CS1 vs CS10 sale ends today help me choose which to buy

jbdawson

Hey guys new member here in the forums diving in, was hoping maybe some of you can help me with the purchase of a center speaker upgrade. I own a Onkyo ht-s6100 and movie dialogue at low volumes is somewhat hard to hear so I'm looking to get maybe one of these 2 center speakers from Polk for now. Then upgrading the other speakers later.

I have read they are somewhat the same but was wondering what you guys think is the better choice of the 2 and which would you recommend - given only the 15 dollar difference?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290210&cm_re=cs1-_-82-290-210-_-Product
CS1 series II 84.17 total shipped

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018QNYSK/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
CS10 99.99 total shipped

Strouty

First of all, I wouldn't recommend either unless you were planning to upgrade to either the TSI line or the Monitor line later on for your L/R fronts. The front three speakers really should be from a matching line since things can sound a little funky when you mix and match.

With that said, I've heard them both and they sound exactly the same to me. The cs1 technically matches the monitor ii line and the cs10 matches the TSI line (which also are very similiar). I guess the real question should be whether you plan to upgrade to Monitor ii fronts or TSI fronts and go with the matching center.

Personally, I would go with the CS1 with monitor ii fronts since it is a cheaper line that sounds just as good (plus I'd rather buy from newegg than amazon...) The only reason I can see to go with the CS10 and the TSI line is if you really, really prefer the aesthetics of the TSI line.

Welcome to club polk!

jbdawson

Strouty wrote: »

First of all, I wouldn't recommend either unless you were planning to upgrade to either the TSI line or the Monitor line later on for your L/R fronts. The front three speakers really should be from a matching line since things can sound a little funky when you mix and match.

With that said, I've heard them both and they sound exactly the same to me. The cs1 technically matches the monitor ii line and the cs10 matches the TSI line (which also are very similiar). I guess the real question should be whether you plan to upgrade to Monitor ii fronts or TSI fronts and go with the matching center.

Personally, I would go with the CS1 with monitor ii fronts since it is a cheaper line that sounds just as good (plus I'd rather buy from newegg than amazon...) The only reason I can see to go with the CS10 and the TSI line is if you really, really prefer the aesthetics of the TSI line.

Welcome to club polk!

Hey thank you for the welcome and quick response. I definitely see what you're saying here and that makes sense. You do want the fronts to match and if the differences between the 2 are merely cosmetic the CS1 is definitely the better choice. Not to mention at quick glance the TSi line is very expensive and a bit out of my price range.

So as for your first statement I do want to upgrade the fronts down the line, can you link me to these specific L and R Monitor II's that would match with the CS1? (tower or bookshelf whatevers cheaper)

As recommended by you and a fellow at the AVS forums the CS1 is getting the nod so I'll most likely be ordering it shortly. I appreciate your feedback.

Strouty

You'll be looking at either Monitor 40's, 50's or 60's up front to go with the cs1. If you have the budget, the real 'bang for your buck' sweet spot is a CS2 center with Monitor 70s on newegg. However, any of the monitor line should get the job done for you and sound great (Monitor 40's being the cheapest, Monitor 60's being recommended)

Monitor 40s --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202
Monitor 50s --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290204
Monitor 60s --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290206

jbdawson

Strouty wrote: »

You'll be looking at either Monitor 40's, 50's or 60's up front to go with the cs1. If you have the budget, the real 'bang for your buck' sweet spot is a CS2 center with Monitor 70s on newegg. However, any of the monitor line should get the job done for you and sound great (Monitor 40's being the cheapest, Monitor 60's being recommended)

Monitor 40s --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202
Monitor 50s --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290204
Monitor 60s --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290206

Strouty right on bro thats exactly what I wanted to know, thanks.

jbdawson

Hey actually any recommendations on a subwoofer?

Strouty

The most expensive one you can afford

I cheaped out with my current setup and got the psw10 and have regretted it ever since. It get's the job done and if you aren't 'bass hungry' you might be happy with it. The psw505 is selling on newegg and for $250 I don't think you'll do any better.

I'm not a huge sub aficionado so I can't really comment on other brands. If you can give us a budget some other guys might have some recommendations from other brands.

PSW10 --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290034
PSW505 --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290130

mo976

you can get the psw505 for 230$ on JR.com or amazon.com its on sale now

http://www.jr.com/polk-psw505-powered-subwoofer/pe/POK_PSW505/

they also have the 70's for 200$ a pop (400) for the set which is what the tsi 300's go for.

I have the cs10 in cherry it looks nice and sounds good.