Help with Polk Center Speaker Choices/Specs

[MrFixit]

Hello


Yesterday my old but trusty Boston center speaker went out and I now need to find a replacement. But my current setup is not your typical matching set. Originally it was a Boston 9000 but when we upgraded the receiver I dusted off my old but still kicking PSB Century 500i and put them in the front. Getting the Yamaha RX-C671 gave me several listening options along with tons of fine tuning. The addition of the PSB's also helped with more low in punch for the underpowered sub.

But due to current circumstances....like where the wife works is about to close....I'm limited to choices and funds. Despite the threat of not having a job she gave me the go ahead as long as I..."spend and shop wisely looking for a good deal"

That said I'm trying to keep my cost below $200 figuring I can find older models at discounted prices or clearance. I've looked at mainly the Polk Lines due to features, feedback and of course prices. Iknow I won't find an exact match but getting close to specs along with the fine tuning in the Yamaha will help some. if I can get some opinions on the following Polk centers I'd much appreciate it. There are two others in the mix as well but for now the Polks are first choice.


Polk CS2....see this on Amazon for close to $160.00
Polk TSi CS20...newer version but at Crutchfield for $169.00
Polk CSi A4....I can get the Cherry Finish for the same as the CS20

The other two in the mix are....
Definitive Tech ProCenter 1000
Boston A 225C
...both of which open box or scratch & dent coming under the $200 mark.


Sorry for the long post but just trying to put everything in perspective. Thanks for your time and suggestions.
Kenny J

[Almadacr]

Well the best yet to buy Polk speakers is Newegg , the CS2 cherry is $149 ( sometimes there is special codes for lower prices ) .

Now timber match The CSi A4 it's a model for the RT/RTi line and the CS2/CS20 are from the Monitor/TSi line , they sound a bit different .

If i had to chose from any of those centers i would take the CSi A4 ( not considering all other elements like miss-match and all ) .

[Remo]

Originally Posted by MrFixit

Hello


Yesterday my old but trusty Boston center speaker went out and I now need to find a replacement. But my current setup is not your typical matching set. Originally it was a Boston 9000 but when we upgraded the receiver I dusted off my old but still kicking PSB Century 500i and put them in the front. Getting the Yamaha RX-C671 gave me several listening options along with tons of fine tuning. The addition of the PSB's also helped with more low in punch for the underpowered sub.

But due to current circumstances....like where the wife works is about to close....I'm limited to choices and funds. Despite the threat of not having a job she gave me the go ahead as long as I..."spend and shop wisely looking for a good deal"

That said I'm trying to keep my cost below $200 figuring I can find older models at discounted prices or clearance. I've looked at mainly the Polk Lines due to features, feedback and of course prices. Iknow I won't find an exact match but getting close to specs along with the fine tuning in the Yamaha will help some. if I can get some opinions on the following Polk centers I'd much appreciate it. There are two others in the mix as well but for now the Polks are first choice.


Polk CS2....see this on Amazon for close to $160.00
Polk TSi CS20...newer version but at Crutchfield for $169.00
Polk CSi A4....I can get the Cherry Finish for the same as the CS20

The other two in the mix are....
Definitive Tech ProCenter 1000
Boston A 225C
...both of which open box or scratch & dent coming under the $200 mark.


Sorry for the long post but just trying to put everything in perspective. Thanks for your time and suggestions.
Kenny J

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CSi-A4-CSiA4...item53ed0250de

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290212

[drewzus]

Kenny--if you're not in a huge hurry and looking at Polk, purchase the CS2 from Newegg. The current sale is decent, but if you can wait a bit, they routinely can be had for $100 (instead of $125 currently) from newegg.

I purchased my CS2 from newegg, and I love it.

[MrFixit]

Well it looks like the best deal will have to do. The wife came home early because she got laid off. Being a Boston fan I saw this and don't care one bit the color (white). I do wood repair and refinishing and dealing with the "white" is no issue.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846


I won't throw money away on some cheap unit just to have one and frankly couldn't care if it's last years or four year models. I do like the specs on the CS2. I would like to get something within a week. having no center channel really sucks. it really sounds different having nothing coming from the center.

[jsr]

As others have mentioned, if you want the Polk ones, wait for Newegg for a great sale. I got my CS1 and CS2 from Newegg both at great prices (much lower than any Polk prices you've listed so far). If you really want to save money, get the Pioneer C21 center at Newegg for $50 with promo code. I think it would be a better match for PSB L/Rs as the Polks tend to be a bit brighter than most PSBs I've heard and your wife will be happy you only spent $50 on a good center channel. The Pioneer SP line are amazing for their price and really compete with models from other brands that are pricier. Right now, Newegg is clearancing this Pioneer line as new models will be coming out soon, so a great time to snag some good speakers at insane prices.
Another one to look at that's a bit pricier is the Energy RC-LCR. Currently $250 at Vanns. 3-way and the mids are much closer to the tweeter making for MUCH better off-axis response due to limited lobing.

[MrFixit]

Yesterday I went ahead and made the choice....Boston A 225C along with the matching Boston ASW 250 Sub to replace the older and underpower Boston sub now. I couldn't pass up on this deal and plus being a Boston fan.....

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...r-White/1.html


...being "White' is fine with me especially when you save $130.00. I deal with wood finishing and repair and can repaint if I want. The specs are close to the other small Boston sats and I'm going back to a straight out 5.1 setup and ditch the front PSB's. I love the sound but just to big for the front and too clutered up front. I have the small sats and surrounds up in the corners for a cleaner look. I was using them in a 5.1+2 with the Yamaha.

[soundwave628]

I got the cs20 on newegg over a year ago for like $130, so just wait for sales you can get all those options fairly cheap. I almost wish I got the CS2 now as it matches my monitor 70s but I figured the "new" center might sound slightly better lol