Bookshelf speakers to pair with CS245i?

Jimbo18

My first post, so please forgive a question that is obvious to others or has been covered in the past.

I have a very limited budget. I recently bought a used CS245i as an upgrade from an even older Polk center channel that I am using in the bedroom as part of a 3.0 setup. The bookshelf speakers I have it paired with are old Monitor 2's, I think, but the identification plates are long gone from them and I bought those used also.

I just wondered what bookshelf speakers would complement the CS245i best (which sounds great to me compared to the CS-150 which it replaced). The center seems to overpower the side speakers. Not looking for anything too big since it's just the bedroom. Any advice would be appreciated.

Off topic - my setup downstairs is much better but is also using older speakers. Altec Lansing Santana speakers from 1975 (as fronts) and JBL Northridge center and rears pushed by a new Yamaha RX-V373 receiver. Again, I know it's low tech stuff but I just use it for TV and some movies.

HTguru1982

RT35i, RT55i. There are a pair of 35i's on Ebay right now. http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Polk-Audio-RT35I-Main--Stereo-Speakers-/69637187?_refkw=polk+rt35i&_pcatid=390&_pcategid=293&_dmpt=Speakers_Subwoofers

Jimbo18

Thanks, guru. I will check out the RT35i. The 55's are probably a bit big for my bedroom.

Jimbo18

I found RT35i's and Monitor 40s in the local area. Each pair is about $90. Are the RT35i's the better choice? Thanks again for any help, I am obviously a newbie (despite my advanced age of 60).

cincycat13

I would recommend going with the RT35i's. They are made to match the center you already have and I would say are a better speaker as well. If you have not found it....the product details can be found with these links...

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/rt35i/

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/monitor40/

teekay0007

Jimbo18, the RT28i might also be worth a look for you. It is somewhat smaller than the RT35i and it has the same driver (5-1/4") as those of your CS245i as opposed to the 6-1/2" of the RT35i.

Jimbo18

Thanks very much for everyone's input. Sounds like I have a couple fairly inexpensive options. And I got sidetracked a little today and made an offer on a pair of PSB Image B4 speakers. $90 for the pair but I haven't seen them in person yet. I assume they won't match the CS245i but I will find some use for them if they are in nice shape.

I will keep looking for the Polks recommended above but thought the PSB price might be too good to pass up.

Jimbo18

I got a pair of RT35i's in very nice shape for $90 (I hope that was a decent price). The guy with the PSB's showed up with 25yr. old Sansui's which I let him keep, of course. Anyway, the RT35i's sound great with the CS245i. A lot more bass than with the small Monitor Series 2 speakers and they fill the room a lot better.

Thanks again for the suggestions. Jim