CS2

by Jesse, November 14, 2005

Strengths:

Fantastic mid range, as only Polk can.

Weaknesses:

The tweeter(an immensely important part) doesnt hold up to much use.

Review:

I work at Circuit City and constantly demo our various polk systems. The CS2 is a very clean and warm sounding center that packs plenty of volume, that is if the tweeter works. Over the last week we have had to replace two of the CS2s because the highs were completely gone. Polk makes some of the best, most affordable speakers in existence. I'm just not so sure about this one.

by Mark, January 9, 2005

Strengths:

Crystal clear sound. This speaker was a real bargain.

Weaknesses:

Nope.

Review:

Another fantastic Polk product. I purchased a pair of RT1000s back in 2001 from Circuit City's "open box". I've found them to be incredible. The CS2 is a wonderful addition to the existing system. Everything on DVD has filled in wonderfully... Amazing! I cannot wait to re-listen to a few of the scenes that blew me away with the RT1000s by themselves. I highly recommend the CS2!!!

by Dan, June 11, 2006

Strengths:

Clarity and loudness

Weaknesses:

None - Whoever says the tweeter doesn't hold up doesn't know what they are doing. This has a high performance tweeter that requires a quality reciever. Be cautious of anyone who says the tweeter doesn't hold up. They are probably clipping it with a cheap reciever like a Sony

Review:

This speaker sounds very good. I tried many center speakers and this one is the best. With so much of the processing coming from the center, you need a good one. I would recommend guy this over any other.

by JR Marks, February 27, 2010

Strengths:

Out of the box this speaker sounded very clear. Mids and Highs accurate and good base response for a center speaker. Pricing was amazing.

Weaknesses:

None.

Review:

I bought this CS2 to replace a CSi3 that we had as our center speaker for the past 5 years. The CS2 just blew us away when it was finally connected to our 7.1 system that is driven by a Yamaha HTR 5890 AVR. Our front sound stage has opened up tremendously with the addition of the CS2. Not that the CSi3 was lacking in any respect. The CS2's two 6.5" midrange drivers really enhance the center speaker sound and are a very good match with the 6.5" mid-woofer drivers in the Monitor 10Bs that the CS2 is matched with. DVD / Blu Ray Movies, Music, and concert DVDs all sound accurate with the addition of the CS2 to our HT's speaker systsem. The CS2 is part of a matched Monitor 7.1 speaker system that includes Monitor 10Bs, Monitor 30s, Monitor 40s, and a PSW12.

by steed, January 11, 2005

Strengths:

smooth,clean highs and lows.

Weaknesses:

none

Review:

just purchased the cs2 center channel speacker and it brought my system to life as i have never heard before. thank you polk.

by marie, June 28, 2005

Strengths:

excellent, definite sound

Weaknesses:

none i can think of

Review:

I LOVE IT, since purchasing this item the sound has increased in quality a hell of alot, i used to have a smaller centre, but you know what they say, BIGGER IS BETTER:) everything is so much more definite, a grate speaker for the price

by joe chapman, July 23, 2005

Strengths:

Clear Highs, Smooth Mids, Tight punchy Bass, It's universal mounting is perfect for those who need to place the center channel below the TV or projection screen. Truely impressive speaker.

Weaknesses:

The tweeter is a delicate fabric dome that requires protection, other than that there is nothing bad I can say.

Review:

I have auditioned alot of speakers over the years. I consider myself an audiophile without the big checkbook. If you are like me, want the big sound and don't have big money, this is the center channel for you. Truely impressive performance for the price. I have paired mine with the Monitor 70's. You have to hear it to believe it. I have had them set up in a few rooms ranging in size from medium to very large and these speakers have yet to fall short of impressive. I am convinced, and will definetly buy from Polk Again!!!!

by randy, August 6, 2005

Strengths:

treble handing abilitys

Weaknesses:

bass

Review:

sound realy good brings more depth to sound but be sure to put bass on unit to 0 or a load distorition will be heard from speaker

by rob harris, October 25, 2005

Strengths:

Great sounds quality. Beautiful build quality.

Weaknesses:

None found as of yet.

Review:

I just added the CS2 and the Monitor 30's to my MB quart towers to complete my surround system and I am truly impressed. The clarity and volume achieved durind DVD playback is awesome and watching a HDTV football game broadcast in 5.1 made me feel like i was at the game. I will be replacind my MB Quart towers very now with matching Polk Audio speakers.

by Patrick, December 27, 2005

Strengths:

Quality plus value. Can't beat it!

Weaknesses:

none so far.

Review:

After purchasing a set of Monitor 60's I thought it would be a good idea to upgrade my center channel. For the money the CS2 is really hard to beat. After listening to it I had to buy a new Polk sub to round out the package!

by Bjorn, January 18, 2006

Strengths:

Clarity, looks, overall impression of good quality.

