Which Center Speaker?

silverpop
silverpop Posts: 2
edited February 2009 in Speakers
Here is my setup, Rti6 for the fronts, Rti4 for the sorrounds a psw125 sub and a RM202 center channel (from the RM6880 package). The center channel seems to be too low when watching movies. I have been told that my three front speakers are not "timbre matched" and that the RM202 center is not intended to be used with the RT series. Would something like the CSIa4 be better? I have the Denon 2309 and when I run the Auddysey setup and check the speaker levels the center is at -8.5 while the Front L and R are at -3.5. Any advice........

thanks
Post edited by silverpop on
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    You'd get very drastic improvements by upgrading your center channel. The center carries over 50% of a movies soundtrack, so it's really the most critical speaker in a HT setup.

    Either of the CSi series center channels would be the best way to go. The CSi A4 would work well, but the A6 would be the better choice ideally. Like I said, the center carries over 50% of a movies soundtrack, so a bigger center channel will always be a better choice. You have to work within your budget and space constraints though of course.

    Either one of them would work very well.

    By the way, welcome to Club Polk.:)
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • silverpop
    silverpop Posts: 2
    edited February 2009
    Thanks for the response Comfortablycurt

    I will go with the CSiA4 seeing as my living room is on the smallish size
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    Good choice. That's going to make a world of difference compared to the RM202.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2009
    Give the A6 a try:D
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Medjai
    Medjai Posts: 7
    edited February 2009
    I think with your setup you are better off with a CSi3(if you can find one) or A4...IMHO the A6 is too much speaker for your current setup.

    If you had RTi8-12's then I would say go with the A6/CSi5
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2009
    OK, i'm going to tag onto this thread, I'm running RTi6's for fronts, a CSiA4 centre and a couple RTiA1's for my rears with a Yamaha HTR 6080. So i'm getting the bug and wondering what the CSiA6 is going to sound like with my setup? So being in Canada I can't partake in the Polk Direct Ebay store, the Cheapest i've found for a new one is around $370. Canadian with free shipping. obviously i'll sell the CSiA4 if I get the 6, is this really worth it to upgrade? I was running the RTiA1's as my fronts for a year until I upgraded to the RTi6's and I kind of feel the CSiA4 is a little weak compared beside the 6's now. I not sure if i'm right or it's just my brain convincing me it's lacking now cuz I have it in my head I want the CSiA6. I'd like a few opinions on if it's worth it to move up and if i'll notice a real difference? Thanks.
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • asd1234
    asd1234 Posts: 30
    edited February 2009
    There is a huge difference between the Csia4 and Csia6.

    CSIa6 all the way. You can get it from polk direct for $200 shipped
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  • Spike111
    Spike111 Posts: 15
    edited February 2009
    If you have the room and money get the CSi A6. I upgraded from the CSi 3 and it was well worth the upgrade. Like asd1234 said keep an eye on eBay/Polk Direct, I got mine for $159 shipped. Good luck.
    AVR: Marantz 7008
    AMP: Emotiva XPA-5
    Mains: LSi 15
    Center: LSiC
    Side Surronds: LSi 9
    Rear Surronds: LSi 7
    Sub: eD A2-300
    Bluray: PS3
    Turntable: Rega P2
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  • lectronicjunkie
    lectronicjunkie Posts: 299
    edited February 2009
    The CSi3 would be a good match. It looks like there is one still available here. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76378
    It's all in the detail.
    :cool:

    HT Setup:
    Samsung PN50D550
    Onkyo TX-SR805
    Samsung BD-D6700
    Fronts: RTi10's
    Center: CSi5
    Side surrounds: RC65i's
    Rear surrounds: FXiA4's
    Sub: Velodyne CT120
    Outdoor: Atrium 45's

    Pictures here
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2009
    Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately the ebay/polk direct sight won't ship to Canada. :( I'll have to find something in Canada.

    Lectron.. wouldn't the csi3 be a step down from the csi4 i'm using now?
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    williamgauci wrote: »
    Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately the ebay/polk direct sight won't ship to Canada. :( I'll have to find something in Canada.

    Lectron.. wouldn't the csi3 be a step down from the csi4 i'm using now?

