CSi5 vs CSi A6

sohcahtoa
sohcahtoa Posts: 5
edited May 2011 in Speakers
Need a new center channel to beef up my home theater...

Have heard good things about polk direct on ebay...

Curious if you fine folks could give an opinion regarding the difference between
the CSi5 and the A6.

The A6 is a newer model I know I'm just curious if the extra $50 they charge will make a big difference.

Thanks much!
Front Mains: RT400's
Center Channel: CSM
Main Surround (side/back): RT5's
Rear Backs: Cambridge Soundworks Cubes (for now)
Sub: BassCube 8
Reciever: Pioneer VSX-30 Elite
Blu-Ray: Sony S580
Gaming: PS3 60GB (fat model)
HD Cable Box
Post edited by sohcahtoa on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    You should always buy the biggest center channel possible since it carries 60+% of the movie. It will also give your dialogue more presence, overall weight and anchor the system.
    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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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited May 2011
    The difference would be the csi6 being better looking

    There is not much of a sonic diff except that the 6 maintains resolution over a greater distane than the csi5
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited May 2011
    I'd get the Csi6, just because it's newer and nicer and in the long run will hold its value better if you sell it or upgrade. Plus it just looks better if it's visible. I've got the Csi5 and am happy with it though.
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  • WGDB
    WGDB Posts: 162
    edited May 2011
    + 1 to dorokusai....
    Pioneer Elite SC-35, Polk RTA (Real Time Array) 12's,
    Polk Monitor 40 surrounds, Polk CSiA4 Center,
    Polk PSW125, Sharp LC-46D62U,
    Panasonic DMP-BD85, Harmony One,
    iMac streaming an Apple TVII, or Squeezebox Touch
    Bedroom Rig~Sony STRDG-920, Polk Monitor 60 fronts, Polk RM6750 Satellites and Sub, Panasonic DMP-BD85
    Rabbit Hole Rig~Yamaha CA1010, Yamaha CT1010, Polk SDA 2A's, Teac A1500 R2R
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  • WGDB
    WGDB Posts: 162
    edited May 2011
    I have the CSiA4 Center and bought it off EBay Polk Direct as refurbished. Trust "us" ..... Polk backs their (our) product.... You cannot go wrong. Especially as a "Club Polk" member you just ask and Polk responds!
    Pioneer Elite SC-35, Polk RTA (Real Time Array) 12's,
    Polk Monitor 40 surrounds, Polk CSiA4 Center,
    Polk PSW125, Sharp LC-46D62U,
    Panasonic DMP-BD85, Harmony One,
    iMac streaming an Apple TVII, or Squeezebox Touch
    Bedroom Rig~Sony STRDG-920, Polk Monitor 60 fronts, Polk RM6750 Satellites and Sub, Panasonic DMP-BD85
    Rabbit Hole Rig~Yamaha CA1010, Yamaha CT1010, Polk SDA 2A's, Teac A1500 R2R
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited May 2011
    I owned both of them. They sound identical. I was running both at one time when I was running a two center channel setup. I couldn't get one center in the ideal position at the time, so I incorporated two center channels and located each just to the side of my tv. It acually sounded quite good.

    One thing to keep in mind is the cabinet shape of the two centers. The CSi5 has a more angular cabinet, while the CSiA6 is rounded. The only reason I am mentioning this is with the CSi5 you could turn it upside down and with the shape of its cabinet it would tilt the speakers pointing upwards. This was a plus if you had to mount your center in a location that was a little lower than ideal. It would project the sound upwards towards the listeners ears more effectively. When I ended up going back to a one center setup, I kept the CSi5 and sold the CSiA6 because of this.
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  • slk55amg
    slk55amg Posts: 305
    edited May 2011
    I used a CSIA4 as my center before I upgraded to the LSI line. It was so great that it kept up with my LSI15,s very well, till I replaced it with a LSIc.
    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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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    slk55amg wrote: »
    I used a CSIA4 as my center before I upgraded to the LSI line. It was so great that it kept up with my LSI15,s very well, till I replaced it with a LSIc.

    Was it worth it to upgrade from the CSi5 to LSiC? What did you gain/lose if anything? I am in the exact same boat. I will have a CSi5 fully restored and working here next week to go w/ my LSi 15's. Wont have the cash to upgrade to a LSiC for quite a bit either.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • slk55amg
    slk55amg Posts: 305
    edited May 2011
    Well I had the the CSIA4, yes it was worth it.
    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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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited May 2011
    only $50 difference? no brainer, even I am using CSi5 now, which I paid for 180 from Polk on Ebay and got it in new condition. Why they listed it as refurb'ed is beyond me.
    At the time, CSi6 was over 300.
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  • Slaine777
    Slaine777 Posts: 78
    edited May 2011
    Dawgfish wrote: »
    I owned both of them. They sound identical. I was running both at one time when I was running a two center channel setup. I couldn't get one center in the ideal position at the time, so I incorporated two center channels and located each just to the side of my tv. It acually sounded quite good.

    One thing to keep in mind is the cabinet shape of the two centers. The CSi5 has a more angular cabinet, while the CSiA6 is rounded. The only reason I am mentioning this is with the CSi5 you could turn it upside down and with the shape of its cabinet it would tilt the speakers pointing upwards. This was a plus if you had to mount your center in a location that was a little lower than ideal. It would project the sound upwards towards the listeners ears more effectively. When I ended up going back to a one center setup, I kept the CSi5 and sold the CSiA6 because of this.
    The CSi A6 can also be turned upside down. Right now I'm trying to decide which way I like it better.
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  • Cmiller
    Cmiller Posts: 108
    edited May 2011
    Slaine777 wrote: »
    The CSi A6 can also be turned upside down. Right now I'm trying to decide which way I like it better.

