Picked up RTi8's, which Center is best?

BunLengthHotDog

Long story short, my house was hit by lightning about 3 months ago, and I basically lost all of my electronics for my home theater system.

OLD ....................... NEW

Toshiba 50A50

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> Hitachi 51S500
JVC HTIB

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> HK AVR230
Fluance Speakers

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> Polk RTI8's for my Mains

(my rear Fluance bookshelves were not damaged and do not need to be replaced at this time). XBOX / Gamecube and such were also fried, and have since been replaced.

I got lucky and found the RTi 8's at HHGREGG for 189 a piece, and couldnt resist them. However, my Fluance center now sounds VERY out of place...so I was looking at getting either the CSi3 or CSi5. I asked the salesperson if the CSi5 was needed, and he mentioned that those are typically purchased for the larger RTi series speakers (10s and 12s). Is the CSi3 good enough for the RTi8's or do I need to look at getting the CSi5 (which are 199 right now).

Thanks

RuSsMaN

OUTSTANDING name Bun!

CSi3 or 5 will match up just fine. If you end up doing the 6.1 thing, a single RTi6 for both front and rear center would be an option also.

Cheers,
Russ

landry_p2000

The CSi3 will do fine. I just got to trade up to the RTi10s and it still gets the job done. I could go either way with my setup, but why should you spend twice the money? CSi3 definetly!

Frank Z

Sinc 70% of the sound on any given DVD is handled by the center channel, common sense would dictate that special attention be paid to getting the correct speaker for the job. The CSi5 is the best choice.

PolkThug

If you can still get a Csi5 for $199, get it!

Sami

RTi8 would be a good choice for centre channel.

CSi5 over CSi3 is well worth the money IMO.

Airplay355

id pick the csi5 also...

if you dont, you will always end up wondering...just something to think about

landry_p2000

Now I am wondering and I have to pay for it! I may just put the CSi3 in my rear surround position once I get a CSi5.

Dr. Spec

Now I am wondering and I have to pay for it! I may just put the CSi3 in my rear surround position once I get a CSi5.

Now you're cooking with oil.

landry_p2000

I guess having an opinion means that you don't have "common sense".

BunLengthHotDog

UPDATE : Finally was able to run to HHGREGG and pick up the CSi5, talked them down to $175.00 since they were on clearance. Obviously the CSi5 is a much better match to the RTi8's than my old Fluance Center (which went to the rear center btw), but damn the CSi5 is a HUGE center speaker...I have an Hitachi 51S500 TV and the thing eats up most of the top of the TV. Gotta love that

Also picked up an HSU STF-2 from CompUSA as well to finish off the system. Never thought I would say lightning was a good thing, but it certainly got me upgraded (even if it did take a few months).

scottvamp

Originally posted by Frank Z
Sinc 70% of the sound on any given DVD is handled by the center channel, common sense would dictate that special attention be paid to getting the correct speaker for the job. The CSi5 is the best choice.

Way to go Frank - kicking the real knowledge. My services are depleting.
Congrats Bun - nice purchase!!!!!

radkrisdoc

Here's my 2 cents.....if your room's not big enough, why would you need a center channel to "focus" dialog onto the screen? That "focussing" part is probably needed in bigger setups where there is way too much distance between the viewer and the screen/mains. Or, maybe the main speakers dont image well. People talk about stereo imaging and the center sweet spot in a stereo setup. If that really exists, why not route the center channel to your mains? Esp when you can have speakers which can handle signals with ease.....like the LSi9/15 or the RTi8/10/12.....
Just a thought.

PolkWannabie

Originally posted by BunLengthHotDog
... but damn the CSi5 is a HUGE center speaker ...

Well there's huge ?!

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/specs.php?category=5&speaker=352

and then there's just pretty good size ...

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/technology/srtcent.php

... or ...

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/specs.php?recent=1&category=5&speaker=40

Frank Z

Originally posted by radkrisdoc
....why not route the center channel to your mains? Esp when you can have speakers which can handle signals with ease.....like the LSi9/15 or the RTi8/10/12.....

A "Phantom Center" is an option for some folks, but the effect is never as good as you may hope for. The beauty of a properly set up HT is that each of the speakers is given an individual track to reproduce. Having your mains pull double duty takes away from the overall sound stage that the audio engineer and director intended for you to hear.

radkrisdoc

Originally posted by Frank Z
Having your mains pull double duty

I dont know if its that hard for LSi front speakers.... esp since you said that 70% of soundtracks go to the center....its like your giving it two channels of amplification plus two very capable speakers which image well.....of course its not 70% but if you do the math that way then a phantom comes that much more closer to being real.
But I do know that the Phantom center is my option....cos its a small room with a small budget. And the surround effect is awesome.....of course I have listened to setups with the center on, but prefer it the Phantom way..... at least for now, till such time my room plus budget gets bigger. And yes, I dont have any difficulty telling that the dialog actually comes from the screen and not the neighbors next door

Its just a very viable option for smaller rooms/budgets.

TheReaper

radkrisdoc I mostly agree with you. I do most of my TV and Musac Choice listening in 4 speaker mode. But when I watch an action DVD with 5.1/6.1, I switch my receiver back to 6 speakers with sub-woofer (which is just a couple of button clicks on an Onkyo 501).

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Toshiba 42" RPHDTV (42H83)
Toshiba DVD (SD-3900)
Onkyo 360w 6.1 (TX-SR501B)
Polk R50 L/R Mains
Polk R30 L/R Surrounds
Polk CSi40 Center (R20 hybrid)
Polk R50 Rear Center
Polk RTi70 L/R B-Mains (A/B bi-amp)
Sony 10" Sub-Woofer (from previous setup)