Do all the CS serial center speakers match R50?

hellotheworld
hellotheworld Posts: 205
edited April 2004 in Speakers
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.

Thank you very much for your answer.
Post edited by hellotheworld on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2004
    For what you're setting up, I'm sure any of them would work fine. However, the CSi line are probably the best matched for your fronts. You should be able to pick up a CSi20 or CSi30 for somewhat cheap...here's a 30 on Ebay...it won't go for $75, but shouldn't be too much, probably ~125 - 150

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14992&item=3091773454&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

    Again any center channel in the CS line would work, maybe just not quite as well as one of the CSi models...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    I believe the CSi20 is what was designed to match the R50s. I use it with the R40s. You will enjoy it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Shizelbs
    I believe the CSi20 is what was designed to match the R50s. I use it with the R40s. You will enjoy it.
    Correct...but the 20 can be difficult to snag...the 30 will also sound fine with those speakers and may be a little easier to locate...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited April 2004
    The CSi20 uses the same tweeter and same style (i.e. black) woofer as the R50's. The R50 uses (2) 6-1/5" mids, and the CSi20 uses (1) 5-1/4" mid.

    Whether or not Polk's claim of all speakers being timbre matched is true, I don't know.

    I used the CSi30 with my R30's until I ugraded to the RTi70's. I did not have any problems. It sounded just fine. I think any Polk center channel will work fine. But, if you want the center you are supposed to use, it is the CSi20.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Polkmaniac
    Correct...but the 20 can be difficult to snag...the 30 will also sound fine with those speakers and may be a little easier to locate...

    http://www.crutchfield.com/S-K3jvofZXViu/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=4&g=12100&I=107CSI20B&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

    There you go. Not too hard to snag. Match up your speakers. Enjoy!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    Thank you guys very much! Your replies really helped me out.

    I think CSi20 is a little too small and want to go with CSi30 or CSi3. But I found the specifications of CSi3 is not as good as CSi30 though I did not have a chance to listen to them.

    Your opinions make me stick with CSi30.

    Thanks again!

    :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    What makes you think the CSi20 is 'too small'?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by hellotheworld
    Thank you guys very much! Your replies really helped me out.

    I think CSi20 is a little too small and want to go with CSi30 or CSi3. But I found the specifications of CSi3 is not as good as CSi30 though I did not have a chance to listen to them.

    Your opinions make me stick with CSi30.

    Thanks again!

    :)
    I wouldn't say it's too small, but I like the CSi30 better for your setup. Although either should work, I think you'll like the 30 more.

    The CSi3 probably won't work as well becuase it has a different tweeter, but you may not be able to hear the difference...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited April 2004
    Did you check the flea market board? I think someone had a csi 30 for sale. Also, if he still has it hooser21 had a csi20 for sale...
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
    Mains: polk R30
    Center: polk CSi3
    Rear Surrounds: polk R20
    Subwoofer: polk PSW404
    DVD: Panasonic DVD-S29
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Mike682
    Did you check the flea market board? I think someone had a csi 30 for sale. Also, if he still has it hooser21 had a csi20 for sale...

    Thank you. I will check that.
    At first I was palanning to buy a CSi30 on ebay and watching it for a while...

    My R50s were bought at Circuitcity when one of the store nearby was closed. Maybe I can find an open box CSi30 in another store too :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Polkmaniac
    I wouldn't say it's too small, but I like the CSi30 better for your setup. Although either should work, I think you'll like the 30 more.

    The CSi3 probably won't work as well becuase it has a different tweeter, but you may not be able to hear the difference...

    en, thank you very much.
    I did not notice that. I have another question about the twetters.

    CSi30: 1" silk/polymer composite dome tweeter
    CSi3: 1" silk dome Dynamic Balance tweeter features a neodymium magnet
    CS400i: Dynamic Balance Tri-Laminate tweeter technology, with vapor deposited micro-layers of stainless steel and aluminum for detailed highs
    CS175i: Improved fluid cooled silk dome tweeter

    I was confused by these descriptions. Is the Tri-Laminate tweeter different from the silk/polymer composite dome tweeter, or they are just the same only with different names? As said on polk website CSi20 has the same components as the Polk Audio R Series. The tweeter is 3/4 inch. The tweeter of CSi30 is 1 inch. Is this a main issue of timbre matching?

