CSi3 vs. CSi5

[louhamilton]

Well, I would like to start replacing my speakers one at a time. I've been told that based on my listening habits (TV first, DVD next, then music) that the Center would be the best place to start and most noticable.

Since the speaker will be about 9 ft or so from my sweet spot, would the CSi3 be the best choice, or will I be happier with the CSi5 for my listening habits? I've read reviews that say teh CSi3 is best for music and others say that it is best for movies. I've really haven't read any complaints one way or another on the CSi5.

I will eventually replace the fronts with RTi6's and the rears with FXi3's or FXi5's depending on what my center choice will be (or is that a mistake to choice that way)? My sub will be replaced with an SVS.

Thanks in advance.

-Lou

[organ]

Don't skimp on the center channel. You'll get a bigger sound with the CSi5. I had the CSi40 and that thing was a beast.

[wallstreet]

I never use a center for music, only movies. So how a center performs for music is never a consideration. The only time I would use a center for music is if I had matching L C and R speakers, which I don't. Personally, I'd focus in on how the speaker performs for movies and make the decision based on that. I own the Csi3 for my bedroom HT and it works fine. I believe the Csi5 would sound better by adding more depth to the voices.

[aaharvel]

I've compared them both. The csi5 is awesome. Power/port, you can bi-amp it which is kickass. but imo if both speakers are going to be set to "small" and 80hz. over it's not worth double the price. If you have the space and can get it on ebay at a good deal, get the csi5. If not, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Eric Wong]

If you have the space, definately CSi5 over the CSi3. CSi5 has much more potential. Double power ports, large cabinet and drivers, cascaded crossover. It is a large speaker though, so it will not fit all applications.

[MacLeod]

This isnt what you asked but something to ponder, why not get the new mains right now and get a center later. Im not running a center at all right now and notice no huge problems. If it were me Id get a good set of mains then a center. I think youll enjoy your HT better with upgraded mains instead of an upgraded center.

[Mjr7531]

Lou, What are you upgrading from? If everything else is stock I would say upgrade the front left and right first because those go with other things such as music, 2.0 movies, etc.

[schwarcw]

Go for the CSi5 and the RTi6s. The woofers are the same size (2 of them)and tweeters are the same for a good timbre match. I have a CSi40 and RTi6s in the rear. Nice combo for TV, DVD or music.

[Holydoc]

This isnt what you asked but something to ponder, why not get the new mains right now and get a center later. Im not running a center at all right now and notice no huge problems. If it were me Id get a good set of mains then a center. I think youll enjoy your HT better with upgraded mains instead of an upgraded center.

Though I usually agree with MacLeod, on this point I do disagree. If most of your time is spent with TV, DVD, and then music then the dialogue and character interaction is most important. If your main focus was music, I would agree with MacLeod.

The center channel brings the attention to the screen and reproduces the interaction and dialogue of the actors. The center channel is the most used speaker in a Home Theatre system, and therefore should be the best you can afford and have room for. I went through several center speakers before I finally was satisfied with the CSi5. I wish I would of just bit the bullet and bought the best to start out with. Would of saved me money in my pocket and strain on my ears in the long run.

If you can afford the CSi5, I would highly recommend it. That way no matter what size your HT, you will have a speaker that can handle it with clarity and depth.

[aaharvel]

nice work on the system HolyDoc. Truly nice work.

[GATOR3000]

CSi5 all the way brother. I have both CSi3 and Csi5 and found that the CSi3 sounds better for music than the Csi5. The CSi5 is awesome for HT. Dialog on CSi5 is a lot better than Csi3. This is just my opinion. I listen to music in 2 Ch. Stereo all the time.

[Willow]

I have the 3, wish I could get the 5 to be more in tune with the 8s. But I don't have room for the 5 and the 3 does do a good job. It is very rare I have seen the male voice move over to the sub.I find the 3 does a good job of reproducing anything thrown at it.

[louhamilton]

Well, you guys sold me on the 5. I'm hoping to have it now by Christmas or New Years depending on how the finances fall.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

-Lou

[GATOR3000]

Lou,

You will be happy with Csi5 for sure. It is truly a nice centre channel. Your decision is valid.

