Do all the CS serial center speakers match R50?

hellotheworld

I got a pair of R50 and now looking for a center speaker.
I found the information on polk website that "The Polk Audio CS Series of Center Channel Speakers is timbre matched, sonically identical, to other Polk Audio speakers. The CS Series uses the same components that are used in other Polk Audio speakers, as well as our exclusive Dynamic Balance technology to ensure seamless, realistic imaging." So there will be no problem that whether I use CSi30 or CS245i or CS350. Is this right?

Because I want to buy a used center speaker and can not find a cheap CSi30 or CSi3 as polk recommended.

Thanks for your answer.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Thanks for participating in the Forum, I'll try and offer some useful information. In terms of absolute center channel matching, having the same tweeter in the front three speakers is considered important. With that in mind, the CSi20 would be the correct match for the R50 speakers. However, many people are of the opinion that since the center channel is often the most frequently heard speaker, it should be the best sounding that still has a close match to the left and right speakers. Meaning that as long as you don't use a radically different center channel design, such as a horn loaded tweeter, and consider a center speaker that is similar in overall tonal balance and dispersion characteristics, and you find sounds clear and distinct the matching should be fine.
So, the CSi30/CSi3 could be considered a suitable match for the R50, granted the tweeter isn't identical but the overall characteristics would not cause a significant mismatch. I'm not minimizing the importance of identical tweeters and drivers across the front three speakers, I'm just pointing out that a better sounding center channel with similar tonal balance could be considered. Of course, you should listen to the center channel, used in your system, before making the final decision. Many audio stores will allow you to audition a center channel speaker over a brief period of time.
As to wanting to find a center channel, perhaps at a reduced price, you could consider the CS350 or CS400i or CSi40. I hope this is a helpful opinion.
Regards, Ken

hellotheworld

Thank you very much! Now I have the idea about the matching.

I will try to listen to them at local strore...

[Deleted User]

You're welcome, glad to be of help.
Take care, Ken