CSI A6 with RM6750's?

KachaKo

Ok guys don't laugh but I am working with a limited budget since I'm trying to piece my first REAL HT system. I currently own the 5.1 RM6750 set and I want to start upgrading my front's to RTI A5's and my center to a CSI A6.

My question is this, would I be okay to purchase the center now and in a couple of months when I can afford the A5's throw them into the mix as well? Or would this massive center completely overpower and unbalance my entry level 6750's? In that case, would the advice here be to continue to save until I can buy all three pieces at once?

Thanks very much for any input seasoned Polkies can provide!

comfortablycurt

No one's going to laugh.;) Everyone has to start somewhere on their audio journey, I'm still pretty new to it myself.

It looks like you're off to a good start with wanting to upgrade to the RTi's.

I'd say you'd be perfectly fine getting the CSi A6 now and using it with your RM's until you can afford the A5's. It will be somewhat overpowering your other speakers, but with a center channel, that's not to huge of a deal. The center channel in a home theater carries roughly 60% of a movies soundtrack anyway.

One question though. Do you primarily watch movies or listen to music? If you're more of a movie watcher, the center channel would probably be the best start. If you listen to music more though, spring for the A5's first. As far as music listening, those would give you the biggest upgrade initially.

You've gotta do what you can, when you can do it. That's what I'm doing, just piecing together my system one piece at a time. It's a long wait, but the end results will be well worth it.

by the way, welcome to Club Polk.

KachaKo

Well thanks for the welcome, it is appreciated!

And thanks for the quick response. I'm glad to know that I will be okay to quench my upgrade bug temporarily until I can swing the A5's. I would say that my habits would be a 70-30 mix of Movies/Games and then music. That's kind of why I was thinking about upgrading my center first. Well that and some reading I've done already on here. What a bounty of knowledge and experience I've come across! I look forward to learning from you all and hopefully, eventually, be able to help others out who are in my shoes now.

comfortablycurt

You might not want to stick around here for to long...if you do you're going to end up spending thousands and thousands of dollars on your audio system.:p;) Upgradeitis is a very common affliction around here...and it's very contagious...lol

Given your habits of mainly watching movies, the center would probably be the most significant upgrade in my opinion. Especially if you'll also be upgrading the fronts in a couple months like you said.

You're definitely right about the bounty of knowledge on here. In my time on this board, I've learned enough to make my head spin.

mdaudioguy

HaHaHa!!! No, KachaKo, I'm not laughing at you... if you're intending to incrementally upgrade your system, then by all means, go for it! I've just got this picture in my head of this beast of a center sitting between two RM6750 sats... pretty amusing , but knowing that you know it's not your endgame, then why not? That, and I recently discussed with Curt his (and other's) proclivity to recommend the A6 in ANY situation. :eek: I happen to have a CSiA4 and the 5 RM6750 sats sitting in a corner of my room. They're part of my "things I bought that didn't quite work out for me" collection. So I pretty much know what this is going to look and sound like.... anyhow, you're on a journey - enjoy it. Give that setup a good listen - you'll appreciate each step of your upgrades.

comfortablycurt

You could always do what mdaudioguy did. He has 3 RTi10's for his right/center/left setup. That's really the ideal way to do it. Three matching speakers make the ideal soundstage. That's not always possible with space constraints though of course.

mdaudio-By the way, how do you like your setup now that you have the 3 RTi10's? Is it badass or what?

mdaudioguy

comfortablycurt wrote: »

mdaudio-By the way, how do you like your setup now that you have the 3 RTi10's? Is it badass or what?

Not to jack this guy's thread, but to quote McD's, I'm Lovin' It! When I get around to it, I'm going to do some posting about it here and on the Emo forum, 'cause they're making it happen too! It's definitely the way to go if your space affords it. My experience so far has been superb.:)

comfortablycurt

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Not to jack this guy's thread, but to quote McD's, I'm Lovin' It! When I get around to it, I'm going to do some posting about it here and on the Emo forum, 'cause they're making it happen too! It's definitely the way to go if your space affords it. My experience so far has been superb.:)

Good to hear you're enjoying it.

Sorry about the threadjack OP.

leroyjr1

You should get the RTI 5's first then wait on the center.

comfortablycurt

leroyjr1 wrote: »

You should get the RTI 5's first then wait on the center.

That would be my move as well personally.

Kamzu

You can make it affordable too by trying polk direct first. =D

flipcap22

KachaKo - Any update on if you went with the CSiA6 or the A5's first? I'm in a similar situation with the RM6750 and wanted to upgrade to a CSi5. I am also looking to upgrade the fronts to either the RTiA1 or RTiA3's (I have a small room - 11x14). I'm just afraid that it will overpower the front satellites. I'll be hooking it to my Pioneer with MCAAC so hopefully that can help out in balancing until I can upgrade the fronts. I'm going back and forth between whether to get the CSiA4's because of the size of the room but can get a good price on the CSi5's for about the same price for the CSiA4 from Polk Direct ebay. Should I just get the smaller center for a room as small as mine? I listen to 90/10 [movies/music] Any thoughts and/or recommendations?

Retro152

leroyjr1 wrote: »

You should get the RTI 5's first then wait on the center.

Agree with Leroy on this call, The a-6 is a monster, especially for the two L/R 6750 sats in this scenario. Jump on the A-5s' first, plenty of dialogue and clarity for the time being until funds allow for the A-6.

Retro152

flipcap22 wrote: »

KachaKo - Any update on if you went with the CSiA6 or the A5's first? I'm in a similar situation with the RM6750 and wanted to upgrade to a CSi5. I am also looking to upgrade the fronts to either the RTiA1 or RTiA3's (I have a small room - 11x14). I'm just afraid that it will overpower the front satellites. I'll be hooking it to my Pioneer with MCAAC so hopefully that can help out in balancing until I can upgrade the fronts. I'm going back and forth between whether to get the CSiA4's because of the size of the room but can get a good price on the CSi5's for about the same price for the CSiA4 from Polk Direct ebay. Should I just get the smaller center for a room as small as mine? I listen to 90/10 [movies/music] Any thoughts and/or recommendations?

I had the 6750 setup as my first H/T. I did a very moderate upgrade at first, Rti6 bookshelves' for fronts', Csi3 center, and then onwards and upwards to my current system. The A-6 center is really just a makeover of the Csi5, same specs. I found upgrading the left/right mains first was the best path to take, offering this advice from experience with the 6750 setup. The little 6750 center can hold its own for awhile.

flipcap22

retro152 wrote: »

I had the 6750 setup as my first H/T. I did a very moderate upgrade at first, Rti6 bookshelves' for fronts', Csi3 center, and then onwards and upwards to my current system. The A-6 center is really just a makeover of the Csi5, same specs. I found upgrading the left/right mains first was the best path to take, offering this advice from experience with the 6750 setup. The little 6750 center can hold its own for awhile.

Great - thanks for the advice!