Fronts: Polk Audio RTiA3's

decentca
decentca Posts: 1
edited March 2012 in Speakers
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.
four different learning styles
Post edited by decentca on
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Comments

  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited March 2012
    $75 difference is OK, but 175 is too much. the only difference between them is the box. you won't hear any differences
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  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited March 2012
    A6 does have a gorgeous (and matching!) box though :) And you can take the grill off. Taking the grill of CSi5 is like smiling with bad teeth.
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,477
    edited March 2012
    You bet! The CSi5 is advertised by Polk to be compatible with all RTi and RTiA series.

    Good choice in speakers. Save the money where you can.
    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
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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited March 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    A6 does have a gorgeous (and matching!) box though :) And you can take the grill off. Taking the grill of CSi5 is like smiling with bad teeth.

    bad teeth? not that bad. it's more like a hot sexy curvy vs flat girl :)
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  • specd_out
    specd_out Posts: 505
    edited March 2012
    I have to agree I had a csi3 with my rtia mains. I hated the silver. Just stood out too much for me. my a6 looks much better. If your not in a rush, hold off and see if you can get a csia. You also may want to consider the csia4 rather then teh a6. The a6 uses 6.5 drivers where the a4 uses 5.25. It may be a better sonic match to your a3.
    HT Rig Samsung 64F8500 |Pioneer Elite BDP-52FD|Pioneer Elite VSX-32| Two Carver TFM-15cb Bridged for mains|Polk Audio RTiA5 Cherry|Polk Audio CsiA6 Cherry|Polk Audio T-15 Heights|Polk Audio FXia6 Surround|DIY 8cuft Dayton Ultimax 15" powered with a Crown XLS1000
    2Channel Rig Polk Audio LSi9 Cherry| Carver C-1BillD Mod|Carver M1.0t MkII Opt2|Pro-ject RM 1.3|SpeedBox S|AQ King Cobras|AQ Rocket88|
    ISF Level 2 Certified Calibrator
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited March 2012
    I have a couple of these and the 6.5 inch drivers and monstorous cabinet is a huge difference over the 5.25 inchers and smaller cabinet. I would think though that with just one 6.5 inch driver on each front main you would be better matched with the 5.25 inch center as the large unit could overwhelm the little A-3's. I mean no dis-respect in calling the A-3's little, they will work really well in a HT set-up and my last HT setup which ran for 17 years was comprised of 4 6.5 inch single drivers and a dual 5.25 inch driver center with a big sub and it worked just wonderfully, they were all Klipsch and a little more efficient.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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