    Do not laugh at me, I am a newbie...:confused:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by hellotheworld


    I was confused by these descriptions. Is the Tri-Laminate tweeter different from the silk/polymer composite dome tweeter, or they are just the same only with different names? As said on polk website CSi20 has the same components as the Polk Audio R Series. The tweeter is 3/4 inch. The tweeter of CSi30 is 1 inch. Is this a main issue of timbre matching?

    Do not laugh at me, I am a newbie...:confused:

    The CSi30 has a different, but similar tweeter, whereas the 20 has the same one. The timbre will be similar, but, not the same. Also, the tri-lam and silk dome are different tweeters, not just a different name. The CSi30 was made to match the RTi line of speakers. What is it about the 20 that you think is too small about it? Volume? Actual size? Big boominess? If it were me, I would match my center to the rest of my speakers the best I could.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Shizelbs
    The CSi30 has a different, but similar tweeter, whereas the 20 has the same one. The timbre will be similar, but, not the same. Also, the tri-lam and silk dome are different tweeters, not just a different name. The CSi30 was made to match the RTi line of speakers. What is it about the 20 that you think is too small about it? Volume? Actual size? Big boominess? If it were me, I would match my center to the rest of my speakers the best I could.
    I am curious as to what's different about the CSi20 tweeter. I was under the impression that it was the same as the 30...especially since Polk reccomends both to match the R50...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    The tweeter in the CSi20 is .75 in, whereas the CSi30 has a full inch tweeter. The R50s use the .75 inch tweeter also.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited April 2004
    The R30, R40, R50 & CSi20 (as well as the R10, R15 & R20) use the 3/4" tweeter, which is black in color. The RTixxx line & the CSi30's & 40's use the 1" tweeter, which is gray in color.

    Again, I used the R30's with the CSi30 for months. There was never a problem. Everything sounded fine. But, if you want to get hung up on specs, (which is perfectly fine, that is part of this hobby) then the R30's & the CSi30 won't match up.

    I would also recommend to you to go with the CSi30. It is just plain "better" than the CSi20.

    Just enjoy using whatever you buy. Don't let a 1/4" difference in tweeter diameters ruin your weekend.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nemos2
    nemos2 Posts: 111
    edited April 2004
    Hello the world,

    I have a CSi40 for sale in the flea market......might that tempt you?

    CHeck it out....
    Polk LSi 15 Fronts
    Polk LSi C center
    Polk LSiFX Surrounds
    Outlaw Audio 990 Pre/Pro
    Outlaw Audio 755 amp
    Paradigm PDR-12 Sub
    Outlaw Audio Cables
    BetterCables Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by gmorris
    The R30, R40, R50 & CSi20 (as well as the R10, R15 & R20) use the 3/4" tweeter, which is black in color. The RTixxx line & the CSi30's & 40's use the 1" tweeter, which is gray in color.

    Again, I used the R30's with the CSi30 for months. There was never a problem. Everything sounded fine. But, if you want to get hung up on specs, (which is perfectly fine, that is part of this hobby) then the R30's & the CSi30 won't match up.

    I would also recommend to you to go with the CSi30. It is just plain "better" than the CSi20.

    Just enjoy using whatever you buy. Don't let a 1/4" difference in tweeter diameters ruin your weekend.

    Thank you guys!

    I also think so. I posted this question in Troubleshooting several day ago. And Kenneth Swauger (Customer Service) answered it. CSi20 is the exact match to R50 and "CSi30/CSi3 could be considered a suitable match for the R50". He also suggested to get a chance to listen to them with my R50. I will try that.

    Thanks again!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by nemos2
    Hello the world,

    I have a CSi40 for sale in the flea market......might that tempt you?

    CHeck it out....

    I checked...
    It's better but out of my budget. My pair of R50 is at that price...:(
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drewsmith
    Drewsmith Posts: 160
    edited April 2004
    I am with Gmorris here used the CSI30 with my R30's for a few months before upgrading. I thought it sounded jsust fine. The 30 in my opinion is a much better speaker than the 20. The 30 fills a room much better.
    Epson 8100
    Directv HR24
    WDTV
    ONKYO 608
    POLK RTI70 Mains
    POLK CSI40 Center
    POLK RTI28 Surround
    HSU STF-2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Shizelbs
    What makes you think the CSi20 is 'too small'?

    Because of the size...
    And only one drive...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter