CSi5 vs CSi3?

Posts: 3,370
edited January 2006 in Speakers
Here's a question for you guys... It's been brought to my attention that the CSi5 is not that great of a speaker. I've heard it at a local store and it seemed pretty decent to me...

So, if you were gonna pair one (CSi5 or CSi3) With RTi8's??? Which would you pick? The 3 can be had for under $130... the 5, used for about $225.

Anyone else have bad luck with the CSi5??? Muddy'd and not clear sound?

Let me know.

David

PS. I know this has been discussed before in depth on here.. sorry for bringing up a repeat topic, just wanted some different opinions on it. Since i was warned that the 5 might not sound so great with RTi8's. :)
Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
Stuff...

RTi12's - front
CSi5 - center
FXi3's - surrounds
RTi4's - surrounds
SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
Denon 3805
Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

Post edited by MrNightly on

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Comments

  • Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2006
    CSi5 with RTi8's over here...cannot be happier.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
  • Posts: 1,183
    edited January 2006
    I've listened to it at Fireshoe's place with his 12's, 6's, and FXi5's powered by a Yamaha RX-V1400 and thought it sounded great. Dialogue never sounded "muddy". It was always clean, clear, and precise.
  • Posts: 3,370
    edited January 2006
    Hmmm, well good. I thought it sounded excellent, but i listened to them with 12's and 10's, and never 8's. Thanks for the input.

    :) Happy New Years!!! Let the good times roll..
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

  • Posts: 267
    edited January 2006
    I have the CSi5 with the RTi8's as well and have NO complaints. The CSi3 is a great speaker too and I had the same dilemma when choosing my center. But overall the 5 is just fuller and more natural and blends seamlessly with the 8's. I had a hard time forking out the extra money for the 5 but I just had to have it knowing i would be missing that little extra something with the 3. I say go with the 5 and dont pay retail.
    -Stopher
    Tempe, AZ

    Setup:
    Polk RTi8 Mains
    Polk CSi5 Center
    Polk FXi3's Surround
    Cerwin Vega HTS10 Subwoofer
    Yamaha HTR-5740 AVR

    Upstairs R50/R15/CS1 5.1 setup w Pioneer AVR
  • Posts: 355
    edited January 2006
    The Csi3 and Csi5 are both great speakers (IMO). I have both and love them. One thing to consider before you decide is the size of your room. If your listening area is no bigger than 12’x 18’x8’ you should be OK with Csi3. Anything over that with additional entrance openings to your listening area, I would go with Csi5.

    My room is about 13’x17’x8’ and is open (8’Wx8’H) to my kitchen. Because of the 8’x8’ opening to kitchen the Csi3 is not enough to fill my listening area. When I hooked up Csi5 it was totally different story. The whole room pressurized faster and at a lower volume on my AVR. The Csi5 delivered fuller soundstage and blended seamlessly with my front Rti8's.

    This is my experience with Csi3 and Csi5. Your ears might be different than mine.

    Hope this helps.

    Happy New Year 2006!.............. :):)

    Gator
    Theatre System 5.1
    Sumsung HP-S5053 plasma
    Receiver Denon AVR 3806 Pre/Pro
    Parasound HCA 1500A amp (front L/R)
    Parasound HCA 1000A amp (centre)
    B & K AV5000 amp (bi-amp + surround)
    Dynaco ST70 tube amp (Herbie HAL-O9)
    polkaudio Lsi15 (Cherry) 2-channel
    polkaudio Rti8 Front (Cherry)
    polkaudio Csi5 Centre
    polkaudio Rti6 Surround
    polkaudio PSW1000 Subwoofer (Cherry)
    Original A8T CD
    Pioneer DV-275 DVD Player
    MONSTER CABLE MP-HTS3500MKII Powercentre
  • Posts: 7,900
    edited January 2006
    Just get the 5. You know from your own experience that it sounds good. For HT, bigger is better (usually).
    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."
  • Posts: 4,489
    edited January 2006
    buy whichever one sounds best to you.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
  • Posts: 60
    edited January 2006
    I have the csi5 and couldnt be happier
  • Posts: 3,370
    edited January 2006
    Thanks guys!!! I am getting the 5. :) Just wanted to make sure no one else had "Horror" stories with it. I can't wait!!!
    Honoured to be, an original SOPA founding member
    Stuff...

    RTi12's - front
    CSi5 - center
    FXi3's - surrounds
    RTi4's - surrounds
    SVS PB12-NSD/2 - sub :D:D:D
    Denon 3805
    Rotel RB-985 5-Channel Amplifier

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