CSi3 vs. CSi5

Reimer
Reimer Posts: 53
edited April 2010 in Speakers
Good day all. I am stuck in an awkward predicament here. I have been seeking a CSi5 for quite some time and haven't been able to successfully land one for a decent price. There is currently one on eBay for $295 + $60 for shipping to Canada, but at the same time the same seller has a CSi A6 for $350 plus $40 for shipping. So basically it would only be $30 more once you factor in the shipping.

Today I found out that my Uncle will sell me his CSi3 for >$100. So I'm thinking that for the $ the CSi3 is obviously a much better bargain. but I have never heard the 3 and the 5 in a comparable situation. Can someone who has solid insight into both of these speakers give me an opinion of what I should do (ie. go for the 3 or spend the extra money on the 5 or the A6 as they are defintiely worth it).

Thanks in advance fellow Polksters.
Post edited by Reimer on
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  • Agent
    Agent Posts: 65
    edited March 2010
    I got one off of ebay in like new condition a few weeks ago for $165. The difference between the two is pretty big actually. The CSi5 is hands down a better speaker. I guess it depends on your room size. In a small room the CSi3 would probably do quite nicely. I can't believe the detail my CSi5 brings out. Subtle sounds like leaves rustling while people are talking or birds chirping in the background. I find myself noticing things in movies I never knew existed.
    Samsung LN52A650 : PS3 : RTi A7s : CSi5 : SVS PC12-NSD : Pioneer VSX-9040THX : Emotiva XPA-3 = :D
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  • cnoat
    cnoat Posts: 315
    edited March 2010
    One Call has them for 200 plus 50 for shipping.I just replaced my csi3.I can tell you.BIG difference.
    Parasound Avc-1800
    Mains-Rti 12 -Parasound 1500a
    Center-Csi5-Parasound 1000a
    Rears-Rti 8-Parasound 750a
    Sub SVS Ultra Tv 12
    Diamondback and King Cobra IC's
    AQ T4 SC
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  • cnoat
    cnoat Posts: 315
    edited March 2010
    Agent,
    How do you like your emotiva.Is it to bright.I am looking at those to push my rti12's
    Parasound Avc-1800
    Mains-Rti 12 -Parasound 1500a
    Center-Csi5-Parasound 1000a
    Rears-Rti 8-Parasound 750a
    Sub SVS Ultra Tv 12
    Diamondback and King Cobra IC's
    AQ T4 SC
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited March 2010
    Reimer wrote: »
    Good day all. I am stuck in an awkward predicament here. I have been seeking a CSi5 for quite some time and haven't been able to successfully land one for a decent price. There is currently one on eBay for $295 + $60 for shipping to Canada, but at the same time the same seller has a CSi A6 for $350 plus $40 for shipping. So basically it would only be $30 more once you factor in the shipping.

    Today I found out that my Uncle will sell me his CSi3 for >$100. So I'm thinking that for the $ the CSi3 is obviously a much better bargain. but I have never heard the 3 and the 5 in a comparable situation. Can someone who has solid insight into both of these speakers give me an opinion of what I should do (ie. go for the 3 or spend the extra money on the 5 or the A6 as they are defintiely worth it).

    Thanks in advance fellow Polksters.

    How big is your room? Do you have the room for a CSi5 or A6? If you do, I would get the 5 or A6. It's not the detail that's the biggest difference, it's the mid-bass punch. IMO, that's very important for a center channel to have. I've had the CSi5 and now have the A4 - I didn't have room for the CSi5.
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited March 2010
    Reimer wrote: »
    Good day all. I am stuck in an awkward predicament here. I have been seeking a CSi5 for quite some time and haven't been able to successfully land one for a decent price. There is currently one on eBay for $295 + $60 for shipping to Canada, but at the same time the same seller has a CSi A6 for $350 plus $40 for shipping. So basically it would only be $30 more once you factor in the shipping.

    Today I found out that my Uncle will sell me his CSi3 for >$100. So I'm thinking that for the $ the CSi3 is obviously a much better bargain. but I have never heard the 3 and the 5 in a comparable situation. Can someone who has solid insight into both of these speakers give me an opinion of what I should do (ie. go for the 3 or spend the extra money on the 5 or the A6 as they are defintiely worth it).

    Thanks in advance fellow Polksters.

    What are your fronts and room size? I had both the csi 3 and then got the csi 5 to match my RTi12's. The csi5 haves a bigger soundstage.The csi3 is a good center to go with the RTi8's and 10's. For $100.00 I would get the csi 3 if you have those fronts.But if you have the RTi12's and the cash and the room(it is a large center speaker) definately go for the csi5. The csi5 and csi a6 are about the same.If you buy the csi3 you can always upgrade to the csi5 when it becomes available on CP. I have seen it for sale here many times for around $150.00.

