CSi5....WoW!

Italia_nyc

I just wanted to take the time to post this in hopes it may help someone else out there considering getting a CSi5 Center Channel. I had a CSi3, and based on many opinions and suggestions, I recently upgraded to a CSi5. I honestly did not expect to hear much of a difference. Well once I got over the shock of the pure size of this unit (it's huge)...and after many hours of multi-channel music and movies....I am completely blown away at the difference this one speaker has made! I can't think of any one investment I have made to my HT that has made such an audible improvement. So for those of you hesitating or considering this purchase, please wait no longer. Your HT deserves this!

danger boy

Originally posted by Italia_nyc
I just wanted to take the time to post this in hopes it may help someone else out there considering getting a CSi5 Center Channel. I had a CSi3, and based on many opinions and suggestions, I recently upgraded to a CSi5. I honestly did not expect to hear much of a difference. Well once I got over the shock of the pure size of this unit (it's huge)...and after many hours of multi-channel music and movies....I am completely blown away at the difference this one speaker has made! I can't think of any one investment I have made to my HT that has made such an audible improvement. So for those of you hesitating or considering this purchase, please wait no longer. Your HT deserves this!

Nice write up.... upgrading can be a dangerous addiction. Congrats on your new center. :cool:

ivansfo

Geezz...I'm thinking between the two speakers too. After this post I think I'll go for the Csi5. Can you tell me what amp you are using?

Thanks.

Italia_nyc

Certainly, I am currently using a Denon 3805, and it pushes my RTi8's, Csi5, f/x 300is and RTi4's without hesitation.

GATOR3000

Yeh, for sure I agree with Italia………….Csi5 is a real beauty. Originally got the Csi3 and month later upgraded to Csi5. The Csi3 just didn’t fill my HT room. I have moved the Csi3 to my bedroom HT and what a difference. The bedroom is a lot smaller and Csi3 is just perfect centre channel for my setup.

When I brought new Csi5 home hooked it up right away. Being excited about my new toy, forgot to turn on the subwoofer. Was listening to music (multi channel) for almost an hour when I realized the subwoofer was off. This baby has a nice bass and the vocals are awesome. I definitely recommend Csi5, but the little brother Csi3 is just as good and clear for a smaller size room.

...............Who said that size doesn't matter?..............hehehe

Cheers:)

Willow

Gator, where in canada are you?

We have the same system cept the center .

I too have been thinking about the 5. The 3 is a nice speaker but it doesn't sound as full as the 8's. I like the 3 very much but think its better suited for the 4's and 6's. With that said I know it's a monster and it won't sit on the top of my tv nor will it fit under the tv on the tv stand. I have about 1inch on either side of the 3 that I can spare.

GATOR3000

Hey Willow……….wazzzz……………..uppppppppppppp……..?

I’m in Toronto. Where are you? Yeh, we do have same system. If you want to get more out of your setup I would recommend to get the Csi5………you would be pleasantly surprised how nice of a driver this unit can be with music and movies. And yes the timber match with the RTi8 is right on. The Csi3 was OK, but after while listening to my system new I need to replace it with Csi5. Watching movies with Csi5 is awesome. The whole soundstage in my room is a lot fuller and the audio effects and vocals are clearer and mellower than with the Csi3.

I’m new to this forum and polkaudio drivers and I love them. The only thing is I have to upgrade my receiver. The receiver I have has no pre-outs and I want to go separates for my fronts and centre. Also, will upgrade my subwoofer to SVS. This is my first system setup and I’m kind of experimenting for now.

BTW are you drivers back or cherry……….not that it matters………..just curious. I got my Csi5 for $308.00 CN + our tax ($243.00 US).

Cheers

Willow

Im in Ottawa.

My speakers are all black. Funny the next upgrade on mine is a reciever as well (no pre-outs) Don't know if I will stick with yam. I may check out Denon. But this won't be for a while..just got the 8's and my s10.2 sub all with in the past month.

