Polk Audio Center channel help

[mtmtri]

I am in the market to buy a new 7.1 system and I want to start first with the center channel and then buy the front speakers to match the center. Can someone please tell me some of the differences between the following models: Any pluses or minuses on the quality of sound. I am ordering online and there is not a Polk Audio dealer close by to try them out prior to buying.
CS2, CS1, CSi3, CSi 25, Those are the ones that I have found in my budget so far for less than $150. Any help is appreciated.

[tracy]

If you want Polks you should really consider buying from polkdirect on ebay. You can go with higher end Polk speakers at lower end prices. It's Polk Audio's own ebay ID. They say the speakers are refurbs but I purchased a pair of RTi A5's for $370 a pair whereas Crutchfield has them for $998 a pair. They came sealed in original A5 boxes, smell brand new with not a scratch or blemish to be found anywhere. And the cherry cabinets are oh so nice. I personally think its overstock because these speaks are brand spanking new. I'm not familiar with the CSi's you listed, I just wanted to point out the Polk ebay store in case you are interested. You can save some serious bucks.

[AppleCrumbDlite]

I did lots of research into polk speakers before I started buying them becaus eI wanted my whole setup to be polk. and the first speaker I bought was the center channel. I recommend, as I have gotten, the CSi3. the cs1 and 2 are smaller and dont have the nice tweeter the csi3 has and do not have the (i dont know if it has a name) hole right under the tweeter for base. It's a fantastic center, sounds great. it's bigger than I imagined a center would be but I was new to the game =p. its a great size, big enough to give you what you want but not too big so that you cant fit it anywhere. As with most polk products its made of real wood and is very sturdy and comes with nice 3m rubber feets for sturdy mounting on almost any surface. I'll stop rambling now, but that's what I recommend. and see if the microsoft livesearch promotion is still available. I got 30% off of my CSi3 through that. but either way, ebay is the way to go. polk has their refur program but I got mine brand new for something like $120 shipped.

ebay: $134, free shipping

[Pinto]

I auditioned both the CS-1 and CS-2 and chose the CS-2 (the more expensive one - big surprise ).

I went with the CS series because Polk recommends it as a voice match to the Monitor Series that I planned to use for my fronts. I got the Monitor 70s which sound fantastic.

If you want voice matched speakers for the CSi series, I think you will need to get RTi series fronts (anyone correct me if I am wrong about this). If you've got the bucks, go for it - otherwise a good combo is CS-1 plus Monitor 60s, or the set-up I have. If you haven't read it about voice matching you can search it in these forums - basically it means that the tone quality doesn't change noticeably as it moves between the speakers in your system (mainly your center and fronts).

And as Tracy and ApplecrumbDlite say, definitely check out the Polk site on eBay - it has serious savings, even when you factor in the shipping. They ship really quickly too.

[mtmtri]

I looked at the ebay prices but right now I can actually get them cheaper direct online from J&R, Newegg, or crutchfield using different discount codes. I guess right now I am leaning towards the CS2 or CSi3 but if I go with the CSi3 the front speakers are a lot more$$. Is the CSi3 that much better than the CS2?

Thanks for all the input.

[Pinto]

The ultimate test is with the ears - maybe you can find a Circuit City or Fry's that has both so you can compare them side by side. Sometimes the cheaper speakers sound better, but if you are sticking with one brand, the more expensive ones are usually going to sound better.

[AppleCrumbDlite]

Originally Posted by mtmtri

I looked at the ebay prices but right now I can actually get them cheaper direct online from J&R, Newegg, or crutchfield using different discount codes. I guess right now I am leaning towards the CS2 or CSi3 but if I go with the CSi3 the front speakers are a lot more$$. Is the CSi3 that much better than the CS2?

Thanks for all the input.

well I think the csi3 sounds fantastic and has immensely better bass and higher frequency sounds. And yes the RTi series are more expensive. I'm looking into the RTi5's which I've found on ebay for about $550 shipped which is pretty good considering they msrp for $1200. And like most of us this is a process that you'll have to save for, buy a piece, save for, buy a piece. I'd recommend going a little further up than you wanted so you know you'll be happy with what you have. I was originally going with monitor 50's for front L&R and small wall mounted speakers for rears. but now the RTi5's are taking front and I'm getting monitor 50's as rears :P. But either way, most if not all polk products are fantastic with performance:cost ratio.

keep us updated

[newone]

I own the R50 towers for the fronts. I'm thinking about upgrading my center channel to the CSi A4. Is that too much center channel for what I have. Thanks

[Mr. HiDef]

Circuit city has a really good deal on the cs2 i think for 90 bucks there is a thread floating around about it

[Midnightsailor]

Originally Posted by Mr. HiDef

Circuit city has a really good deal on the cs2 i think for 90 bucks there is a thread floating around about it

Does anyone know how long this deal lasts? I really want this center.

[Mr. HiDef]

Originally Posted by Midnightsailor

Does anyone know how long this deal lasts? I really want this center.

Prob tell they sell out