CSi40 over CSi30??

AsSiMiLaTeD

I know this has been asked before...

How much of an improvement with my system would I get if I got the CSi40 to replace my current CSi30? I believe the drivers in the 40 are bigger and would match my 150s better, wondering if I'll get some improvement...

I like the 30 alot, but I've noticed that at times it can sound a little 'nasal'...really just noticed this recently as I've calibrated my system even more...

More importantly, will that DA2ES power the center well enough? Mark, maybe you can address this better...I really don't have another place right now for another amp until I get the theater room built...so the Sony will be powering the center I have...

organ

I haven't compared the two but if you can get the 40 at a good price, go for it. Keep the 30 for center surround. Your ES will have no problem powering the 40.

Maurice

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by organ
I haven't compared the two but if you can get the 40 at a good price, go for it. Keep the 30 for center surround. Your ES will have no problem powering the 40.

Maurice

I've been eyeing the 40 for a while now, just haven't picked it up yet. I saw that racer had one on here for sale, but missed out on his reply somehow...was very pissed...

Now I gotta find one somehow...

dorokusai

I am all for the CSi40, just havn't made it a priority. I like my CSi30, and it has yet to underperform anything to date. I agree, if you can find one priced fairly, jump on it.

I concur, the 2ES will have no problems.

PolkThug

You will like the 40 a lot better! (I've owned 3 different Polk centers in the last 6 mo's). If you get a good price, go for it.

Regards,
PolkThug

AsSiMiLaTeD

What's a decent price on one of these used?

Come on guys, doesn't anyone have one they wanna sell???:)

kberg

I say get the 40 if you can. I also highly recommend using the 30 as a rear center.

Pauly

6 1/2's are a big step up from the 5 1/4's IMO. Bigger soundstage up front in HT. Has more umph and the maj of your sound is coming from the center in HT. I heard a big diff from the 30 vs the 40. Go for it

HBombToo

I also upgraded to the 400i and am still happy.

HBomb

PolkThug

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
What's a decent price on one of these used?

Come on guys, doesn't anyone have one they wanna sell???:)

I sold mine for $225, shipping included.

Mike Reeter

I started out with the 30 and upgraded to the 40,NO comparison,the CSi40 has a better "quality" sound,just a fuller,richer tone to it...

I could'nt believe the difference in the two drivers,day and night...

AsSiMiLaTeD

Well thanks to spastic, I got the CSi40 in yesterday...

I agree completely with everyone who mentioned the CSi40's superiority over the 30, it has a commanding increase in performance over the 30.

I wouldn't call it night and day as others have, as the 30 is an excellent speaker in it's own right...it's just not really in the same league as the 40 IMO...at least in some areas...

I was able to do side-by-side comparisons before I relenquish the 30, and compared on several sources:

Multichanel Music - I don't have alot of this yet, but I compared on Pink Floyd DSOTM, some Diana Krall, and a Sting SACD.

Movies - One of my favorite movies to do comparisons on is Terminator 3. I used the vocals at the very beggining (where John Conner is talking) to do a comparison. I also used Finding nemo as I find the center dialogue is well pronounced in that soundtrack as well.

Overall Impressions - As mentioned above, the CSi40 is considerably better than the 30. There are two specific things that I noticed right away.

1: I get better bass response, by far...This is really more noticeable in the male vocals (REALLY EVIDENT with the T3 demo). Female voices aren't really that much different (at the begining of Finding Nemo when the 'wife fish' is talking, there's not much difference in her voice between the two speakers).
2: Because of the above, I get better blending between the 40 and my front 150s. With the CSi30, when male voices or anything with relatively low frequencies was coming out of the center speaker, I felt a bit of loss in frequency between that and my front speakers, like part of the frequency range was missing. This has been rectified with the CSi40...

A thing that I DID NOT notice with the CSi40 that others may have found is an icreased level of detail in the center channel. With the exception of some of the low Fr. stuff, everything I hear with the 40, I've heard with the 30 before, and with as much clarity. It's not like I hooked this bad boy up and was like "WOW, I've never heard that before!!" - again with the exception of anythng low frequency, becuase I did notice a difference there.

Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this center and think it is the best match for my fronts, but I didn't want this to be one of those 'WOW this thing was made directly from the hand of God and is the BEST I've ever heard' reviews...In fact, for someone with RTi70s or bookshelves in the front, I'd question an upgrade from the 30 to the 40. Not saying I'd be against it, becuase I haven't done a comparison on those speakers, but I'd just questions it...

Enough rambling...that is all...

