CS350 vs. LS90 high freqs

Hi all,

This is my 1st post. Thanks in advance for any input on this subject.

Has anyone experienced the following and have any input?

I recently picked up a CS350 to mate with my LS90s for HT. For some reason, the auto calibration mic in my Pioneer Elite receiver sets the highest EQ band (11 KHz I believe) to +5 dB for the CS350 vs. flat at 0 dB for the LS90s. So, the auto calibration must be reading rolled-off high freqs for the CS350 vs. the LS90s.

Some potential explanations I've thought of are
1) My CS350 is not operating properly, perhaps a problem with the tweeter or crossover
2) My CS350 is operating properly and has inherent rolled-off high freqs vs. the LS90s
3) Placement or dispersion pattern is limiting the high freqs reaching the calibration mic. The CS350's tweeter is over a foot lower than the LS90's in my set-up. Perhaps more of the CS350's high freqs are being absorbed by carpet and furniture prior to reaching the mic, thus causing the auto calibration to compensate.
4) Or, perhaps the auto calibration is not accurate

Any thoughts?


Some background on why I've become more of a Polk fan recently and decided to join this forum:

Prior to finishing my basement, I had a HT with Athena speakers upstairs and a separate 2 ch system with LS90s in the unfinished basement. I planned to merge the HT electronics, 2 ch electronics, and Athena speakers into one system in the finished basement for both HT and 2 ch. I found that I took a major hit in sound quality with the Athena ASF2s in critical 2 ch listening at relatively high volumes. To my ears, the ASF2s' highs are much less refined, and can be shrill on some recordings. I found my self turning the volume down and not enjoying listening nearly as much. I decided to hook the LS90s back up, and ahhhhh, I was enjoying listening again - more natural highs, less fatiguing, and better soundstage.

To be fair, the Athenas are a great value for the $360/pr I paid new, but they are outclassed by the vintage LS90s (for which I paid $175/pr from a friend who was moving out of town) . From the glowing ASF2 reviews comparing them to $2000 speakers, I was expecting them to be as good or better than the 10+ year old LS90s. This experience has taught me to trust my ears and not assume that positive reviews will correlate to my listening experience and preferences. I am ditching the Athenas and building the HT system around the LS90s; just need the surrounds now. That $175 was the best money I ever spent on audio in terms of enjoyment per dollar. Polk will remain on my short list for future speaker purchases and recommendations to friends and family.