CSi5 vs LSiC

sdBigDuck

I posted something related to this already, but I need a more specific answer...
I have the following system:
Receiver: Denon AVR3805 7.1 Channel 120 W/C
Front Speakers: RTi8's
Surround Speakers: TC60i's
SW: Velodyne DLS3750R
TV: Sony 70" Grand Wega

My question concerns the center channel speaker. Normally, I would select the CSi5. Unfortunately, my custom cabinet shelf for the speaker is 22" wide. The CSi5 is 24" wide. There is no other possible place for the center channel speaker. I'm willing to pay the extra money for the LSiC, (which would fit) but I'm concerned about the timbre match up with the RTIs. Will it be noticable? Or should I get out the saw for the CSi5?
Thanks for any info!

mantis

No get the csi3 instead. The LsiC will not match

nebborjk

Like mantis said, The LSiC will not match your RTis. Get the CSi3 instead.

cfrizz

He knows it won't match. however, will it really make that big of a difference & be that noticeble? Right now None of my equipment matches, & it sounds just fine to me.

wingnut4772

I had the LSIc and never liked it very much...go with the Csi.

sickicw

cfrizz wrote:

He knows it won't match. however, will it really make that big of a difference & be that noticeble? Right now None of my equipment matches, & it sounds just fine to me.

I agree. It might be worth demoing a lsic just to see if you like it. I own the lsic, rti5, and rti3 and have to say the lsic is by far the best at replicating the human voice. It might should weird, however, if all your fronts are not matched, but then again it might not. It also might not be a bad idea to get the lsic if you are going to eventually upgrade everything to the lsi line....

mrmusicman

I vote for gettin' the saw out and making the csi 5 fit.

mantis

DO what you want with your system, mix and match all you want. I wouldn't do it. I would buy the csi3. There is nothing wrong with that center and it matches your speakers. Why not go with it???? Make 2 much sense?

Dan

beardog03

cfrizz wrote:

He knows it won't match. however, will it really make that big of a difference & be that noticeble? Right now None of my equipment matches, & it sounds just fine to me.

turn it up, and see if it sounds different...

just messin with ya Ms Frizz..

Imo, if ya mix tweets from different series speaks, it`s gonna sound funky...

Just my o2.5...

FutureAudio

Is there any way you can fit Csi5 in?

sdBigDuck

Yeah, they can disassemble half of the custom entertainment center and then cut out an area and fit it in. Heaven forbid the speaker should ever fail, because there will be no way to get it out.
As Cfrizz said, I know the LSI and the RTI's won't be timbre matched, but is the effect that noticable????????? Obviously(?) the LSI is a higher end speaker - could I adjust the equalizer for the center channel to compensate?

reeltrouble1

Shiver me timbre's, its HT, mine dont match and no one but me knows, does not seem to bother those that are listening. If you can match then go ahead, if it bothers you then go ahead, if not, well, I am sure you can figure it out.

RT1

landry_p2000

The older, more knowledgeable audiophiles would stress timbre matching your speakers, and the LSiC has a completely different type of tweeter, but if the guys/gals(Cfrizz) think that it wouldn't hinder your sound, maybe it is worth a try. Me personally, I wouldn't alter my Entertainment unit for one speaker. I suggest you go with the CSi3 which I currently use in my HT set-up. The RTi series tweeters have a great sound, and are worth the timbre matching. The CSi3 is a great speaker for HT. I have no complaints on mine. Also if you are a cheap a$$ like me, the CSi3 will be a whole lot cheaper $199.99@ Crutchfield.com. It's a no brainer my friend. Hope this helped.

Landry

GATOR3000

Hey BigDug,

My original HT setup was Rti8’s front, Csi3 centre and old 8” JBL’s surround. Considering running these drivers with my cheep SONY receiver it sounded pretty good. Surround didn’t match, but it wasn’t that noticeable. The front Rti8’s and Csi3 centre were sweet. Transitions across the front stage were absolutely seamless, crisp and natural.

Recently I have purchased Csi5 centre to get more base from my centre channel. The Csi5 is a really nice centre speaker. My centre was set to “large” and now I was getting a lot of base almost too much. So I set the center to “small”. Now there was base, but not enough……….(maybe it is my lousy receiver). Anyway, I set the Csi5 back to “large” and put the Csi3 on top of Csi5 and hooked them both together. WOW……….my centre sounds awesome. (Do I have “Csi8” now?……..3+5=8)

With your Denon AVR3805 the Rti8’s must sing nice. If you get the Csi3 centre your front stage will sound nice and your surround not matching will not be noticeable as much at all.

reeltrouble1

landry_p2000 wrote:

The older, more knowledgeable audiophiles would stress timbre matching your speakers

really?????? :rolleyes: audiophile/HT=oxymoron

RT1

landry_p2000

reeltrouble1 wrote:

really?????? :rolleyes: audiophile/HT=oxymoron

RT1

Hey man! I consider you an audiophile compared to me! And don't call me a moron!

reeltrouble1

Its all good my man, HT was once a personal passion, but as AK says "I have a new favorite". As I improved my 2 ch gear, my interest in HT has waned to the point I no longer care much about the issues such as timbre match. I just want good movies with good actors, like 12 Angry Men or 12:00 High, some sound effects are cool, just not a whole movie based on them, but then thats my problem, heck like I said if not being matched bothers someone they should do it, if not its going to gnaw on them. I just personally dont think its such a big deal anymore.

of course you are not a moron :eek: :cool:

RT1

Holydoc

I originally had speakers that did not have timbre matching. At the time, I thought they sounded good. Once I upgraded and made sure I had matching speakers, I really found out what "sounding good" to a Home Theatre actually meant. Now I have seamless sound motion throughout my room.

