Another Center channel question

Pens1566
Pens1566 Posts: 5
edited July 2007 in Speakers
New polk user here. Just joined the dark side thanks to Fry's special on R50s.

Front : R50 Cherry
Surround : R50 Cherry
Rear : R150 Black
Sub : 10" Paradigm

Now here's my problem, which center should I pick up? Polk's FAQ suggests a CS2, but I've seen all kinds of recommendations from forum posts (CSR, CSi25, CSi3, CS1, etc.). I'm not concerned with getting the uber center, just something that sounds decent with the rest of the setup. I've found the CSi3 for ~160ish, CSi25 (black) for ~70, CS1 for ~160. At those prices, which is the best match and deal? What is the order of those centers from best to worst? Thanks in advance!

Main usage of this is for HT, probably 90%, the rest gaming (XBox360/Cube).
Post edited by Pens1566 on
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  • duksbak
    duksbak Posts: 134
    edited June 2007
    CSi25 to match.

    I just bought one today to complete my buget setup. If you find one at Fry's it will prabably be at a closeout price (got mine pretty cheap)

    Welcome to club polk!
    Television: Mitsubishi WD-57732
    Front R/L: Polkaudio RTiA7
    Center: Polkaudio CSiA4
    Rear R/L: Polkaudio FXiA4
    Subwoofer: Polkaudio DSW600
    A/V Reciever: Denon 2808
    DVD/SACD: Sony Playstation 3
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    CS2 good timber match.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Pens1566
    Pens1566 Posts: 5
    edited June 2007
    2 responses, 2 different suggestions. Any other recommendations?
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited June 2007
    I went from a R50's FT and CS2 center to SRS 3.1TL's FT and Monitor 5's as center.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • rdman
    rdman Posts: 36
    edited June 2007
    I have your exact setup (except R150 for surrounds instead of R50) and I have a CSi25 and it matches fine.
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  • Pens1566
    Pens1566 Posts: 5
    edited June 2007
    I think at this point, I'm leaning towards the CSi25 or the CS1. Unless someone can convince me to go a different way :).
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  • ivansfo
    ivansfo Posts: 145
    edited June 2007
    +1 for CSI25.

    I've seen Fry's put them on sale for $49.95.
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  • Pens1566
    Pens1566 Posts: 5
    edited July 2007
    Ok CSi25 it is. Now, since its a 4ohm speaker and the rest of my set is 8ohms (R50 & R150s), I should leave my receiver set at 8ohm, right?
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  • Shannon W.
    Shannon W. Posts: 568
    edited July 2007
    CSi5 ftw! Think of the center channel as the Heart of the system and the Sub as the Heart beat.

    The Center Channel has to pull DBL duty due to it having to play dialog + allot of the main "Front" sounds.

    That is why I would go for the CSi5. I just put one of them in my Mothers HT matched with a pair of RTi10 and all I can say is "DAMN" that thing will flat out rock the house down.

    Shannon
    50" Samsung Plasma
    Sony STR-DA4ES "use as Pre/amp"
    Pioneer Elite DV-45A DVD Player
    DLO HomeDock Deluxe iPod docking station
    Directv HR20 Sat. Receiver in black
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 7 Signature Amp
    Monster Cable AVS2000
    Monster Cable HTPS 5100 MKII
    Polk LSi 9's Front R/L
    Polk LSiC Center
    Polk LSiFX R/L Surround
    Polk LSi 7's Rear R/L
    SVS PB12-Plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1
    Sony PS3
    Click Here To View my Rig
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  • Pens1566
    Pens1566 Posts: 5
    edited July 2007
    CSi5 is out of the question. Too expensive, and doesn't match my current speakers. Any input on the impedance question?
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited July 2007
    I would use a CS2 for impedance match
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Shannon W.
    Shannon W. Posts: 568
    edited July 2007
    The match thing I can understand. But they are going for between $200 and $269 on eBay.

    Shannon
    50" Samsung Plasma
    Sony STR-DA4ES "use as Pre/amp"
    Pioneer Elite DV-45A DVD Player
    DLO HomeDock Deluxe iPod docking station
    Directv HR20 Sat. Receiver in black
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 7 Signature Amp
    Monster Cable AVS2000
    Monster Cable HTPS 5100 MKII
    Polk LSi 9's Front R/L
    Polk LSiC Center
    Polk LSiFX R/L Surround
    Polk LSi 7's Rear R/L
    SVS PB12-Plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1
    Sony PS3
    Click Here To View my Rig
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited July 2007
    Though a 4ohm speaker, Polk says it's 8 ohm compatable. No one's blown up an AVR...they've sold a ton of them.

    I don't think there's a wrong answer about which current or even older centers like the CSi30 or 40. Get a matching center or the best you can afford.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • ejd
    ejd Posts: 14
    edited July 2007
    Impedance was a big issue with Polk and HK when I had problems with my HLK 435 receiver and LSi 15s and Lsic. HK said no way their receiver would drive anything but 6 or 8 ohm speakers and Polk said my problem could be caused be a impedance issue and I should have a match plus 150 WPC for the speakers. anyway when I bought the 3 outlaw amps at 300 watts at 4 ohms my problem went away. Happy now but that was me.
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited July 2007
    I ran a Csi25 with R50's and R15's for a couple of years through a budget Yammie @ 8 ohms with no problems.
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  • duksbak
    duksbak Posts: 134
    edited July 2007
    I am now running my CSi25 with my R50's - R15's with a budget AV receiver and so far so good^^

    Sounds great!
    Television: Mitsubishi WD-57732
    Front R/L: Polkaudio RTiA7
    Center: Polkaudio CSiA4
    Rear R/L: Polkaudio FXiA4
    Subwoofer: Polkaudio DSW600
    A/V Reciever: Denon 2808
    DVD/SACD: Sony Playstation 3
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited July 2007
    duksbak wrote: »
    I am now running my CSi25 with my R50's - R15's with a budget AV receiver and so far so good^^

    Sounds great!

    Beware of the LSI bug. Once bitten, your wallet will bleed. Stay away from all demo's. :)
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  • Shannon W.
    Shannon W. Posts: 568
    edited July 2007
    ^^^^^^^^^^^ How True That Statment Is! ^^^^^^^^^^^

    Shannon
    50" Samsung Plasma
    Sony STR-DA4ES "use as Pre/amp"
    Pioneer Elite DV-45A DVD Player
    DLO HomeDock Deluxe iPod docking station
    Directv HR20 Sat. Receiver in black
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 7 Signature Amp
    Monster Cable AVS2000
    Monster Cable HTPS 5100 MKII
    Polk LSi 9's Front R/L
    Polk LSiC Center
    Polk LSiFX R/L Surround
    Polk LSi 7's Rear R/L
    SVS PB12-Plus/2
    Velodyne SMS-1
    Sony PS3
    Click Here To View my Rig
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