Purchasing New Speakers Tomorrow - Need Help!!!

math wizard
math wizard Posts: 106
edited December 2007 in Speakers

I'm about to purchase a center channel speaker (and possibly surrounds) to replace my Polk RM302 center channel. Currently I have Polk RTi10's as my fronts and RM2000 (older model - similar to the RM101) ans my surrrounds. I'm also running a Polk PSW404 and PSW303 subs (stacked). My AVR is a Yamaha RX-V2500. Because of limited funds, here are my choices:

Buy a Polk Csi5 center channel to replace the RM302

or

Buy a Polk Csi3 and Polk RTi4 (two) to replace the RM302 and the RM2000's

Both senarios can be had for the same price. Would I be better off buying the larger center channel now and getting the new surrounds when funds allow, or buying the smaller center channel and surrounds that are superior to my current surrounds. The room is 18 x 14 with 18 foot ceilings and open on one end.

The new speakers are at clearance prices so I need to act fast. Any comments or advice would be appreciated.
Processor - Emotiva UMC-200
Pre-Amp (2 Ch) - Emotiva USP-1
DSP Minidsp nanoAVR DL
DAC (2 Ch) - Emotiva XDA-2
Amp (Fronts) - Emotiva XPA-2
Amp (Center/Surrounds) - Emotiva XPA-3
CD - Emotiva ERC-1
Fronts - Polk Audio RTi 12
Center - Polk Audio CSi5
Rears - Polk Audio RTiA1
Sub - Epik Knight
Sub EQ - Velodyne SMS-1
Monitor - Sony XBR65X850C
Blu-Ray - OPPO BDP-203
Network Media Player - Chromecast Ultra
Power Conditioner - APC H15
Power Conditioner - Emotiva CMX-2
PVR - DirecTV C61k
Remote - Harmony Touch w/Hub
Post edited by math wizard on
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Comments

  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited December 2007
    I'm just a newbie, but I'd go w/ the CSi3/ RTi4 combo- more speaker for the $.
    IMHO, I'd want to match the 10's with bookshelves over sat.'s, more than, close in the match for the center.
    Good luck, merry xmas
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2007
    Since the center channel carries 80% of the movie, get the best one you can afford. In this case, the Csi5 would be the best choice. Later on, upgrade the surrounds to Rti6's.
    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."
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited December 2007
    Go with EarlyB's recommendation. You want the CSi5!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2007
    Definitely go CSi5, then add a pair of FXi3s as your surrounds later on. Obieone, you little n00b. Just kidding, though the CSi5 is a huge improvement over the 3.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • mrmusicman
    mrmusicman Posts: 303
    edited December 2007
    Csi5 and upgrade surrounds later is my vote:D
    Outlaw 990 Processor
    Outlaw 755 Amp
    Denon 2900 dvd-sacd
    Dishnetwork HD-Dvr
    55" Sony LCD RPTV
    Lsi 9-fronts
    Lsic-center
    Rt55i- surrounds
    Velodyne cht-10 sub

    2007 Dodge Quad cab
    Kenwood Excelon KDC-X891
    JL Audio 300/V2
    Polk Audio SR 6500 - Fronts
    Polk Audio DB651 - Rear
    2 -10" Treo Subs
    Interfire IB 2600C sub amp
    Sirius Sat radio
    Ipod connection
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  • mjwilliams45
    mjwilliams45 Posts: 18
    edited December 2007
    I would get the CSi5 and upgrade the surrounds later. I just picked up one and you'll be happy you did.
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  • vonnie123
    vonnie123 Posts: 326
    edited December 2007
    Don't scrimp on the center channel. It is a primary speaker. The surrounds are not as critcal. Buy the best center you can afford, and buy the surrounds later.
    [
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    18 ft ceilings? what is this a basketball court? :p

    i like your second option.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • GSRBOB
    GSRBOB Posts: 172
    edited December 2007
    CSi5 all the way.
    Onkyo TX-NR801
    Fronts- RTi 10's
    Center- CSi5
    Rear- Coming Soon
    Sub- Velo DPS-10
    Pwr- Monster HTS 3600
    LCD- KDL-40XBR2
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  • math wizard
    math wizard Posts: 106
    edited December 2007
    Thanks to all who commented. I just brought home a Polk CSi5. It sound great. I guess my next upgrade would be the surrounds, probably the FXi3 or FXi5.
    Processor - Emotiva UMC-200
    Pre-Amp (2 Ch) - Emotiva USP-1
    DSP Minidsp nanoAVR DL
    DAC (2 Ch) - Emotiva XDA-2
    Amp (Fronts) - Emotiva XPA-2
    Amp (Center/Surrounds) - Emotiva XPA-3
    CD - Emotiva ERC-1
    Fronts - Polk Audio RTi 12
    Center - Polk Audio CSi5
    Rears - Polk Audio RTiA1
    Sub - Epik Knight
    Sub EQ - Velodyne SMS-1
    Monitor - Sony XBR65X850C
    Blu-Ray - OPPO BDP-203
    Network Media Player - Chromecast Ultra
    Power Conditioner - APC H15
    Power Conditioner - Emotiva CMX-2
    PVR - DirecTV C61k
    Remote - Harmony Touch w/Hub
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2007
    Congrats & welcome to Club Polk.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited December 2007
    Early B. wrote: »
    Since the center channel carries 80% of the movie, get the best one you can afford. In this case, the Csi5 would be the best choice. Later on, upgrade the surrounds to Rti6's.

    Agreed.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited December 2007
    math wizard wrote: »
    Thanks to all who commented. I just brought home a Polk CSi5. It sound great. I guess my next upgrade would be the surrounds, probably the FXi3 or FXi5.

    Wise move. Enjoy the forum.
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