center speaker for RTiA3

baneling

Hi all, I just got the RTiA3 as my main fronts and I already know that the center speaker for these is the CSIA4. But I can get the LSiM704c for a really really good price (free) how will this speaker differ from the CSIA4? Will it be worth it for me to sell the LSiM704c and use the money to get the CSIA4 with money left over to put towards a new receiver or subwoofer?

baneling

the LSiM703's would be bigger than the RTiA3s wouldn't they? if so, they won't fit in my entertainment unit. and the wife doesn't want them on stands. plus the LSiM703's and the LSiM704c would be overkill I think in my family room which is only 13x17 feet.

Nightfall

Hogwash. My room is 16' x 14', my main speakers are 3'3" tall and my center channel is 3'8" wide.

baneling

still, I don't need all that. I'd rather sell it and get the csia4 and use the money towards a receiver. or just buy a receiver and worry about the center speaker later

Nightfall

baneling wrote: »

still, I don't need all that.

I.... I don't understand this. In English please?

baneling

I'm getting the center speaker free from airmiles.ca. I will have enough points from that site to get the MC60 in-wall speakers.

baneling

the MC60 are the only ones available on airmiles. but I wouldn't get them because I have no use for them without a new receiver. the rears will come last. I have to cut open the wall for this. I may not even bother with rears anyways, not sure. its a complicated job because they would be going on an exterior wall that's packed with insulation.

Nightfall

Sounds like you're not really that interested in quality audio. Maybe instead of getting a new receiver and such you should look into one of Polks soundbars with SDA. You could sell what you have plus the LSiM 704C, buy a soundbar, and have cash leftover for a nice new DSLR lens?

baneling

If i can convince my wife to get the 704s, i will buy everyone a new receiver

baneling

Nightfall wrote: »

Sounds like you're not really that interested in quality audio. Maybe instead of getting a new receiver and such you should look into one of Polks soundbars with SDA. You could sell what you have plus the LSiM 704C, buy a soundbar, and have cash leftover for a nice new DSLR lens?

i do want quality sound, but i dont need professional quality. Im not the kind that would spend $2000 on a pair of Totem Accoustic bookshelf speakers.

I also need all new photo equipment, granite countertop, patio furniture, couches and my wife wants to go on vacation. It never ends

Nightfall

baneling wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

Sounds like you're not really that interested in quality audio. Maybe instead of getting a new receiver and such you should look into one of Polks soundbars with SDA. You could sell what you have plus the LSiM 704C, buy a soundbar, and have cash leftover for a nice new DSLR lens?

i do want quality sound, but i dont need professional quality. Im not the kind that would spend $2000 on a pair of Totem Accoustic bookshelf speakers.

I also need all new photo equipment, granite countertop, patio furniture, couches and my wife wants to go on vacation. It never ends

Maybe you'd be happy with an SDA soundbar? Nothing wrong with that and you'd save a bunch of money. A decent receiver is going to be a chunk of change too, you could cut that out of the equation completely.

Can you use your airmiles for the vacation instead of the center?

rpf65

You ask for advice on a center channel and all of a sudden your thinking of spending over 5 times that much on a pair of bookies? You think it never ends? These guys haven't even begun to spend you money for you. Your wife has now met serious competition for your wallet.

baneling

Nightfall wrote: »

baneling wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

Sounds like you're not really that interested in quality audio. Maybe instead of getting a new receiver and such you should look into one of Polks soundbars with SDA. You could sell what you have plus the LSiM 704C, buy a soundbar, and have cash leftover for a nice new DSLR lens?

i do want quality sound, but i dont need professional quality. Im not the kind that would spend $2000 on a pair of Totem Accoustic bookshelf speakers.

I also need all new photo equipment, granite countertop, patio furniture, couches and my wife wants to go on vacation. It never ends

Maybe you'd be happy with an SDA soundbar? Nothing wrong with that and you'd save a bunch of money. A decent receiver is going to be a chunk of change too, you could cut that out of the equation completely.

Can you use your airmiles for the vacation instead of the center?

I already ordered the center speaker from airmiles. plus buying airline tickets from them is expensive.

baneling

rpf65 wrote: »

You ask for advice on a center channel and all of a sudden your thinking of spending over 5 times that much on a pair of bookies? You think it never ends? These guys haven't even begun to spend you money for you. Your wife has now met serious competition for your wallet.

ya i know. I don't mean to waste anyone's time on here. I just don't know that much about this stuff. the last time I bought any audio equipment, there was no such thing as 5.1 audio and the internet wasn't even on computers yet.

tonyb

baneling wrote: »

rpf65 wrote: »

You ask for advice on a center channel and all of a sudden your thinking of spending over 5 times that much on a pair of bookies? You think it never ends? These guys haven't even begun to spend you money for you. Your wife has now met serious competition for your wallet.

ya i know. I don't mean to waste anyone's time on here. I just don't know that much about this stuff. the last time I bought any audio equipment, there was no such thing as 5.1 audio and the internet wasn't even on computers yet.

