to astonishing! However, only you can really decide if they'll be worth it.

Perhaps you should check with Axiom to see if any have found a home out near you yet.

Mike

And do you need to buy the wire and plugs from Axiom? Their prices are generally higher than someone like monoprice.

He might be buying them to get the 5% discount.

point. Then the question is, if he does, will he be spending more than the 5% discount gets him back?

I'd assume the LFR's in a 5.1 will give you a similar sound field as you would get with a 7.1 setup using front presence speakers.
You could justify some of the difference by considering the cost of the potential reciever upgrade and the extra pair of surrounds.
After setting up two different 7.1 layouts I'd agree the effort and expense was worth it.
And...they're LFR's! Who doesn't want a pair or two?

this is correct.

And to the other member who asked about diecast, no I don't need it. I'm not getting them for the sound. Just for the look. I don't NEED them

hey mike, thanks for that. So how do they sound with home theater?

I think you really need to have a very well configured room to get the best of the LFRs.

Is my assumption about front presence vs LFR's correct?
I too will upgrade some day but I'd be tempted to use the LFR's and front presence, spread farther apart.
LFR's for music. I can't currently use 2 channel and front presence with out sending a signal to the rest of the 7.1 setup.
That said once I finish tweaking the room my M80's are in I'll be sitting pretty. They already sound really nice. The have a great sound field, like having no speakers most of the time (can't localize the sound unless it should be). I have had to walk up to the center to confirm if it was being sent a signal!
I personally love how you can keep turning them up and the quality doesn't suffer.

i think the same as Tom, the room config is as important as the speakers, maybe even more.

It would be nice if someone could "define" what the perfect room would be for a 7.1 setup. With/without LRF's.

Did anyone else read the title of this thread as an ssh command?

Ours will be 8' x 18' x 28'.

Does this mean if your mains are 10 feet apart, they should be 10 feet from the back wall? That seems a bit much.

If you had to have the perfect room to have LFRs, most of us would fail, I think that's why they made them so that you don't need a perfect room.

Mine sure sound nice in my non-perfect 8'H x 13'W x 18'L living room.

Personally, I'd go for the M80s and use the extra cash for a second sub. I love my M80s, they are simply awesome. If you listen primarily to music then the LFRs might be a better choice. I watch more movies though and the M80s are awesome. I have an EP500 and a smaller Polk sub. I definitely want and plan to get a second EP500. The M80s are more than adequate but I can never have enough bass I'll know the bass is good when I start popping nails from the drywall

Well, of course it's "a bit much". "Perfect" usually is.

You don't need "a perfect room", but since the LFR's radiate in more than one direction, it's more likely that you're going to place something in the room that affects them. If you have a couch or a wall unit (or no wall at all) behind your M80's, it's much less likely to noticeably impact their performance.

The room is important. And I live in the real world, not the land of "should". If I were going to invest in the upgrade from the M80's to the LFR's, I'd make sure that my listening experience wasn't compromised by mundane concerns like extraneous furniture in the room or the architecture of my house.

Lots of people are lucky to have dedicated listening/viewing rooms that are nice, uncluttered rectangles. I'm not sure whether to envy or pity them.

I guess ultimately, I'm with Boltron. I've never heard the LRF's and I'm sure they are magical in even an "acceptable" room. I'm also sure you could set them - or any other speaker - up in such a way that they sound dreadful.

I started with M80s and still have them for heights(I love seeing them up front) and have them set up on my subs. But that is for movies mostly.

The LFRs are mainly for music and BD concerts but sounds better than any theatre for movies, that's for sure.

If you do get the LFRs, make sure that you get the DSP 3board for your VP180..enjoy whatever you decide!

Wait... you're using the M80's as HEIGHT speakers?

I must have missed the pictures.

I'm keeping it a surprise for when you come visit Tom. LOL

I will one day have a picture or two for you.

LOL. I cured my "not enough bass" problem by switching to a Pioneer Elite. Audyssey controls the bass more leaving it sounding inadequate at times. Pioneer just lets it flow. Sometimes too much, but in my opinion, too much beats inadequate every time.

I'd say the LFR's are more enveloping than those without them realize... it's a hard thing to convey without the experience.




Yeah. M80's as heights... and he gives me a hard time over my subs.. *rolls eyes*

Here is a picture of my setup
VP-180, LFR's, as well as Dual EP-600's.
The amps are Krell kav-250a/kav-250a3 and a Krell FPB 300cx the 300cx is power the front drivers on the LFR's an the 250a is powering the rear's the 250a/3 is powering the center and the surrounds.




Depending on the source material, the LFR's can be Amazing. I would say the determining factor should be what your going to use the system for. Do you listen to stereo music at all? This is one of the primary areas where the LFR's shine. As well as a well mastered Blu ray movie or concert.

If you're going to use the system primarily for TV, and an occasional movie. Then i would tell you to save your money and pass on the LFR's.. However, if you already listen to a decent amount of 2 channel, or blu ray music then i would say it would be worth the extra cash...

Alex...what the heck, the dogs move out. I want some doggy pics.....man, those subs are big!

Shawn...

okok... here you go buddy...



And a non Ht related shot.. He was helping me with yard work, by carrying around a 10lb stump i dug up!!....

That's more like it...thanks pal! Awesome...friends you have there.

Thanks everyone for the great input.

I REALLY want them. I've been raised on 2 channel music. But I'm hearing these new surround modes really bring out something incredible in a lot of cds.

With my 5.1 setup, I will be listening to probably 60/40(music/ht). Some weekends, music is cranked all the time.

I think though, I should maybe be smarter with my money at this time. Maybe the LFR's are something I can save for once I've gained an appreciation for the M80's. I might invest that money instead.

Thanks to everyone for your input. It's amazing how incredible this board has been to me over the past few months

Yes, M80s kick some arse as well! You will love them I am sure,let us know.