CS245i vs CSi30?

Slipery99

Hey everyone,

I just completed my HT setup and I had it running 5.1 Surround for the first time today. It sounds pretty decent to me, but I had to compromise on my center until I can get some more funds.

This is my current system:
Receiver: Sony STRDH520
Front's: Polk RTI 6
Center: CS245i
Surrounds: Mission 780's

I have been talking to a local guy in Ottawa who is offering me a CSi30 and 2 FXi30's for $100 for all 3.

It is a pretty good deal, they are in great shape. I can't find information on whether the CSi30's will be an improvement over my CS245i. All I can see from the Polk website is that the CSi30 is 3.5 inches wider, but 1 inch lower and 2.5 inches less deep... Cs245i is 9"1/4 and Csi30 is 6"3/8 deep.

Which speaker is the newer line? Also, I am guessing that it would help my surround to have a dipole speaker rather then a bookshelf? And it doesn't hurt that they are Polk's.

Seems like a good deal, any advice/opinions? I bought my CS245i for $50, and my Missions for $75 I think.

VR3

The entire RT line up is a evolution of a small incremental roller coaster of parallel improvements.

Slipery99

Ok, but I can't even tell if the CSi30 is an incremental improvement or of it is worse.

HTguru1982

Get them. $100 for all three is a steal. And yes, the CSi30 is better than the CS245i. The tweeter is a better match to the RTi6 too.

Slipery99

Well, I did end up picking them up. Now I was curious if you could help me set up my Polk Fxi30's properly.. I have a funny shaped room that is in an L configuration. I have attached a picture to show you the rough configuration. The Blue is the Tv. The couch is the black line between the back speakers, and all of the speakers are in red. My back two speakers are currently bookshelves and the one on the left is on a stand (with an actual bookshelf behind it) the one on the right is on a window sill. I am switching them out for the FXi30's.

I am concerned about having the left speaker on dipole setting as I think it is meant to bounce of a wall. The speakers have to stay in the same location as I have the dining room and a path to walk out to the balcony right behind the couch. Should I set them to dipole or bipole or should I just stick with my bookshelf speakers if this speakers won't work well with my setup?

Tbone289

According to your diagram, you should set them to dipole. I believe the rule is that you use dipole if the speakers are beside the seating position, and use bipole if they are behind the seating position.

Tbone289

The FX might work better if you set them to bipole and position them behind you. They might have better dispersion that way. The best bet might be trial and error in your situation.