Your in for an awakening then. Audio gear since then has become more complicated. Stuff that works well with other stuff and some that doesn't. Set up is more complicated but still easy. Everything is easy once you know how to do it right ?

The guys here are champs though, we all are budget minded and search for the best bang for your buck products. Don't be afraid to ask question or feel like your wasting our time, we're here to help no matter how trivial you may think your questions are.

gfong

Save your 7000 air miles for the wife's vacation and go buy the CSiA4 from Best Buy Ca for $250.00 Canadian... Sale ends today though! Better hurry!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/polk-audio-polk-audio-csia4-centre-channel-speaker-cherry-csi-a4/10090939.aspx?path=fd7fa8b9f693d385b1442c7a6768b428en02

Problem solved and IMO would be the best match for your RTiA3's! Thank me later!

baneling

gfong wrote: »

Save your 7000 air miles for the wife's vacation and go buy the CSiA4 from Best Buy Ca for $250.00 Canadian... Sale ends today though! Better hurry!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/polk-audio-polk-audio-csia4-centre-channel-speaker-cherry-csi-a4/10090939.aspx?path=fd7fa8b9f693d385b1442c7a6768b428en02

Problem solved and IMO would be the best match for your RTiA3's! Thank me later!

the CSiA4 at best buy is in cherry. I need one in black. But then again, it won't be visible much anyways. I could buy it, but I'd rather see if I can sell the one from airmiles first.

baneling

Seriously?? what about the timbre??? I gota have that timbre!!

baneling

by the way, how thick should speaker wire be? and is it ok that i'm using a 20 year old wire?

gfong

baneling wrote: »

gfong wrote: »

Save your 7000 air miles for the wife's vacation and go buy the CSiA4 from Best Buy Ca for $250.00 Canadian... Sale ends today though! Better hurry!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/polk-audio-polk-audio-csia4-centre-channel-speaker-cherry-csi-a4/10090939.aspx?path=fd7fa8b9f693d385b1442c7a6768b428en02

Problem solved and IMO would be the best match for your RTiA3's! Thank me later!

the CSiA4 at best buy is in cherry. I need one in black. But then again, it won't be visible much anyways. I could buy it, but I'd rather see if I can sell the one from airmiles first.

But the Airmiles one will take 6 to 8 weeks to receive.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way but you ask questions looking for advice but you seem or at least it is coming across as you already have the answer so why ask?????

Black CSi A6 - never have to upgrade and it's black! Boom... done! lol
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/polk-audio-polk-audio-csi-a6-200-watt-centre-channel-speaker-black-csi-a6/10090940.aspx?path=6b1d8e7a79adc227e295e8fdf1781d71en02

I can vouch for the speaker... it works good!

baneling

when I ordered it, it said I should get it early january. 6-8 weeks is worst case scenerio.

Sometimes I ask questions even though I'm already leaning towards an answer because you guys know this stuff more than me and I'm basing my decision on limited knowledge. you guys could tell me something I didn't know that might change my decision. If not, then I feel more comfortable with my decision. Like I said, I hope I'm not wasting anyone's time. I ask a lot of very specific questions.

baneling

even though the CSiA4 will not be on sale, i'm sure I'll be able to find it again later on sale anyways, and in black. i'm not worried. I don't even know what a center speaker does exactly. I'm assuming its so that dialogue sounds like its coming from the TV. but last night I was watching TV with my new RTiA3s and it already feels like the dialogue is coming from the TV. am I missing something?

http://www.cnet.com/news/attention-home-theater-shoppers-think-twice-before-buying-a-center-channel-speaker/

gfong

Thanks for not taking what I said to heart, questions are always great and everyone appreciates them. As for the article I am a firm believer is using a center channel and I sit directly in front of the tv! I also like it for surround music.

In a 3.1 or 5.1/7.1 system the center channel is the most important speaker for dialogue/voices. If you have a stereo setup then the center channel is mixed in with the 2 speakers and as you have found out it does work. Once you add a center channel the sound stage and performance will be more realistic and add more to the movie as the voices and other stuff will be directly in front of you and the ambient sounds will be in the fronts. Hope this helps.

Also about the wire, 20 year pld wire will work..... but I would just get some 12 or 14 gauge (AWG) and run equal lengths to each pair of speakers you have connected. Fronts both get 8ft or whatever, rears both get 15 feet or whatever.

Fresh system deserves fresh new wire that is not frayed or corroded and it will pass a cleaner signal than old beat up wire.

As you are finding out there is a way to do things and anything will work but like everything else there is an optimal way and some people go that route and some go half way and some not at all.

Just like racing a car, you can buy a used 351 Windsor or a crate 351 Windsor... and then I will ask you which one do you think will make my car go better, the used worn out 350 or the new crate engine! Both will get the job done!

Have fun with it as well. Nothing like getting the system all set up and watching some kick **** movie and hearing stuff that you never heard from your tv. Polk does a fantastic job with their RTi series speakers for home theater.