    It wouldn't really be a step down exactly, more to the side. The CSi3 is just the older version of the CSiA4. It wouldn't be an upgrade...and if anything would be a slight downgrade.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • seeclear
    seeclear Posts: 1,243
    edited February 2009
    silverpop wrote: »
    I have the Denon 2309 and when I run the Auddysey setup and check the speaker levels the center is at -8.5 while the Front L and R are at -3.5. Any advice........

    thanks


    Did you try just bumping up the level on the center in your AVR setup? I mean, the CSi A4 or A6 would be good and timber matched to your fronts, but crank up that center you have and see if you need to upgrade or not. Can't hurt.
    "Don't forget to change your politician. They are like diapers they need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason."
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  • TheMARPATNinja7
    TheMARPATNinja7 Posts: 150
    edited February 2009
    I have the Csi3, it does an amazing job for music and concerts. It does pretty poorly for movies.
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2009
    Ok, ordered the A6 last night. Now I have to suffer the wait. :D
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2009
    Just my deflated 2cents worth, but there will be minimal sonic upgrade difference between a CSi3 and CSiA4.

    I have a CSi3 and used to run RTi4s as fronts but upgraded to RTiA3s.

    If you have RTi6s now then the closet sonic match would be an CSi5, but if you can't find that then the CSiA6 would come closest.

    If it is down to pennies vs dollars then CSi3 or CSiA4 would still get you close and the deal breaker, imho, would be what kind of deal you can get.

    If the dollar difference is small, then stick with the CSi5 or CSiA6 as you will always be wondering if you should have....

    Erik

    P.S. there is always volume and GEQ settings in most AVRs to compensate for perceived differences between the 3/5 and A4/A6s that can close the gap - do not be afraid to play with these settings - they can be useful when applied correctly.

    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.
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2009
    Thanks for the advice Erik.. I think I just had it in my head that I wanted the CSiA6. I noticed a marked difference in the fullness and bass when I went from RTiA1's to the RTi6's as my fronts. After doing a setup and SPL settings to get everything evened out I still increased the center channel, it's OK but I feel the dialogue isn't where it should be. So again, my brain has convinced me that I needed the A6. Plus, I'm thinking for the future and with the A6 i'm set when I want to move to some floor standing speakers. Now I just have to convince the wife we need a new Sub!!
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2009
    Well, my A6 was shipped in yesterday and I started putting it through it's paces last night, I spent an hour or so going over a few things with the A4 still hooked up and then installed the A6. All I can say is i'm glad I spent the money. It really filled in the soundstage matched with the RTi6's. I couldn't believe the improvement in bass and the clarity of the dialogue is a real improvement. I couldn't be happier. :D

    On interesting thing, when I did the Yamaha YPAO with the older A4 it would set everything to Large (I'd always reset to small) but the automatic crossover was alway maxed out at like 200Hz. Now when I do the automatic settings, it gives me a crossover of 60Hz. I was shocked at the difference in reading from the YPAO. I upped it to 80Hz though.
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • kneedragger37
    kneedragger37 Posts: 108
    edited February 2009
    williamgauci wrote: »
    Well, my A6 was shipped in yesterday and I started putting it through it's paces last night, I spent an hour or so going over a few things with the A4 still hooked up and then installed the A6. All I can say is i'm glad I spent the money. It really filled in the soundstage matched with the RTi6's. I couldn't believe the improvement in bass and the clarity of the dialogue is a real improvement. I couldn't be happier. :D

    Seems like you and the OP already decided on your center channel speakers, but I wanted to confirm your decision. I would've gone with towers, but my room layout and furniture wouldn't allow it. So, I was originally considering an RTi6/CSi5 combo, but after calling Polk Direct, I was ecstatic to get a deal on a refurbished RTi A3/CSi A6 combo.

    Some suggested that the A6 might be too much center channel speaker if you're using bookshelves for mains, but I couldn't disagree more. Like William, the A6 absolutely blows me away with its clarity and detail, and has nice punchy mid-bass as well. And the soundstage from left to center to right is absolutely seamless. I haven't doubted my decision to skip the A4 and get the A6 -- the speakers absolutely work flawlessly together.
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