CSi3 vs. CSi5

dcacc
dcacc Posts: 45
edited February 2008 in Speakers
I'm sure this has been hashed out before, but ... I'm debating the CSi3 vs. CSi5 to go with my RTi10s. The 5 is huge and it would pretty much overwhelm the space I have for it. If I opt for the smaller 3, am I making a huge compromise in sound? How do they compare to each other?
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  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 996
    edited February 2008
    I have the Csi5 and am very happy with it. In a home theater setup the majority of the sound and almost all of the dialog comes from the center channel. I just didn't want to get the Csi3 and always wonder what I was missing.

    I haven't heard the 3 but I'm sure it would work very well. I can't imagine there would be a "huge" difference. My advice would be get the 5 if you have the space but, if not, get the 3 and enjoy. Either way you will have a great sounding system.
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
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  • Parachoute
    Parachoute Posts: 88
    edited February 2008
    I just bought the csi3 to go with my rti10 because did not find the csi5 at a descent price. I really like the csi3. The guy from who I bought it had also the csi5 and was able to do a side by side comparison. He told me that the difference was subtle. Of course, he wanted to sell his csi3! Anyway, I really enjoy my csi3 and it blends perfectly with my 10s.
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  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited February 2008
    The csi3 works fine with my rti10's , I hear things clearly. I guess if i were to give the 10's some real power then the 3 my be drowned out but for what I paid, i'm happy!
    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"
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited February 2008
    I found the CSi3 not to be enough speaker for me, I was wanting more. The CSi5 is right where I want it to be. It is a big speaker.

    YMMV

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2008
    I keep reading mixed reviews on which one to go with. I would like to save money on the 3's but want to make sure that it sounds nice with a set of Rti8's or 10's. Any help in making this decision?
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  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited February 2008
    maximillian wrote: »
    I keep reading mixed reviews on which one to go with. I would like to save money on the 3's but want to make sure that it sounds nice with a set of Rti8's or 10's. Any help in making this decision?


    I think if you power it correctly you will get the results that you want. As I was telling someone else the csi3 needs power too, and so will the csi5. Many of us think that only the two fronts need power, but if you amp the fronts what will you do about the center?
    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"
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  • jwhitakr
    jwhitakr Posts: 568
    edited February 2008
    dcacc wrote: »
    I'm sure this has been hashed out before, but ...


    Welcome to CP. This topic has been discussed and re-discussed multiple times. The search feature is your friend... ;)

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59919

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62883
    My HT
    HDTV: Panasonic PT-61LCX65 61" Rear Proj. LCD
    AVR: Harman Kardon AVR 235
    Video: 80GB PS3, Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD
    Fronts: Polk Audio RTi8
    Center: Polk Audio CSi3
    Amp: Emotiva LPA-1
    Surrounds: Polk Audio R150
    Sub: HSU STF-3

    The only true barrier to knowledge is the assumption that you already have it. - C.H. Dodd
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  • dcacc
    dcacc Posts: 45
    edited February 2008
    So, what if the choice is between a CSi3 to go with my RTi10s and sticking with my current center, which is a JBL Northridge EC35. It's beefy center, on par size-wise with the 5 and, on it's own, a good-sounding speaker. I suspect it has a richer sound than the smaller 3, but it's not voice-matched to my 10s.

    What would you all recommend? (I know ... it's up to my ear, but I still value your opinions).
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  • dcacc
    dcacc Posts: 45
    edited February 2008
    Sorry ... I meant to post that last question as a separate thread but don't know how to delete it from this one
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  • Imperitor
    Imperitor Posts: 235
    edited February 2008
    dcacc wrote: »
    So, what if the choice is between a CSi3 to go with my RTi10s and sticking with my current center, which is a JBL Northridge EC35. It's beefy center, on par size-wise with the 5 and, on it's own, a good-sounding speaker. I suspect it has a richer sound than the smaller 3, but it's not voice-matched to my 10s.

    What would you all recommend? (I know ... it's up to my ear, but I still value your opinions).

    I would get a new center, CS3 or CS5 will probably match up better with your 10's. I have the CS3 and I'm perfectly happy with it. Sounds like the CS3 would be a better choice with your space restrictions as well.
    7.1 HOME THEATER:
    Center: CSi3
    Front: RTi10
    Surround: RTi A3
    Rear Surround: RTi4
    Subwoofer: Mirage Omni S10
    TV: Sharp Aquos 42" 1080p LCD
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805
    Blu-Ray Player / CD Player / DVD Player / Media Server / Game Console / Best money I've ever spent: 60GB PS3
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  • mark090852
    mark090852 Posts: 996
    edited February 2008
    dcacc wrote: »
    So, what if the choice is between a CSi3 to go with my RTi10s and sticking with my current center, which is a JBL Northridge EC35. It's beefy center, on par size-wise with the 5 and, on it's own, a good-sounding speaker. I suspect it has a richer sound than the smaller 3, but it's not voice-matched to my 10s.

    What would you all recommend? (I know ... it's up to my ear, but I still value your opinions).

    I would vote for the Csi3 because of the timbre match with the Rti10s. I think a seamless blend across the front stage is important.
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited February 2008
    I believe the CSi5 is a better timber match with the RTi10's than the CSi3. I had both with the RTi10's and the CSi5 was much better IMO.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • dcacc
    dcacc Posts: 45
    edited February 2008
    Update: I bought the CSi3 -- mainly because I could find one and couldn't find a CSi5. The verdict: Timber matching makes an enormous difference. Even if the 3 is a little less beefy than the speaker I replaced, I can't get over how much better the overall sound is with a matched speaker. I hear things from the mains that I never heard when they were paired with my JBL. I'll still probably trade up to the CSi5 when I find one (and can afford it), but for now, this is a huge improvement.
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  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited February 2008
    Good, glad your enjoying the 3...I like it but I may move up one day when i get real power.
    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"
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