Help me choose, please!
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Ok, I am convinced now that I need a Center Channel Speaker, and ready to make the The question is which one? My current setup is a pair of Monitor 70 Series II (in one of my earlier posts, I erroneously said Monitor 60) and a PSW10. So, which Center Channel speaker should I get? Here's the Newegg lineup (they're having great PROMOS on a couple of these) :
CS1 Series II (Cherry).......$90
CS10 SeriesII (Cherry)......$90
CS2 Series II (Cherry)......$105
CS20 Series II (Cherry).....$150
At those prices, the CS2 seems like the obviously choice. What I am debating is whether the additional $45 for the CS20 is worth it. I am let to believe that the differences between CS2 and CS20 are merely cosmetic. What do you think?
CS1 Series II (Cherry).......$90
CS10 SeriesII (Cherry)......$90
CS2 Series II (Cherry)......$105
CS20 Series II (Cherry).....$150
At those prices, the CS2 seems like the obviously choice. What I am debating is whether the additional $45 for the CS20 is worth it. I am let to believe that the differences between CS2 and CS20 are merely cosmetic. What do you think?
Post edited by jhumur on
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When I was using my monitor 70,s as front speakers, I used a CSIA4 as a center. Dialouge in movies is so important I wanted a very clear center, just something to consider. $179.95 on polk direct currently.Emotiva XPA5, Sony ES 5300,: Lsi 15,s LSIC, Monitor 70,s, ( side surrounds) FXI 3,s, (rear surrounds)Micropro4000, Velodyne DEQ 10, Sony 55inchXBR 930D Sony BDP 790 Bedroom rig SonyES 3200 RTIA1,s CSIA4 FXI3,s polk PSW 10 SONY 34inch XBR960:cool:SONY BDP550
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The CS2 and CS1 are matched to the Monitor line. If you have room for it then go for the CS2. I haven't heard the CS1, but bigger has got to be better here. I have the CS2 and it works perfectly with the Monitor 70's. it got even better with more power put to it. Everything seemed to get a bit clearer IMO. Thats a good price too!
Front - Polk Audio Monitor 70
Center - Polk Audio CS2
Rear - Polk Audio TSi 100
Sub - Klipsch rw-10d
AVR - Onkyo ht-rc180
Main Amp- Parasound HCA-2003
Surround Amp- Sonance Sonamp 260
Tuner- Parasound tdq-1600
Turntable- Pro-ject Debut III USB w/upgraded platter
IPod dock - Pure i20
TV - Panasonic Viera tc-p46g10
Sony Playstation 3(250GB)
Nintendo Wii
Power Conditioner- Panamax 5100
Not in use-
Polk Audio Monitor 60
Polk Audio PSW10
Parasound p/sp-1000 -
Thanks, Rodeo0530, for the insight.
slk55amg, speaking of matching, would the CSIA4 match my 70s? Would I be able to balance the CSIA4 against the 70s? -
Its NOT an exact match. The RTIA line is the next line up from the Monitors. It worked great for me when I used it, very satisfied with the results.Emotiva XPA5, Sony ES 5300,: Lsi 15,s LSIC, Monitor 70,s, ( side surrounds) FXI 3,s, (rear surrounds)Micropro4000, Velodyne DEQ 10, Sony 55inchXBR 930D Sony BDP 790 Bedroom rig SonyES 3200 RTIA1,s CSIA4 FXI3,s polk PSW 10 SONY 34inch XBR960:cool:SONY BDP550
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Its NOT an exact match. The RTIA line is the next line up from the Monitors. It worked great for me when I used it, very satisfied with the results.
Right, it certainly couldn't hurt upgrading the center. I doubt the mains would suffer from it. It would be the other way around if you upgraded the mains and not the center.
As far as the egg list, definitely the CS2 over the CS1. I had a chance to demo them side by side and what a difference. The CS1 is a great speaker, but when listened to side by side, the CS2 makes the CS1 sound like it struggles to keep up.Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
The matching question aside, I'd wonder how the CSiA4 would keep up with the 70's. My thinking is the 70's are the biggest speaker in the Monitor line. The CSiA4 is the smaller center in the RTi line. I'd think if you were going to do an upgrade to the center you might want to go to the CSiA6?
Full disclosure, I run the 70's with the CS2 and am very happy with it. I do have different EQ profiles for movies (center slightly quieter) and TV (center slightly louder) to make sure I don't miss dialogue even if the sound engineering on some TV shows isn't stellar. -
The CSIA6 would be overkill with 70,s the CSIA4 worked great.Emotiva XPA5, Sony ES 5300,: Lsi 15,s LSIC, Monitor 70,s, ( side surrounds) FXI 3,s, (rear surrounds)Micropro4000, Velodyne DEQ 10, Sony 55inchXBR 930D Sony BDP 790 Bedroom rig SonyES 3200 RTIA1,s CSIA4 FXI3,s polk PSW 10 SONY 34inch XBR960:cool:SONY BDP550
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Thanks, guys! I think I'll pick up the CS2 soon; unless I find a killer deal on the CSI-A4
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You'll be plenty happy with the CS2...have fun getting everything up and running!
Front - Polk Audio Monitor 70
Center - Polk Audio CS2
Rear - Polk Audio TSi 100
Sub - Klipsch rw-10d
AVR - Onkyo ht-rc180
Main Amp- Parasound HCA-2003
Surround Amp- Sonance Sonamp 260
Tuner- Parasound tdq-1600
Turntable- Pro-ject Debut III USB w/upgraded platter
IPod dock - Pure i20
TV - Panasonic Viera tc-p46g10
Sony Playstation 3(250GB)
Nintendo Wii
Power Conditioner- Panamax 5100
Not in use-
Polk Audio Monitor 60
Polk Audio PSW10
Parasound p/sp-1000
