Why so much CSi3 hating?
LOL maybe I exaggerated on the title, but it seems like the CSi3 is the ugly stepchild of the RTi series, at least on this forum.
I recently purchased a pair of RTi8s for a GREAT deal, and because the CSi5 is nowhere to be found (save for second hand supplies) -- is the CSi3 THAT much worse of a choice? Will it significantly impair my overall experience? I went from being excited about my new system to earnestly concerned. And now I don't know what to do.
I recently purchased a pair of RTi8s for a GREAT deal, and because the CSi5 is nowhere to be found (save for second hand supplies) -- is the CSi3 THAT much worse of a choice? Will it significantly impair my overall experience? I went from being excited about my new system to earnestly concerned. And now I don't know what to do.
Post edited by vivarey on
Comments
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It's still a very good speaker. The 5 is just much better,dialogue is clearer and the drivers are the same size as the 8's. Don't sweat it you'll be fine it's just that you will want to upgrade it. Enjoy the 3 and keep your eye out for a 5 when one becomes available. Then sell your 3 and you probably wont be out much. No worries!!!
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LOL maybe I exaggerated on the title, but it seems like the CSi3 is the ugly stepchild of the RTi series, at least on this forum.
I recently purchased a pair of RTi8s for a GREAT deal, and because the CSi5 is nowhere to be found (save for second hand supplies) -- is the CSi3 THAT much worse of a choice? Will it significantly impair my overall experience? I went from being excited about my new system to earnestly concerned. And now I don't know what to do.
I have a CSi3 with my RTi4s (front and back) - and for a medium sized, budget minded HT, the CSi3 is a good value and I'm quite happy with its performance.
I'm not saying that it is 'high end' - but my HT experience has been positive.
With RTi8s, it may not be the best match so keep your options open.
Erik
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
I have the csi3 with rti 8's and absolutely love it. I have never heard the csi5 and am not sure if I ever will because I am too satisfied with what I have now.
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I have the CS300 and CS400 paired with RT55. These would be roughly equivalent to the CSi3, CSi5 and RTi8 (in a large bookshelf version) in this older RT/CS generation product. I would say that the CS300 is fine with the RT55. Even if the CS400 is better, the CS300 paired with the RT55 are still an excellent combination.
I would expect the CSi3 to be an excellent match with the RTi8, as Erik Tracy and BeRad suggest, although the CSi5 would still be preferable (same drivers, same tweeters).
Why not get that great deal on the RTi8 and wait around for a bit for a CSi5 if you can get one (e-Bay, Flea Market here on Club Polk, craigslist.com)? You could easily use a phantom center effect in the meantime. That said, it would not be a mistake by any means IMO if you decide to go with the CSi3 instead.Alea jacta est! -
LOL maybe I exaggerated on the title, but it seems like the CSi3 is the ugly stepchild of the RTi series, at least on this forum.
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It's the bigger must be better scenario. It's happened as long as Polk has offered 2 center channels in the RT lineup. In the 90's I had an all RT setup (2nd gen) and traded my CS400 for a CS300 - I preferred the smaller drivers - the dialouge and voicing was more believable, I found the 400 'chesty' and not as clear and articulate.
Don't get me wrong, to each his own, and I'm sure the 5 is a fine speaker but the 3 is every bit as good, it just won't play as deep or as loud - and it certainly has a spot in any RTi home theater setup.
Cheers,
RussCheck your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service. -
As the owner of both a CSi3 and CSi5 I can tell you that there honestly isn't much difference. If you run the center as full range the CSi5 does go a little deeper with male voices. As far as volume, both reach ear-bleeding levels. As far as dialogue it sounds similar on both. Don't let everyone bully you into thinking you have to get a CSi5. I bought mine after the CSi3 and I wish I had just gotten another CSi3. The extra $150 could have been better used somewhere else.
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Me being a total speaker noob, I just bought the RTi8's, and all i keep hearing is about the Csi5, since its impossible to find, im assuming the the CSi A6 is the newer comparable model (Sadly there isnt a place local that sells these) anyway, I was actually thinking about buying the CSi3 if i cant find the CSi5...Because is it really worth the extra $250 for the Csi A6 if i cant find the CSi5 or should I just pick up a CSi3, I have the ONK 705 reciever too.