    I have my CSi6 upside down,sounds great.To the poster,if you are deciding between the 5 or 6,just get the 6,and be done with it..just make sure you have room for it,its HUGE
    Samsung PN50B550 Plasma
    Pioneer Elite SC-25
    Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD
    Adcom 7500 Amp-Panamax 4300 Conditioner
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk Csi A6 Center-Polk M60s rear Surrounds
    Klipsch Synergy Sub-10 X2
    Klipsch Synergy S-10 Premium back surround
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited May 2011
    Slaine777 wrote: »
    The CSi A6 can also be turned upside down. Right now I'm trying to decide which way I like it better.

    Yes it can but the CSi5 does the upside down thing better.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited May 2011
    Tell ya what, just buy the Csi6 and if you change your mind i'll trade ya and throw in the $50. Now you've got nothing to lose haha!
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  • carwashguy
    carwashguy Posts: 131
    edited May 2011
    Have had both, sounded identical to me. Like the looks of the six better, as stated above, it is huge. Upgraded because I have an illness, must always have the next nicer one. Now have a LSiC, noticeable improvement there.
    Living Room
    LSi 15
    LSi7
    LSiC
    LSiFX
    2 EPIK Empire
    2 W4S Sx-1000
    Monster HTPS 7000 MKII
    Parasound 5250
    Onkyo PR-SC5508
    Oppo BDP-95
    Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    LG 55 LED

    Bedroom
    RTi A7
    CSi A6
    FXi A6
    2 PSW 125
    Onkyo TX-NR1008
    Panasonic 60 Plasma
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited May 2011
    Both are for sale in the Polk Ebay store, save the $50.00. Majority says both sound the same. When the lights are dim and the movie is playing both will blend in seamlessly with the other speakers. Also depending on location you may not even see it.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited May 2011
    Sherardp wrote: »
    Both are for sale in the Polk Ebay store, save the $50.00. Majority says both sound the same. When the lights are dim and the movie is playing both will blend in seamlessly with the other speakers. Also depending on location you may not even see it.

    Agreed. It's not like either is a perfect match. In fact, the style of the CSi5 probably matches your speakers better. Save $50.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited May 2011
    sohcahtoa wrote: »
    Curious if you fine folks could give an opinion regarding the difference between the CSi5 and the A6.
    dorokusai wrote: »
    You should always buy the biggest center channel possible since it carries 60+% of the movie. It will also give your dialogue more presence, overall weight and anchor the system.
    :confused:
    WGDB wrote: »
    + 1 to dorokusai....
    :confused::confused:
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited May 2011
    I've heard both, and they sound very similar. The CSiA6 has a slightly smoother, warmer sound though from what I've heard. Not leaps and bounds better, but noticeable. The A6 is much better looking though IMO, and it would be worth the extra $50 just for that to me. I like the finish a lot more, the curved cabinet design is dead sexy, and the lack of the silver baffles is a big improvement IMO.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Todd Lee
    Todd Lee Posts: 73
    edited May 2011
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    :confused:

    :confused::confused:


    I'm thinking the same thing.. When did size come in to question here?
    Pioneer 1018
    Polk RTIA5's
    CSIA6
    RC80I's
    SVS PB12-nsd
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    Why wouldn't it? What's so difficult to understand about a larger center channel having an overall bigger impact to any HT setup? Is the center channel any different than having a larger front left & right loudspeaker?
    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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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited May 2011
    why did polk on ebay increase the CSi5 to near 250?, where I bought it 2 yrs ago from them for 179? and for sure they don't make these in Japan.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited May 2011
    nhhiep wrote: »
    why did polk on ebay increase the CSi5 to near 250?, where I bought it 2 yrs ago from them for 179? and for sure they don't make these in Japan.

    Dunno, but i just sourced all the parts for one and without buying a box from them and with the Polk discount they come out to ~225ish.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited May 2011
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Why wouldn't it? What's so difficult to understand about a larger center channel having an overall bigger impact to any HT setup? Is the center channel any different than having a larger front left & right loudspeaker?
    Your point is well taken, but is either one of the speakers he asked about larger than the other? I believe they're considered equivalent. You probably thought it was another of the myriad threads asking which center should I choose. I figured that, but decided to just yank your chain anyhow. :tongue:
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited May 2011
    nhhiep wrote: »
    why did polk on ebay increase the CSi5 to near 250?, where I bought it 2 yrs ago from them for 179? and for sure they don't make these in Japan.
    Increased demand? Short supply?
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2011
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Your point is well taken, but is either one of the speakers he asked about larger than the other? I believe they're considered equivalent. You probably thought it was another of the myriad threads asking which center should I choose. I figured that, but decided to just yank your chain anyhow. :tongue:

    I meant that in a nicer tone MDaudio, sorry for it reading like I was mad or something :smile:
    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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  • Todd Lee
    Todd Lee Posts: 73
    edited May 2011
    I was just teasing as well, in a friendly way.
    Pioneer 1018
    Polk RTIA5's
    CSIA6
    RC80I's
    SVS PB12-nsd
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  • chadam44
    chadam44 Posts: 68
    edited May 2011
    Short supply, they brought out the A6 and havent brought too many CSi5s around to sell. Must not see a lot of returns for refurbing.
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