Seeking some advice (Center Channel/amps)

JabroniUNM

Hey fellas, as you can see, I'm new to the community. Just recently picked up a pair of 70II's and 40II's as a birthday gift. I had been letting my old set up age for far too long and with these new additions I am completely blown away. The 70's are fantastic, so much so that I decided to kick my old JBL studio series center to the curb and pick up a new center. I hear lots of good things about the CS2, and of coarse I want continuity in the front because i am about 70/30 theater/music, the the front three are integral to a good theater experience. Which leads me into my next question.

I am also looking to amp these guys, i keep looking at the emotiva xpa-3, but if i get a cs2 which is only rated at 175, would i damage it running it at 200? I have been out of this hobby for a while, but i am glad to be back in it! Any advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

tonyb

Welcome bro, If I may ask, what receiver are you using ? Are you sure it has preouts to even add an amp ? Seems like you have the speakers down pat, good choice, we just need to know what your going to be powering them with. If you have a decent enough receiver, you may not even need an amp as those speakers are pretty darn easy to drive.

JabroniUNM

I have a Pioneer VSX1015TX, it has preouts, rated at 120 a channel. I want the amp for future expansion, and optimal sound quality. Plus an amp is something that will last, as far as components go, so i could still use it with future receiver purchases, speaker purchases, etc

TNHNDYMAN

Welcome Jabron-

Nice choice on the speakers and as tony suggests, make sure your AVR has pre outs to add an external amp. I'm using the same front setup- 70's and CS2 as you. If you add external amplification you should be fine. Unless you are maxing the volumne on the most demanding passage of dynamic music you will never see a continuous 200watts being used. Also if you have a sub in your setup and have your receiver's crossover set properly then your sub should be handling the lower frequencies. I cross my 70's at 60HZ and the CS2 at 80HZ. Your #'s may vary. If you use a little common sense and don't normally listening past ear splitting levels it is highly unlikely to damage the center speak. Feel free to ask any ?'s there are many on this forum that will be happy to share their knowledge and opinions with you.

As to the amps. Your choice is limited only by your budget. Many on here will have no problem spending your money for you. The emotives provide good bang for your buck value. I feel you could do better if you consider a used multi ch amp. IF possible try to demo a few different brands or listen to others systems to help determine what will work best for you.

Geoff4rfc

You'll love the XPA-3. I have one that I used with my 70II's and CS2. Unless you're doing concert levels, you'll be fine.

JabroniUNM

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I do have a sub with my system, a JBL e250p, I am still pleased with it. I have the crossover set at 80. A follow up, would it be a good idea to spend the extra cash to go with an XPA-5 or something similar to biamp the 70s?

TNHNDYMAN

Personally I would spend the extra coin on cables, some acoustic room treatments, and some good tunes. The surround speakers can be driven adequately w/ the AVR but it's always nice to have options. If it's not a budget killer then go for it and try it- only you will know what you prefer.

JabroniUNM

i already made me some cable with items purchased from blue jeans cable, 12 awg with locking banana plugs.

does anyone know how often newegg puts the CL2 on sale? i hear they do it quite often, in fact last week i think it was... any idea when it will go on sale next?

hochpt21

Got mine for $99 a couple weeks ago. If you're patient, you will see it again at that price. If not, check out Polk's ebay store.

Lietuvis91

Yeah, no amp you buy within your budget will be too much for these speakers. So far my cs2 sounded the best when I had 400w feeding it

Geoff4rfc

JabroniUNM wrote: »

i already made me some cable with items purchased from blue jeans cable, 12 awg with locking banana plugs.

does anyone know how often newegg puts the CL2 on sale? i hear they do it quite often, in fact last week i think it was... any idea when it will go on sale next?

Good job on the cables, I did the same thing and saved a ton doing my own. I know of quite a few guys doing the XPA-5, I wouldn't mind having another two channels myself to add to my A-3.

As others have said, the egg ALWAYS does the great sales on the Polk line, a little patience and you'll get the CS2 for 99. or 109.

JabroniUNM

so i found out today i can pick up a CSi A4 for about $175... should i go with a CS2 or the A4?

Lietuvis91

I'd stick with the CS2, it will blend in better.

JabroniUNM

I'm about to press the "order" button on an XPA-3 tonight... any thoughts? Good amp?

JabroniUNM

Oh and i ordered a CS2 this morning, went back on sale on the egg

JabroniUNM

And i just ordered the xpa3... now to play the waiting game

ravaneli

i am thinking about that one myself. Let us know what you think.

If I had preouts I would have ordered it by now, but for me it would mean buying an expensive AVR too.

Those monitors though... did you really need an amp for that? I have A7 and I am thinking of running them with AVR only..

(when will my A7s finally arrive!)

JabroniUNM

I got the amp with the thought in mind that with it i won't have to worry IF something will be able to run my speakers regardless of which avr i have (assuming it has preouts) it's kinda just a step along the path to an ultimate kickass home theater experience. The simple benefits of adding an amp and the overall positive reception of the XPA3 sold me. That and freeing up my receiver for the 40s in the rear and reducing the overall load helped in the decision.