Which center for R50 towers? Not happy with CS1.

dom

Hi everyone. Quick question for you all. Currently I have R50 fronts and RTi28 rears with a CS1 center channel. I am not satisfied with the clarity of dialogue or the "loudness" of my CS1 center channel since my R50's seem to be overpowering my center. I have done everything I can to try and equalize the sound (using the receiver to turn down the L/R channels and turning up the center channel, speaker placement, etc...) but I still cant get the sound i am looking for when it comes to dialogue loudness and clarity in moves from my CS1. Maybe i still haven't configured my receiver correctly??? Maybe the placement of my center speaker should be different? Any suggestions would help at this point...see a pic below of my setup.




Can anyone recommend a different polk center channel for my setup, or maybe even a different brand? I was looking at a few JBL and Klipsch center channels since they seem to be bright and might be what i am looking for. As you can see from my equipment list in my signature, I don't have a big budget and my setup is really a pieced-together setup of used speakers I have bought, so i'm looking for something maybe used to keep cost to a minimum. Any input is appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Eric W

Can you try inverting the CS1 so it aims "up" towards the listening area, that may help some. If you want to do a new center channel, for a properly matching system, stick with Polk. Get a larger center, such as the CS2 or CS20- their 6.5" drivers will match that of the R50s better than the CS1's 5.25" drivers.

wutadumsn23

+1 for the CS2, I have one with my Monitor 70's and it works like a champ.

dom

Eric Wong wrote: »

Can you try inverting the CS1 so it aims "up" towards the listening area, that may help some. If you want to do a new center channel, for a properly matching system, stick with Polk. Get a larger center, such as the CS2 or CS20- their 6.5" drivers will match that of the R50s better than the CS1's 5.25" drivers.

I just read up on the two centers you suggested and I think the CS20 might be what I am looking for. I'll start the hunt for one now. :rolleyes:

pinoygwaping

I have the same problem, I got fair of R50 (Cherry) and my Polk Center Channel Speaker not loud enough and it doesn't matter what adjustment I made on my receiver same results. I thought my center channel was blown off. Will try to find CSi2 or 3. Thanks.

engtaz

I had the CS2 and it matched very well with the R50 front and R30 rears in my original 5.1 system.

lunazul

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-M-Series-Center-Channel-Speaker-CSM/sem/rpsm/oid/132511/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

This is what I have with the R50s.
I think it sounds pretty good. Probably can find it cheaper than this though.

dom

I couldn't find any CS20's or CSR centers, but i did find a CS245i on craigslist today and picked it up for $50. Believe it or not it sounds MUCH better paired with the R50's than the CS1 does after doing a side-by-side comparison between the both. Much more efficient speaker, and the damn thing weighs the same, if not more than the CS1, and its a bit smaller too! I'll test it out more this week with different movies, it may just be a keeper! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. If the CS245i doesnt work out for me, i'll definitely keep my eyes open for the CS20 or CSR centers.

cnh

I agree. I run the CS2 (new series CS20) with M70s up front. Fantastic center sound!
CS2/20 one of the best centers anywhere at that price!

But you may also be having receiver problems because with your speakers the CS1 should not be that bad? What AVR are you running? That looks like a Yamaha?

Check out Polk Ebay store for values.

cnh

jacob.simpson

The Best option would be to buy a Pair of R150 and place them horizontal using a stand or below your setup in a appropriate angle, or if you are a DIY guy, you can buy single R50 from Fry's and design and build a centre using all the components from R50, need a hint as to how well the cabinet of polks are Check my Diy R300 on this thread. Personally i would go with the second option it will work out cheaper but a perfect match for the R50s;)
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77134