CSi3 OK with Front R50's?

dalemccl
dalemccl Posts: 1
edited March 2008 in Speakers
New to Polk. I have a pair of cherry R50's on order from Frys. I need a center channel speaker. I have read (on AVS Forum) that the CSi3 is good -- better than some of the ones generally recommended for the R50's, but I've also read that it not meant to go with the R50's in terms of timbre. Would it be a mistake to get the CSi3? (Intended use is Home Theatre in a 5.1 system.)

Also heard that the cherry color of the CSi3 and R50 don't match? How bad is the mis-match? So bad that they would look bad together?
Post edited by dalemccl on

Comments

  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited February 2008
    I got a csi3 and the center kicks butt....better than the csm, some say that the csi25 is good but the csi3 is better....your just starting out. You will replace those 50's in due time, we all have for the most part. But a good center can stay in your system for a long time. And at this price point of 130.00 its down right dumb not to get it. Then when you upgrade to the Rti line at least you have the center that capable. Plus its so clear that it will make the 50's shine!

    As for color match well the csi3 is real wood with vanears as the 50's is mdf....yeah the color will be off but heck you can't see color in the dark!

    I happen to have black so I knew it would match.
    Retired Onkyo 520 (returned broken HK 247)
    Now a Pioneer 1018
    CSi3
    2- RTI10's
    2- R50's
    2- Fxi3's
    Onkyo 250W Sub
    Polk psw-10

    "Inch by inch lifes a cinch, yard by yard life is hard"
  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited February 2008
    I agree with kchill insofar as the CSI3 is a little more future proof. I started out not very long ago with the R50's and bought a CS2 because polk recommended it for the R50's. I also thought that I might want to move up a notch to the monitor line. But I ended skipping that step and buying the Rti10's since they were the same price as the Monitor 70s. So in hindsight I would have been better starting out with the CSI3. Having said that, the CS2 sounds very good with my Rti10's in the front and R50s as surrounds, so I don't think there is much of a timbre mismatch.
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited February 2008
    NewHTguy wrote: »
    I agree with kchill insofar as the CSI3 is a little more future proof. I started out not very long ago with the R50's and bought a CS2 because polk recommended it for the R50's. I also thought that I might want to move up a notch to the monitor line. But I ended skipping that step and buying the Rti10's since they were the same price as the Monitor 70s. So in hindsight I would have been better starting out with the CSI3. Having said that, the CS2 sounds very good with my Rti10's in the front and R50s as surrounds, so I don't think there is much of a timbre mismatch.

    How do you like those 50's as rears for the 10's? what are you powering everything with?
    Retired Onkyo 520 (returned broken HK 247)
    Now a Pioneer 1018
    CSi3
    2- RTI10's
    2- R50's
    2- Fxi3's
    Onkyo 250W Sub
    Polk psw-10

    "Inch by inch lifes a cinch, yard by yard life is hard"
  • the7comeback7ki
    the7comeback7ki Posts: 51
    edited March 2008
    Just connected my CSi3 and I have r50's up front. Sounds good to me. It is a real nice speaker. Just an FYI though, the color is a little different. The CSi3 is a little darker.
  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited March 2008
    Kchill, My previous set-up was r50's all around (except the center:CS2) and it was pretty nice, along with an Onkyo 605 and a JBL Sub12. So far so good with the Rti10's in front and r50's in back. But, to be honest, I spend most of my time listening to music, which is why I upgraded to the Rti10's, so I would not put much weight on my opinion. I haven't done the bi-wire yet. I hope that gives the Rti10's a little kick.
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited March 2008
    There is a world of difference with the 10's....Is Bi-wiring having the (b) from the ab hooked into the speakers...I might look into that but I think the Onkyo's at a certain point just can't push out anymore juice....I know after I hit the dial past 55 (to 70) it all sounds the same. But still plenty loud to shake the house!
    Retired Onkyo 520 (returned broken HK 247)
    Now a Pioneer 1018
    CSi3
    2- RTI10's
    2- R50's
    2- Fxi3's
    Onkyo 250W Sub
    Polk psw-10

    "Inch by inch lifes a cinch, yard by yard life is hard"
  • BeRad
    BeRad Posts: 736
    edited March 2008
    I had that setup with the csi 3 and R50's. I found the center to really overpower the fronts mainly on the highs. I however had plans to immediately upgrade the fronts and did and love the sound now. Much wider soundstage and better balance. You could try adjusting your levels for everything to be in better balance if you notice the center being too loud.