What you need to decide is if you are creating your HT to watch movies or are you creating your HT to experience the movies. A really good HT will draw you into the action and not distract from it.

An example I can give you is the movie, The Grudge (horror movie). When one of my co-workers watched this movie on his system, he rated it as passable but not scary in any way. When I invited him over to my house to watch it, he jumped several times, and I even caught him looking around the room as the sound of one of the characters traveled around him. He experienced the movie rather than just watching it.

If you are building your HT so that you can better enjoy good movies with good actors, then I recommend you purchase a GOOD center channel that fits your given space and not worry about the timbre matching. If you are building your HT so that you can experience a movie, then get a center channel where you will have seamless transitions from left to right on your front soundstage.

As for a recommendation of which center to purchase, I will have to abstain. Of the choices given, I have only owned the CSi5. How much better is it than the CSi3, I cannot say. Is it worth modifying your current setup to fit in this monster CSi5, I cannot say.

Good luck. Sounds like you are on your way to a good system.

aaharvel

considering he has rti8's and can't fit the csi5 in the alloted space- buying the csi3 sounds like a no-brainer. And I know everyone in here luvs that csi5 but i've heard them both- set to large and on a b&k amp setup and in no way does the csi5 justify it's X2 pricetag- regardless if it's set to "small" OR "large"

jmo.

edit- and speaking of- someone on the forum is offering a brand new csi3 for a mere $110. If you still feel like you have to saw out a hole to accomodate a $400 csi5 or spend $500 for a center that won't properly timbre match what you already have- well then go for it.

aaharvel

speak of the devil-

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=358196#post358196

landry_p2000

aaharvel wrote:

considering he has rti8's and can't fit the csi5 in the alloted space- buying the csi3 sounds like a no-brainer. And I know everyone in here luvs that csi5 but i've heard them both- set to large and on a b&k amp setup and in no way does the csi5 justify it's X2 pricetag- regardless if it's set to "small" OR "large"

jmo.

edit- and speaking of- someone on the forum is offering a brand new csi3 for a mere $110. If you still feel like you have to saw out a hole to accomodate a $400 csi5 or spend $500 for a center that won't properly timbre match what you already have- well then go for it.

Yeah. What he said.

sdBigDuck

I was originally going to try the Csi3, but I was told that the CSi5 was significantly and noticably better. I sound tested them both in a store and did notice a difference.
I don't want to skimp on the center channel, which was why I was considering the LSiC.

reeltrouble1

My center is scarier than yours, my center is scarier than yours, my center is scarier cuz its timbre matched, my center is scarier than yours!!

Oh Boy, sorry I couldn't resist. :eek:

cfrizz

sdBigDuck, if you like the LSIC, that is what you should get. As I have said, none of my speakers match, & it sounds just fine. What's most important is to be able to clearly hear the dialog. If the LSIC accomplishes this & FITS comfortably in your cabinet, get it!

jdhdiggs

Some concerns on the LSiC-Different impedence and less efficient. It may be very difficult to balance into the system. Also, While the Denon has enough power, this speaker would make it run hotter than the CSi3.

Also, several people have mentioned how the LSiC sounds really thin in a home environment. All of this needs to be considered before buying the highest $$$ option.

I would vote for the CSi3 and if you don't like it, you could always get your money back on it and get the LSiC

reeltrouble1

The csi40 is a terrific center that should match, you will need to find a used one but they are readily available. It measures like 22 5/8". If not as JD has indicated the CSi3 is a really good center that will likely fit the bill.

RT1

sdBigDuck

Another question - Is there a generally acepted positioning for a center channel speaker i.e. above or below the TV?

cfrizz

I've seen center channels in both positions. Where ever you put it, just make sure that the tweeter is aimed at ear level.

McLoki

cfrizz wrote:

I've seen center channels in both positions. Where ever you put it, just make sure that the tweeter is aimed at ear level.

I just laid a laser level on top of my center and had my wife sit in the preferred listening position. Just aimed the speaker till I was hitting my wife at the top of her head.

No that level of accuracy is not required, but there is something therapeutic about aiming a laser sight at your significant other every once in awhile....

Michael

cfrizz

I'll be sure to call her & tell her that it is now time for her to return the favor!!!!

McLoki wrote:

I just laid a laser level on top of my center and had my wife sit in the preferred listening position. Just aimed the speaker till I was hitting my wife at the top of her head.

No that level of accuracy is not required, but there is something therapeutic about aiming a laser sight at your significant other every once in awhile....

Michael

McLoki

cfrizz wrote:

I'll be sure to call her & tell her that it is now time for her to return the favor!!!!

Trust me, I spend plenty of time in her sights....

Michael