I'm a newbie, please help

[basementartie]

center channel dilemma

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I recently installed front and rear in-ceiling speakers for a surround system, all four being Polk rc80i. For a number of reasons I cannot place an in-ceiling center channel speaker, so I called Polk customer service for a free standing(or wall-mounted) center channel or in-wall center channel speaker recommendation. I was told by the rep that I would never get good sound no matter what I chose because they all need to fire in the same direction. I then called Crutchfield and was told by one of their reps that a front firing center channel is EXACTLY what I do want with my existing set-up, and that the center channel speaker should not point downward but should fire frontward at ear level(she was very friendly and helpul). So, does anyone with some expertise in this area have a recommendation for an admitted novice like myself. I'm really only looking for the best sound and home theater experience I can get with the restrictions already in place. By the way, the room is 20' x 20' with an 8' ceiling. Thank you.

Basement Artie

[daboyz]

Yes, she is correct about the center. If you have those in the ceiling already then I'm not really sure what to do. Try getting a Csi3 or Csi5, I believe those match, and try it front firing. I've never tried this but I really don't think It'll work properly.

[reeltrouble1]

OK, Artie, so you say you want the best sound for your HT. Well, you need to end up with the Polk Lci-RTS or at least the LCi80 line quality, Polk does make an in-wall center, I have the Lci-RTS center, this speaker is amazing and allows you to direct the tweeter to the place you want, check this out and see if it will work for you, although not perfectly voice matched to your present speakers it will work just fine and if your serious about the best sound from in wall/in ceiling speakers it will set you on the path.

RT1

RT1

[danger boy]

email a member on here named Mantis.. he does quite a few home installations I believe.

welcome to Club polk, sorry i can't be of more help. but good luck..

[wallstreet]

My bedroom HT is setup just like you want it. In ceilings for FL, FR, RL, and RR, with a center mounted on top of the TV. To say that you will never get good sound is just wrong. It sounds pretty damn good for me.

[basementartie]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I have a CSi5 that I'm currently using in another system. I think I'll hook that one up to see how it sounds to my untrained ears. It's a relief to know that the system will work as is without major construction headaches and that you are using a similar system. I am also going to e-mail Mantis to get some feedback from him. Once it's hooked up, I'll let you know of my experience.
Basement Artie

[Iagent]

One thing I do know is that you chose a nice speaker for the rear (Polk rc80i). I was concerned that I have them in a drop ceiling and there would be no enclosure (four of my ceiling speakers are comercial Bose with the cans). The non enclosed Polks blow away the Bose. I wish I would have spent the cash and bought all Polks around my pool table. That adjustable tweeter helps tremendously.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x7/Symbelyne/Polks.jpg