Matching centre for my new RT1000p's

BassBari

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Polk community, having just purchased a pair of RT1000p's a few days ago that came with a CSR center channel and I am now running the 3 of them on a Pioneer VSX 1019AH-K receiver. I'm finding that the center channel is a bit lacking, so I want to replace it. But, I'm not sure if I should wait and try to find a CS400 as many people recommend, or if I should pick up a local CSi3 that's for sale for $80 on Craigslist locally. Any advice would be appreciated!

I'm also on the hunt for some decent satellites to jump to at least 5.1 if not 7.1. The only pair of Polks that are available locally (in my price range) are a pair of M10's for $50 which is tempting just to get something running!

Thanks in advance,
Jordan

Easy Runnin

I'd look for acs400, cs350 or a cs1000

dbKiller

It would be the match for your 1000's. I have a pair of RT2000P fronts, RT55 highs, FX500 surrounds and a CS400 center, it really stands out. I have an extra CS400 in absolute mint condition still in box with plastic as it turns out, along with an extra set of 55's still in the box in mint condition.

BassBari

Thanks for the responses. I'll keep hunting for the match I guess, Easy Runnin.

dbKiller, I'm not sure what shipping and customs would be like on that but I'm guessing it'd be pretty bad as I'm located in Vancouver, BC.

Velocitydreamer

BassBari, the CS400 would be an awesome match and the RT55's are beasts. The CSi3 is not timbre matched for your RT1000P's (I've owned the 1000p's, I've also owned a CSi5, highest in the CSi Series of that generation...) I'd listen to the fellow Polkies and get a CS400. It'll be the absolute best you can get in that series without paying a couple hundred more for a CS1000p. I've owned the CS400, and have heard the 55's. Not to sound a bit off the subject, but those 55's and that 400 would make an awesome front stage... the 55's would likely have stronger mids than your 1000's, but not dig quite as low obviously. If you can get them in MINT condition, nick free, then you may just have a strong surround sound if you pick them up. Here's a better question, what are your listening habbits? What percent would be movies, what percent music would you say?

BassBari wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. I'll keep hunting for the match I guess, Easy Runnin.

dbKiller, I'm not sure what shipping and customs would be like on that but I'm guessing it'd be pretty bad as I'm located in Vancouver, BC.

BassBari

Velocitydreamer wrote: »

BassBari, the CS400 would be an awesome match and the RT55's are beasts. The CSi3 is not timbre matched for your RT1000P's (I've owned the 1000p's, I've also owned a CSi5, highest in the CSi Series of that generation...) I'd listen to the fellow Polkies and get a CS400. It'll be the absolute best you can get in that series without paying a couple hundred more for a CS1000p. I've owned the CS400, and have heard the 55's. Not to sound a bit off the subject, but those 55's and that 400 would make an awesome front stage... the 55's would likely have stronger mids than your 1000's, but not dig quite as low obviously. If you can get them in MINT condition, nick free, then you may just have a strong surround sound if you pick them up. Here's a better question, what are your listening habbits? What percent would be movies, what percent music would you say?

Yeah, the CS400 definitely seems to be the best choice so I'm hunting for one now. Plenty for sale in the states, but I'm located up here in Canada where it seems to be a bit less popular. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the RT55's as well I guess. There's a pair of those for sale in Calgary for $600, but that seems a bit crazy haha.

I'd say my primary use is movies. Maybe 60-70%? But I'm also an opera singer (and live with three others) so there's a lot of opera playing in my house on both CD and DVD too. That was a big part of why I wanted to go a full system like this. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD598's for listening as well, but if I want to watch or listen to something with others, or not wear the headphones for any reason, my Samsung soundbar and sub just wasn't cutting it.

dbKiller

Yeah, I am in South Florida, I am sure shipping would be fairly expensive. The boxes are big and they are heavy, probably checking in around 120lbs all together. Good luck with the search. If you can find a good set of RT55's, I recommend, they do impress.

HTguru1982

Cheap CS400i on Ebay right now. $100 shipped is a great price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-CS400I-CENTER-CHANNEL-SPEAKER-PRE-OWNED-GOOD-CONDITION-BUY-IT-NOW-/281239372530?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item417b2c42f2

Here's another slightly cheaper one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-CS400-Center-Speaker/291053766856?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D3990665113178189465%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D281239372530%26

BassBari

Both of those only seem to ship to the US sadly. I got excited when I checked the marketplace on Canuck Audio Mart tonight and saw an ad with CS400 in the title. Then I realized that it was my own wanted ad...

HTguru1982 wrote: »

Cheap CS400i on Ebay right now. $100 shipped is a great price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-CS400I-CENTER-CHANNEL-SPEAKER-PRE-OWNED-GOOD-CONDITION-BUY-IT-NOW-/281239372530?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item417b2c42f2

Here's another slightly cheaper one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-CS400-Center-Speaker/291053766856?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D3990665113178189465%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D281239372530%26

Velocitydreamer

lol ouch and yeah, $600 is VERY high for RT55's, awesome speaker, but wow :P But you're on the right path to a good home theater, as the RT's have a lot of muscle behind their sound, and the trilams are pretty good for music, as they're not quite as "bright" as the silk domes on many polks, and their age (big whoop) allows you to purchase at a low price.
I'm not overly familiar with shipping, does it cost a good bit more to ship to CA than, say upper US like Montana or whatnot, considering the border, etc?

BassBari wrote: »

Both of those only seem to ship to the US sadly. I got excited when I checked the marketplace on Canuck Audio Mart tonight and saw an ad with CS400 in the title. Then I realized that it was my own wanted ad...

BassBari

Velocitydreamer wrote: »

I'm not overly familiar with shipping, does it cost a good bit more to ship to CA than, say upper US like Montana or whatnot, considering the border, etc?

Usually I find that they ding you pretty badly to get it across the border vs any kind of domestic shipping within the US. Plus there's always going to be some kind of customs on top of the shipping for bringing them across the border, but that's not usually as bad as the shipping itself when the items aren't really expensive.

dbKiller

If you keep looking you will find one at a decent price. They are out there just be patient, you wont be sorry.