Center channel recommendations for a polk monitor 4.6 setup

jj1999
jj1999 Posts: 8
in Vintage Speakers
I have a 5.1 setup with a pair of Monitor 4.6 speakers and monitor 4As for the sides. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good matching center channel that I can find for sale? Preferably second hand.

I read about the CS350LS and CS400i, but I can't seem to find any available for sale in my price range. Looking to spend under $150 since I got the monitors for just $70.
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Answers

  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,382
    I'd look for another pair of what you're using now. I used 6 JBL HLS610's in a 6.2 set up. I never felt I was missing anything without a dedicated center channel.
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  • jj1999
    jj1999 Posts: 8
    I thought about that, but I would prefer a center channel just because they are always sold in pairs and so I'd have to buy 2 and end up with one that just never gets used.

    Another option I have considered would be to use one of the monitor 4s as my center (I assume they match closely to the 4.6) and then use some old RM6751 satellites that I have sitting around for the side channels. I know they probably wouldn't match well but I figured it would be good enough since they don't get much use anyway.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,382
    edited October 31
    Buy the pair hook them up in series to use both. That way you can spread them apart to get a wider soundstage.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,611
    I did that ^^^^ years ago with good results. As I waited for a Cs400 & then I upgraded to Cs400i both great CC speakers.
    ..
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,611
    I've heard nothing but good on the Cs350ls but never had one. I'm still running a Cs1000p which is just ok IMO.
    ..
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,369

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    These were recommendations from Polk Audio a while back.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • jj1999
    jj1999 Posts: 8
    I am surprised they recommend those, aren't they a different driver size? Still, I might give them a shot.

    I attempted to use one of my monitor 4s as a center channel and noticed it sounded terrible. Unfortunately it looks like the woofer was seized up. Fortunately the other one that I had was working and it sounds great in the center.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,382
    It's really on how they are voiced. Driver size makes a difference in frequency response like more low end, BUT with the center it is more about voices/dialogue and not bass low end. All should reproduce all but the deepest human voice octave, most go down to 50-60Hz.
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  • jj1999
    jj1999 Posts: 8
    edited November 4
    skrol wrote: »
    65hahbwq1jaf.png
    d70xt6f6600j.png

    These were recommendations from Polk Audio a while back.


    Thanks, I also do not see the 4.6 series 2 on those lists anyway. I figured I would probably go with whatever they recommend for the monitor 5, that's probably the closest thing right?
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,382
    edited November 4
    Monitor4 or 5jr.
    CSiA6 are dang nice centers. I run one now. They are on the big side, They were $150 or less during clearance.
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  • jj1999
    jj1999 Posts: 8
    The CSiA6 are what I have been eyeing. Do you happen to have experience with the CSi3 or the CSiA4? There are a lot more available for sale locally in my area. Just trying to decide if it is worth the downgrade.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,382
    edited November 4
    I do not. I've used CS350 and the CSiA6
    If the CSiA4 is available I'd give it a try.
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  • StantonZ
    StantonZ Posts: 443
    edited 11:13AM
    I have done both: used my 4's as a (dual) center and then replaced with a CS300 (and moved the 4's to bedroom duty). See sig.
    Yamaha RX-A2050 AVR (5.0.2); LG OLED77C2 4K TV
    (4) Polk Monitor 10B's w/SoniCaps, Mills, and RDO-194 tweets (R/L F/R)
    (2) Polk RC80i (Top Middle)
    Polk CS300 center channel
    Analog: B&O TX2 Turntable, Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1
    Digital: Pioneer CLD-99 Elite LD, Panasonic DMP-UB900 UHD Blu-Ray
    Bedroom: Arylic Up2Stream AMPv3 driving Polk Monitor 4's w/peerless tweets
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  • jj1999
    jj1999 Posts: 8
    StantonZ wrote: »
    I have done both: used my 4's as a (dual) center and then replaced with a CS300 (and moved the 4's to bedroom duty). See sig.

    How did the sound compare? Are you happy with the CS300? I am currently looking at a CSIa6 someone is selling locally for $100.

    I just got these monitor 4.6s and I love them so far!
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  • agingboomer
    agingboomer Posts: 57
    The CSiA6 is a terrific performer and it matches beautifully (both sonically and aesthetically) with my SDA-2B Studio, Monitor 11T, Monitor T90 Euro setup.
    Everywhere is within walking distance if you have enough time.
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