Timbre Match Center for SDA1C's?

[WilliamM2]

I am looking to get a center channel for my system. What would be a good timbre match for the SDA1C's?

I'm mainly looking at Polk's, but other brands would be fine if someone has experience with them.

Only interested in new speakers, haven't had good luck buying anything used.

[thehaens@cox.net]

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/faqad/advice.php?article=vintage

Here ya go......

[madmax]

If you replace the tweets with the replacement RDO ones then the LsiC works well.

[WilliamM2]

I saw that link on the Polk website, problem is, none of those are available anymore...

As far as the LSiC, I should have mentioned that my budget is about $450 max.

[Larry Chanin]

Hi William,

I believe for a current speaker the LSiC is the best timbre match according to Matt Polk.

I asked a similiar question regarding matching In-walls to SDA-1C's a while back. Here's the answer that I received from Matt via Ken Swauger.

Hello Larry,
Here's the response from Matthew Polk:

"Ken -

The SL2000 tweeter was smoother at the top end than both it's predecessors, the SL1000 and KO10DT. The tweeter in the RCi series would be equally smooth when used in a free standing system such as the RTi's but the in-wall application introduces some roughness in the top end which may not be a good match for the SL2000's in the SDA-1c's. The LCi/LSi is inherently smoother and additional care in the grill design and diffraction considerations makes the LCi in-walls much smoother than the RCi's and a better match to the SL2000's.

-msp"
Regards, Ken

Even though Matt's comments focused on an In-Wall application, his remark about the LCi/LSi tweeters being inherently smoother, like the 1C's, is relavent to your situation. From it I infer that the LSiC's would be the best match for a current speaker.

If you change your mind and reconsider used speakers, the SDA CRS+'s have the same tweeters and mid-range drivers as your SDA-1C's. I'm using a pair of them as centers with my 1C's.
Here's a photo:
http://mysite.verizon.net/res8ycu4/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/shadow2.jpg

Larry

[WilliamM2]

Any thoughts on the CSi40, I can pick one up used very cheap, although I hate to buy used.

[Larry Chanin]

Originally posted by WilliamM2
Any thoughts on the CSi40, I can pick one up used very cheap, although I hate to buy used.

Hi William,

I have no experience with the CSi40.

Prior to getting the SDA-CRS+'s, I was using a CS400i. It was very good, but not a perfect match to the SDA-1C's. People with good ears can hear the difference in timbre when playing regular programming. I could only hear the difference when playing test signals.

Nevertheless, I'm embarrassed :o to say just knowing that others could hear a difference induced me to upgrade to the CRS+s. Timbre match not withstanding, while the CS400i is a good speaker, it is no match for a pair of CRS+'s, especially in my arrangement where the center channel needs to fill the 13 foot space between my 1C's.

Larry