Which Polk fronts and center?

RandyBox

I need some advice. I just jumped ship from Bose to Polk. Ok, just got the PWA505 sub and Monitor 40. I now need a center and fronts.

Newegg has the:
M20 - $140 pr
Monitor 50 - $240 pr
TSi300 - $260 pr

CSM - $50
CS1 - $80
CS10 - $120
CS2 - $150

So as I see it, the price could range from $190 - $410. BTW, budget is always important to me. Which way to go????

Thanks,
Randy

Rodeo0530

What are using to power everything? I just bought M60's from Newegg a little while back for $119/each and the CS2 for $109. Then I joined this forum and went crazy! I just received my new M70's a few days ago for $179/each on Newegg. The 60's were nice but I can already tell that the 70's are much better, but they like more power which I'm in the process of giving them that as well. I highly recommend waiting for a sale through Newegg if you're going to buy through them because they run sales quite often. I'm still new to this and some of the much smarter people here will be able to help you more than I can, but this is my helpful hint to you. Good luck and you can't go wrong with Polk Audio!

RandyBox

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

What are using to power everything? I just bought M60's from Newegg a little while back for $119/each and the CS2 for $109. Then I joined this forum and went crazy! I just received my new M70's a few days ago for $179/each on Newegg. The 60's were nice but I can already tell that the 70's are much better, but they like more power which I'm in the process of giving them that as well. I highly recommend waiting for a sale through Newegg if you're going to buy through them because they run sales quite often. I'm still new to this and some of the much smarter people here will be able to help you more than I can, but this is my helpful hint to you. Good luck and you can't go wrong with Polk Audio!

Yeah, I got my PSW505 for $249 and my Monitor 40's for $129. So, I keep a keen eye on Newegg! I just bought a Harmon AVR147 which is really exceptionally clean, but only 40watts. I will upgrade it in the future, but bought it for $102 on Ebay from Harmon Audio refurbished, couldn't turn that deal down.

cnh

Randy,

Nice sub and surrounds! I second Rodeo's thoughts above. It's all a matter of budget and room size. If you can swing the M70s go for them...they'll give you better 2 channel sound than anything lower in the monitor line. But if you're mainly a HT guy the M50s or TSI-300s will do fine, because the PSW505 will pick up the LOW end for you.

An important consideration is WHAT are you using as an AVR?? Because M70s sound better and better with more wattage. The M50s benefit, but not as much with external amplification. Let me provide an example. I've run M70s with an Onkyo 605 and an 805. With the 805 130Watts vs. the 90 watts of the 605, the M70s begin to open up some and image better! Switching them to an Adcom 555 with 200 watts makes them even cleaner and punchier...more detail. With the Adcom running the 70s you REALLY begin to see the real difference between the M50s and M70s! Since very few here have actually run M70s with power amps (as most buy RTIs)...few actually know just how good this lower level Polk speaker is in relation to that higher series! M70s can hold their own if you give them enough power. They're not RTI-12s or A9s, but they're better than you might think.

cnh

Rodeo0530

I think that many people here will recommend the CS2 for the center because that's what they said to me. It's a great center, but it's large. Mine is 21"W x 8"H x 10" deep, so you have to take that into consideration as well. I don't know how well the 70's would sound with that low of wattage, but I'm sure that's a true measure of watts because of the maker. Most people seem to like the looks of the TSi line better than the Monitors because it's a newer design, but I think they both look nice and so does my live-in g/f, so that makes everyone happy;) With the price you have for the 50's you could get 60's if they offer the same deal as what I had. Just a little more to consider. I'm trying to be as helpful as possible because of all the great help I received when I first joined.

RandyBox

I missed the 70's for $179 and could kick myself for that! Just didn't "pull the trigger..." haha

The 60's are $300 pr. So far everything I decided to buy was marked down the very day I decided to place the order. I'll wait a couple weeks.

My plan is to wait on a refurb Harman 354 @ 75watts to hit a good auction price. They rate their receivers "driven at full power @ >.07% THD" which sound great so far, but I also realize the 60 & 70's would be more power hungry.

The 40's sound great and was really thinking the M20 or the Monitor 50 would be a great middle of the road solution.

cnh

A Harman 354 will give you decent sound with any of the above Polks. A good place to enter. Polk Ms and TSIs 'love' Harmans IMHO. And the extra power is just about right. Similar to the Onkyo 700 series.

Oh, I second the CS2 regardless of which fronts you get!!

cnh

Rodeo0530

RandyBox wrote: »

I missed the 70's for $179 and could kick myself for that! Just didn't "pull the trigger..." haha

The 60's are $300 pr. So far everything I decided to buy was marked down the very day I decided to place the order. I'll wait a couple weeks.

My plan is to wait on a refurb Harman 354 @ 75watts to hit a good auction price. They rate their receivers "driven at full power @ >.07% THD" which sound great so far, but I also realize the 60 & 70's would be more power hungry.

The 40's sound great and was really thinking the M20 or the Monitor 50 would be a great middle of the road solution.

Where do you live? Anything on CL in your area?

RandyBox

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

Where do you live? Anything on CL in your area?

I live in S Georgia. CL? Sorry don't understand...

Rodeo0530

Craigslist...sorry should have just wrote it out. Sometimes you can find decent deals that way as well if you're willing to drive a little bit you might find a really nice deal. I use www.craigslittlebuddy.com to search for things on CL. It seems to be pretty helpful sometimes. I've had a few good leads on different audio equipment/speakers that I've been trying to find.

RandyBox

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

Craigslist...sorry should have just wrote it out. Sometimes you can find decent deals that way as well if you're willing to drive a little bit you might find a really nice deal. I use www.craigslittlebuddy.com to search for things on CL. It seems to be pretty helpful sometimes. I've had a few good leads on different audio equipment/speakers that I've been trying to find.

Oh... Yeah, but thanks for the link to the CL search engine. Didn't have that

superjunior

say rodeo, what are you gonna power those m70's with? sure would like to give those a listen as I'm kicken around the idea of going with towers for back surrounds. I'm just a hop skip and jump north of you.
jr

Rodeo0530

Randy, have you made any decisions on what to get, or are you just waiting patiently to get the best deal?

RandyBox

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

Randy, have you made any decisions on what to get, or are you just waiting patiently to get the best deal?

Newegg has a new email coming out tomorrow...:D

The Monitor 60's or 70's are looking like the choice. I can't pay 229 for the 70's that I missed last week for 179...:mad:

jimmydep

Check out "Polk Audio Direct" on E-bay, they have plenty of center channel's, bookshelf, and towers available now.

I have made several purchases from them and have been very happy with the price and quality. The refurbished LSI-15"s I bought were like brand new and for a fraction of the new price.....The only downside is having to pay sales tax:(

Have fun
Jimmy

RandyBox

RandyBox wrote: »

Newegg has a new email coming out tomorrow...:D

The Monitor 60's or 70's are looking like the choice. I can't pay 229 for the 70's that I missed last week for 179...:mad:

Well the new email just arrived. The Monitor 60's are $119 shipped. They're Cherry though...:(

RandyBox

jimmydep wrote: »

Check out "Polk Audio Direct" on E-bay, they have plenty of center channel's, bookshelf, and towers available now.

I have made several purchases from them and have been very happy with the price and quality. The refurbished LSI-15"s I bought were like brand new and for a fraction of the new price.....The only downside is having to pay sales tax:(

Have fun
Jimmy

Had my eye on them too... They are usually in line with Newegg, but the egg's stuff is first run as compared to refurb.

Thanks,
Randy

Rodeo0530

RandyBox wrote: »

Well the new email just arrived. The Monitor 60's are $119 shipped. They're Cherry though...:(

If you're planning a trip to Ohio I would sell you mine for a nice price, but that's an awful long trip to get a pair of Monitor 60's. I'm most likely going to sell mine at some point here because I don't think I really need to have them as rear surrounds. I'll most likely end up with the Monitor 40's in their place, but this is working right now. Good luck in finding some good deals.

Rodeo0530

RandyBox wrote: »

Had my eye on them too... They are usually in line with Newegg, but the egg's stuff is first run as compared to refurb.

Thanks,
Randy

I have a lot of good things about the Polk refurb stuff. I don't know how many will disagree with it, but I know that a number of people on here have bought refurb Polk gear without any problems.

nooshinjohn

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

What are using to power everything? I just bought M60's from Newegg a little while back for $119/each and the CS2 for $109. Then I joined this forum and went crazy!

You think you went crazy? lol... my entire rack has been changed from what it was when I joined:D
My wallet hates this place but my ears thank me every time I power up my stack of stuff. This place gives the best advice, but they sure can help you spend some serious coin too.:cool:

RandyBox

Rodeo0530 wrote: »

I have a lot of good things about the Polk refurb stuff. I don't know how many will disagree with it, but I know that a number of people on here have bought refurb Polk gear without any problems.

Do doubt the refurbs are quality sounding, I was considering the disclaimer about the cosmetics... Plus, when you add the shipping verses Neweggs free shipping the prices are within a buck of each other usually...

I love my refurb Harman receiver, although the first one died at 3 days of age. This one is ticking right along.

Randy

Dawgfish

Randy Box,

Where in South Georgia? I live on St. SImons Island. You are always welcome to stop by if you want to listen to some different set-ups or get advice. I also own a set of M-70s and highly recomend them. I used to also own a set of M-60s, but an ex-girlfriend "walked" off with them. Anyways, there's no comparison between the M-60s and M-70s, especially for two channel music. I think I just saw where Newegg is running the special on the M-70s through this weekend. Jump on them if you get a chance and I would also definitely go with the CS-2 center. You will get much clearer dialogue with this.

RandyBox

RandyBox wrote: »

Do doubt the refurbs are quality sounding, I was considering the disclaimer about the cosmetics... Plus, when you add the shipping verses Neweggs free shipping the prices are within a buck of each other usually...

I love my refurb Harman receiver, although the first one died at 3 days of age. This one is ticking right along.

Randy

That should have said "NO doubt":o

RandyBox

Dawgfish wrote: »

Randy Box,

Where in South Georgia? I live on St. SImons Island. You are always welcome to stop by if you want to listen to some different set-ups or get advice. I also own a set of M-70s and highly recomend them. I used to also own a set of M-60s, but an ex-girlfriend "walked" off with them. Anyways, there's no comparison between the M-60s and M-70s, especially for two channel music. I think I just saw where Newegg is running the special on the M-70s through this weekend. Jump on them if you get a chance and I would also definitely go with the CS-2 center. You will get much clearer dialogue with this.

I live in Moultrie. Newegg just put out a fresh code on the 70's. They're $360 a pair shipped free... SOLD!

Rodeo0530

Awesome for you. Congrats, I think you will really like them!