CSI A4 vs A6

Drenis
Drenis Posts: 2,871
edited October 2011 in Speakers
So I did a quick search and nothing came up when I typed the title in, however I have a question that might be up for debate from some of you.

The RTI A9's use 5 1/4" drivers in a sealed area along with the tweeter. Some users have said the best center to timbre match is the A6 which has dual 6 1/2 drivers (used in the A7 tower) with tweeter.

Has anyone used the A4 instead? The A4 uses the same drivers and tweeter and to me, would match MORE than the A6. I can see the A6 taking away from the A9 drivers.

Discuss?

EDIT: Also, take into consideration that these would receive mods to the crossovers.
Post edited by Drenis on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited October 2011
    if price is your concern. check out Csi5. same as A6 as far as sound and a lot cheaper.I am using it with my Rti12 set (same as A9s)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited October 2011
    Price has nothing to do with it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited October 2011
    then I am not sure why are you still thinking about it? Even Polk suggests A6. remember that for center, bigger is always better, more than 50% of what you hear come from the center.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,685
    edited October 2011
    I don't agree with bigger is always better at all...

    I sent my A6 back for an A4. The A6 sounded bloated and artificial to me. Male vocals were boomy and I felt like they did not mesh with my A7's at all.

    Swapping to the A4 solved all of the issues and you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

    I know many people will not agree with me, but I just don't see why there is such a love affair with the A6.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited October 2011
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I don't agree with bigger is always better at all...

    I sent my A6 back for an A4. The A6 sounded bloated and artificial to me. Male vocals were boomy and I felt like they did not mesh with my A7's at all.
    I know many people will not agree with me, but I just don't see why there is such a love affair with the A6.

    I have both the CSi A6 and A4 in my home. I find the total opposite. The A6 sound fuller than the A4.

    Could some of your difference be in the automatic calibration that your AVR uses? They often adjust a EQ to change the sound to what the reciever measures to be better.

    Either are fine, but I believe that the CSi A6 is the center that brings the goods home. Especially at reference level Blu-ray play back.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited October 2011
    Thanks for the opinions fellas. Still waiting to read more about this.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited October 2011
    never heard the CSia4 tho

    i have the CSi3 ,CSi5 and the CSia6

    to me the CSia6 just sounded better.......

    ran them with my RTi10s

    SRTer wrote: »
    I have both the CSi A6 and A4 in my home. I find the total opposite. The A6 sound fuller than the A4.

    Could some of your difference be in the automatic calibration that your AVR uses? They often adjust a EQ to change the sound to what the reciever measures to be better.

    Either are fine, but I believe that the CSi A6 is the center that brings the goods home. Especially at reference level Blu-ray play back.


    i agree
    mole'
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited October 2011
    Different line but when I compared the CS1 with the CS2, the bigger drivers sounded much better. I had the same thought process and wanted it to match the 5 1/4 drivers in my old Monitor 60's, but it sounded much better with the CS2 and it blended just fine.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mufsoman
    mufsoman Posts: 632
    edited October 2011
    My Csi A6 sounds great with the Rti 12's. I've never heard an A4 in comparison, but have no need to, sound is awesome. If you want big sound to match the towers, I would go for the big daddy - A6 !!!!
    Parasound HCA-2003A & 2205A
    Front: Rti12's
    Center: Csi A6
    Side surrounds: Polk Rti A1's
    Atmos: Mirage Nanosats
    APC H15
    Power cords by Pepster, Morrow MA4 IC's, AQ Midnight, AQ Chocolate HDMI's[/SIZE]
    The rest is TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BtrSound
    BtrSound Posts: 123
    edited October 2011
    I listened to both side by side to evaluate which one to buy. They both sound really good. The sound stage for the RTIA6 was much better, but it is HUGE. I would say, if size is not a concern, go with the A6, but if it is a concern at all go with the A4. The size difference between the two is significant.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited October 2011
    BtrSound wrote: »
    I listened to both side by side to evaluate which one to buy. They both sound really good. The sound stage for the RTIA6 was much better, but it is HUGE. I would say, if size is not a concern, go with the A6, but if it is a concern at all go with the A4. The size difference between the two is significant.

    This is very true. Many people didn't give much thought to where or how they are going to fit the center channel in the room. The CSi A6 is a beast in size and must have a proper room for it.

    Therefore, for your viewing pleasure.

    I have taken pictures of both my CSi A6 and A4 together.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited October 2011
    SRTer wrote: »
    This is very true. Many people didn't give much thought to where or how they are going to fit the center channel in the room. The CSi A6 is a beast in size and must have a proper room for it.

    Therefore, for your viewing pleasure.

    I have taken pictures of both my CSi A6 and A4 together.

    What is the exact hight and width of that CSI A6?
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited October 2011
    jbooker82 wrote: »
    What is the exact hight and width of that CSI A6?

    These are the measurements of the CSi A6
    7 3/4" H x 24" W x 14" D

    These are the measurements of the CSi A4
    6 7/8" H x 20" W x 8 3/4" D

    Pulled from the Polk Audio site.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/specs.php#center
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,059
    edited October 2011
    If size is not an issue, go for the largest center possible.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 1,990
    edited October 2011
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    ...they did not mesh with my A7's at all.
    Placement of center in cabinet or LR in room could be factors. While a more remote posibility, unusual interaction w/AVR

    either way, my sig says it all!

    cheers tony
    Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
    8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
    *soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
    Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter