Need help with choosing a center channel for my setup

alphonze

Hi guys, lately I've been trying to really better my living room audio system but I'm married with kids and so very much on a budget. Please forgive my current rubbish setup, I bought my first 5.1 system 2 years ago in the form of an Onkyo HTS3400 bundle. I'm upgrading it piece by piece. I've replaced the two fronts with Primus 363's. I'm looking to do the Center next cause the dialogue is now lacking to say the least. I know it's best and easiest to try and match, but the Primus 351 is 200 and never on sale and I don't really wanna go the cheap route and use the P163 as a center. The 251 is also an option but I kinda want something bigger, though if I found it for a really good price I'd get it. I never really buy at normal prices so I hunt for deals or good used prices.

Currently on Craigslist in my area there is a Polk CSI A6 that I can get for $150 near me (20 miles) and a BIC PL-28 II for 110 (90 miles). Would one of these be more appropriate for my setup or would they both be terrible? I'll be looking to upgrade the rest (receiver/sub/surround) in the future as well and would be grateful in what route I should take with those. I'm not an audiophile by any means so if there was a small difference in timbre I probably wouldn't notice. My living room is of about medium size (whatever that is), mostly just long. I know theses centers can be big and that's not an issue with my setup. Any advice is appreciated and I'll answer what questions I can! I mainly would like to know to what extent my receiver might be holding me back...

EndersShadow

First, we all start somewhere. I dont think your system is rubbish, it is what you can afford which is fine.

Second, the CSi A6 is a GREAT center. I'd get it over the BIC ALL DAY LONG AND TWICE ON SUNDAY.

Third, at a later date you should probably buy the RTi A1's or A3's from Polks eBay site. Reason being your normally want the front 3 to be from the same brand and model line (ie Polk RTi or Infinity Primus, etc). If you got some of the Polk RTi A series speakers (bookshelf or floorstanding, whatever fits your budget), you dont *have* to get all 5 from the same line, so you could move the Primus 163's to surrounds.

I used to run Polk Monitor 60's, a Polk Monitor CS2 center and a set of Primus 162 surrounds and it sounded just fine.


Now the link here is a great place to buy those since they are refurbs and have free shipping so you can save a bunch. You still get a 1 year warranty as well since its direct from Polk.

But even if you cant match the front 3 (left/right/center), I can tell you the CSi A6 is a GREAT center and you will be really happy with it.

Welcome to the forum!

alphonze

Awesome, thanks! I'll definitely be sticking around in the future for more advice as I upgrade the rest of my setup. Hopefully I'll learn a thing or two and pass on some of my own knowledge as time goes on...

trj

If you buy that CSi5, purchase RTi6 or RTi8s. They occasionally pop up on craigslist if you want to wait.
RTi4s are more matched to CSi3. Same size drivers.
RTi6's/8's are matched to CSi5. Same size drivers.

Now if you are going for RTi6, you better go for RTi8s. I am not trying to increase your spending, but trying to save you some money. RTi6's will need stands if you are going to use them as front stage. Add the cost of stands to RTi6's, it will be over the cost of RTi8s.

If you want to save money, just purchase matching center for the system you have right now and be done with it.

But for Home theater, RTi series is incredible. I am using RTi8's and RTi4's with CSi3. I wish I could upgrade to CSi5, but my TV stand would just not work with it and I am using AVR to power them. So, power and space limitation is keeping me from going CSi5.

Hopefully you have a sub that takes care of the low end. Because, demanding that much power from AVR without a sub can strain and fry out your AVR.

PS: Just add an A on every speaker I mentioned. RTi and RTiA's are essentially same with cosmetic differences.

deronb1

Welcome! If you get the A6, don't forget to remove the jumpers if you bi-wire them.