Csi A4 or Csi A6 with Rti A9s

PiG

Hi,

I know the Csi A6 is supposed to be the flagship centre channel and all but I also notice that the A9 uses two 5.25 inch midrange speakers as oppose to the larger 6.5 inch midwoofers the A5 and A7's use.

The A4 also uses the 5.25 inch drivers whereas the A6 use the 6.5 inch drivers.

So would it make sense that the Csi A4 would actually be the better match for use with A9's instead of an A6???

I feel the A6 to be a little too chesty compared to the A9's would this get better or worse by using an A4 instead?

Thanks

mantis

All polk rtia series speakers match each other. You can run any of them together if you like. The CSI A6 is the correct matching center to your A9's but they A4 also matches.
I have Installed both center channels many times and never heard this"chesty" sound you talk of. I actually think the A6 is a wonderful sounding perfectly blended center to the A7 and A9 main channel speakers.
I also had very good electronic's in front of them. Better gear equals better sound.

B Run

If you have the room the A6 would be a better choice. I had the same logic when I bought a CS1 to match my Monitor 60's, I wanted the same size drivers all around. I sold them to a friend and he upgraded to the CS2 and it sounded much better and still blended perfectly.

polkfarmboy

When I had my csi3 with my rti8 the rti8 just hammerd the csi3 all the time during a movie so I had to step up to a csi5 to get a nice soundstage . The same applies even more so with the rti9' (rti10)

The csi 4 with only sound right with rti a3

jbooker82

I would go 6 if you can fit it. Just make sure you measure first. I couldnt fit it so I run a A4 with my RTI A7's.

PiG

I see the consensus remains bigger is better when it comes to the Csi A6 as compared to the A4. I came across this when I was doing all my research... which is why I saved up to get the A6.

I actually think the A6 is a wonderful sounding perfectly blended center to the A7 and A9 main channel speakers.

This is exactly why I'm also a bit surprised because it doesn't seem to deliver that same sound for me, when everyone sees such a distinct difference. Could it be a break-in thing???

I guess I'll stick with it... but I wonder what I'm doing wrong here... or maybe the A9's are just too high a measuring stick to really compare it to fairly. I mean placement is a bit of a factor... it's not high enough I think but even though there just seems to be more clarity and "realness" to the sound that comes out of the A9's

SRTer

PiG wrote: »

I see the consensus remains bigger is better when it comes to the Csi A6 as compared to the A4. I came across this when I was doing all my research... which is why I saved up to get the A6.

This is exactly why I'm also a bit surprised because it doesn't seem to deliver that same sound for me, when everyone sees such a distinct difference. Could it be a break-in thing???

I guess I'll stick with it... but I wonder what I'm doing wrong here... or maybe the A9's are just too high a measuring stick to really compare it to fairly. I mean placement is a bit of a factor... it's not high enough I think but even though there just seems to be more clarity and "realness" to the sound that comes out of the A9's

Since all of the RTi A series speakers are voiced match, the A9's and any of the centers should blend their sound together.

However, a much more capable A9 will produce a full and precise sound being a 3 way speaker. Much better than either center channel when ran in a full range mode.

This is not a problem because Home Theater systems mostly use a 80Hz and lower crossover where the sub picks up the heavy lifting in the low frequencies
where speaker like the A9's excel.

Placement of the center channel, plenty clean power, and system calibration should allow the center channels to blend nicely in the room.

Thus giving a edge to the CSi A6 due to is better power handling and larger drivers and cabinet. These should combine together for a more full and richer sound with a better mid range and mid bass capabilities at higher volumes where the smaller center channel could start to sound a little anemic.

I have two Polk HT setups in my home and have both CSi A6 and A4 in use. Too much mid and mid bass can cause the A4 to struggle as where the A6 still sounds great at those same levels.

Question, where did u hear these center channels play and what type of receiver, placement, amp, and or calibration if any was used?

Sorry for long post...

dorokusai

There are some folks that prefer a smaller center channel due to the larger one being a little heavy handed with dialogue....chesty is what you mentioned before. It's really preference and either one would be fine. I prefer a larger center channel in all cases.

PiG

Question, where did u hear these center channels play and what type of receiver, placement, amp, and or calibration if any was used?

Well I picked up an A6 and added it to my setup in between a pair of A9's and below the tv (I've heard the csi 3, the A4's predecessor, at a friends house. To think of it, his does struggle with higher volumes, the dialogue seems to get overpowered as some have mentioned)... Regarding placement, it's a little too low actually, which is in part contributing in part to making the sound a little "chesty" as I put it earlier. I think it's possibly reflecting too much off the floor, which has a large area rug on it. Could that cause some of the frequencies to go a miss.

In terms of receiver, it's lacking, it's an older technics receiver which I'm intending on replacing. So, yes, power is definitely an issue however the room is maybe 12 X 15 X 8... not terribly large and I don't really push it with the volume. This receiver has limited calibration settings, no audyssey or anything like that. I'll double check to see if it's set too small. maybe it's trying to go full range and suffering as it's already lacking the benefits of reserve power from the receiver.

So break-in wouldn't be an issue??

I think I might hang on to the A6 anyway, in the end. Considering my friends setup with the Csi 3 and the fact that I may always be tempted to move up to the larger centre in the future... we all know how that goes...

Plus, there are so many people on here, with respected opinions, that say A6. I feel this has to add weight to the A6 at the very least.

SRTer

PiG wrote: »

Well I picked up an A6 and added it to my setup in between a pair of A9's and below the tv (I've heard the csi 3, the A4's predecessor, at a friends house. To think of it, his does struggle with higher volumes, the dialogue seems to get overpowered as some have mentioned)... Regarding placement, it's a little too low actually, which is in part contributing in part to making the sound a little "chesty" as I put it earlier. I think it's possibly reflecting too much off the floor, which has a large area rug on it. Could that cause some of the frequencies to go a miss.

In terms of receiver, it's lacking, it's an older technics receiver which I'm intending on replacing. least.

Well, if you can aim the CSi A6 in to the middle of your listening area so the the tweeter is not aimed at the floor or bottom of your sofa, I'm sure you will hear the higher frequencies better.

A updated receiver will most likely change your whole HT system for the better.

Your on the right track.

gp4jesus

I have an 'A6*. It worked well w/'A1s as LR**s - liked the result. As others mentioned on this thread voicing makes it work. That & setup.
* nearly 6' above floor, pointed down into listening area
** 'A7s now LR; 'A1s now surrounds

When I complete my new cabinet to house my electronics, the 'A6 tweeter height will be w/in 2" of the 'A7's tweeter height.

cheers

PiG

apart from aiming to get a new receiver... I too am trying to get the A6 higher ... though I won't be able to get the tweeters within 2 inches of each other, they will be eventually closer... I take it your screen is well abover your A7 height for you to be able to pull this off...

gp4jesus

it will be