CS1 vs. CS2

akstokes
akstokes Posts: 1
edited August 2006 in Speakers
anyone familiar with both? how do they compare to each other?
Post edited by akstokes on
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2006
    Well, not from experience, but the CS2 is bigger, goes lower, and is probably a better match for the larger monitor towers (60's and 70's) than the CS1.

    If you have the funds, the space, and bigger monitor towers, go for the CS2. Both are well reviewed for the monitor line.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited August 2006
    I have had both. I used the CS1 when i was using my M40's up front. It matched well with them. Now i have the M70's up front and i upgraded to the CS2, and it matches well with the 70's. I think they are both equals as far as clarity. My room is fairly small (16*13) so as far as volume, I felt the CS1 filled that space well but i honestly never ran it anywhere close to reference levels. With the CS2 now, I have watched movies at very high volumes (-5db on Denon AVR) and wow, talk about blow your hair back. I have not used an external amp on either so i can't help ya there but i know that a decent AVR will make either one sound great and you should be able to turn up the volume far beyond the WAF before distorting.
    Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Arcam CD37
    Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
    Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
    Vandersteen V2W
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,858
    edited August 2006
    I run a CS2 with Monitor 40s as my fronts and am pleased with how they blend.
    I temporarily hooked up a CS1 that I was holding on to for my daughter and, in my opinion, the CS1 and 40's are meant for each other.

    I plan on grabbing a set of 60's from Fry's when they are clearanced again. The CS2 will mate better with a larger front, imo.
    Sal Palooza
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  • Nate79
    Nate79 Posts: 25
    edited August 2006
    Me and my brother both have monitor 40's for L&R. He has the cs2 center, and I have the cs1. Difference recievers though

    Mine sounds more ...blended in, and sounds coming from the center isnt so obvious like his. The cs2 sounds great too, but its just too overwhelming. It could be the settings on his reciever, so I dunno. I like the way mine sounds better.
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited August 2006
    my school of thought was its never a bad thing to go with the bigger center.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,782
    edited August 2006
    The term...

    "Go Big or Stay Home" applies no less to centers.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • josh_parsons626
    josh_parsons626 Posts: 219
    edited August 2006
    See I have the cs1 with the monitor 40's up front and was thinking of going with the bigger center. Is the cs2 made for like the monitor 60's and 70's? Or would it be apparent of where the sound's coming from?
    Don't forget to look at My Home Theater :D

    Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR503
    Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 40
    Center - Polk Audio CS1
    Surrounds - Paradigm Cinema ADP
    Subwoofer - Velodyne VRP-1200
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  • josh_parsons626
    josh_parsons626 Posts: 219
    edited August 2006
    It could be my receiver, but I've got my system calibrated to 85 db and it seems like the fronts are decent, but the center could be a little louder and clearer. But like I said I really am not a big fan of an Onkyo receiver, when I was putting my system together I didn't know a whole hell of a lot about home theater and just really wanted something right now. But hey, that's how you learn in the crazy business, right?
    Don't forget to look at My Home Theater :D

    Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR503
    Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 40
    Center - Polk Audio CS1
    Surrounds - Paradigm Cinema ADP
    Subwoofer - Velodyne VRP-1200
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited August 2006
    Akstokes -- you have a PM
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • kalrith
    kalrith Posts: 14
    edited August 2006
    I'm not at all trying to hijack this thread, but I have a question regarding the CS1 and CS2 speakers. Right now I have a Panasonic XR55 driving two R50s up front. I want to add a center channel to the mix. I've read a lot about it, and it seems that some people think the CS1 and CS2 are great matches, and others say to get a CSi20, 30, or 40. The R50s are cherry, so I have to get a cherry center. I haven't seen any of the CSi20, 30, or 40 centers in cherry; do they even come in that finish? Also, the price difference is quite large between the CS1 & CS2 ($180 compared to $300). Is it worth the difference in price?

    Thanks!
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,858
    edited August 2006
    I got my CS2 delivered for about $210 off of Ebay.
    Keep an eye on your local Craigslist.com, and I believe you will be able to find an even better deal.

    The CSi5 and CSi3 both come in cherry and black. The CSi25 only comes in black.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/center/series/csi/

    The CS2 and the CS1 both come in cherry and black.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/center/series/cs/

    I've never been able to hear the CSi series of centers; the local Circuit City only had the CS2 functional (CS1 had several nice pencil pokes in the drivers :( ) and NO CSi series. :mad:
    I'd really like to have heard the CSi's, but I still would have gone with the CS2strictly due to price considerations.

    The CS2 does have to be setup correctly with your AVR, and it does take some time to break in. That may be due to the bigger 6 1/2 inch dual drivers on the CS2 versus 5 1/4 inch dual drivers on the CS1. I'm not sure, but tuned in, broke in, and the CS2 ..... well, is very very nice for HT.
    (I won't go into a "Fast and Furious" rant and rave, but ... nice !).

    The CS1 is definitely no slouch either, though. Either one, bought at a price you're happy with, will not leave you kicking yourself in a month or two with buyer's regret.
    Of course, you'll always have buyer's envy ("Man, I wish I could afford LSiX")
    but that's okay.

    Onkyo AVR's are a good choice, IMO, for those on a budget. Good build quality, nice assortment of bells and whistles, and NICE prices.

    So....go spend some money ! :)
    Sal Palooza
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