center speaker recommendation

[wegenwys]

I'm currently using my old RTA 12B as the fronts in my home theater. Cant afford new speakers yet. I need a better quality center channel than what I'm currently using.. Which current polk model, or other brand if preferable in this case, would best match the 12B's? I would like at some point in the future to obtain a pair of RTi 8 or 10 but that is still some ways off. However with that in mind , would the CSi5 work allright or might it be too bright and something else be better?

[hejiraent]

I did a sound comparison between the CSi3 and Csi5 at Curcuit City. I was prepared to buy the one that sounded better, regardless of the cost. I asked to hear only the center channel and also not to be told which model was playing. After a few minutes of switching back and forth between the two, The CSi3 was my choice. The 5 was unnaturally bass oriented which, by my ears, muddied the sound to a small extent. The 3 did none of this and produced a less fatiguing, more natural sound. If you have the opportunity, hear the 5 for yourself, you may love it!

[wegenwys]

Will give the csi3 a listen today. I wonder how well the Lsic would integrate with the 12B ? Have had these polks for 18 years, and am still very happy with the sound they produce and so prefer to keep them. No dealers around here so cant listen to the Lsic. Anyone have an opinion?

[Tour2ma]

You may want to consider older Polk centers which may be a better tonal match for your old 12b's. Of course to do so you'd be shopping used outlets.

[PolkThug]

I have a Csi40 for sale, its only 2 months old.

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16369

[Tour2ma]

Older than any of the "i" series methinks...

[wegenwys]

I've decided to go for the csi40 that Polk Thug listed and see how well it works out. It's difficult finding the older center models even though they probably would give a closer voice match. If it doesnt blend reasonably well then I'll keep my eye open for a more suitable center. I like those old RTA's in the home theater, they give a large sound stage, can be turned up very loud yet sound clean, articulate, never edgy.

[shack]

Originally posted by shack
PolkThug - You need to hook up with this guy...

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16382
Hey PolkThug...do I get a finder's fee? :D

wegenwys...It may not be a "perfect" match...but it is a very good price for this center channel. I hope it works out.

[wegenwys]

This morning I put "RTA 12" into the search engine on the polk website and came up with the following quote "The csi40 makes a great match for top-of-the-line polk speakers of the past such as the legendary sda-srs. It is a full range center channel that works superbly with larger polk moniters, S series, LS and RTA models as well as all SDA loadspeakers."
Appears that I made a good decision, and under the circumstances the best choice available.

[PolkThug]

Originally posted by shack
Hey PolkThug...do I get a finder's fee? :D


I'll send you some genuine Polk gold-plated jumpers! :D

[michael_w]

I'm just curious... how does the csi30 compare to the csi3? Because I own the 30 but have never listened to the 3. Is the csi3 much better cause I payed $80(cdn) less than the msrp on the csi3.

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by wegenwys
Appears that I made a good decision, and under the circumstances the best choice available. Glad you're happy with your decision...