Replacement Center for Polk CSI A6

jamers99
jamers99 Posts: 8
edited August 2013 in Speakers
I've had the Polk Audio CSI A6 Center Speaker as part of my Home Theater room for 5 years now. It's matched up to a pair of RTiA5 Fronts. I suppose they are timbre matching since they are the same series and same 6.5"/1" Woofer/Tweeter sizes.

I'm starting to notice some of the dialog is not as clear as I would like. It's probably age related hearing loss. Anyway, I'm looking for a center that would provide even more clarity for dialog but still be a good match to the RTiA5 Fronts. I was thinking about getting the Infinity Primus PC351 because it is a 3 way speaker with 5.25"/3"/.75" for low/mid/high range frequencies. Would this be a better speaker than the Polk CSI A6?

By the way, my receiver is an Onkyo TX-SA-705 100w per Channel. I'm thinking about upgrading to an Onkyo TX-NR717 at 110w per channel. Not sure of the extra 10 watss will actually make any noticeable difference.
Post edited by jamers99 on
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,002
    edited July 2013
    No, the extra 10 watts won't matter much....an amp would. Aside from that, have you turned up your center channel level to see if that helps your situation ? Have you checked your cabling/connections....if your using bare wire you probably need to strip it back a half inch or so and get good copper into those speaker posts again.
    Infinity or the Polk ? I'd take the Polk.
    HT SYSTEM-
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    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited July 2013
    Could try a CSI A4 there are a few guys on here who have made the down grade from the A6 to the A4.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited July 2013
    I would try adjusting the level of the center before spending any money for sure. How is the speaker set up? Is the tweeter on the same plane as the A5's? Hidden in a cabinet?

    It may be worth upgrading (updating) your receiver for modern room correction software, not necessarily for more wattage.
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • adrsuhen
    adrsuhen Posts: 13
    edited July 2013
    Where is your location? If near me I like to offer your try my Polk Lsic, if you like it we can barter.
    I was looking for csi5 or csi A6 but ended up got this Lsic for a steal, I have RTi 12 for my front speaker btw.
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  • GFOviedo
    GFOviedo Posts: 353
    edited July 2013
    I wish I had pulled the trigger of the RTi12 when Fry's had them on sale for $750 a pair! Sorry for going off topic!
    AVR: DENON X4000
    FRONT L/R: ARX A3RX-C
    CENTER: ARX A2RX-C
    SURROUND L/R: ARX A3
    SUBWOOFER: PSA-XV15

    SERVER: UNRAID 15TB
    MEDIA PLAYERS: DUNE SMART SERIES D1
    HDTV: VIZIO M601D-A3R
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited July 2013
    adrsuhen wrote: »
    I was looking for csi5 or csi A6 but ended up got this Lsic for a steal

    I would unload that center channel for some cash on here. They are kind of hard to find.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • adrsuhen
    adrsuhen Posts: 13
    edited August 2013
    jbooker82 wrote: »
    I would unload that center channel for some cash on here. They are kind of hard to find.
    Thanks for the advice, maybe I should do that.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited August 2013
    Or adjust the level and eq with your receiver. I think that onkyo can eq the channels.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • adrsuhen
    adrsuhen Posts: 13
    edited August 2013
    Actually I posting on my local CL, but nobody interesting so far.
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,467
    edited August 2013
    jamers99 wrote: »
    I'm starting to notice some of the dialog is not as clear as I would like. It's probably age related hearing loss. Anyway, I'm looking for a center that would provide even more clarity for dialog but still be a good match to the RTiA5.

    Some great suggestions here. If all else fails, maybe consider this; http://www.vr3mods.com/
    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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