LX5 vs LX5II

Copa1934

Copa1934

My ears are bleeding
I searched and didn't find such a thread. And I'm guessing the assumption is they all sound the same, an honest assumption. But they are anything but the same. Differences include woofer design, cabinet design, mounting options (LX5 has none). But most importantly, sonic differences.

According to my DATS (parts express) measurements, there are sonic differences. In all tests the woofers had new, identical, surrounds, tweeters serviced (cleaned and ferrofluid de-gunked), etc. No changes to crossovers, which is another topic, since I didn't note differences, yet.

Per DATS, the curves are very similar, differing only in amplitude, same peaks in same frequency ranges. However, the LXII appears to have a slight edge in bass response. I wasn't able to distinguish this with brief listening, but according to DATS it's measureable.

So, who wants to chime in?

Note: as for cabinet, most visible difference is the tweeter cover, metal mesh for LX5 and cloth/plastic grill for LX5II. Porting is also different, same location but dual on the LX5 and single on the LX5II
 
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Please publish the curves! I've only used the II, but always thought the series was interesting.
 
Still compiling. I have (2) LX5 (one with an earlier tweeter) and (3) LX5II. I think I have more in storage, but can't recall. Also have to grab some screen shots, then copy to my online computer. Fun.
 
One thing I must say, you have NO clue what you are missing by NOT cleaning the tweeter. Depending on condition, the change can be dramatic. Doing A/B comparisons clean vs not, there is an especially pronounced difference with things like cymbals and instruments in similar frequency ranges. Much clearer, more pronounced and more accurate. Makes you appreciate the Linaeum tweeters more.
 
I remember looking at the LX-5 in stores, and reading the reviews, but by the time I obtained some they were the II. I've always been curious if the originals were better.
 
There’s also the LX550, the final iteration with the yellow Kevlar cones. They were my main speakers for years, and they’re still high on my list. Only swapped them out to go back to 15” floor speakers. :)

Joe
 
Hooked up a pair of LX5II to break in new foams. OMG the imaging! They’re roughly 11’ apart, slightly toed in and 24” off the floor. You can NOT tell where the speakers are. Wicked cool. I’m still working on placement for my L65’s cause the imaging just isn’t quite there. And I didn’t play with position with the LX5, just put them on stands,hooked them up. Dang. Shame they don’t have a fuller sound. I don’t care for subs, but we’ll see.
 
I have PRO-LX55, which I believe to be PRO-LX5II in RCA guise. They are stored away in their boxes, and have been for a dozen years. Intend to let them out to play once I'm not hip-deep in projects. My first date with them was frustrating. Tweeters show promise and I want to love them. But the die-cast cabinet reverberations are distracting. Completely unlike Minimus-7 alloy cabinets, for comparison. Clasping my hands against the sides creates a vast improvement. But that's way too near field -- and only works for mono.

My plan is to devise an external clamping system of some vibration absorbent material with rigid backing and give these another shot.

So what's this about tweeter cleaning? Is there a special technique for Linaeums?
 
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I own a pair of LX5II that are currently in need of new woofer surrounds so I’m going to pay a little extra to order rubber surrounds for them. After I repair them I will be using them as my rear surround channels. When I first bought them from a pawn shop they needed to have a thorough cleaning. I bought a soft make up brush to brush away the dust on the Linaeum tweeter’s Mylar diaphragms while I used a vacuum cleaner nozzle held close to suck away the dust. The results were excellent. I believe the LX5 were silk and I’ve read that they have a better sound quality but I’ve never heard them. If you want to deaden the cabinet resonance I recommend just using Dynamat on the inside walls.
 
Does anyone know the RS floorstander, with the Linaeums on top (at ear height) and 2 woofers in-line below (I think 2 x 6.5")? May have been a 2-way or 2.5 way. I saw them in the store but never heard them.
 
bimasta said:
Does anyone know the RS floorstander, with the Linaeums on top (at ear height) and 2 woofers in-line below (I think 2 x 6.5")? May have been a 2-way or 2.5 way. I saw them in the store but never heard them.
Click to expand...

Thats the LX10. Has 2 7” woofers with rubber surrounds:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/115659/Optimus-Pro-Lx10.html

They’re a phenomenal speaker also, although brighter and less balanced than the LX550s I also have. The 550s have such sweet midrange detail, some of the best I’ve heard.

Joe
 
LX10! You settled a mystery, Joe. Ten or so years ago I had lunch with a stranger, outdoor Middle East place, garden seating, if there's an empty chair just ask "May I?" and sit. Conversation optional. We opted for. He was young, longhair, Armani suit/black T-shirt ,and desperate for new speakers after his girlfriend kicked him out and kept his stereo ("Take THAT asshole!"). I mentioned the big LX's as good and not expensive.

Guess what? There was a RS across the street. And guess what? We walked in the door and they were standing right there by the entrance as if waiting for us. And guess what? They were 50% OFF and the last in stock FOREVER.

He bought them unheard on my say-so after a 5 minute chat over falafel and hummus.

We exchanged cards. I didn't hear from him. Either he hated them and didn't want to say so, or just didn't think of saying thanks.

Two years later he called — "Just found your card going thru pockets for the dry cleaners" — and raved about them at length. He'd made some money and rattled off name brands he'd tried in the interim — Thiel, Vandersteen et all — but so far preferred the half-off/chance-meeting/stranger-recommended LX10s. Keepers.
 
bimasta said:
Two years later he called — "Just found your card going thru pockets for the dry cleaners" — and raved about them at length. He'd made some money and rattled off name brands he'd tried in the interim — Thiel, Vandersteen et all — but so far preferred the half-off/chance-meeting/stranger-recommended LX10s. Keepers.
Click to expand...

That’s a great story!

Yeah, that’s been my experience too. Lots of guys here love the “expensive” brands but trash RS, but I’ve always found the models I’ve owned to be remarkable. :)

Joe
 
Copa1934 said:
According to my DATS (parts express) measurements, there are sonic differences ...
... the LXII appears to have a slight edge in bass response ...
... Porting is also different, same location but dual on the LX5 and single on the LX5II
Click to expand...

I had always assumed the port was redesigned to reduced chuffing at higher volumes (as noted by Stereophile) from the tiny twin port openings. Certainly the single larger port area with its generous flare would address that issue. But maybe port geometry was also reworked in part to enhance bass performance.

b4-n-after.jpg
 
Stuart Pedaso said:
I had always assumed the port was redesigned to reduced chuffing at higher volumes (as noted by Stereophile) from the tiny twin port openings. Certainly the single larger port area with its generous flare would address that issue
Click to expand...

My thought, too. Makes sense, not only being larger, but flared. My 550s use the single port as well, and may even be the same cabinet (although the grilles were completely redesigned).

Joe
 
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