Polk centers, CS 20 vs 25C

afterburnt

I have a CS 20 and I finally got the Monitor II 70 to try and match it. I wondered if anyone thinks there is a difference between the discontinued CS 20 and the 25 C, r if there is a better center to go with the 70's?

afterburnt

Maybe I should not ask. I was happy with my system until I busted my Samsung 55" plasma so now everything has to be upgraded to this ugly LED 3D. It is still cheaper than couch time! (so far)

quicksilvergts

I would just get the CS2 if you want the cabinet to match exactly.
the CS20 has the piano end caps and was part of the Tsi line. But ultimately
you will be fine with any of the 3 centers. I am sure their are minor differences but nothing to break a deal other than the style of cabinet you are looking for.

Cheers!!

ZLTFUL

The 25C is the newest version of the Monitor line center. CS2 (Silver front baffle), CS2 Series II (Black front baffle), 25C is the progression.
So the cabinet will be slightly different than the 70s but the drivers and crossovers will be matched to the 70s.

afterburnt

So this really is about looks more than anything else? What would be the next substantial step up as far as performance? I am just looking for opinions for future reference. I still have to see how I like all of the new stuff that I have so far. The CS 20 is the only old element that I have in my new set up.

ZLTFUL

RTis/RTiAs would be a couple of steps above the Monitors (TSis are in there but are basically the same drivers as the Monitors with slightly different crossovers and aesthetics.)

The CSi/CSiA centers are the centers for those lines.

The LSis and LSiMs are a pretty healthy jump. I went from Monitors (CS1, 70s, 60s, 40s and 30s) to LSis and haven't regretted it at all outside of the fact that the LSis are probably one of the hardest "modern" speakers to drive from Polk.
I am currently running a system that contains an LSiC, LSi15s, LSi7s and LSiFXs with a pair of SVS Subs. The mains, center and surrounds are run off an Emotiva XPR-5 while the front "heights" (Yamaha calls them "presence") are run off the Yamaha RX-A1000.

For "modern" Polks, the series equivalents look sort of like this ("worst" to "best" from left to right and "worst" to "best" from top down)

Monitor-->Monitor Series II-->New Monitor-->TSi-->TSx

RTi-->RTiA

LSi-->LSiM

As you can see, Polk has put a lot of eggs in the entry level basket. As you move up the chain, they get better and in less need of revisions to improve within their price categories.

afterburnt

Z thanks for that summation. Upgrading the center is where I have always started and it always follows that I start matching everything to the center. I am having a lot of fun with this wallet be damned! I am pleased so far with the good deals that I have gotten on the Monitor series however I am thinking I should have gotten some golf clubs to get me the hell out of the house lol. It does benifit my son because he gets my hand me downs for free. Next stop is to figure out if I really like the "presence" speakers that I wired up just because I could. I think I will start another thread just to see what folks think of them.

afterburnt

would the CSi A6 be a good match for my Monitor 70?

ZLTFUL

No. The CSiA6 is a MUCH better speaker than your 70s. It is also not a timbre match for the Monitors. You will use it and realize how much better it is and then have to start shopping for RTiA7s or 9s.

afterburnt

how about a TSX250C?

ZLTFUL

A much closer match as it is an evolution of the Monitor/TSi series of speakers. Crossover may be different but the tweeter is voiced similarly and should be a pretty good timbre match.