CSi40 vs. CSi5
Want to know what you guys think of either, I'm going to buy one or the other, both roughly the same price. Any big audio advantage to either?
Just wondering if you guys have had experence with them. Bring on the opionion wars!!
Just wondering if you guys have had experence with them. Bring on the opionion wars!! Post edited by codyc1ark on
Comments
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I have the CSi40 and it does an excellent job. I believe the CSi40 and the CSi5 have different tweets. If that is the case, you will need to match the center with at least the front mains. So it depends on what speakers your HT system is going to consist of. The CSi40 matches the older RT series. The older RT speakers are one of the best bang for your buck in the used speaker world. Great speakers for HT and some are jewels in the rough for music, the RT55's come to mind.Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.
Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp
Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9 -
Will be (for now) using them with my SDA-CRS's. I assume both centers are of good quality, but do not know if one is inherently better then the other...
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no brainer. for the same price. pick the CSi5, it's newer, better built. I've it right now. it's pretty much a Rti8 in a smaller box.
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no brainer. for the same price. pick the CSi5, it's newer, better built. I've it right now. it's pretty much a Rti8 in a smaller box.
How is it better built? The 40 goes lower, and handles more power. The tweeter is also a better match to SDA's in my opinion, especially if he has upgraded to the RDO's, or plans to in the future. -
if the tweeter is better match to your SDAs, then get the 40. you don't want the center and LR to sound different. the CSI5 is heavier(suggests better built to me as far as electronics go). is the 40 made out of veneer? because the csi5 is....they both belong to the Rt series and the CSI5 is a newer version...hard to believe that the 40 is better.
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Hmmmm.... I guess I have to decide now, I've got a guy wanting to sell me a CSi5 for $150.00, from the research I've done, seems like a great price...
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$150 for a used CSI5 sounds fair. I bought it refurbished(but they sent a new condition) directly from Polk on ebay for just 180.
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Get the 40 or better yet a CS400i if you want a closer match with the CRS.
Combo rig:
Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
PB13Ultra RO
BW Silvers
Oppo BDP-83SE -
I don't plan on using the CRS's for my HT for too much longer (hopefully). I have something else that is better for my HT, I'm wanting to do tubes with them soon enough, I think... Lets see if I'm allowed to turn the guest room into a mancave first, thats the biggest step.
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+1 for the 40, as a biased happy owner of one - though I've never heard a CSi5. The 40 is made with real wood veneer and looks great, even with the grille off. I personally never cared for the silver front of the CSi3/CSi5 line, and thought the cherry veneer of the previous RTi series (RTi28's & RTi70's) was a bit nicer.
The 40 played very well with RTi28's and RTi70's, and is currently playing almost as well with RTi A7's...well, until tomorrow when the new CSi A6 arrives...
Main HT:JVC DLA-RS45135" Elite Screens fixed frame, 1.1 gainMarantz SR7007 (operating as pre-pro)Emotiva XPA-1 x3 (L+C+R), UPA-7 (surrounds)Oppo BDP-103D/BDP-83Toshiba HD-XA2Panamax M5410 Pro x3Polk LSiM707s, LSiC706, 80 F/X-LS, 65-RTSeaton Sound/MCCA MFW "Turbo" + custom Dayton SA1000 sub amp (orig. AV123 MFW-15)Velodyne SMS-1I/Cs: MP 12ga/4-cond (fronts); MP 12ga (surrounds), MP HDMI (all sources), some BJC sprinkled thruoutHarmony EliteSalamander Triple 40 C/B* still need to sell older but mint gear!! -
if the tweeter is better match to your SDAs, then get the 40. you don't want the center and LR to sound different. the CSI5 is heavier(suggests better built to me as far as electronics go). is the 40 made out of veneer? because the csi5 is....they both belong to the Rt series and the CSI5 is a newer version...hard to believe that the 40 is better.
Wor:rolleyes:thless"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.
"The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
messiah, November 23rd, 2010 -
The 40 has better tweeter (to me anyway because of brightness of the newer tweeter in the CS5, and I don't care for brightness high). It depends what you prefer.
