will csi3 handle the center with rti10's as front?

jerjon7

I already have purchased the rti10's and i am looking to get the csi3 for center channel is this enough or should i go with the csia6, money is the factor in the decision, but would it be completely worth it? sub most likely will be the micropro 1000

kawizx9r

Can't say much about the center channel, but with those towers I'd just suggest grabbing a bigger center.

As for the MicroPro 1k, if you're using this setup for home theater....you should look at the DSW Pro series subs (the 500 or 600) or spend a little more and look into Velodyne, SVS, and HSU Research.

The Micropro 1000 is a nice little sub, extremely musical, but lacks any serious output. It doesn't dig as deep as you'd want it too for HT either.

-Freddy

Btw, just wanted to add that the person that had the MicroPro1k has a pair of RTiA9's (RTi10's aren't much smaller but they do lack another bass-driver and mid) and he says that it didn't make much of a difference w/o the sub in his system. Although he's very happy with the sub I had built using an HSU driver.

dorokusai

I'm a fan of larger center channels but the CSi3 would be the best match for the RTi10. The MicroPro subs are very nice but agree that it doesn't dig too deep. However, its much better than any Polk subwoofer from the last decade. They finally listened and make decent subwoofers again.

comfortablycurt

The CSi3 will work, but personally, I'd go for a CSi5/A6. The center channel carries over 50% of a movies soundtrack, so it's a pretty crucial speaker. You don't want to skimp on it if you can help it.

Congrats on the RTi10's!

olilugo

My opinion: I originally bought and installed a csi3 to match it with rti6's and fxi3.
Then, within a couple of days I decided to also buy a csi5 and tested side by side.
Conclusion the csi5 is far superior to the csi3.

I also tried to compare the fxi5 to the fxi3, for my room and considering that these speakers are used as surround. I found no gain to move to the fxi5.

Ern Dog

I'd go with a used Csi5. They are harder to find, but they will be cheaper because they are discontinued.

devani

i don't know where you are but in NYC craigslist, someone is selling a CSi5 for $110.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/ele/1474172030.html

mystik610

I'm currently running a CSi3 with the RTi8's....and the CSi3 can't keep up IMO. The RTi8's really dwarf the CSi3 IMO....less mid-bass response, and doesn't image as well. The dialogue just doesn't sound as clear as the rest of the front soundstage. I picked up a CSi5 from selkec, which I'm anxiously awaiting!

jerjon7

comfortablycurt wrote: »

The CSi3 will work, but personally, I'd go for a CSi5/A6. The center channel carries over 50% of a movies soundtrack, so it's a pretty crucial speaker. You don't want to skimp on it if you can help it.

Congrats on the RTi10's!

thanks, i got them for 400 and there local

jerjon7

devani wrote: »

i don't know where you are but in NYC craigslist, someone is selling a CSi5 for $110.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/ele/1474172030.html

hmmm...i live in ohio, but thas a great deal...maybe worth the drive...

jerjon7

what about the micropro 3000, i find it hard to beleive that they lack input with a 1200 watt amp, there frequency response is lower than the DSW pro series as well, i am no expert by any means but i thought that meant something

mystik610

jerjon7 wrote: »

what about the micropro 3000, i find it hard to beleive that they lack input with a 1200 watt amp, there frequency response is lower than the DSW pro series as well, i am no expert by any means but i thought that meant something

More wattage doesn’t necessarily translate into more output…you also have to take into consideration the sensitivity of the drivers, and the fact that there’s no standard in how amps are rated.

I’ve played with the DSW PRO 3000 at fry’s, and while it’s a decent subwoofer, its pretty underwhelming when you consider its retail price. Even the price of a refurb on polk’s ebay store avails you to entry level offerings from HSU and SVS, which will extend lower, play louder, and have better sound-quality overall.

At the end of the day, Polk makes good speakers, and sub-par subwoofers. Subwoofers aren’t they’re specialty, which is why their higher end subwoofers focus more on form over function. Functionally, Polk can’t compete with higher end offerings from the likes of velodyne, svs, hsu etc etc.

jerjon7

mystik610 wrote: »

More wattage doesn’t necessarily translate into more output…you also have to take into consideration the sensitivity of the drivers, and the fact that there’s no standard in how amps are rated.

I’ve played with the DSW PRO 3000 at fry’s, and while it’s a decent subwoofer, its pretty underwhelming when you consider its retail price. Even the price of a refurb on polk’s ebay store avails you to entry level offerings from HSU and SVS, which will extend lower, play louder, and have better sound-quality overall.

At the end of the day, Polk makes good speakers, and sub-par subwoofers. Subwoofers aren’t they’re specialty, which is why their higher end subwoofers focus more on form over function. Functionally, Polk can’t compete with higher end offerings from the likes of velodyne, svs, hsu etc etc.

thanks alot, so what HSU and SVS models should i look at?

jerjon7

so basically what i decided is that i am going to go with a csi5(if i can find one) or csia6, hold off on the subwoofer for a bit so i can save some more money. so now i need to figure out which subwoofer to get, i need your guys help, 500 or less for the sub, i found the supercube III for 500, how about that one? could also use suggestion on rears, i've been looking at rtia1's or rti4's

zombie boy 2000

dorokusai wrote: »

I'm a fan of larger center channels but the CSi3 would be the best match for the RTi10.

