Center for RT25I: Buy New or Vintage?

sprintz

I have 2 RT25I's and want to use them as front left/right as part of a home theatre (movies only) system in a smaller room ~15'x15'. Polk recommends CS245i as a center.

1. Will the same-vintage higher-end center (CS400i) be timbre matched?

2. Will newer center channel models (such as CSi30) be timbre matched?

Which would be better: higher end older model (ebay'ed) or a little lower end newer model (new)?

These speakers will be driven by a Denon 1804; powered subwoofer and rear's to be added next.

THANKS FOR INPUT!!!!
S.

GZ

sprintz,
According to the Polk specs the 245i would be your best at 'timbre matching'. It has the same drivers as the 25i's. The 400i has larger woofers. Given the size of your room the 245i should work fine. Personally, between the two I would go with the 400i. The 245i and 400i use a tri-laminate tweeter like your 25i's while the CSi30 uses a silk/polymer tweeter. Now, if you're thinking of upgrading soon, we all do it, the 30 might meet your needs down the road. Polk is using silk/polymer tweeters in their current line.

fgr41

You might want to consider updating your speakers to the newer line if you can't find the 245i to match your 25i's. If that is the case I'll buy your 25i's and you can use that $ to get some newer bookshelves.

Airplay355

yes the cs400i will be timbre matched, that series share the same tri lam tweeter