GATOR3000

Know how you feel. I will upgrade but have to wait a while…….$$$.
This whole thing is so addictive. Denon is excellent. Good choice. I know lots of guys are not fond of Sony, but the new Sony ES’s will be out this summer and they suppose to be totally upgraded from the current ES series. I like Denon and NAD, but can get good deals on Sony from a friend. Just waiting to see the specs.

Cheers:)

landry_p2000

That settles it for me as well. CSi5 it is. After the SVS upgrade of course.:D

Willow

it's 2x the price of the csi3

landry_p2000

Originally posted by Willow
it's 2x the price of the csi3

Yeah, I know. That won't be problem at tax refund time.;)

Willow

tax refund ? for when next year? I got mine back 2 months ago.. I will wait till next year to pick up the 5. Unless I find a killer deal. I think I could benefit from a better receiver than center at this point in my situation.

landry_p2000

The SVS will be thrown in as well as home theater seating. Those are going to be my next few upgrades. The funds will be there at tax time. The old lady will buy the sub for me.:cool:

GATOR3000

Willow,
Is there a SVS dealer in Canada?

chenj16

i'm wondering the same, gator. wanting to get an SVS bad!

GATOR3000

Chenj16,

There is a HSU deale in Canada now

http://www.homedigitalav.com/HSUSubs.html

I'm getting the SVS though.

Willow

Originally posted by GATOR3000
Willow,
Is there a SVS dealer in Canada?

No if I'm not wrong they are only an E-tail only.

dracore

Toronto here... and I agree, the CSi-5 is an amazing speaker. It was exceptionally clear when I heard it and I'm glad I purchased it. The cost was $350CAD+tax at FS. After using $300 in xmas gift certs, I only paid about $100 for the speaker. The SVS was a beautiful addition and never realized how amazing movies could sound with something like this.

______________________
Onkyo TX-SR702
Kef Q5

---

Towers
CSi5

---

Center
RTi6

---

Rear Surround
SVS PB10-ISD --Subwoofer

Willow

Was it hard and costly to have the svs sent to you ?

GATOR3000

Yeh.....dracore...............I have the same question.............did you have to pay duty?............Which SVS model did you get............WOW, I'm supriced how many Canadian's are on this forum......keep em' coming...............:D

I wouldn't be supriced SVS will open dealership in Canada soon.

Cheers:)

Willow

he got SVS pb10 isd

GATOR3000

Yeh..Willow..........missed his eqiopment description..........Thanks.

bertram

Amazing how much better the CSi5 is for movies than the LSiC. I started with the former in my HT and after a while realized that I couldn't quite catch a lot of the dialog--the LSi sounded recessed and muffled. Yes, boosting the center's volume by 3 or 4 db as needed helped but something was not right. I then switched to an all-RTi HT setup and the difference was night and day--such clarity and presence!

My LSis are now part of a music-only system and they perform superbly there, needless to say.

dracore

Delivery of the SVS was straightforward and simple. Make sure there is someone around when the sub is delivered. I had it sent to my work place :-)

There are no duties to pay due to NAFTA. The only thing you'll need to pay on top of SVS+shipping is handling charges -- it wasn't a whole lot.

In terms of packing, it was very well packaged. I hear that SVS customer support is excellent too.

janmike

The Csi5 is a great speaker. Purchased one several months ago with some help from a fellow Polk. I am also on the hunt for a sub. I have looked at a few, but have not made a decision. I am strickly interested in the sub for HT.

GATOR3000

Hey dracor,
thanks for the info for SVS shipping to Canada............never thought about NAFTA.

janmike

So how did you do the NAFTA thing?

PolkThug

Originally posted by janmike
So how did you do the NAFTA thing?

Its already been done, North American Free Trade Agreemnent 1994.

janmike

Ya, I know NAFTA has been done, but electronics fall under the duty category and when I made inquiries a % was applicable.

dracore

That's strange. All parts in the sub were either made in the US or Canada so NAFTA should apply in this situation. Could it be that the person you inquired thought that maybe there were parts that were made elsewhere?