Need Advice on Center speaker

Vric
Vric Posts: 12
edited April 2004 in Speakers
Hi

I'm not quite new to Polk Speaker, I'm a fan for over 2 years now, but it's the first time I come here.

First, My home Theater isn't the best one. I wanted to make something better than a "Home Theater in a box" set. So I wet with waht I could fine at good Price.

So I have all my setup for 2 year now, but I'm looking for a new Center channel, becose mine is really low end (really, 65W 150hz-19khz)

Here is What I have:

Front: Polk R40
Rear: Polk R15
Center: Crap.. want a new one..
SubWoofer: Kenwood 303
Receiver: Kenwood 507 DD5.1/DTS/PL2

What I'm looking for is a CSi3 front. I love the look of it, but I would like to know how it would sound with my current setup.

Also, if you have any suggestion on setting up my system (I did read, but I don't have a DVD like DVE or Avia (yet)

Lastly, do you know where I can find a CSi3 for about 150$Us (200$Can) In Canada (don't really want to pay custom fees)

Thanks for your help.
Post edited by Vric on
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Comments

  • movieguy
    movieguy Posts: 64
    edited April 2004
    i use a csi3 with my r30 fronts , r15 rears and psw202 sub , also not top of the line but in my opinion it kicks ****, very happy with the set up.bought my csi3 in canada at future shop for 249.95, it sells for 299.99 but they'll give you 50.00 off if you haggle with them.
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    Thanks for reply

    I was looking for CS225i too, but it have about 70$ difference with the csi3, so if the CSi3 is better... currently on ebay, there is only one 245i and it's about 125$Us+25$Us shipping... Once again, I try to get it in Canada so I don'T have to pay an extra 30$ custom fees + taxes

    At 90$ you had a good deal :p

    Also for Futureshop, the CSi3 is already at 249$, thebrink.com have it at 239$.. I'm looking for about 225$ shipped without taxes (I always talk about canadian dollard here)

    thanks for replys
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  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    I did not find the CS225 on polk website...
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    it's same as CS245i, except with black mids and I think the bass response are a bit less good than the 245i (few hz)
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    I use R40s and the CSi20 for my center. I think you can still find the CSi20 on crutchfield.com. Its timbre matched to the rest of your speakers.

    Don't diss your setup either. Its not the best, but its better than most, and by all means, its a very enjoyable one.
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    Ok Finally I have a deal for a CSi3, so My main consern is on this center now.

    What do you think, will it be a good center with my System ?
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    The CSi3 should be fine. The CSi20, however, is what matches your system. I, for one, like matching speakers, and CSi20 is what matches your other speakers the best. Like I said, I have the R40s, R15s and CSi20, and I like it all very much.
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    The only thing I don't like is having 2 way speaker.. the air hole just look horrible and incomplete, here is why I never looked for the csi20 or the cs175i

    Thanks
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  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Vric
    The only thing I don't like is having 2 way speaker.. the air hole just look horrible and incomplete, here is why I never looked for the csi20 or the cs175i

    Thanks

    I'm with you:)
    I'm also looking for a center for R50. CSi20 is the perfect match but as what you just said...

    If you do not mind can I ask you a question? Where did you find the deal for CSi3?
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by hellotheworld
    I'm with you:)
    I'm also looking for a center for R50. CSi20 is the perfect match but as what you just said...

    If you do not mind can I ask you a question? Where did you find the deal for CSi3?

    a Guy on Ebay (Canada), he have several CSi3 (currently none on auction) I lost the last auction, but I asked him for a second chance offer and he did, so I have a CSi3 waiting for 230$Can SHipped by Fedex, not bad, what I was looking

    but before I buy, I want to be sure cos I have read some bad review on the CSi3 (even on the polk website)
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Vric
    The only thing I don't like is having 2 way speaker.. the air hole just look horrible and incomplete, here is why I never looked for the csi20 or the cs175i

    Thanks

    I don't think your ears give a darn what it looks like.
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by Shizelbs
    I don't think your ears give a darn what it looks like.

    Hummm good point :D But when you spend money, you want something that look a bit more finished than those speaker.

    Aren't they the same driver anyway ? the CSi20 is very weak in low hz (80hz if I remember) I don't think it's a good chose for music (about 30% of my use)

    Btw there is so much ppl here, thank for replying !
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited April 2004
    Do you listen to your music in surroud or stereo? Do you have a subwoofer?
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    5.1 Concert DVD, DVDA and SACD
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  • stanman
    stanman Posts: 6
    edited April 2004
    Hi Vric,

    I also live in Canada. I have the CSi3 for center-channel, RTi8's for front towers, R15's for surrounds, and FXi30's for rears.

    I think you will find the CSi3 will work well with the setup that you have. Before I upgraded the front towers and added the rear channels, I used the CSi3 with my R15's up front. I found that no center EQ adjustment was necessary to timbre-match the R15's and CSi3, even though the CSi3 is from a newer line.

    Now with the RTi8's the CSI3 is still sounding great, and is definitely not overpowered by the RTi8's as long as the receiver has been properly calibrated with a sound level meter.

    I'd actually bought the CSi3 on sale at Future Shop for $199 CDN during boxing day week. A great deal that they haven't brought back since. The R15's I bought for $129, also FS, and the RTi8's were $729. They're back up to $999 now. With Future Shop, you just have to buy the Polk gear at the right time to get the best price. I actually saw a demo pair of RTi70's there for $399 before I got the RTi8's! But by the time I went back to get them they were sold. Bad move by me. Oh well, them's the breaks! I can't complain about the RTi8's. I sure wish we had the same upgrade deals that they offer down in the CC stores though. It'd be awesome to be able to upgrade and pay the difference. You guys in the US don't know how good you have it!

    Stan
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  • Vric
    Vric Posts: 12
    edited April 2004
    Thanks for reply

    I finally bought a CSi3 for 210$+20$ fedex shipping (come same as your 199$+tx)

    Will see later if I made the good chose.

    as for my HT, I also bouth everything from FS.. gor my R40 for 199$ pair and my R15 for 179$ Pair.
    Quite happy for the price (below 1000$, better than "home theater in a box")

    Also, how cost a Sound meater ? also, do you know when I can find good price on Avia disk or DVE ?

    thanks
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  • hellotheworld
    hellotheworld Posts: 205
    edited April 2004
    You said there are some not very positive reviews about CSi3 and I checked and compared with CSi30. CSi30 is better than CSi3 based on reviews and listed features. I have the same situation with you even worse:D I do not even have a center.

    But one bad thing is that it is difficult to find a CSi30:(
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