Polk CSi5 sound

dizzy
dizzy Posts: 91
in Speakers
I just received a CSi5. Upgraded from a CS2. I don't hear a difference. Do I need to re-calibrate with my pioneer receiver in order to hear a difference? Everything I have read said that the CSi5 is awesome.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong but whenever I auto calibrate, the speaker levels are really low and the speaker distances are usually way off. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pioneer sc-07
center-CSi5
fronts-RTi8
Surrounds-Polk FXi A4
sub-Paradigm DSP 3200
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Comments

  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,315
    When you are calibrating are you turning off heat/air, fans etc

    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • dizzy
    dizzy Posts: 91
    Yes. I try to make it as quiet as possible. The levels usually end up being -2 or lower.
    Pioneer sc-07
    center-CSi5
    fronts-RTi8
    Surrounds-Polk FXi A4
    sub-Paradigm DSP 3200
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,990
    Adjust those levels back up. Start with your front 3 set to 0 and balance it out yourself from the listening position. Auto calibrations don't always get it right, you still may need to tweak some settings.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • dizzy
    dizzy Posts: 91
    How accurate does the distance need to be if I adjust the levels manually? I finally have 7.1 and want it to sound the best that I can. Is there a number that the surrounds and surround back should be compared to the front 3? I know they shouldn't be set higher. Or is it all a matter of preference?
    Pioneer sc-07
    center-CSi5
    fronts-RTi8
    Surrounds-Polk FXi A4
    sub-Paradigm DSP 3200
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    If you have an Apple or Android device you can download a db meter app. From the sweet spot all speakers should be at the same db, playing a test tone/static.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • dizzy
    dizzy Posts: 91
    By sweet spot, do you mean listening position? I will try that. Thank you.
    Pioneer sc-07
    center-CSi5
    fronts-RTi8
    Surrounds-Polk FXi A4
    sub-Paradigm DSP 3200
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    Yes the best bet is still a tape measure and an SPL meter, which luckily can be had free on your phone or tablet. They are not the most accurate by any means, but are often better than the baked in eq. And yes, take all measurements from the main listening position.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • seabeerob213
    seabeerob213 Posts: 1,843
    Is everything being driven by your AVR?
    2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know :)"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA
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  • dizzy
    dizzy Posts: 91
    Yes everything is driven by the AVR.
    Pioneer sc-07
    center-CSi5
    fronts-RTi8
    Surrounds-Polk FXi A4
    sub-Paradigm DSP 3200
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  • seabeerob213
    seabeerob213 Posts: 1,843
    Maybe running an amp to your front three could help
    2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know :)"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA
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  • dizzy
    dizzy Posts: 91
    I just put a bid on an Emotiva xpa 5. That should help out a bit.
    Pioneer sc-07
    center-CSi5
    fronts-RTi8
    Surrounds-Polk FXi A4
    sub-Paradigm DSP 3200
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,990
    dizzy wrote: »
    I just received a CSi5. Upgraded from a CS2. I don't hear a difference. Do I need to re-calibrate with my pioneer receiver in order to hear a difference? Everything I have read said that the CSi5 is awesome.

    Maybe I'm doing something wrong but whenever I auto calibrate, the speaker levels are really low and the speaker distances are usually way off. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    When you run the auto calibration, the mic needs to be in your listening position at ear level. That may mean stacking stuff on the couch or chair to get the mic up that high.

    Also, while the calibration is running, the house needs to be dead quiet. No dogs barking, kids running around, washer or dryer running, outside noises....church quiet.

    Like previously mentioned, you can always change the distances and speaker levels yourself and adjust to your tastes.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • jeremymarcinko
    jeremymarcinko Posts: 3,785
    I have had my best results by removing the furniture and placing the Mic on a tripod in and around the the listening position. Use all positions available. And yes dead quiet is a must.
    Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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