Center speaker options?

saguppy
saguppy Posts: 44
edited July 2003 in Speakers
The speaker I had been looking for is the CS400i because its design matches my other speakers, but it has been hard to find without paying a ridiculous price for. Plus the problem I have with the CS400i is that my big screen tv does not have a deep enough flat ledge on the top for the speaker to rest on (the cs400i is 14" deep and my tv only has 9" to work with). I tried buying a special shelf to rest on the sloped part of the tv, but the angle is too great...
So I have been looking at other models of center speakers. I was wondering if I could use the LSiC as my center because it is only 9" deep (and the finish matches my sub:) ). I can buy this speaker for almost what the CS400i would cost me plus the cost of a small tv mount or shelf I would need to hang the 400i on the wall. Would going with the LSiC be a bad idea for my system as far as speaker matching goes or what?
Please give me some suggestions...

Thanks

I have:
RT800i fronts
Rt600i surrounds
PSW650 sub
Post edited by saguppy on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited July 2003
    Welcome to the forum :)

    The CSi30 would fit the bill, better than the LSi for your setup. AND they can be found at some real nice prices, since they are being replaced by new models.

    The LSi's tweeter is so much different than your current tweeters, that it will sound too out of place for a front stage HT setup.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited July 2003
    This is how I created my own center channel rack for the Sony 57". I tried...:lol Its been that way for over a year and has never caused a problem.
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,624
    edited July 2003
    saguppy,

    Look at my pictures in the System Showcase and you can see how I solved that problem with my TV. Similar to Hbomb's, but a lil more archaic I suppose..........it all works....
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited July 2003
    Originally posted by brettw22
    saguppy,

    Look at my pictures in the System Showcase

    I'd love to have that center channel!!!!

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited July 2003
    I've seen a few CS400i's on ebay recently.. i find that for what you get.. most of the prices are very reasonable. if you're looking to get a CS400i for under $100 or less... you probably won't ever find that. It's worth every penny you pay.. I bought mine when it was a "new" series of speakers...and If I remember right. it was like $329 - $359
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited July 2003
    Agree with danger boy: Bought mine new, too, and outside of my 55i's, it may just be my favorite speaker (also have 800i's, 35i's, f/x50i's, 245i).

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • TonyPTX
    TonyPTX Posts: 545
    edited July 2003
    Originally posted by brettw22
    saguppy,

    Look at my pictures in the System Showcase and you can see how I solved that problem with my TV. Similar to Hbomb's, but a lil more archaic I suppose..........it all works....

    Do those speakers have a built in AMP? What's the extra cable for. (looks like a power cable)
    Damn....8 lines...I've gotta put my sig on a diet now....
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  • fgr41
    fgr41 Posts: 432
    edited July 2003
    I just saw a CS400i at CC today for $229 open box but comes with 5 yr warrenty. I also found a CS400i at an Ovation store today for $349, new. I bought mine from CC open box for $199 a month ago.

    They are out there, and are a SWEET addition to any HT. If you can rig a shelf, you will thank yourself later.
    Front
    Polk RT800i (BI-wired)
    Rear
    Polk RT600i
    Center
    Polk CS400i (BI-wired)
    Sub
    SVS 25-31PCi (22Hz tuning port)... it's SubHuman
    Receiver
    YAMAHA RX-V1400
    TV
    Mitsubishi WT-46807 HDTV
    HD receiver
    T i V o HR10-250
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  • saguppy
    saguppy Posts: 44
    edited July 2003
    Yeah, I really do want the CS400i now.... those are some very creative shelves. Hbomb, how did you come up with that shelf??
    I didnt think there would be any more of the 400i's left in stores because of the new models so i didnt think to check there. Ha, wheres the CC at you're talking about?
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited July 2003
    Originally posted by saguppy
    Yeah, I really do want the CS400i now.... those are some very creative shelves. Hbomb, how did you come up with that shelf??

    The shelf itself came from a set I purchased at the Bombay store many years ago. It stood about 6 ft high but when my daughter was born I was so paranoid it might fall that I disasembled it to multi shelves that are only ~2 ft high. I took 1 of the shelves and couple angle brackets for wall shelving that would give me the right pitch and screwed them into the shelf. Surprising to me is how sturdy it actually is and it does not slide around either.

