best center channel/subwoofer choice?

lriker
lriker Posts: 64
edited January 2010 in Speakers
Currently I have r50s for my front speakers and monitor 30s for my rears. room is approx. 9x14. Onkyo 1610 is my receiver. Due to size limitations of my cabinet I was looking to get the rm8 as my center channel speaker but wanted to ask some advice as to whether or not it will match well with what I have know or is there a better one. I would rather not get a new cabinet but if I have to to get the best sound I will. Also, in a room this size listed above, is there really a need for a subwoofer and if so, which one. Thank you.
Post edited by lriker on
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  • lriker
    lriker Posts: 64
    edited January 2010
    18 inches for the width and just shy of 6 for the height
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  • BeefJerky
    BeefJerky Posts: 1,320
    edited January 2010
    The CSR may be the matching center for the R50's according to Polk, but in reality it is not. I have R50's for the fronts, and originally had a CSR center, and they just sounded too different since the tweeters are not the same. The actual matching centers are the CSM and CSi25, neither of which are current as far as I know. I now use the CSM, and it is a perfect match and well worth the time to find one. The CSM is basically just a CSi25 with different aesthetics.

    While not as important, I also recommend matching the tweeter in the surround channels as well. I originally had the R150's, which again use a different tweeter from the R50's and was not satisfied with the sound. I now have T15's and it was well worth the switch.

    As far as the R/T/M series goes, here's what speakers use each tweeter.
    Older tweeter: R50, R30, R15, T15, CSM, CSi25
    Newer tweeter: R300, R150, CSR

    Now, I personally prefer the older tweeter and find it to be more detailed. But, others may find it too bright, and I have a feeling that's why they changed it on the newer R-series.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2010
    Unfortunately I think all of those speakers WILL not fit into your space?

    There is a thread here about using an M40 as a center...that's not what it is designed for but someone is selling his extra on this site. So you might want to think about it.

    He's happy using his as a center. 15 3/4, 7, 12" Of course the tweeter does not quite match the R series and he is using it with the M series!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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