Center Channel Matching Efficiency

FastGorilla
FastGorilla Posts: 2
edited January 2005 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hi Polk Folk,

I have a pair of new RTi6's and am shopping for a center channel. For timbre matching reasons and quality, I am sticking with Polk and can't decide between the CSi5 and the CSi3. It seems to be a common problem but I have a more specific question...

All the Polk literature recommends the CSi3 as a match but most consumer reviews seem to think "the smart money is on the CSi5" and give the CSi3 a so-so review. Ignoring the monstrous depth (14" vs. 9") of the CSi5, my question to the veterans around here is "Does it matter if the efficiency does not match?"

In more precise terms, if the CSi5 is easier to power at 90dB than the RTi6's at 89dB will the big, bad CSi5 over-power the RTi6s in a medium sized room? The test room near me is not a good testing ground.

If anyone has tried both, let me know about your experiences. Here in Canada, the CSi5 is $500 and the CSi3 is $250 but I'd rather be happy in the long run than save a little now.

Thanks!
~FastGorilla
Post edited by FastGorilla on
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Comments

  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited January 2005
    It doesn't matter if eff. matches, so long as your receiver/pre-pro has a level adjustment for at least your center channel (which pretty much all do these days).

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2005
    I'll second that...

    FG,
    Welcome to the forum.

    One thing to consider is that the center ch is the hardest working speaker in an HT set up, i.e., handles the most info. Way I read your post, if you choose the 3 at this point, you'll always wonder about the 5... so if your budget allows, you may want to grab the 5.

    One other thought, if your dealer is ammenable, is to buy both and return the "loser". Best way for you to be certain of your choice for your HT.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited January 2005
    Just get the 5 and don't look back.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited January 2005
    Listen to both, see which sounds better to you, bigger isn't always better.

    I traded my 400 for a 300, when I ran a Polk HT rig. (6.5's vs 5.25's). I prefer smaller drivers for dialouge, they have a more natural sound, more articulate, less chesty.

    Hardest working my ****, it's a speaker, and it's either up to the task, or it isn't. Next thing these guys will be telling you, IF you bag the 5 is to set it to small. Interesting duality, no?

    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited January 2005
    Maybe hardest working is the wrong term but it is on 99% of the time and is the most Important speaker in a home theater.

    Go with the 3. It's the correct match. You need not the 5 with your mains.The 3 is a good center channel.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • FastGorilla
    FastGorilla Posts: 2
    edited January 2005
    Firstly, thank you RuSsMaN for answering my question about efficiency.

    Secondly, thank you to all the other posters who, like me and many other previous posters, are divided about whether the CSi3 or the CSi5 is better with RTi6s. As usual, it comes down to listening pleasure. I'll have to be more insistent at the local dealer's next time.

    Cheers,
    ~FastGorilla
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited January 2005
    Go get em.....

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,041
    edited January 2005
    I use the 3 and don't think I'd go to the 5. Not worth 2x the price of the 3
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited January 2005
    FG,
    One option you may want to consider is eBay. I purchased my CSi5 on eBay (Brand New) for under $300 US. One sold last night for $275. So with exchange and shipping you would be well under $500 cdn. Good luck
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • xj-boonie
    xj-boonie Posts: 22
    edited January 2005
    I just got some RTi6's and went with the CSi5 (with RTi4's for surround) and a PSW404 sub. So far I like it, although I haven't had a lot of time to listen or to calibrate it yet.

    The width is what surprised me the most. It's nearly as wide as my tv (only a 27" sony).

    Just my $.02
    Mike
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