CSiA4 vs CSiA6 for my set-up (need help)

mpoge

After much deliberation I have decided to go with a 5.1 Polk set up for a new room addition that we are building off the back of our house (16x16 ft size room). The room will predominantly be a family room with a TV mounted above the fireplace. My wife is letting me get speakers to set up a surround sound that will be for movies/music about 50/50 of the time. After listening I have decided to go with the RTiA series. Due to space constraints I have to use RTiA1 as the right and left front speakers (bookcases on each side of the fireplace and speakers need to go into the bookcases per my wife, no floor speakers and the shelves are not big enough for the RTiA3). I will also be mounting a pair of the F/XiA4 on the back wall for the surround speakers (the room is open to the kitchen on the right so surrounds have to go behind the seating area). I will do a SVS sub (the SVS PB-1000). Initially I thought I would only have room for the CSiA4 center channel speaker on the mantel immediately below the TV, but I will actually have room for the CSiA6 if I want. I haven't picked out a receiver yet but leaning toward the Denon AVR-x4000.

With a pair of RTiA1 as fronts and a pair of F/XiA4 as surrounds should I get the CSiA4 to match woofer size or go with the CSiA6 to maximize the center channel. Would the CSiA6 overpower the other speakers or be too much for the room size (16x16).

All opinions greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Inspector 24

I've never heard the A6 with smaller speakers, but my knee jerk reaction would be to go with it as it's the bigger better center, and may help fill in some sound the mains may be lacking.

I don't think you'll have any overpowering problems, that's what Audessy and individual channel levels are for.

tonyb

The A4 imho should be plenty for a 16 by 16 room. The a6 would overpower the front speakers and if you had to cut it down a lot to balance with the fronts, then your wasting money. Use that money to buy better speaker cables.

Inspector 24

Uh oh. Two very different opinions...that doesn't help

I'm an A6 fanboi... only because I have one... What about difference in re-sell-ability in case you want to upgrade in the future? I don't know, but in guessing the A6 may hold value/be easier to sell if/when the time comes?

tonyb

Ha...nothing wrong with 2 different viewpoints, though I would also argue your point on resale. Seems not many can fit that big monster in their stands/cabinets without investing even more money into a new stand.

Keep things in perspective gents, he has RTA1's as his fronts....and doesn't appear to be able to upgrade down the road with limited space.

An A6 with RTA1's is kinda like taking a A4 and matching it with bose cubes.lol

Inspector 24

Only thing that matches with Bose cubes is a 12ga at close range.

rpf65

Ran the a4/a1 combo when I started my HT system. Liked it, still running the A4 with A5's. Still like it. My room is about 16x22, but running the A1's, I sat about 8 feet or so from the front 3. Now closer to 15.

mrloren

HMMMM!

I have the CSi5 and CSi3 and am starting a build of a new TV stand (see thread http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/165540/csi3-vs-csi5#latest). These are two very close brothers to what you want to buy. I have Rti8 towers and after tweaking the sound and crossover I find that @ 80hz the CSi3 is close to the CSi5. not totally as good but still sounds very good. If it was me I would get the A4 and use the money saved and but some good Furez 12AWG or 14AWG from Doug.

Bose who said that. Bose suck. I have a lot of Filipino friends who are keeping Bose in business. every time they come over the awe at how much better my HT is than their Bose crud. I would say they make boat anchors but plastic and paper float!

devani

i had CSi3 and currently have CSi5 as my center....i've had LSiC with matching LSi setup as well.

I like CSi5 best and currently run my front RTi6 with amplifier and CSi5 & FX3 with HK receiver....I usually don't turn on the amp. I have CSi5 and surrounds do the HT unless I am alone at home and have action movie that I want to watch.

16x16 is small will be fine with CSi3....but I would do CSi5 if possible....all my speakers are mounted on the wall