Most appropriate center/surrounds for Monitor 70

ambientminds

I just returned from overseas and am putting together a new system. Before leaving I was JBL Studio series guy -- S312s hooked up to a Carver C1000A...beauty in motion. However, I've found the new JBLs to be lacking. I was all prepared to buy the TSi500s when the salesperson offered me a closeout price on the Monitor 70s for $275 for the pair. Once I listened, I was sold at that price.

With that said, I was wondering whether I should get the Monitor 40s and CS2 (together $248 on Newegg) or the new TSi200s and CS20. How important is the series pairing? I know there are differences between each, but... Given the importance of the center speaker, should I get the new CS20 and the 40s in the rear?

I appreciate it. I gained a lot of knowledge from these forums in deciding on Polk...seems like a great community.


Thanks,
Craig

Serendipity

I would stick with the same series.... surrounds not as important.

wutadumsn23

+1, get the CS2 for your center and stick with the Monitor 40's for your surrounds. Same setup I have and it is a great combo. Not going to notice that much of a difference between the 40's and the 200's, def. not the dif. in price. Good luck and welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk..

Ever listen to any old 4412s or their home version LxxT-series JBLs cerca late 80s....those were decent speakers with better tweeters than my monitor M70s hands down...heck, better than the tweeters in the Rtis for that matter. I own a pair of old L series.

But monitors will do you better for a complete HT system.

cnh

domflane

+ 1, the CS20 will not give you much more of an audible improvement over the CS2, plus the CS2 will match your monitor series speakers in terms of looks. IMO, save the cash and stick with the CS2.

sandworms

Csi5!

wutadumsn23

sandworms wrote: »

Csi5!

This center would not be a good match for either the TSi series or the Monitor series. Correct me if I am wrong of course.

-Jeff

cnh

+1, the monitor and TSI tweeters are a bit more laid back and have a bit less detail than the Rti series--which are also a bit louder and brighter....the two would not be a good match you would hear the center more as it would have a more 'forward' sound.


cnh

ambientminds

Thanks much for everyone's input! I'll go ahead with the CS2 and m40 combo. Thanks again,


Craig

Blacklamb

go with the CS2 and the 40's.

I got the cs2, 70's, 40's, and 30's sounds amazing.

sandworms

cnh wrote: »

+1, the monitor and TSI tweeters are a bit more laid back and have a bit less detail than the Rti series--which are also a bit louder and brighter....the two would not be a good match you would hear the center more as it would have a more 'forward' sound.


cnh

i have a csi5 with my monitor 70's and have no issue with timbre, nor does it overpower the mains, but i do agree it isn't the typical recommendation

wutadumsn23

sandworms wrote: »

i have a csi5 with my monitor 70's and have no issue with timbre, nor does it overpower the mains, but i do agree it isn't the typical recommendation

Have you ever heard the CS2? Maybe since you have always had the CSi5 (I'm assuming) you have gotten used to it and don't notice the differences anymore? Just a thought, in the end if you are happy that is all that matters right?

-Jeff

sandworms

haven't heard a cs2, so no idea how to compare the 2, actually i posted without knowing the csi5 was an rti center, my bad. thankfully the op listened to the more informed advice