Good luck.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

HolyDoc,
Center channels are not* required for movies. If you can not understand the dialogue with movies in 2 channel setting - sitting in the sweet spot - then you cant understand the dialogue in music sitting in the sweet spot.

Center channels are used in movies for multiple* person viewing. That is when more than one person is watching... but if one person is mostly watching the movies 80% or more of the time - then I will say center channels are not required.

Also, you can get away with no center sometimes on a love seat (two people watching) with your mains toed in... as the right and left channel reach the right and left person about equally well - with a pretty good center image in both spots. This will differ speaker to speaker of course.

CSi5 is for larger room, CSi3 is for smaller rooms - but I recomend you just get the CSi5 if space and budget allow.

[Holydoc]

HolyDoc,
Center channels are not* required for movies. If you can not understand the dialogue with movies in 2 channel setting - sitting in the sweet spot - then you cant understand the dialogue in music sitting in the sweet spot.

Center channels are used in movies for multiple* person viewing. That is when more than one person is watching... but if one person is mostly watching the movies 80% or more of the time - then I will say center channels are not required.

Also, you can get away with no center sometimes on a love seat (two people watching) with your mains toed in... as the right and left channel reach the right and left person about equally well - with a pretty good center image in both spots. This will differ speaker to speaker of course.


Vr3m,

I do not mean to be contradictory. I mean besides your statement of "If you can not understand the dialogue with movies in 2 channel setting - sitting in the sweet spot - then you cant understand the dialogue in music sitting in the sweet spot", I agree with everything you said. However music on CD's were balanced and mixed for stereo playback. You get the dialogue clarity in music from stereo because that was what it was designed to be reproduced with.

Movies produced for 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 systems are designed to pump the dialogue into the center channel. If you remove that center speaker and just use your right and left channels, the dialogue that was designed for the center channel is now jumbled into the right and left speakers. You lose the separation and clarity intended for a 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 system.

An easy test to show the huge difference a great center channel can make is to play the extended version of LOTR with a full up 7.1 system (I selected LOTR because the DTS-ES mix is excellent!). During the dialogue between the 5 main actors, switch your center speaker on and off. My receiver allows this with a single press of a button which fools the receiver into thinking a center channel is not present. The difference is not only noticable but very dramatic. It is surprising how different the overall presentation of the soundstage was during this exercise.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

My speakers have a very... large... deep... center prescene in music and movies. Although I get surround activity in the left and right mains - I still get a rather enjoyable and clear movie experience. My biggest issue is the actual DVDP...

Miles may vary, all that...

[cnjvh]

Well, you guys sold me on the 5. I'm hoping to have it now by Christmas or New Years depending on how the finances fall.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

-Lou

When you get it, dont be suprised when one of the mids sounds louder than the other. That is normal, they are crossed over differently.

Just saving you the trouble of thinking its defective like I did :-)

[MacLeod]

Im not saying that he should never get a center channel but that if he's going to be upgrading all his speakers one at a time I say the mains are the most important.

[louhamilton]

Thanks, cnjvh. I'll keep that in mind.

-Lou

[Maestro]

I would advise you to rent a DVD of Glengarry Glen Ross (lots of dialogue in the first 5 - 10 minutes of the film - "Put that coffee down!" scene) and demo both center channels and hear the tone/timbre of the voices that the speakers project: sibilance, articulation, and enunciation.

I purchased the CSi3; it sounded more natural to me. The CSi5 seemed a bit more bassy; but as you visit various topics in this forum, majority of the participants are bass enthusiasts. Physically, the CSi3 fits well with my HT set-up: it sits perfectly on top of my TV; it's not obtrusive. The CSi5 is BIG. If there is a Polk retailer nearby that displays both units, bring a measuring tape.

I am quite pleased with the CSi3.

Best of luck. Either case, you will be satisfied - CSi3 or CSi5.

_________________
Mains: Polk R50s
Center: Polk CSi3
Surrounds: Polk R30s
Rear: Polk R15s
Sub: Polk PSW12

All Cherry Wood Editions
Amp/Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR635

[louhamilton]

Good tip, Maestro.

I'll do that.

-Lou