Any experience with a CS250s Center Channel

27dnast

Anyone ever hear a CS250s center channel? Any impressions would be helpful.

I'm on the fence about acquiring a used one to be a center channel in my HT set-up.

Thanks!!

nguyendot

I use one at home. It's decent, but it's getting a bit old. It's voice matched to the RT line of speakers.

I'm trying to replace it with a CS350 or CS1000p.

27dnast

Thanks for the reply!

So here's my situation. I have a 7.1 set-up using the rm6750 series. My main l/r speakers are wired speaker level to a psw sub and my center is also wire to a second sub. I then have my avr managing a third sub through an lfe cable.

Complicated? Yes. But the two speaker level wired subs give my small rm6750 l/r and center channels some extra lows.

Anyhow, yesterday I dug out an old pair od RT5 book shelf speakers that I own. They are in great condition. I'm considering ditching the smaller rm6750 l/r and center channels (along with the 2 speaker level subs) in favor of using the RT5's as my l/r channels. Which leaves me needing a new center channel. It just so happens I have a chance to buy a cs250s.

Would this be a mistake? At this point are the cs250s that are out there simply getting too old?

I'm just looking to breathe some more vibrance and life into the HT without tearing the wallet open.

Thoughts?

Also, can you describe te sound that the cs250 puts out?

nguyendot

It's still a very good speaker. I can't describe it much since there isn't anything that sticks out at me. The tweeter is very good, gives good highs but some people call it a bit harsh. It is definitely a home theater speaker as it throws some good sound. Right now I'm running it with my RT55's and they are voice matched perfectly.

For you it would be a definite upgrade and it should match your RT5's just fine.
I wouldn't spend more than $50 on a CS250s however, any more and i'd go hunt for a higher unit.

27dnast

I've done some hunting around... I can't seem to find evidence that there are other Polk center channels that would match the RT5's.

Do you have any suggestions?

When the cs250s was originally manufactured, was it a low end or mid range unit?

27dnast

Also, just to add... Does the cs250 have adequate umph in the low end? Or do voices sound high and hollow?

nguyendot

It's only dual 5.25s I believe, so it's not going to go that low. It's a decent center channel, i think it was middle of the pack, the CS101 was the lowest at the time.

It does voices just fine. It's no match for my boston VR12 or my paradigm CC-300, but it does well. It will be an upgrade for your setup.

If you want to go higher, seek out a CS350 or CS1000p.... but those will cost you.

27dnast

I understand your point... You'll have to excuse the novice nature of my next question:

I found an eight yr old thread on clubpolk, via a google search, where the users were discussing the center match for RT5's. Apparently at that time, the Polk website had a help page that stated that the cs250s was the match for the RT5 Bookshelf speakers. Would that then mean that the big brother to the cs250s --- that being the cs300ls --- be too powerful and/or a poor match? I see from the specs that the 300 has a different kind of tweeter than the 250. Would that mean the timber match would be off?

Knucklehead

+1 on the Cs350...I love mine.

Its a monster though...make sure you have the room for it.

nguyendot

The CS350LS will have the same matching drivers for the RT series.

My dad went from the CS250S to the CS350LS to the CS1000P..... all matching.