CSI-A6 vs CSI-A4
I currently have a 3.1 setup, with RTI-A3 fronts on stands directly on either side of the screen, with a shelf directly above the screen for my center channel. My listening position is 10' away. I am replacing my JBL 120c center channel and am considering either a CSI-A4 or A6. Physically, either speaker will fit, but I'm debating whether the A6 might be overpowering based on my listening distance. Also, which unit would be a better match for my A3's?
Polk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever
Answers
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A6Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎
SVS SB16 X2
Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
Cary DMS 800PV Network
OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
Jolida JD9 Fully Modified
VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM
MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s -
I agree with @Toolfan66, go with the A6. About 7 years ago I also had the RTI-A3's initially with the A4. I felt that I was missing out when watching TV.
I shortly thereafter purchased an A6 and boy did that make a huge difference. It really bolstered my watching experience. The A4 has been in the closet ever since. -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?Polk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever -
A6Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal. -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
The A6's are going for only $10 more, however, there are two considerations to take into account.
The guy selling them has lots of other listings, focused mainly on used pro-grade gym equipment and associated reception area items. My guess is he's a liquidator. My assumption is that the A6's got lots of hard use at fairly high volumes in a gym studio setting. The A4's are a private-homeowner sale.
Secondly, the A4's are Cherry finished and match my new (used) RTIA3s, and appear to be in mint condition.Polk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
And Chris, wasn't it you who warned me about going down this rabbit hole?? lolPolk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
The A6's are going for only $10 more, however, there are two considerations to take into account.
The guy selling them has lots of other listings, focused mainly on used pro-grade gym equipment and associated reception area items. My guess is he's a liquidator. My assumption is that the A6's got lots of hard use at fairly high volumes in a gym studio setting. The A4's are a private-homeowner sale.
Secondly, the A4's are Cherry finished and match my new (used) RTIA3s, and appear to be in mint condition.
I'd personally pick better sound over a finish but that's me (ignore the fact I spent years looking for a CS1000p with a specific finish). The A6 will provide deeper bass and that's very good for male voices. If the difference between the A4 and A6 is anything like the difference between the CS245i and CS400i, which I own both of, then yeah the A6 is going to be worth if.
If you're concerned about it being driven hard, just check for signs of cosmetic use and also apply even pressure on the driver and move them in and out and feel for scratching. If it scratches then it's bad. -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
And Chris, wasn't it you who warned me about going down this rabbit hole?? lol
Probably. I'm an enabler though. -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
And Chris, wasn't it you who warned me about going down this rabbit hole?? lol
Probably. I'm an enabler though.
You and that telekinesis lolPolk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever -
A6, all day everyday and twice on Sundays
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A6, all day everyday and twice on Sundays
You must really be a fan of Anderson Cooper? lolPolk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever -
Nope! -
FTG..Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎
SVS SB16 X2
Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
Cary DMS 800PV Network
OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
Jolida JD9 Fully Modified
VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM
MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s -
A6 if you can possibly fit it. Always go with the biggest center possible, all other things being equal…Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
I appreciate all for the advice, I will keep it in my mind.
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I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
The A6's are going for only $10 more, however, there are two considerations to take into account.
The guy selling them has lots of other listings, focused mainly on used pro-grade gym equipment and associated reception area items. My guess is he's a liquidator. My assumption is that the A6's got lots of hard use at fairly high volumes in a gym studio setting. The A4's are a private-homeowner sale.
Secondly, the A4's are Cherry finished and match my new (used) RTIA3s, and appear to be in mint condition.
Ok, so I went and looked at the A6's and as suspected, they had plenty of wear on them, including a chunk missing out of a rear corner. So, I ended up getting the A4's. They are definitely enough speaker for my needs and I haven't even fine tuned my settings yet. They were in pristine condition and I love the cherry finish to match the A3's. Now I just have to figure out where to park the 4 RC Heli's I usually parked on my old flat-topped JBL center.
Polk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
The A6's are going for only $10 more, however, there are two considerations to take into account.
The guy selling them has lots of other listings, focused mainly on used pro-grade gym equipment and associated reception area items. My guess is he's a liquidator. My assumption is that the A6's got lots of hard use at fairly high volumes in a gym studio setting. The A4's are a private-homeowner sale.
Secondly, the A4's are Cherry finished and match my new (used) RTIA3s, and appear to be in mint condition.
Ok, so I went and looked at the A6's and as suspected, they had plenty of wear on them, including a chunk missing out of a rear corner. So, I ended up getting the A4's. They are definitely enough speaker for my needs and I haven't even fine tuned my settings yet. They were in pristine condition and I love the cherry finish to match the A3's. Now I just have to figure out where to park the 4 RC Heli's I usually parked on my old flat-topped JBL center.
Good choice. Severe cosmetic wear is a guaranteed pass. -
I think I should mention I'm no audiophile, as 90+% of my viewing is news channels. But I do appreciate better sound regardless of my viewing habits. My center channel shelf is wide enough for the A6, but is only 10" deep, although there is nothing behind it. That said, the A6 will need to overhang the shelf by about 4" at its rear. I assume I can place non-slip pads anywhere along its flat bottom, and that it's not rear-heavy?
It's not Rear heavy. The weight of speakers is generally in the front where the drivers are because of how heavy the giant magnets are.
Every Polk speaker I've owned has been front heavy. Don't worry one bit about the 4" rear overhang.
And yeah I agree with everyone else on the A6. Especially as I assume you'll be buying used and the price difference between the two is minimal.
The A6's are going for only $10 more, however, there are two considerations to take into account.
The guy selling them has lots of other listings, focused mainly on used pro-grade gym equipment and associated reception area items. My guess is he's a liquidator. My assumption is that the A6's got lots of hard use at fairly high volumes in a gym studio setting. The A4's are a private-homeowner sale.
Secondly, the A4's are Cherry finished and match my new (used) RTIA3s, and appear to be in mint condition.
Ok, so I went and looked at the A6's and as suspected, they had plenty of wear on them, including a chunk missing out of a rear corner. So, I ended up getting the A4's. They are definitely enough speaker for my needs and I haven't even fine tuned my settings yet. They were in pristine condition and I love the cherry finish to match the A3's. Now I just have to figure out where to park the 4 RC Heli's I usually parked on my old flat-topped JBL center.
Good choice. Severe cosmetic wear is a guaranteed pass.
All things being equal, I likely would have gone for the A6, but the A4 is no slouch, especially in my 10 x 14 room. Must say I love the cherry finish. It's kinda modern and retro all in one package.Polk RTIA3 Fronts
Polk CSIA4 Center
Polk PSW Sub
Pioneer VSX-521-K AVR
And a friendly Labrador Retriever -
