CSi5

Audiokarate089

hi I have a polk CSi5 Center channel. RIght now I have a harman kardon AVR520 hooked up to it but I am changing that out soon for a Denon AVR 3805. My question was I have been wondering if a mono amplifier would be a good idea for the center mainly for multichannel music and movies or if the 3805 would be enough power? Does anyone out there have an amp hooked up to there center, if so which one? I already have a parasound for my floorstandings so no multichannel amps just a mono one, and which one you would recommend for the center. Thanks for any help.

marker

If you will have the crossover set at say 80 hz to a sub, the 3805 will be more than adequate on it's on.

Emlyn

Looking at the specs for the CSi5 (55Hz @-3dB, 90dB efficiency, 20-200 watts recommended amp, 8 ohms impedance), the Denon 3805 would be adequate. You'd want to set the CSi5 for small anyway since it only goes to 55 Hz. You're already taking a huge strain off of your receiver by running a separate amp for the main speakers. Essentially in your configuration, you'd be running only center and whatever surrounds you have from the internal amp on the 3805. I'm not a big fan of amps in receivers, but you're unlikely to see much of any benefit by using a separate amp the way your set up will be. Buy something else instead of another amp, like a big subwoofer.

Early B.

Keep the HK if you like the sound and get separate amplification for the rest of your speakers.

I have a separate amp on my center channel and it makes a significant difference in sound vs. using a receiver. For your purposes, there are a variety of monoblocks and bridgeable 2-channel amps out there -- Marantz, Outlaw, Rotel, Parasound, etc. -- any of which will work fine. I'd suggest getting at least 200 wpc and buying used gear.

Early B.

you're unlikely to see much of any benefit by using a separate amp the way your set up will be.

Not true. It is commonly known that employing separate amplification for HT speakers in most instances will yield a better sound quality than using a receiver.

Audiokarate089

thanks for all the suggestions. I planned on getting the 3805 because i really like the way it sounds. I was looking at an outlaw mono amp mainly on cost and performance, Does anyone think that would be a bit much for the center speaker? it runs 200W and just didnt want to damage my center. Does anyone else have the outlaw and if they like it? Thanks a lot.

Parson

audiokarate,

After you get the 3805, would right back about how you think it sounds with the polks compared to the harman kardon?

Because right now i think the h/k--polk combo to be a great union of sound. I'm particulary interested to see if the midrange sounds any differemt at all.

Thanks

Mike Reeter

I'm running a Denon 3803,with an Adcom 3-channel amp. 200 watts going into the CSi5+ mains...No,200 is NOT too much for the center...

cfrizz

Originally posted by Audiokarate089
thanks for all the suggestions. I planned on getting the 3805 because i really like the way it sounds. I was looking at an outlaw mono amp mainly on cost and performance, Does anyone think that would be a bit much for the center speaker? it runs 200W and just didnt want to damage my center. Does anyone else have the outlaw and if they like it? Thanks a lot.

Your speaker will love all that power & will not hurt it in the least.

GATOR3000

Hey audiokarate,

What are you going to do with the HK 520?

aaharvel

Originally posted by Early B.
Not true. It is commonly known that employing separate amplification for HT speakers in most instances will yield a better sound quality than using a receiver.

EarlyB's right here.

As much as I love my H/K 235 receiver- when I upgraded to two pre-owned Adcoms amps and relinquished the H/K for pre-pro duty i couldn't believe the difference in sound. my Rti4's, csi3, fxi3's and fx300i's CAME ALIVE!!! And these were small bookshelf 8ohm speakers.

louthewiz

I am also going to pick up that same center this weekend and I have a 160 watt mono amp to drive that baby which i feel will be a sweet deal.:D

Ron Temple

Lou,

The CSi3 I picked up to mate with my R50s initially sounded way too bright. I don't know if I tamed it or I'm just getting used to it. Sounds fine now, but it's definitely not a tweeter match. I'd be afraid that the CSi5 would swallow my fronts. Love the speaker though.

louthewiz

Well they ran out of the csi3 today and i saw a csi1 will that be a better match for my r20s?

aaharvel

Originally posted by louthewiz
Well they ran out of the csi3 today and i saw a csi1 will that be a better match for my r20s?

Neither one will match the r20's perfectly- and the csi3 is a much better speaker. It's part of the rti line whereas the cs1 is part of the monitor line. I say get the csi3/csi5 and upgrade your r20's to some rti4's/rti6's. THen you'll have that timbre-matched front soundstage.

Jmo.