Weaknesses:

Nothing that i can think of.

Review:

This is a gorgeous center channel that really brings clear vocals through. The clarity of the Monitor line is amazing for the price point. Although bass isnt strong on any of the Monitor series speakers, the sound remains full and immensely clean. The center channel also looks fatastic, with the grill on or off, and the build quality is very nice. Highly recommended.

by Michael, January 9, 2007

Strengths:

Very clean and percise sound, no destortion even at high volumes.

Weaknesses:

none that I have found!

Review:

This is a great speaker, I have it set up with monitor 70's for the front and monitor 50's in the rear, along with the PSW10 sub. It's all powered by a Denon 7.1 85watt amp and I have to say it sounds amazing.

by THESTASHMAN, January 11, 2007

Strengths:

Sound quality while watching movies. LOVE the flip design as it's under the TV.

Weaknesses:

Yeah right!

Review:

WOW! I had the CS1 and the M-10's. I was "happy", but not satisfied! Welcome to a new\expensive hobby! Through Polks site I found the CS2 matched up with the M-50's, so I opted for the upgrade at CC. NEEDLESS to say I am "completely satisfied" with the decision! I am only driving it\them with a ONKYO TS-XR503, but love the sound they produce! The M-10's just aren't enough! GREAT SPEAKER!

by Noel Factor, March 7, 2007

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Review:

We'll this is an update to my monitor 70 review - I got the cs2 when it went on sale. Yes, this is an expensive 1-piece speaker but it does the job very well. I ripped an old Natalie Cole CD to my ipod at 320kbs and set my onkyo 703s to TV-Logic (most of the sound to the Center channel). It sounded like Natalie Cole was in front of me. I did not sound tiny or weak. Dialogue in movies can be heard almost all the time - this is good when watching 2-channel sources on THX Cinema mode. I think my quest of speakers is almost coming to a halt (so is the excitement and frustration). My final set-up is as follows: monitor 70's for fronts, cs2 for center, monitor 40's for the surround. I hope to get a good deal on psw-505 and maybe some monitor 30's for the back speakers

by Eric, January 5, 2008

Strengths:

Sound's very good with movies and games. And for the music cs2 has a good sound

Weaknesses:

None found yet

Review:

I bought the cs2 to complete my setting i didn't have center yet and since i have the cs2 my movies and my games sound loud and clear great sound even whiout monitor series i mean i have r50 for my front speakers rti4 for surround and psw-505 all running on my cheap harman kardon avr-135 and all i can say is the sound is just great voice from center are amazing .

by Ben, August 31, 2008

Strengths:

Excellent midrange and highs, no distortion at high volume.

Weaknesses:

None, I read a review where a person complained about the tweeter not holding up in an electronics store; I used to work at Best Buy and can say for certain that every single tweeter on every speaker is jammed in by every person walking by. They don't hold up on display because people, for some reason beyond me, HAVE to poke the tweeter until it is concaved in permanently. Disregard that review.

Review:

This is an excellent speaker for the price, I have RTi12s for fronts, RM30's for rears, this for a center, and soon a PSW1000 for my sub; all running off of a Sony STR-DG1000. I purchased all of my products new at huge reductions either online or at Fry's electronics, this speaker is great; as all Polk products have proven to be in my experience.

by wayne shutyr, February 15, 2009

Strengths:

Sound good if tweeters are not blown

Weaknesses:

very very week tweeters

Review:

I have the cs2, front monitor 70's rear and sides monitor 60's, two 12" powered subs powered by a harmon kardon 347. Sound great but the tweeters are very fragile, would not buy these again and would have to really check out polks other tweeters or buy a different brand of speakers all together. Sure they have warranty but warranty can be hastle and after 5 years then what.

by Tim, October 17, 2009

Strengths:

POWER and Clarity, can't tell which speaker we are hearing from....

Weaknesses:

I only have one home theatre setup and have to leave the house from time to time...

Review:

wOw I am sure glad I stepped up and purchased the CS2, and what a bargain at Newegg. I also had the Monitor 60's and a PSW10, then with the CS2, I bought Monitor 40's and a Sony STR-DN1000. While there are better receivers out there, I was looking for greater than 100 wpc, and a match to my other equipment. With the CS2, and all the others, and especially the Monitor 60's bi amped, we sure rock the house, and especially the 12 x 30 foot living room we have them set in. Great speakers, I feel like the memorex guy when I am sitting down. Buy this or any other Polk speaker now.

by John Elmore, December 26, 2009

Strengths:

Great sound and looks.mids and upper mid-range is great.the lows is perfect for a center speaker.

Weaknesses:

none ,I am sure you could find a better one ,but not at the price you can get these at.

Review:

This speaker sound very good and at a price of speakers costing two or three times as much.The mids and highs are very clean .It has great voice dialouge.It matches great with a set of monitot's 70.The cherry finish look good and not cheap.