CSiA6 vs. CSi5

Sci-fi Polk Guy

Hi guys!! I'm putting together a home theater system. I'm thinking about using the following speakers:

Fronts: Polk Audio RTiA3's
Center: Polk Audio CSiA6 or CSi5
Surrouonds: Polk Audio RTi3's
Sub: SVS PB12NSD

I'll be using the system mostly for movies. I feel pretty good about my choices, but I would like some input about my choice for the center channel speaker. I can get the CSi5 for about $175 less than the CSiA6. Is there enough difference between the '5 and the 'A6 to warrant the difference in price? (I am partial to the 'A6 because I had a system with the 'A4 as its center, and it was awesome. But, I don't want to spend any unnecessary bucks if I don't have to.)
BTW, I am using 'A3's because I don't have space for a pair of floorstanders. Thanks for your input.

specd_out

From what I have read, there isnt much difference in the sound between the older (rti) and the newer (rita) lines. The biggest difference is the look of the unit. RTi uses that cheaper looking silver paint on the front and silver speakers, where as the RTia uses the wood front and the darker color speakers. I am really particular about stuff matching especially in the front so i replaced my csi3 as soon as i was able.

Sci-fi Polk Guy

UPDATE!! I made a typo in my original post. I should've written that I plan on using RTi4's, not RTi3's for my surrounds. Also, after taking a good look at the center and surrounds and getting the WAF, I changed my mind about the RTiA3's as fronts. I plan on using a pair or Monitor 70's as fronts. Would a Yamaha RX-A2000 drive those front three speakers sufficiently, or will it be necessary to spring for a nice 3 channel amp, like an Emotiva XPA 3?

tonyb

Your fine with that receiver and speaker combo. Why Monitor 70's when the rest are RTI'S ? Seems to me the RTIA 5's or 7's would be the better choice. Anyway, enjoy.

Sci-fi Polk Guy

tonyb wrote: »

Your fine with that receiver and speaker combo. Why Monitor 70's when the rest are RTI'S ? Seems to me the RTIA 5's or 7's would be the better choice. Anyway, enjoy.

The main reason why I chose the Monitor 70's over the RTiA5' or 7's is cost. From what I've seen, the 5's cost about twice as much as the Monitor 70's. But, if you or anyone else can let me know where I can get a pair of 5's for about $500, I would definitely consider the 5's. Thanks for your help.

ravaneli

I was debating on the same thing last week.

For you the A4 may be a better match actually, even though cheaper. It has the same lower range as the A3 and will be better powered without an amp.

I don't think there's much of a difference anyway. Also, you may wana condires aesthetics.. the huge A6 may put unwanted attention on your (relatively) small front A3s..

pyrocyborg

Well, a lot of people are saying that the new RTiA line is a tad less bright than the "old" RTi line. However, from my experience between RTi6 and RtiA3 bookshelf, there is only a cosmetic difference. They both sound the same, but maybe there is a slight difference in the high-end.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the CSiA6 timbre match bigger RTiA line woofers (6.5) equipped speakers while the CSiA4 is for smaller 5 1/4 woofers.

Sci-fi Polk Guy

I originally planned to have the following speakers:

Fronts: Polk Audio RTiA3's
Center: Polk Audio CSiA6
Surrounds: Polk Audio RTi4's
Sub: SVS PB12NSD

My thought was that when I upgraded, all that I would have to do I shift the fronts to the surrounds, the surrounds to the rear surrounds and replace the fronts with a pair of A5's, 7's or 9's and buy an Emotiva XPA3 to drive the front three speakers. By choosing the A6 as my center in my original setup, I would not have to upgrade the center. I would already have a center that was matched to my upgraded fronts. Also, with the original setup, if the A6 was a little too much for the A3's, I could dial it back a little bit. But, since I could get a pair of Monitor 70's for less than what it would cost me for a pair of A3's, I could get a lot more bass for less money. That was my rationale. But, even if I chose to do the same shift with Monitor 70's as opposed to A3's, you've got to admit that the 70's would probably make a killer set of side surrounds. But with the 70's as surrounds, I'd probably have to upgrade to an Emotiva XPA5 instead of an XPA3.

chumlie

Be prepared for an Emo bitchfest.

jasongranholm

Hi there, I have a CSI A6 Center speaker which is BRAND New, I want to downgrade to the CSI5 because I have the RTI12's and the front panel matches with the CSI5. Does anyone want to trade? I have the receipt and box and everything. I also want the the CSi5 to be in great condition. please email me if interested jasongranholm@hotmail.com. I live in Vancouver BC

nhhiep

soundwise, they're identical. the only difference between them is the box.

Geoff4rfc

chumlie wrote: »

Be prepared for an Emo bitchfest.

It's actually been quite awhile since I've seen an emo bitchfest

Sci-fi Polk Guy wrote: »

I originally planned to have the following speakers:

Fronts: Polk Audio RTiA3's
Center: Polk Audio CSiA6
Surrounds: Polk Audio RTi4's
Sub: SVS PB12NSD

My thought was that when I upgraded, all that I would have to do I shift the fronts to the surrounds, the surrounds to the rear surrounds and replace the fronts with a pair of A5's, 7's or 9's and buy an Emotiva XPA3 to drive the front three speakers. By choosing the A6 as my center in my original setup, I would not have to upgrade the center. I would already have a center that was matched to my upgraded fronts. Also, with the original setup, if the A6 was a little too much for the A3's, I could dial it back a little bit. But, since I could get a pair of Monitor 70's for less than what it would cost me for a pair of A3's, I could get a lot more bass for less money. That was my rationale. But, even if I chose to do the same shift with Monitor 70's as opposed to A3's, you've got to admit that the 70's would probably make a killer set of side surrounds. But with the 70's as surrounds, I'd probably have to upgrade to an Emotiva XPA5 instead of an XPA3.

Good plan however, let me be the first to tell you, even though it's been said the front three make the most difference in a series match, having matching surrounds make the deal all the more sweeter.

I started out with the Monitor Series II and have been upgrading the RTiA series. And yes, I've got my M70's as side surrounds it's pretty awesome. I have my M40's as wides and that's pretty awesome too however, I feel like there's a bit of a lack.

The RIiA9's and CSiA6 leave the M's sounding a little, lack-luster. Don't get me wrong, I've been loving my 70's in surround, but I feel like there's something more to be had.

I would like to have an XPA-5 so I could drive all 7 speakers, I have the 3 and 2 instead which isn't too bad, the receiver has plenty of grunt to drive more than it's share of M40s.

So what's the moral of this story, I believe it would benefit the listener to have all of the same series speakers.