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amazon has the csi3 in cherry for 130. I guess I had good timing on my system since they no longer have the thing in black or the psw505 for that matter. (at least not directly from amazon with free shipping and all!)
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I am deciding on 3 or 5 too...hard to decide because I live near tweeters...less than hour's driveVideo: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
Receiver: HK AVR445
Source: OPPO BDP-93
HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83 -
If you can get a 5 at a good price then do it,otherwise the 3 at $130 is a helluva speak. I have owned both and the 5 is much better IMHO.Maybe if I had the 3 hooked up to the Adcom I'd feel different about it.
P.S. I had the 5 before the Adcom,also. -
Very Happy with my 3 that I found on CLs for 50
Does ALL I need, sounds sweet with my 5jr
stepped up from cs100, so guess anything was moving in the right directionSome of the worst wrongs get righted on three cords -
There is a noticeable difference. Especially in the lower tones of voices. I got one from Tweeter. I'm curious if all the CSi3 haters who says "the CSi5 has the same size speakers as the 6s 8s 10s" would recommend a CSi3 with with RTi12s...since they have the same speaker size.TV: Hitachi P42H401
DVD Player: Sony Playsation 3
XM Tuner: polkaudio XRt12 Reference Tuner *SOLD*
Console: Nintendo Wii
Cable: Tivo Series II DVR *SOLD*
Receiver: Onkyo 705
Amps: (3) Outlaw M200
Center: polkaudio CSi5 *SOLD*
Fronts: polkaudio RTi12s *SOLD*
Sides: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
Rears: polkaudio RT8s *SOLD*
Sub: Invisible -
I don't mind my csi3, keep in mind it's hooked up to my OutlawM200.
200w is nice to have on it for sure -
I spent a lot of time selling both the Csi centers. The CSi3 is an outstanding center....until you hear the CSi5. In A/B comparisons it is a very noticeable difference. Don't get me wrong...Like I said the 3 is a great center. At it's price point nothing else we had would touch it. BUT....The 5 is blatantly better.
It was common for even budget minded customers to hold off 'till they had enough money to get a 5.HT
Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600
2 CH
Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500, -
I wish the LSIC was as big as the CSI5...Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805
Amp: Emotiva XPA-5
Front: LSI15
Center: LSIC
Sourround: FxiA4
Rear: Fxi3
Sub: Bic H100
TV: Sony 52' XBR4
"The more time you spend researching here, the less money you will have"
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I am deciding on 3 or 5 too...hard to decide because I live near tweeters...less than hour's drive
You should call them first and make sure they even have it before you drive over. -
I dont live near a tweeter, so im debating if i want to spend the extra money on the A6 or save some money and get the Csi3....since it seems like finding the 5 is IMPOSSIBLE... anyway, in your honest opinion what you think is the Csi3 a good buy or should i fork out the money and get the A6??
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I dont live near a tweeter, so im debating if i want to spend the extra money on the A6 or save some money and get the Csi3....since it seems like finding the 5 is IMPOSSIBLE... anyway, in your honest opinion what you think is the Csi3 a good buy or should i fork out the money and get the A6??
Personally speaking I don't think I can justify an extra $250 for 1 speaker -- even if the performance is better. I'm on a budget and that would just throw everything out of whack. And it isn't "until death do you part" when it comes to speakers. You can upgrade in the future. -
I dont live near a tweeter, so im debating if i want to spend the extra money on the A6 or save some money and get the Csi3....since it seems like finding the 5 is IMPOSSIBLE... anyway, in your honest opinion what you think is the Csi3 a good buy or should i fork out the money and get the A6??
Please note post #2. -
Please note post #2.
Pretty much, in 2 weeks if a CSi5 isnt up for sale, im more then likely getting a CSi3, since i cant really see spending the extra money on the A6....If i had a bigger room and maybe lived in a house instead of connecting townhouse, id probably spend more money, but as of now it looks like im going with the CSi3, like said i can always upgrade if one pops up.
