RT55i as center

johnnywerner
johnnywerner Posts: 6
edited March 2004 in Speakers
What's the difference between one RT55i as a center speaker vs. a CS400i?

Are they not same thing in a different enclosure? Or, does the bottom speaker in the RT55i produce midbass only? Or is this also true for one of the woofers on the CS400i?

Sorry for all the questions. Does anybody out there have any answers?

Thanks.
Post edited by johnnywerner on
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited January 2004
    Check this out. I was contemplating on using CSi40's in lieu of my RTi100's. Recd. some advice from the DR and changed my mind. Perhaps the opposite of what you are thinking....
    Regards,
    aba
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited January 2004
    Here it is:
    http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14773&highlight=aba4430
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  • johnnywerner
    johnnywerner Posts: 6
    edited January 2004
    Understood. The Crossover points are different. The CS series are designed for Center duty. Considering, I think I'll just go with a tried and true CS model after reading that post.

    Now, which center would match well with the RT55i's up front? I've looked at everything from a used CS350, CS400, CS400i, CSi40, & CSi50. (CSi5 sorry) Suggestions?

    How does one of the newer CSi40's with silk tweeters match with the 55i's tri-lam?

    Jeez, the CS400i is hard to find now and are super expensive on ebay.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,773
    edited January 2004
    If you use a PAIR of RT55i and a 2 channel amp, y splitted to make one channel. This could work and will SMOKE any Polk center by miles.

    Just lay them both on their side, with the tweeters together. 4 midbass will create a much LARGER soundstage...

    In other words, killer bass, great highs, great mids...same price as the CS400i. You just need an amp! oh yeah..and a receiver with preouts

    But hey, if you got a pair of RT55i...and you dont want em...Ill trade you my Klipsch center for it ;)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited January 2004
    there is no csi50 just to let u know lol
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,773
    edited January 2004
    If there was, it'd probally have alotta drivers in it! MAKE ONE!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited January 2004
    Originally posted by johnnywerner


    Now, which center would match well with the RT55i's up front? I've looked at everything from a used CS350, CS400, CS400i, CSi40, & CSi50. Suggestions?


    just keep the i series with the i series and you will be fine.

    I don't think it would hurt using a 55i as a center at all because of the crossover differences between the 40 and 55. The difference would be 55i would would have much more bass response. The issue would be doing a sweep with the set up disk that would probably reveal an imbalance across the front stage(a hole). This would be a result of having the 2 mid bass drivers stacked and the tweeter either on the left or right depending on how you layed the 55 on the tv.

    Now as our buddy sid mentions if 2 55i's where to be joined together with the tweeters next to each other(inside)... OUCH that would be 1 hell of a center!

    The only real issue I could think in doing such a thing is if they were to be placed on a tv that would be a ton of weight and Bass. If your a ht is with a projector and screen like Scottvamps then WOW your centers would be outstanding IMHO.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,773
    edited January 2004
    Lmao!

    I would LOVE to have RT55i's as centers...

    Infact, I'd love to stack some RT55i's on top of my mains too...

    Also, you could turn the RT55i upside down, making the midbasses STRAIGHT Up, just MAKE SURE you ANGLE the speaker DOWNWARDS
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited January 2004
    i've used a pair of rt55's as a center. your right, it works great. i use a pair of monitor 5's now becasue it blends with the RTA 12b's i am using as mains. i do use the rt55's as surrounds. i must say i am very happy with my system as it stands.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited January 2004
    just to note, the monitors are upside down, so the tweeters line up with the tweeters on the mains better. no downward angle though, sound just fine aiming straight.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • wrxmy02
    wrxmy02 Posts: 92
    edited January 2004
    I use a pair of LSI7 for the center and mains. What a soundstage!
    Front: LSI7
    Center: LSIC
    Surrounds: LSI7
    SVS PB2-ISD SUB [MONOLITH!]
    ATI 1805 Amp
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  • drakan
    drakan Posts: 54
    edited January 2004
    what about a cs400i & 2 rt38i's as centre?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,773
    edited January 2004
    How about.......
    CS400i and RT35i.....eff the RTi38
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited January 2004
    Originally posted by drakan
    what about a cs400i & 2 rt38i's as centre?

    you may have an impedance issue depending on the amp.

    Hmm... speaker gain vs amp gain? i never did a study on which is least expensive.

    Twin ;)
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,773
    edited January 2004
    I would run 3 centers in a heart beat....

    Although I'd have to try various things...

    RT35i, RT55i, RT35i...

    Put the RT55i upside down in the center, with the RT35i tweeters being as close as possible to the RT55i center. That would have a pretty cool effect I am sure......

    You'd need 2 2 channels amps, might as well run 6.1 while you're at it...

    Y splitters....
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited January 2004
    Sid, the 55i's are too deep and too wide to stack on top of your RTi70's. You'd be better off stacking your 70's on top of the 55's.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • johnnywerner
    johnnywerner Posts: 6
    edited February 2004
    Well, I decided to go with a pair of RT35i's instead of the RT55is for a center. I should have them within the next day or two. They'll be mounted side by side and powered by a seperate amp. My 5.1 receiver will power front and back left/right while the center preout will go to a two channel harman kardon receiver which will power the RT35i's.

    Hopefully, this will give me a more powerful center impact than my cs245i was able to provide!

    I'll post the results...
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  • braveheart
    braveheart Posts: 28
    edited February 2004
    I curently use an RT25i as my center channel between two RT15i as mains. Blends together well as my HT room is small (11'x10'). I would love to have another RT25i then make them the two mains and then get a center channel speaker. The two RT15i would move to the back as surround speakers. But for now its not bad the way it is.
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  • braveheart
    braveheart Posts: 28
    edited February 2004
    I cuurently use an RT25i as my center channel between two RT15i as mains. Blends together well as my HT room is small (11'x10'). I would love to have another RT25i then make them the two mains and then get a center channel speaker. The two RT15i would move to the back as surround speakers. But for now its not bad the way it is.
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  • johnnywerner
    johnnywerner Posts: 6
    edited March 2004
    Awesome results! Night and day difference between the CS245i and two RT35i's. Now, my center is overpowering the RT55i's which is great because I like a strong center.

    If anyone is considering dual centers versus a more traditional center speaker setup, give it a try. I'm extremely pleased. I'll attach a picture tonight.
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