Choosing Center Channel

robaction33

Hi all. I'm putting together my first home theater setup and I've got a question about the best center channel to look for. I've been using my LS70's for years (and love them) and recently picked up a pair of F/X500i off ebay for the surrounds. I've seen from previous posts on the forum that the CS350 is the ideal option for my center, but they don't seem to pop up for sale very often and go quickly whenever they do.

So... if I'm too impatient to wait for the 350 to pop up what do you think I should go with? I've found some deals on the CS400i and CS-250S. The specs on the 400i are clearly better, but I'm wondering if the 250S would be a better match because it's approximately the same vintage as the LS70s. Any others I should consider? By the way, it's a pretty small room I'm working with, so it's not like I'll be cranking things to the max.

Thanks for your help.

ken brydson

robaction33 wrote: »

Hi all. I'm putting together my first home theater setup and I've got a question about the best center channel to look for. I've been using my LS70's for years (and love them) and recently picked up a pair of F/X500i off ebay for the surrounds. I've seen from previous posts on the forum that the CS350 is the ideal option for my center, but they don't seem to pop up for sale very often and go quickly whenever they do.

So... if I'm too impatient to wait for the 350 to pop up what do you think I should go with? I've found some deals on the CS400i and CS-250S. The specs on the 400i are clearly better, but I'm wondering if the 250S would be a better match because it's approximately the same vintage as the LS70s. Any others I should consider? By the way, it's a pretty small room I'm working with, so it's not like I'll be cranking things to the max.

Thanks for your help.

Welcome to CP!
The 350 is the best match and they do show up quite often. Just need to be patient. Keep an eye here on the forum and also your local CL. I've seen several on the Seattle CL in the last few weeks. The 400i is a good match. I think the 250 would work too but IIRC it's the little bro of the 350 and might be kind of small.

tonyb

If you have a cs400 local to you, grab it. It's a great center and meshes well with different varieties of Polk models.

robaction33

Thanks guys. I live in the Seattle area, as well, so I guess I just need to keep a better eye on craigslist. I haven't seen anything in the last 5 days or so since I've really been looking.