    Then I got drunk because I'm really not a crafty person so I had to pat myself on the back a little :D

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • fgr41
    fgr41 Posts: 432
    edited July 2003
    Originally posted by saguppy
    Yeah, I really do want the CS400i now.... those are some very creative shelves. Hbomb, how did you come up with that shelf??
    I didnt think there would be any more of the 400i's left in stores because of the new models so i didnt think to check there. Ha, wheres the CC at you're talking about?

    I saw them at CC's in Indianapolis. Glad you have decided to go CS400i, I think you will be very pleased. Let us know when you find one.
    Front
    Polk RT800i (BI-wired)
    Rear
    Polk RT600i
    Center
    Polk CS400i (BI-wired)
    Sub
    SVS 25-31PCi (22Hz tuning port)... it's SubHuman
    Receiver
    YAMAHA RX-V1400
    TV
    Mitsubishi WT-46807 HDTV
    HD receiver
    T i V o HR10-250
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  • saguppy
    saguppy Posts: 44
    edited July 2003
    How about this shelf? It's $20 including shipping on ebay.
    Think itd look ok?
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  • saguppy
    saguppy Posts: 44
    edited July 2003
    oops, picture didnt show up.
    Here's a link:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3036121412
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited July 2003
    I have looked into this my self....this is my most likely purchase for a center rear:

    http://www.electroshops.com/images/wallmounts/vlb200.jpg

    :)
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • saguppy
    saguppy Posts: 44
    edited July 2003
    Problem with the Vogel is it only extends to 12" and the cs400i is 14" deep:(
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited July 2003
    Sag - I forgot how deep that one is, the CSi40 is the same size. I am using a CSi30 for the rear. They have another one, no tilt:

    http://www.electroshops.com/images/wallmounts/vogelswish.jpg
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • JohnnyCanEHdian
    JohnnyCanEHdian Posts: 15
    edited July 2003
    Is this CS400i an older model speaker? I'm trying to find it on the site, but can't seem to.

    I just bought the CSi30 and love it, but wanted to compare it to the CS400i. Sounds like it's quite a bit better.
    Johnny CanEHdian

    It's all fun and games until someone Polks out an ear.
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  • saguppy
    saguppy Posts: 44
    edited July 2003
    I think I'd rather have an angled mount...
    Yeah the cs400i is the previous model. look at polks website under Recent Products.
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  • JohnnyCanEHdian
    JohnnyCanEHdian Posts: 15
    edited July 2003
    Must still be early in the morning. I can't believe i didn't see that link. Thanks. :cool:
    Johnny CanEHdian

    It's all fun and games until someone Polks out an ear.
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited July 2003
    Originally posted by dorokusai
    I have looked into this my self....this is my most likely purchase for a center rear:

    http://www.electroshops.com/images/wallmounts/vlb200.jpg

    :)

    Doro, where is this company and how much for that mount??
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • PhysicsCoder
    PhysicsCoder Posts: 40
    edited July 2003
    Dude, do whatever it takes to get yourself a cs400i (short of maiming and killing, of course!). I just found mine about a month ago, and felt like I'd found the last one on the East coast. I had the csi30 up front. That's a great little speaker, no complaints, but the cs400i will pound you into the ground. I even like it better than the new csi40 (which, granted, I've only heard in the store).

    search the web for cs400i. You'll find reviews, mostly, but eventually you'll find a vendor who has still got one. Or you'll find a used one.

    You won't be disappointed :D
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited July 2003
    Faster - Honestly I have no idea where they are, but they are in the states. The mount, the first link is $60/pair. If you are liking it, let me know we could split them, if you are doing the same thing I am, mounting a center in the rear.......
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • twochannel
    twochannel Posts: 171
    edited July 2003
    I have a CS400i center and I'm having the same problem with a mount with by new projection tv. I'm considering the Plateau SD-ULT rack for big screen TV's, but the center channel wil end up about 8 inches highter than the screen. l also looked at a wall mount rack for a 17-21 inch TV which will work and I change the angle to direct the sound. The only problem is that it will be behind the front of the TV, and only my DVD player has the ability to change the distance and delay back from the main speakers. My reciever will only allow you to make the placement even or closer than the main speakers. Just another thing to consider.
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  • Gate1way2
    Gate1way2 Posts: 29
    edited July 2003
    Why not use a television shelf? They are only $10 bucks and they work great. I have one on my RPTV because the Csi40 would not fit since the top of the television is only 6 inches. It has many options to be raised and lowered. You could have it angled or have it flat like the tv. here's a picture of how it looks, this isn't my set up but i found it on another forum but it's basically the same shelf.
    http://home.comcast.net/~wsjnh/images/HomeTheater.jpg
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