Is CSi5 TOO big for RM7600?

jchas41 · February 2004

I recently purchased the RM7600's, however I want to add a nice center speaker so that I can utilize 6.1. However, after looking at the CSi5 today at CC it seemed too big for my system. They didn't have any CSi3's in stock but, I know that is smaller. Any thoughts or opinions on what I should do? I would like to add some nice towers next year as well and could use some advice.

Airplay355 · February 2004

too big? who cares,then ull just have an excuse to upgrade the rest of it.

JrVtecAccord · February 2004

When I purchased my Polks, I wanted the RTI6's as my fronts, (space/wife) and the CSI5 for my center, but the sales guy told me that the CSI3 would be a better match, what crap. I love the way the CSI5 sounds compared to the CSI3, and I belive you would agree too.

Junior

jchas41 · February 2004

The other issues is whether it will fit on top of my Hitachi 51SWX, I measured and there will be almost 4 inches hanging off. The back is steep as well and I don't know if the kickstand will work. Also, how will it blend with the RM7600's? I don't want it to dominate the system...too much anyway. Thanks.

jchas41 · February 2004

So you don't think that the CSi5 would overpower the 7600's? I am also concerned that it is too big for my Hitachi 51SWX, is will hang off about 4 inches off the back. It is quite steep as well and I don't know if the kickstand will work. Thanks.

jchas41 · February 2004

OOps! sorry about the double thread, I didn't think it went through. My bad.:D

PolkWannabie · February 2004

The CSi5 comes with rubber feet that you can put anywhere on the bottom of the "box" you like and although the overall depth is stated to be 14.5" the box itself is more like 12.5" with the extra 2" being for the grill in the front and the power port in the back. My TV happens to be 11" in depth and the CSi5 (Now two of them) sit on there with a little over hang just fine and I suspect it would sit on there fine even if the TV was an inch or two less in depth.

Hope this helps in the physical size department.

As far as its size and capabilities compared to the rest of your speakers, this unit may be some what over kill. However, if you are going to upgrade your center now and will eventually upgrade your mains as well then there is no reason I see to under do it on the center now as you'll only want to upgrade it again after you move up on the mains. Additionally you should be able to make whatever adjustment you need through your receiver if you find the CSi5 is overpowering your mains from a sonic perspective.

One last point here is that in HT almost all the dialogue comes from the center as well as other sounds and as a result IMHO this at the very least the 2nd most important component in the HT speakers, if not the most important.

PS ... Also see this picture of the "kickstand" that comes with the CSi5 which may be of value in your situation ... I suspect the TV they have this on is a good deal less in depth even than yours.

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=5&speaker=352&PHPSESSID=05055a2bab2e0f71114faab379513f21

jchas41 · February 2004

Thanks for your insight...I ordered the Onkyo NR801 a few days ago and look forward to testing it out, how do you like it? I am considering getting the CSi3 now and that way I could do the upgrade option at CC in the furture anyway to get the 5. This is a hard decision though but, I am looking forward to hearing this system once everything arrives.

PolkWannabie · February 2004

It would not have been my first choice as I would have upgraded from the Pioneer older VSX-D1S (130 wpc 5.1) I was using for HT directly to separates like the set up I have for 2 channel listening, but it was a Chrismas gift.

That aside, I DO like the 801. Some will call it "bright", I call it accurate. However although it is capable of making 7 speakers in HT sound good by themselves at low to middle volumes it needs a little help to fully open up the 12's in the front and the extra power doesn't hurt all the way around and it does facilitate this by having 7.1 pre-amp outputs that can be fed to whatever amp(s) you desire.

Airplay355 · February 2004

buy a csi5 and listen to it in your home for a little while and if you find it to be overkill then return it and get a smaller center. however i dont know why you would want a smaller center, over 50% of the sound is from the center so having a center with balls is important.

the best way to know how it will sound is to try it out. you can always return it.

jchas41 · February 2004

Okay, well it seems as though the consensus is to go with the CSi5. I guess I will go with that and hope my reciever can keep it from overkilling the rest of my RM7600's. On a side note, I would just like to say that I am pleasently surprised with the size and appearance of the 7600's...they are very impressive for a satellite system. I hope they sound as good as they look. In any case they will beat the heck out of the crappy Sony micro-satellite system I had.:D

Tour2ma · February 2004

You've mentioned the 5 "overkilling" several times. Spring for a test disc and an SPL meter and calibrate. All should be fine...

jchas41 · February 2004

Ok, well I purchased the CSi5 today, thanks for all your input. I will be testing everything as soon as my Onkyo NR801 arrives. Thanks again. Cheers.

Airplay355 · February 2004

if u find its overkill just turn down the volume for the center speaker

Is CSi5 TOO big for RM7600?

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