center channel

bionicmushroom

I have the RT1000i's and the F/X500i's and I still haven't figured out what I was thinking when I got the CS175i? I had been meaning to upgrade it since day one but you know how it is and things come up....Anyways, would there even be a real difference between the CSi40 and the CS400i considering the setup I already have? And if I do find a new 400i what price should I be expecting to pay?

ChrisDurano

I think the big difference you'll probably see will be the tweeters being different (eventhough the freq. range between the two are very similar). But finding a CS400i in a store will be very hard (they do pop up quite a bit on auctions though). Check this out:

past ClubPolk discussion for CS400i prices

Listen to the CSi40 at your store and listen at the highs. Either way, you'll be much happier than with that CS175. Good luck.

VR3

I havnt heard the CS400i, but I have heard the i40. The i40 totally rocked. In my opinion, the new RTixxx tweeter is MUCH smoother than the RTxxxi tweeter, however there wasnt all that much of a tonal difference. Just smoother (not harsh) and a tad more crisp! It had MEGA bass too, you can expect to pay around 300 on Ebay (not counting shipping)

dthomps

I don't know what you were thikning either! Man I bet you dont even know how much that center will make a difference. Get it for sure, no thinking about this one, you NEED it! The tweeter on the newer series is supposed to blend well with the tri-lams and there really isn't supposed to be much of a difference. I haven't heard them together, but a few other forum members run them together and don't notice at all. Good luck- If you find a cs400 expect to pay around $150-2?? and of course the Csi40 will run you about $300 like MX said. take it easy. Mike

bionicmushroom

Thanks for all the good input guys! I may have me a brand new CS400i still in the box! Woo!! Hooo! I have waited a long time and I would just hate to settle on the CSi40 when I can get the one that I need to complete my set. I'll keep ya posted!:D

organ

Hi bionicmushroom(I love that name LOL),
If you miss out on the 400i, get the CSi40 for sure. Before I upgraded my mains, I was running 800i's up front and a CSi40 for the center. When everything's running I doubt you'll hear a difference. The i40 has a smoother mid-range and highs, exactly like VrMx described. I loved the set-up and will hold on to the i40 and use it for center-surround whenever I upgrade to 6.1.

Maurice

dthomps

You are in for one hell of a center. Have you seen/heard one in person before? You will be really impressed with it. It is a monster, looks really cool sitting on top of a tv. Peace. Mike

bionicmushroom

I think I have only heard one once and it has been so long I cant even remember where I was..LOL!! I know it is what was recommended for my setup and was what I really wanted to make it complete. Hey Organ do you get good sound out of the 800's for your surrounds? The reason I ask is because before I got my f/x500i's I got my hands on another pair of rt1000i's at a good price and decided to run the 4 of them. I had them hooked up as my rear surrounds and was excited hoping they would perform as good as my fronts had and boy I was shocked. It may have been on my end but I tried alot of things cause boy I wanted to run those 4 together but man it wasnt happening. Then I got those 500's and wired them up and thought...well I guess that is why they called for them then. hehe.. I have alot of things that I plan on doing it was just that I guess I had kinda forgotten about all of it until I got on here one night and thought damn....I knew I was gonna do somthing! I already noticed alot of thing I need to do in order to get my system straight by the things that I have read on here. I need to start slowly replacing my wires...well instead let me do this...This is what I have so I'll let you guys enlighten me a little on some things that maybe I need to consider. Hows that?

Fronts: RT1000i
Center: Guess we know this one huh?
Rears: F/X500i
Sub: I need and think it will come after the center.
Receiver: Sony STR-DE945
Dvd: Sony DVP-NS700P
Cd Changer: Sony
Vcr: Sony
Tv: Sony 27" Trinitron (beautiful picture but the wega has my # )

From what I can tell I need to replace my wires for some real ones, get a sub, consider a amp, and then maybe swap my receiver once I have the equiptment I need straight.

dthomps

I use the 800's as surrounds too. I also have a pair of f/x 500's but I am not using them right now. I really like the way my setup sounds, sometimes it just blows me away.
Good job choosing the 400, you will love it.
My Setup:
Mains: rt2000i's
Center: Cs400i
Rears: rt800i's
Rear center: cs245i
Receiver: Denon avr-3801
DVD Player: Denon dvd-2800


Half this stuff is my dads, so my system will change a little bit when I move out. (again ) i will keep the 2000's, 3801, and the 500's, and I will be (hopefully) obtaining a cs400i of my own soon.
Enjoy
Mike

hamzahsh

I don't think the new Polk Series are better than the old ones. They're about the same but the new ones have a different look! and they've a silk dome tweeters whereas old ones were Trilaminates that's about it. Make sure you've enough room to place the CS400i. It's better to get the new CS40i 'cause its wider and not too deep, would fit on most of the todays RPTVs.

If I was in your situation I would get the new CS40i. Remember Polk Audio Speakers are very friendly and they all are compatible to each other. Good luck!

RuSsMaN

Yeah, what they said.

The tri-lam is still a silk dome, just with vapor deposited layers of metal on top (3 different metals, magnesium, aluminum, and titanium if I remember correctly).

The new series should match very well, however, don't overlook other older tri-lam centers like the CS350 (on sale in the flea market currently for $200 obo), the CS245i (on sale in the flea market currently for $125 obo), and my personal favorite, the CS300.

Cheers,
Rooster

PETERNG

The CS 350 and CS 300 are excellent center channel speakers, your system should match the CS350 very well if you can get one. You you want to go another extra mile, look for the CS 1000P. Believe it or not, I had all three.

gacole2000

Peterng-

Do you think the CS350 is better than the CS400? I got a new RPTV and the 400 won't fit. Thanks for the input.

Greg