Pauly

Good Job! Enjoy! and i guess "Told ya so is in order" lol

hellotheworld

It that OK to use CSi40 to match R50?
Is it too good to run over R50?

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by hellotheworld
It that OK to use CSi40 to match R50?
Is it too good to run over R50?

I personally think it might be too much for the R50, but I can't say becuase I have not heard it. My brother is bringing his stereo stuff down this weekend and I beleve he has the R50, or maybe it's the R30...Anyway, I'll test that out and let you know how it sounds.

It's true that the center carries most of the detail, but I also think that the 40 might just overwhelm the R50s...I'll post my findings on Monday.

hellotheworld

Thanks a lot. Waiting for your review...

I just did some research in this forum.
dorokusai has the opinion that "Buy the biggest center channel you can, that timbre matches, or is similar to what you own. "

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12950&highlight=r50

I think there would not be a big problem of timbre match between CSi30, CSi40 or even CSi3. But I think CSi5 has more differences according to the description on the polk website.

But some people suggested to stick with the same line of the speakers...

Hard to decide without listening to them...

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'd head to a local CC and listen to the CSi3 and the CSi5 with your fronts if you can, and you be the judge of what works best.

I agree that bigger is generally better with centers, but really have the feeling the 40 may just be too much, but like I said I have not listened...ultimately your ears will be the judge...

I know the CSi 3 or 5 won't be identical to the 30 or 40, but it will give you an idea if you like the bigger sound with your fronts...

hellotheworld

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
I'd head to a local CC and listen to the CSi3 and the CSi5 with your fronts if you can, and you be the judge of what works best.

I agree that bigger is generally better with centers, but really have the feeling the 40 may just be too much, but like I said I have not listened...ultimately your ears will be the judge...

I know the CSi 3 or 5 won't be identical to the 30 or 40, but it will give you an idea if you like the bigger sound with your fronts...

Yes. I went to CC but they did not carry any CSi30 or CSi40 any more. They only had CSi3 and 5 but they are out of my budget. CSi30 would be cheaper...

dorokusai

Ebay.

I wouldn't do the new RTi series, CSi3/5, with the R series. I have heard zero data on that match, and know the new RTi series is a standout IMO compared to the R series.

If you are going to stick with the R series, which is fine, go with what you find fits your wallet, either the CSi30 or CSi40 will perform fine.

The Flea Market has a CSi40 incl/ shipping that is ready for purchase....if you havnt seen it. Isn't there a CSi30 for sale too?

hellotheworld

Thanks a lot. I have been watching ebay for a while.

I got a lot of ideas from this froum. I think CSi30 is the best one fits my budget. If I can find a good deal for CSi40, I will be happier:)

Do you think it is OK to select a older model like CS350 or CS400i or else?
It would be easier to have more models to choose.

Thank you guys!

AsSiMiLaTeD

So I listened to the R50s (not R30s like I thought) that my brother has with a couple of center channels. I've actually JUST acquired the CSi40 and the CSi30 doesn't go out the door until tomorrow, so I got to demo both...

Overall, the CSi40 is the better speaker and sounds better...but NOT with the R50s...Maybe I'm hearing things becuase of my sensitivity to low and mid range frequencies...

I'm going to have to stand by my earlier assertian that it's just too big for those speakers. With this setup, there's just too much bass coming from the center and the center channel dialogue drowns out the front channel soundtracks at times...

Where I really noticed the issue was with something panning across the screen (i.e. a fish swimming across from front left to right in Finding Nemo)...

This is just my opinion and may not be your finding at all, just wanted to share...

I agree with Doro that the new series won't be your best match for those fronts. However, I still reccomend that you listen to both the CSi3 and 5 with the R50s in a CC if you can. No the tweeters won't match, and yes, those are still expensive.... However, what you can listen for is basically what I've described above, becuase that issue most likely wouldn't be created by tweeter design...

The problem I'm hearing is totally a result of the bass response of the CSi40 IMO, and the CSi5 should have similar specs. I'd go listen, see if you hear the same thing that I do with the 30 and 40. If you hear it at the store, there's a good chance you'll also experience the same issue with the older CSi40. If you don't hear it, then you should be able to step into the 40 with no problem...

Airplay355

Where I really noticed the issue was with something panning across the screen (i.e. a fish swimming across from front left to right in Finding Nemo)...

sounds like the reverse of when my frontsound stage was rti150s and a cs245i :rolleyes: lol

Demiurge

I upgraded mine. It made a HUGE difference.

hellotheworld

Thanks polk...

I think CSi30 would be the best choice for the price and performance. I hope I can get one soon

You guys really helped me a lot to learn something...