CS2 with RTi10

photocrazy
photocrazy Posts: 89
edited December 2010 in Speakers
I am planning on getting a pair of RTi10s. When I add a center speaker, can I use CS1 or CS2 ? or should I get a center from RTi series ?

How does monitor 70 differ from RTi10 ? I will be using them for music and movies in 70/30 ratio. If that helps, I have a pio vsx-1325
Post edited by photocrazy on
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Comments

  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited December 2010
    would be best to get a matching RTi series CSi center IMO

    i have a CSia5 with my RTi10s and it sounds great

    used a CSi3 before the 5
    mole'
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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited December 2010
    I'd look for a Csi5 to match your fronts. I'm using one with my rti10s. It's a beast...if space is an issue you'd be alright using a csi3.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited December 2010
    I definitely wouldn't, I think the Csi5 is the best part of my system. The CS1 & 2 tweeter isn't as detailed and won't be timbre matched so your front soundstage won't sound right during movies.
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  • jflail2
    jflail2 Posts: 2,868
    edited December 2010
    Don't be afraid of the CSi-3 if you're pushed for space. I've got one and have been thoroughly pleased with results. I am assuming the 5 is all the better from what I've read here, but for my purposes the 3 has been wonderful.

    And I agree with the others here; I'd go for the timbre matching, so the 3 or the 5 would be what I'd personally shoot for.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2010
    WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

    I run the CSI-3 in a second system with two RTI-A3s up front...and a Denon AVR. Can't complain, because it sounds pretty good. Would the larger center be better? Probably. But I don't have the space for it. Forget about the CS10 and 20 and get the matching center for the RTI series..you won't regret it.

    Enjoy!
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • photocrazy
    photocrazy Posts: 89
    edited December 2010
    Wow...I was under the impression that monitor and RTi series timber match.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited December 2010
    photocrazy wrote: »
    Wow...I was under the impression that monitor and RTi series timber match.

    The Monitor and TSI series timbre match, the Rti uses a different tweeter.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited December 2010
    I use a cs2 with my rti a7's and it sounds great...

    In an ideal world, everything would match perfect... but do what you can with your budget.
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  • chadam44
    chadam44 Posts: 68
    edited December 2010
    You can get a CSi3 on the cheap right now. I know crutchfield and onecall has them shippend for less than $140 in either color.
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  • photocrazy
    photocrazy Posts: 89
    edited December 2010
    chadam44 wrote: »
    You can get a CSi3 on the cheap right now. I know crutchfield and onecall has them shippend for less than $140 in either color.

    Thanks, but I am from canada and I could find only CSi A4 and CSi A6 in futureshop. But newegg.ca often has a sale for CS2 for $100. That is why I thought I could use monitors as my centers with Rti. But with the comments I see here, It seems both are very different
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2010
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I use a cs2 with my rti a7's and it sounds great...

    In an ideal world, everything would match perfect... but do what you can with your budget.
    photocrazy wrote: »
    Thanks, but I am from canada and I could find only CSi A4 and CSi A6 in futureshop. But newegg.ca often has a sale for CS2 for $100. That is why I thought I could use monitors as my centers with Rti. But with the comments I see here, It seems both are very different

    Upstatemax makes a good point. In an IDEAL world timbre matching your front three is desirable, but budgets and accessibility may prevent that, in which case running a CS2 is not the worst thing you can do and will probably sound good enough. I used to run a couple of JBL towers with a Pioneer center and it was fine for my first set up.

    Also remember that if you buy a CS2 you can probably resell it here and pick up a CSI center, used. There were any number available on this site recently. In fact, I picked up my CSi-3 for about 80 dollars plus shipping here from another member. So keep your eye on the ForSale market here because you WILL be able to pick up the matching center eventually.

    In the meantime you can just use a CS2. Like Umax does.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited December 2010
    Exactly... I plan on picking up a csi a4/6 eventually. But with a brand new baby in the house, not gonna happen anytime soon.

    The cs2 is warmer than my rti a7's but I have yet to hear a complaint from anyone about my system. However, if I buy another speaker I will hear plenty of complaints... funny how that works.
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  • photocrazy
    photocrazy Posts: 89
    edited December 2010
    I am already loving this forum for the wonderful support. Today I got my pio 1325(vsx-33 clone) and a pair of Rti10s. I am gonna hook them up tomorrow. what kind of speaker wires should I get ? should I go for banana plugs ? And for surrounds, is timbre matching a necessity ?
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  • Gulfstrings
    Gulfstrings Posts: 313
    edited December 2010
    Gave my daughter a pair RTi10s last year and just added the CSi3 for her center. She seems very pleased with the results.

    I had a CS2 running with my RTiA7s for a few months and heard a world of difference when switching over to the CSiA6.

    Not sure enough can be said about the benefits of "matching" up these Polk speakers for best results.
    Marantz AV7005
    Marantz MM7055
    Onkyo DX-755 CdP
    Oppo BDP-93
    Technics SL-1301/Shure M97xE
    Polk RTi A7s
    Polk CSi A6
    Polk FXi A6s
    Velodyne VDR10-BV
    Panamax M5100-PM
    Antec VERIS A/V Cooler x 2
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