CSiA6 or CSi5

Geoff4rfc
Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,477
edited January 2012 in Speakers
So far my CS2 is doing a great job with my new A9's but the upgrade for my center is inevitable, besides, I already told my wife you guys said I have to :mrgreen:

Are the aesthetics the only difference between the A6 and the 5?

Thanks

Oh yeah, what about that LSiM706? Would that go with my A9's? Did you hear that? My wife just loaded the gun, gotta go.
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, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

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
Post edited by Geoff4rfc on
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Comments

  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2012
    There are some minor differences in the sound. The CSiA6 is going to have a slightly tamer high end response, and a slightly warmer midrange. The CSi5 is a little bit harsher sounding. That said, the sonic differences are very subtle and the primary differences are aesthetic. Personally, I'd spring for the A6.
    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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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited January 2012
    I would also pick the CSiA6 since you already have the RTiA Towers.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
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  • DaveHCYJ
    DaveHCYJ Posts: 89
    edited January 2012
    I would go with the A6. The A series has wood vaneers on the fronts while the older CSi/RTi series has a silver front. Even though the grills mostly cover it the silver still shows all around the edge and in my opinion ruins the look of the nice wood vaneer. It will end up driving you crazy compared to your nice A9s. Or at least it drove me crazy -- I had to return my RTi's and spend the extra on the RTi A's for purely cosmetic reasons. Without a doubt if you leave the grills off then you need the A6. If you don't care about looks then sonicly the differences are rather small.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2012
    Go with whichever you can get the cheapest. With grills on they look similar as well as sound.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited January 2012
    I think the csia6 would look the best with the towers and the csia6 can throw out the sound further with more clarity if your at a longer seating distance. That being said both center channels are great and to this day I'm still regretting selling my csi5 as it would be great to have one in my dedicated lil HT room to sit under my projector screen:cry:
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