Well gents, sorry to say the LSiM705 didn't do it for me and today they are being returned.
Except for very deep bass response, the Bostons sounded far better to my ears in every way, especially in the ability to cast a broad soundstage whereby the speakers tend to "disappear" into the field. With the 705s however, the sound was much more confined- and clearly emanating from those tall & narrow rectangular baffles. I also found the 705s tended to exhibit a slight "nasal" character that I didn't care for, whereas with the Bostons, the response sounded was much more even into the upper registers without the upper end drop off of the 705s.
In some ways the 705s even reminded me of some horns I've experienced except the bass was far more resounding in the Polks than horn speakers are generally noted for.
Just to be completely fair, I decided to re-open the Bostons (which I had just repacked for storage) and directly compare head-to-head directly against the 705s. Through the use of two separate amplifiers with a McIntosh MC2505 (on the Polks) and MC240 (on the Bostons), I carefully calibrated the amplifiers so that each pair of speakers were matched at exactly the same volume level- or at least as close as can be done by ear. (I had previously reported on this and other forums my experimentation between these two amplifiers that they are virtually indistinguishable from one another after a battery of comparative subjective listening tests - not only to my satisfaction but among a number of other listeners).
After everything was set up, I started over all over again, and again, my initial impressions were confirmed: In terms of overall performance, the Polks simply couldn't hold a candle to the Bostons, in tonal quality and especially the ability to throw the widest soundstage. Last week I invited a friend over (who, due to me, I think is beginning to become infected by the "audiophile bug"
).
I asked him to keep his eyes shut while I switched between the two pairs of speakers by instantly shutting off one pair while simultaneously turning on the other pair using both hands on either amplifier. All I asked is which pair he preferred. After we began with a few selections of rock and hip-hop (his choice, not mine) he genuinely could not decide which he liked better. I had the feeling he was mainly paying closest attention to the bass line since bass is the most important part of the music to him.
Next we moved on to some medieval chamber type music which doesn't have much bass content so he would better be able to focus on the midrange portion of the spectrum so critical in classical. Here, he began to show a slight preference to the T1000s.
Finally, I pulled out my "reference CD" a compilation of overtures by Franz von Suppe' which I consider to be one of the finest recordings in my music collection. Loading the disc, track 1 "The Light Calvary Overture" began to play. Here's the best recording for demonstrating the total performance of a speaker's abilities - bass, midrange, presence and broadness & depth of soundstage. Here he absolutely agreed the Bostons won hands down beyond dispute. While the Bostons sparkled with musical realism, the Polks just sat there, dull, lifeless and confined. It is such a shame as considering all the technological development that went into the 705s, I was expecting great things. Unfortunately, and to my utter amazement and disbelief, it did not happen.
Lastly, I wasn't thrilled about the 705's simulated finish which had the feel of something "a bit smoother than sandpaper" with a slightly matte shine. It looked like real wood at a distance but not nearly as rich as the genuine cherry veneer finish as on the RTiA line.
So there it is my friends. This is my honest appraisal, for whatever it may be worth. It is not to disparage the LSiM707/705 or anybody's auditory sensibilities for choosing/enjoying them but unfortunately they just didn't do it for me. Ironically, in addition to the Bostons, I also own pairs of the RTiA7 & RTiA9 both of which I consider excellent performers. Incidentally, my friend also asked to hear the RTiA7 alone (without the Snell J7 and RTiA9) in my main system (with 3 pairs of speakers).
He liked the RTi A7s even more than either the Boston T1000s or the 705s.
So impressed with them, he just ordered a pair the same day - in cherry veneer.
