RTi 8's with Csi 3 vs CSi 5

[texastown]

I have the RTi8's as fronts now with no center. I have a Pioneer VSX 1016 receiver which has 110 wpc. Sound is good but dialogue is sometimes not perfect on movies. Somewhat muffled.

So the question has come up as to how much improvement will a center speaker make at all and then whether or not there is a substantial difference between the CSi3 and CSi5 for movie listening.

I have read thru the threads and see everyone recommends the CSi5, but my question is what is the difference you actually hear. Is it huge? Minimal? Clearer, louder? What? I know I can go to a store and listen, but I am trying to get actual users opinions.

Any input is appreciated.

[Sherardp]

WELCOME to the club Big TEXAS

the difference is fuller sound, better detail in dialog in movies. Not to mention it sounds kick a$$ in multichannel audio. Some guys here have went from the CSi3 to the CSI5, definitely worth the extra coin while youre at it.

[dkg999]

Substantial difference between the two, and I have both. Unless you're very close to your TV, I would opt for the CSi5. It's got a fuller, richer, more expansive sound and presence.

[Willow]

Due to placement issues, I must only use the csi3. Yes one time this speaker did sound a tad small compaired to the 8s. Once I hooked up the Outlaw mono, pumping 200w into the little 3, made this speaker well...a 3 on steroids. Not the same sounding speaker I once had. On the other hand, if I could fit the 5 in my space, it would be there. All in all I was impressed with the 3 as it was and now I'm very happy.

[Ricardo]

Have not heard the 3, but I'm very happy with CSi5 & RTi8's combination powered by a Denon 110 WPC AVR. If you have the space, better go with the 5 and avoid an upgrade down the road.

[GermanVirgins]

Yes..def go with the 5

[haimoc]

Take the best center you can afford. CSi5 is best choice.

[texastown]

Thank you all for the input.

[bykes]

I got the LsiC over the csi5. Only reason is because it wasn't that much more money and the csi5 is a monster. I was very surprised on how big the Csi5 is.

[texastown]

Bykes, $700 is way more than I want to spend for a center. I have a mid range set up and don't want the center to be that much better than my RTi8's. And yes, the csi5 is huge, probably too big for my area. Are there any other center's, even in other brands, at around $200-$250, that might work with RTi8's and not be so large? Or is the csi3 better than most others in that price range?

[Sherardp]

CSi5 will be a better match with your RTi8s anyway. Stick to the script and get the CSi5.

[bykes]

Bykes, $700 is way more than I want to spend for a center. I have a mid range set up and don't want the center to be that much better than my RTi8's. And yes, the csi5 is huge, probably too big for my area. Are there any other center's, even in other brands, at around $200-$250, that might work with RTi8's and not be so large? Or is the csi3 better than most others in that price range?

I shoulda mentioned that I got the LsiC on sale for $450. I'm slowly upgrading my speakers and this was the first step.

[rlmacklin]

An in-store comparison of Csi-3 and Csi-5 was "no contest" with Csi-5 the clear winner for both clarity in movie dialogue in HT setup and sonic performance with multi-channel audio.

At home, I have used the Csi-5 as center channel speaker in multi-channel A/V system with both SDA-1 Signatures and now SRS-2s as the fronts.
Csi-5 holds its own across the front for multi-channel SACDs/DVD-As and also provides superior clarity for center channel movie dialogue in HT setup.

[Willow]

Bykes, $700 is way more than I want to spend for a center. I have a mid range set up and don't want the center to be that much better than my RTi8's. And yes, the csi5 is huge, probably too big for my area. Are there any other center's, even in other brands, at around $200-$250, that might work with RTi8's and not be so large? Or is the csi3 better than most others in that price range?


If you don't have the room, then go for the 3. Do not go with another company as your mains will not be timbre matched.

[texastown]

Again, thank you all. CSi 5 if possible and CSi3 if not, (looking for a good price, tho I never see these on sale, and will proceed). Appreciate the help.

[tonyb]

And not one of you guys asked him if he had everything set-up correctly in his AVR and Dvd player.Dialog should not sound muffled,even without a center speaker.

[fatchowmein]

And not one of you guys asked him if he had everything set-up correctly in his AVR and Dvd player.Dialog should not sound muffled,even without a center speaker.

Tonyb is correct. The CSi3's should not sound muffled. I have a LSiC that sounded muffled even when feed from a 225W amp. Closer inspection revealed the problem: my Yamaha's auto setup set the center channel to Large. Once changed to Small, the problem went away.

Double check your settings and cable connections.