which CSi best complements RTi A5s?

[jso]

I just got RTi A5s last week. So far, so great! They're a big upgrade for me and I'm quite happy with them.

So now I'm looking to add a center. I'm looking at 4 CSi options: 3, 5, A4, and A6.

I was just going to get an A4, figuring that the 5-1/4" woofers would be a good complement to the 6-1/2"s on the A5. But after reading several comments on this thread, seems like a 5 or A6 may be better.

My primary use is for music, but I also watch a good bit of TV and movies.

So, I'm wondering about 2 factors:

Which size (3/A4 vs 5/A6) would be better?

and is there really any sound differences between the 3/5s and As, given almost identical specs? (not to mention the 3/5s being a good bit cheaper online)

I appreciate any help making this decision. Thanks for your time.

[packetjones]

I have the A5's and the CSiA4 and am pretty happy with it. I mainly use mine for TV and music and a few movies.

Most people will say that the larger A6 and the 5 are the better of the centers that match the A5's. 70% of all dialogue in movies and TV some through the center speaker so you will want to make sure that you get a quality one. If size is not a concern i would go with the larger. I am limited by the space i need to place itin and can not fit the A6.

Overall anything you pick will be fine honestly. i would get the bigger if i could fir and afford it.

[jerjon7]

they conviced me to go bigger, going to pick up a csi 5 tomorrow probably at onecall, unless i find a black friday deal somewhere else, its going to be about 280 shipped not bad i think

[danz1906]

The CSiA6 is a great center channel speaker.

[comfortablycurt]

Definitely get the CSi5/A6. The center channel is a very crucial speaker...it carries well over 50% of a movies soundtrack. You don't want to skimp on it if you can help it.

A bigger center channel is nearly always going to be the better choice.

[gtu2004]

def Csi5/A6, no question

[jso]

Thanks for the feedback, everybody. I'll definitely go with the bigger 5/A6. I'll probably get the best deal I can, since I still have to get a sub and a new entertainment center to house all my new toys.

[mrbofus]

Thanks for the feedback, everybody. I'll definitely go with the bigger 5/A6. I'll probably get the best deal I can, since I still have to get a sub and a new entertainment center to house all my new toys.

I'm in the same boat on the center search, If you dont mind let us (me) know what you decide and how you like it.
Enjoy

[thsmith]

Alot has to do with your room size and what you are powering them with. I have a CSiA6 in a large room powered by a 110wpc Denon AVR. At one time I have a Carver TFM-55 in mono powering it, nice improvement.

[ViperZ]

Obviously CSiA6 will be the exact match (same drivers). I would never mis-match mains and the center. I upgraded from CS245 to CS400 to match my RT1000p a couple of years ago, and the difference was ridiculously amazing.

[jso]

thsmith - so are you saying your Denon drives it better?

ViperZ - I don't see the difference in drivers, since the 5 and A6 have almost identical specs (here and here). Is there a difference?

[packetjones]

really the only difference between the 5 and A6 is the cabinet design. Other than that they are pretty much identical. Most people prefer the A6 due to the newer design.

[thsmith]

thsmith - so are you saying your Denon drives it better?

ViperZ - I don't see the difference in drivers, since the 5 and A6 have almost identical specs (here and here). Is there a difference?

No, the Carver with much more power really brought the center to life. The Denon does good but was surprised what more power did for the center.

[thsmith]

I like the look of the A6 face which is black wood vs silver plastic.

[leroyjr1]

Where are you located? There's a csi a4 in Chicago craigslist for $50.

[jso]

No, the Carver with much more power really brought the center to life. The Denon does good but was surprised what more power did for the center.

thank for clarifying. Makes sense that more power would sound better.

You have a really nice looking setup, btw!

[jso]

If the only differences of the 5 and A6 are cosmetic then I'll go with the 5 for less $. Yeah, I agree the A6 looks a little better, but not $100+ better.

[jso]

Where are you located? There's a csi a4 in Chicago craigslist for $50.

Thanks for posting. I decided to get a Csi5, though. Plus I'm a few hundred miles from the windy city!

[mrbofus]

Definitely get the CSi5/A6. The center channel is a very crucial speaker...it carries well over 50% of a movies soundtrack. You don't want to skimp on it if you can help it.

A bigger center channel is nearly always going to be the better choice.

This is what I was thinking until I really looked at the SIZE. 14" Deep seems HUGE. I made a cardboard replica to get the wifes approval and NO WAY! In my situation presently it would have to mount above the 40" LCD. Are there any other options that would match with the RTi8-other than the csi3-a4?

[sTiLlLeArNiNg]

The CSi A6 is a MONSTER of a speaker! I wouldn't have it any other way ;) It sound's soooo good IMHO :)

[jso]

I'm following up on my thread... I got a used CSi5 a week ago, so this is my review.

I'm definitely glad I went with the bigger center, because like you advised it does a lot of work for 5.1 material. One guy at amazon wrote in his review of the CSi5 that it was a big improvement over the CSi3 for the depth of bass voices, like James Earl Jones. I believe it.

The timbre blends with the RTi A5s well, though during setup I tested the CSi5 wired up as my right channel and noticed that it's brighter than my month-old A5s. I'm presuming it's due mostly to some combo of a) smaller cabinet, b) drivers of slightly different material, and c) probably a few years old so fully "broken in".

But when properly wired up as a center I can't really notice any timbre mismatch, and I actually like using the center for music in 5-channel stereo mode. I set it to "small" crossed over at 80Hz and keep the level at -6dB to boost the center soundstage a little. The mains do quite well by themselves, but it sounds better this way for most of the music I listen to.

And of course, the center really helps for 5.1 TV & movie audio. In this mode I don't reduce the center level. Special effects like rushing wind or cars driving across the screen blend well across the soundstage.

So I'm quite happy with it. Now I just need to find a cabinet to store it in. It is huge and way too heavy to sit on my 27" widescreen tube TV. (I tried briefly but heard a little buzz coming from the TV that confirmed it was a bad idea). So for now, an old chair and a box are a makeshift speaker stand, directly behind the TV (which is a few feet out from the wall anyways). Given my current bachelor pad status and other financial priorities, it will likely stay this way for a while :)

So anyways, thanks all for your help on this thread and others.

[danz1906]

Congrats!

[jso]

Thanks!