    ___________________________
    Yamaha RX-V2600 AVR
    Carver TFM35X Amp
    Sony NC685V DVD/CD/SACD
    Pioneer BD320 Blue Ray
    Samsung 52” LCD
    Mains Polk RTi12’s
    Center Polk CSi5
    Rears Infinity Alpha 25ES
    Subs Mirage Omni S 10’s (2)
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited March 2010
    I have owned both the 3 and the 5 with Rti8's as fronts and the 5 is far and away the better speaker. The 3 gets drowned out even by the 8's. You can buy the 3 but as sure as I am writing this you will still be looking for a 5.

    Your patience will be rewarded. Do not buy the 3, period.
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  • Agent
    Agent Posts: 65
    edited March 2010
    cnoat wrote: »
    Agent,
    How do you like your emotiva.Is it to bright.I am looking at those to push my rti12's

    It does the job that's for sure. Perhaps a little bright but polk speakers are generally a tish on the bright side and mine haven't even been broken in yet so it's hard to tell. I never even listened to them with the avr. They were hooked to the amp from day one. I will tell you this, my avr goes from -80 to +12db and I have never taken them past 0db. I LOVE my music loud and with my PC12-NSD...at -10db it is like being in the front row of a concert and I have a big room 22X17. I don't think you will be disappointed.
    Samsung LN52A650 : PS3 : RTi A7s : CSi5 : SVS PC12-NSD : Pioneer VSX-9040THX : Emotiva XPA-3 = :D
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    cnoat wrote: »
    One Call has them for 200 plus 50 for shipping.I just replaced my csi3.I can tell you.BIG difference.

    Problem is I live in Canada and they don't ship to Canada. Actually other than eBay I haven't had any luck finding a site that sells the CSi5 to Canadian customers.
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    Not sure what you guys consider a big or small room but my HT is set up in a room that is 15x20 and open into a bigger rec room to the right side. I also have the RTi10's as my front speakers and love them.
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited March 2010
    CSi5 all day, I always recommend the biggest/baddest center you can fit/afford. The center channel, IMHO, is the most important speaker in any HT rig as it plays something like 50-75% of all audio in a movie, esp. dialouge. Don't skimp, you will thank yourself later, lol.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    wutadumsn23 wrote: »
    CSi5 all day, I always recommend the biggest/baddest center you can fit/afford. The center channel, IMHO, is the most important speaker in any HT rig as it plays something like 50-75% of all audio in a movie, esp. dialouge. Don't skimp, you will thank yourself later, lol.

    -Jeff

    Ya that's what I was thinking but since I'm getting frustrated and having issues finding a CSi5, I thought that was a pretty stellar deal on the CSi3.

    Also is there much of a difference between the A6 ans the CSi5?
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  • gelinas
    gelinas Posts: 226
    edited March 2010
    daboyz wrote: »
    I have owned both the 3 and the 5 with Rti8's as fronts and the 5 is far and away the better speaker. The 3 gets drowned out even by the 8's. You can buy the 3 but as sure as I am writing this you will still be looking for a 5.

    Your patience will be rewarded. Do not buy the 3, period.

    +1, I too am a former csi3 owner. The entire time I owned it I thought it couldn't keep up with my rti8's. I've since gotten a csi A6 from polk's ebay store and have not looked back. It matches the rti8's flawlessly (they have the same drivers).
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  • gelinas
    gelinas Posts: 226
    edited March 2010
    wutadumsn23 wrote: »
    CSi5 all day, I always recommend the biggest/baddest center you can fit/afford. The center channel, IMHO, is the most important speaker in any HT rig as it plays something like 50-75% of all audio in a movie, esp. dialouge. Don't skimp, you will thank yourself later, lol.

    -Jeff


    +1, the center channel is VERY important for HT...............but so is your sub.
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  • AGUERRA
    AGUERRA Posts: 147
    edited March 2010
    ive had both and choose the csi5. get the csi5 so wont be wondering what if down the road
    front: rti8
    center: csi5
    surround: fxi3
    sub: eD a2-300
    receiver: onkyo 805
    ps3
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    So can anyone tell me where I can find one of these in Canada other than on eBay?

