LSiC vs CSi5/6

nooshinjohn

Just looking for opinions on a center channel to go with my current setup. My SDA-1c's are fantastic as mains, but my CS1 is hoplessly outclassed. I am running a 7.1 setup with LSi-15's for rears and TSi100's in the back. For as much use as the TSi's get they are of little concern... I am looking more favorably at the LSiC because of my rears, but have heard the CSi5 or CSi6 are better matches for the SDA's. Anyone have experience with this?

As far as building my own, I still like the idea but i do not have the patience, tools or the time to work on it now, but may do so at some point.

Thanks as always

John

megasat16

You are using a lot of different sounding speakers for your HT rig. Even though it doesn't matter a lot for HT, you'll hear the difference is sounds from all speakers if you play multi-channel music such as DVD-A or SACD or even 7 channel stereo.

LSiC and CSi5 does not sound the same coz I have tried both. It's not like one is better than the other. It's more to do with matching speakers in the room. It's timber matching that is important if you have multi-channel speakers in the room playing the same thing at the same time.

I've tried both and I settled on the LSiC coz I have all LSi speakers setup. If you have RTi speakers, you should stick to CSiC since they have closer match.

But in your case of mixed speakers, you really need to try both to see what works best.

MillerLiteScott

I have had both. I went with the CSi5 to go with my SDA 2B's. The LSiC just did not do it for me. I have the CSi5 bi-amped with 100 watts each and run it as a large speaker and I like the way it sounds with my set up and room. I am in the camp that believes the bigger the center channel the better.

Scott

nooshinjohn

if it helps matters, I do plan on running LSi7's or 9's for the back channels one day soon, so the only speakers that will be "mixed" will be my 1c's, and they are staying put for a very, very long time to come.

Ender

I have been told by Polk Audio that the CSi5 goes well with the Monitor 10B. So it would not surprise me if it goes well with most other similar era speakers like the SDA.

megasat16

John, I don't know the exact answer for you. CSi5 will not be easy to find since it's discontiuned. But I tried both CSi5 and LSiC side by side using two Parasound HCA-2205AT at one time.

For Dialogues, I don't hear much difference between CSi5 and LSiC but when the music is played on the center channel, I hear somewhat distinctive sound from both speakers.

I have never had a problem with LSiC being a weakling. I have two LSiC now and each are fed with 220W@8ohms or 300W@4ohms power from the Parasound amps. I don't think they gave a sweat so far but it may not take abuse as much as Csi5/6 as MillerLiteScott has pointed out.

nooshinjohn

thanks Mega, MLS and Ender... lol, I should have done a bit of homework... The LSiC is the only one of the bunch that fits on my fireplace mantle, anything else will be to big!