CS245i

by frank curley, March 3, 2002

Strengths:

When watching movies the center channel is supposed to be the work horse and the cs245 will not let you down - the newer model is cs245i - but I figure they did nothing but improve the model.

Weaknesses:

none for me

Review:

I have had the CS245 for almost two years and it pairs well with my RT 55 spearkers. It works well when listening to music in 5channel stereo - very crisp sounding speaker. It is really a work horse when I watch movies on my DVD - I crank up the volume for my movie, lower the lights for effect and feel as if I am in the theater - great speaker for the price.

by scott paladino, April 8, 2002

Strengths:

Handles a lot of volume

Weaknesses:

Poor sound quality

Review:

This center channel speaker does not sound as good as the Bose center speaker. I find that the sound is scratchy and often hard to hear. Overall these were not a good value for the price.

by Kent Nuckels, May 1, 2002

Strengths:

Good overall sound, great range.

Weaknesses:

Would like a little more presence

Review:

I've had my 245i for about two years and have no complaints at all. Do to the size you dont alwasy get the impact that you want but for the money it cant be beat. Music sounds great on it and movies are awesome. Very crisp highs and good range. If you combine this center channel speaker with a good, high current amp youu'll be more than pleased.

by dreamnevil, May 5, 2002

Strengths:

Strong voice reproduction Blends in with the rest of the Polk line up ~Cost vs. Performance...you can't lose!~

Weaknesses:

None Yet!

Review:

After posting a question on the Polk Forum as for which speaker to use as our rear center, the logical choice was the CS245i. The speaker blends right in with the RTi70's, CS400i and the f/x300i's. We are delighted with the overall performance and the cost is nominal.

by Paul, October 15, 2002

Strengths:

The clarity, power handling, and price make it a center channel to have!!

Weaknesses:

Lacks bass punch, but plays lower than any other 5 1/4 center on the market. (Just buy a sub.)

Review:

Look no further than the Polk CS245i. It makes any D.V.D, seem like you are at the movies!! It plays effortless on any sound track.

by Ray, December 25, 2002

Strengths:

price makes it a good center for starting out.

Weaknesses:

seem's to lack the bass punch.

Review:

not a bad center channel just don't seem to be what I am look for feel like I am missing something from the center channel

by Vr3MxStyler2k3, April 21, 2003

Strengths:

Clear Midrange

Weaknesses:

Sorda Hissy highs, not enough bass, not Musical

Review:

This is a very good center for the money. Dialouge is sometimes faded in movies, then explosions will be very loud the next. I find myself having to turn this center up to hear dialouge right as my mains (RT35i) over power the center at times. But once you get it right this center sounds very good. Looks: I am not fond of vinyl enclosures. I think this was a mistake by Polk since the rest of the RTxxxi line had wood enclosures, all except the subwoofers and centers. The grill does not look cheap like the new RTixxx line though so I give it a thumbs up there. Overall: 3 out of 5. I do not like the vinyl, but the build quality, weight, size, grill, all is good. But the vinyl enclosure just makes it take a dive! Next up - Sound - Treble: This center sometimes gets pretty hissy on the high notes. It also sometime carries the S's. This differs between movies though. But it is not exactly the clearest top end on a speaker I have heard. Not very smooth. Mid: The vocals are pretty clean for the $$$ you spend. This speaker succeeds in HT alot more than it does in music. This is not a very musical speaker, infact it isn't musical in the least bit. It sounds sorda closed up, and muddied. But for HT this speaker just sorda comes to life. Lows: This speaker dosn't have a very low FR. But the lows it does have is very articulate and punchy. Nothing boomy and annoying. Just right there and blends seamless with the rest of the speaker. Overall: i give the sound of the speaker a 3.5 out of 5, a good midrange, just not the clearest. Not the crispest tweeter, or the smoothest, and dosn't have enough lows. - Overall Score - I give this speaker a 4 out of 5 overall. Although it is not the clearest. What do you expect for $200.00? This receiver has handled some massive SPL for the past year, and is still running. It holds it's own ground in my room. It is an awesome speaker overall, but I am replacing it with the CSi40 sometime this year. Good job Polk on this speaker!

by Mark Flesher, January 9, 2008

Strengths:

The full sound that it produces is great. This speaker is NOT designed to give bass!!! I don't know why people put "lack of bass" as a weakness to this speaker. Does it LOOK like a subwoofer??? NO!!!!!!

Weaknesses:

None. On occasion, if it's not tuned right in comparison to your front left and right or 5.1/6.1/7.1 speakers, the HIGHS can sound REALLY high. This is not a weakness of the speaker - it's a weakness of the OWNER in not properly tuning it.

Review:

I have owned this speaker now for about 8 years. The sound that it continues to produce is absolutely amazing. If you are thinking about buying this speaker either new or used, it cannot be beat. It continues to be a conversation piece to those who visit that cannot believe that such a balanced, whole sound can come from a speaker its size. By comparison, there are plenty of center channel speakers that are larger than this one, but there are VERY FEW that produce the quality of sound that this one produces.

by JimC, May 10, 2010

Strengths:

Crisp and clear dialogue and sound.

Weaknesses:

Finish is not as good as their wood grain veneers.

Review:

I've had this for many years, but it still sounds sharp and clear. I had to write a review. What's important to me in a center channel is the clarity of dialogue. Dialogue sounds very clear. This thing has very sharp treble, and strong bass. Well made, although the exterior is not wood grain as you see with more current speakers, and it difficult to keep clean. Durable enough, however.

by Carson Hoy, February 6, 2011

Strengths:

Crisp highs, recreates voices perfectly

Weaknesses:

Not enough bass. I don't care if it's not supposed to create that much bass. it doesn't sound exactly natural Overall really nice though

Review:

I really like this speaker. It looks good, and it does the job.

etown.com, July 2000

—Steve Guttenberg

"...this center speaker is a solid value, as well as an admirable performer...The CS245i's considerable resolution and articulation pulled me into movie soundtracks."

Stereo Review's Sound & Vision, December 2000

"...the CS245i is a very good center speaker..."