    Right now one guy I'm dealing with on eBay wants only $40 to ship the A6 to Canada and $60 to ship the 5 to Canada. Polk has them listed at the exact same weight and pretty negligable size differences.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited March 2010
    Right here I have one lol

    Try the canukaudiomart because they always have realy good stuff for super cheap or just post a wanted add

    I remembered having a csi3 and struggling to hear voices at low volumes then added a csi5 and felt my floor rumble
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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited March 2010
    When I shipped my 5 to Montana from Illinois it cost me $45. I packed the crap out of it but it is a very heavy speaker.
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited March 2010
    If you have the rti10's then csi5 would be the choice.Plus with that room size the 5's would definately help. Keep checking Canuck audio mart ,here, and audiogon for starts.
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited March 2010
    +1 for the CSi5, I recently upgraded from a CSi3. I was very pleased with the change..

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    daboyz wrote: »
    When I shipped my 5 to Montana from Illinois it cost me $45. I packed the crap out of it but it is a very heavy speaker.

    Oh ya I'm expecting to have to pay for shipping but I'm saying that seller in specific it out to lunch on his shipping prices if he is quoting two totally seperate prices for virtually the same product.
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    dekuda wrote: »
    If you have the rti10's then csi5 would be the choice.Plus with that room size the 5's would definately help. Keep checking Canuck audio mart ,here, and audiogon for starts.

    Sounds good, thanks for the heads up. I'm pretty set on getting nothing but a 5 unless I just can't wait for a centre anymore and just go and pay for the A6.
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  • flyfisher
    flyfisher Posts: 220
    edited March 2010
    I never had a CSi3 but had a CS10.I returned the 10 last week and got my CSi5 yesterday.Big difference,the 5 is a beast,you wont be disappointed.
    Living Room Monitor 60's*CS2*FXi A6's*VSX 21txh*BD-P1590
    Spare Room RTi A7*CSi A6*FXi A4's*Epik Legend*BDP-05fd*DVL-919 Laserdisc/DVD player
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    Awesome, I'm set on a CSi5. Do you guys think $355 for a brand new one is a good price? Or should I just pay $390 for the A6? Or should I hold off and try to find a better price? Thanks.
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  • gogunbaba
    gogunbaba Posts: 15
    edited March 2010
    I own both as well as RTI12 and RTI8. CSI5 is in a different class. I was in the same boat with you, I waited and I was able to score one in an excellent condition for $150. Check out ebay, this forum, audioholics forum etc.
    Movie Theater
    Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR805
    Amp - Emotiva XPA-5
    Mains - Polk Audio RTI8
    Center - Polk Audio CSI5
    Surrounds - Polk Audio RTI6
    Sub - DIY Maelstrom X with EP4000
    Projector - Mitsubishi HC4900
    Blu-Ray - 80 GB PS3
    HD DVD - Toshiba HD-A35
    Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote

    Living Room
    Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR605
    Mains - Polk Audio RTI12
    Center - Polk Audio CSI5
    Sub - ELEMENTAL DES. A5-350
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited March 2010
    gogunbaba wrote: »
    I own both as well as RTI12 and RTI8. CSI5 is in a different class. I was in the same boat with you, I waited and I was able to score one in an excellent condition for $150. Check out ebay, this forum, audioholics forum etc.

    Awesome tahanks for the input man and to everyne else that has posted n this thread.
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited April 2010
    Just wanted to say thanks to everyone again in this thread as I finally waited long enough and purchased an A6 today. Got it set up earlier in the evening and this baby is a beast. I have my HT turned down fairly low and I am now upstairs and I can feel the floor gently rumbling constantly.

    I really appreciate you guys steering me towards this centre speaker, I know I will not regret it. Best part is I only had to spend $190 bucks on it after I used some birthday money I got last month.
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    Awesome, you will not be dissapointed in that center. I always recommend the biggest/baddest center you can afford/fit. Veyr important speaker (if not the most important) for HT and you don;t want to skimp.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2010
    Thats very good to hear ...... Why dont you take this for testdrive and pop in the new terminator movie

    Sorry I wasnt much help in selling you my csi5 but I'm sure you now understand why after you bought the csia6
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  • Reimer
    Reimer Posts: 53
    edited April 2010
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    Thats very good to hear ...... Why dont you take this for testdrive and pop in the new terminator movie

    Sorry I wasnt much help in selling you my csi5 but I'm sure you now understand why after you bought the csia6

    Ya man totally, I was like holly **** this thing is friggen huge and heavy. No wonder everyone wants an arm and a leg for shipping. It's as long and tall as I thought but its a lot deeper than I thought. Not sure why but it just is I think its the power ports.

    I was watching some generation kill with it last night and it was solid. Wanna go easy on it out of the box. Next weekend I will be takin her to the limits :D
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