I know this isn't the popular opinion (flying against the whole "bigger is better" mantra for centers), but it comes from a very credible source and I'm sure you've spent more time with both speakers than many who have already chimed in. As such, I'm just curious as to your reasoning? I have found the CSi3 to really struggle in my experiences with 'em, whereas the CSi5 was more than capable. All listening was done in a smallish room, so I imagine you're hinting at something else...

dorokusai

Let me clarify. I was responding directly to the models mentioned in the original post and if it was between the CSi3 or CSiA6, and money being an issue with a subwoofer also dependent....the CSi3 would be my choice. I attempted to keep it in context, say what you want.

mystik610

jerjon7 wrote: »

thanks alot, so what HSU and SVS models should i look at?

HSU STF-2 $349: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

HSU VTF- $449: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1.html

for $550 you can get the VTF-2: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk3.html

SVS PB10-NSD $449: http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

SVS PB12-NSD $569: http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm

zombie boy 2000

Doro... I hope you realize that you were the "credible source" to which I was referring. You know how something can turn into gospel here and you can almost set your watch to the responses. I found it intriguing that someone with so much experience may have been trying to run upstream without simply being contrarian. I guess I thought you may have been hinting at "tonality" or something. Who knows?

I love me a good ol' paradigm shift or two around this time of the day...

dorokusai

zombie boy 2000 wrote: »

Doro... I hope you realize that you were the "credible source" to which I was referring. You know how something can turn into gospel here and you can almost set your watch to the responses. I found it intriguing that someone with so much experience may have been trying to run upstream without simply being contrarian. I guess I thought you may have been hinting at "tonality" or something. Who knows?

I love me a good ol' paradigm shift or two around this time of the day...

I understand, just clarifying. I think the two lines sound different and the CSi3(or CSi5) can be picked up cheaper which felt more in line with the original post, that's all.

zombie boy 2000

He's talking about the sonic difference between the CSi's and the CSiA's and how the former would better complement the RTi line. I've no experience with the latter, so I'll move on...

dorokusai

xcapri79 wrote: »

Doro, when Polk developed the CSi3 did they envision it to be more compatible with using the RTi bookshelf speakers up front?
It would seem to me that the CSi3 would be a compatible choice with the RTi bookshelf speakers whereas the CSi5 is more compatible with the RTi floorstanding speakers.

Not that I'm aware of but I understand the POV. The CSi3 is a recommended center channel for both bookshelf and floorstanding loudspeakers. I've seen more questions about available space vs size in my travels. Not everyone can fit the CSi5.

Ern Dog

+1 on getting a killer sub!


My sub progression was a Polk PSW10-> Mirage S12-> Velodyne SPL-1500r.

The polk ($180 new) sucked beans! Sounded like a flat tire.
The Mirage ($499 new) was superb for HT, but so-so for Music.
The Velodyne was superb in Music and superb for HT ($1000 used!)

mystik610

xcapri79 wrote: »

That's true about the space. Some racks are tight for space, particularly the height. It is very good that Polk Audio provides an alternative for the RTi or RTiA series centers.

The CSi3 seems mostly like a space compromise than anything else. It fits perfectly into a standard HT rack, and is only slightly larger than most receivers. The CSi5 is HUGE, and unless a home theater stand was designed with a large center channel in mind, it won't fit in most racks. I'm actually going to have to put my LCD on a riser until I find the time to mount it, as the size of the CSi5 I have on the way is forcing me to put it on top of my tv stand. Its a worthwhile compromise IMO, as the CSi3 really feels like it can't keep up with my RTi8's. After adding an external amp and upgrading speaker wire and interconnects, the mid-range of the RTi8's have really come to life, and sound VERY full now. The CSi3 (which is hooked up to the same amp, wires and interconnects) is now showing its limitations. Comparatively, it sounds very anemic.

NewHTguy

I had the Csi5 with my former Rti 10s and it was a great match.

buymesome

The csi3 doesnt even keep up with rti8's let alone a rti10 config . Onecall has the csi5 new for $250 or get it used for 125 used or 175 refurb from polk direct

jerjon7

buymesome wrote: »

The csi3 doesnt even keep up with rti8's let alone a rti10 config . Onecall has the csi5 new for $250 or get it used for 125 used or 175 refurb from polk direct

if i could find these i would buy it, i am going to try one call now, or polk direct even better, but i have not seen these

jerjon7

wtf, earlier i tried looking for the csi5 and i couldn't find one online now i just searched and found it on onecall, did it just pop back up?

buymesome

I seem to recal a csi5 here onthe forum for sale before I got banned 1 week ago

comfortablycurt

buymesome wrote: »

I seem to recal a csi5 here onthe forum for sale before I got banned 1 week ago

If you're thinking about the one that Lasareath had listed...it's sold already.

It's sitting on top of my TV now.;)

It's not for sale at the moment. I have a feeling it may be getting replaced by an LSiC next year though.:cool:

buymesome

That a great deal ya got curt but didnt you list rti8's for sale ? If so then why would you wasnt a csi5?

comfortablycurt

Because my SDA 2A's do a much better job of multi-tasking between my 2 channel and HT rigs. Due to my limited space, I have to have both of my rigs in the same area, so I can only really comfortably fit one pair of speakers in my front soundstage at a time.

I was thinking about hanging on to the RTi8's until I have the room to separate my rigs, but there's no telling how long that's going to be. I can use the money to upgrade some other things in my rig anyway.

The CSi5 does a reasonably good job of blending with my 2A's. Next year, I think I'm going to end up selling the CSi5 too, and upgrade to LSi9's and an LSiC. I'll still keep the SDA's around to switch up with the LSi9's when I need a change of pace. I won't worry about upgrading my RTi6 surrounds for quite a while though.