best center channel/subwoofer choice?

Currently I have r50s for my front speakers and monitor 30s for my rears. room is approx. 9x14. Onkyo 1610 is my receiver. Due to size limitations of my cabinet I was looking to get the rm8 as my center channel speaker but wanted to ask some advice as to whether or not it will match well with what I have know or is there a better one. I would rather not get a new cabinet but if I have to to get the best sound I will. Also, in a room this size listed above, is there really a need for a subwoofer and if so, which one. Thank you.

Welcome to Club Polk. The CSR is the matching center speaker for the R50's.
I have that setup in one of my bedrooms of a similar size to yours.
The CSR measures approx. 19" wide x 7 1/4" high (with rubber feet) x 8" deep (with grill).
How much space do you have?

One suggestion to gain space is to go with a modular audio rack that allows you to add a shelf if needed.
That is what I did to make room for a center channel speaker.
I use a Sanus AFAB Accurate Series Audio Stand. A similar choice is the StudioTech HF-4 rack.
The black or metallic pillars and optional wheels are compatible between those two racks.
The shelves are different.

18 inches for the width and just shy of 6 for the height

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lriker

18 inches for the width and just shy of 6 for the height

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Have you considered running a "phantom" center?
Turn the center channel to off on your AVR settings.
The AVR will divert the sound to the front L-R R50's.
I've also used a floorstanding speaker right beside the audio rack as my center.

The CSR may be the matching center for the R50's according to Polk, but in reality it is not. I have R50's for the fronts, and originally had a CSR center, and they just sounded too different since the tweeters are not the same. The actual matching centers are the CSM and CSi25, neither of which are current as far as I know. I now use the CSM, and it is a perfect match and well worth the time to find one. The CSM is basically just a CSi25 with different aesthetics.

While not as important, I also recommend matching the tweeter in the surround channels as well. I originally had the R150's, which again use a different tweeter from the R50's and was not satisfied with the sound. I now have T15's and it was well worth the switch.

As far as the R/T/M series goes, here's what speakers use each tweeter.
Older tweeter: R50, R30, R15, T15, CSM, CSi25
Newer tweeter: R300, R150, CSR

Now, I personally prefer the older tweeter and find it to be more detailed. But, others may find it too bright, and I have a feeling that's why they changed it on the newer R-series.

Unfortunately I think all of those speakers WILL not fit into your space?

There is a thread here about using an M40 as a center...that's not what it is designed for but someone is selling his extra on this site. So you might want to think about it.

He's happy using his as a center. 15 3/4, 7, 12" Of course the tweeter does not quite match the R series and he is using it with the M series!

cnh