Center Channel
This product is a vintage Polk model and is not available for sale, but it may still be available in some stores as a closeout or used product. The following text is taken from the original sales brochure for this product and does not reflect current availability. If you happen to have any question or concerns about this product, or any other Polk Audio product, feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-377-7655 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm EST
Center Speakers That Give Everyone A Front Row Seat
To get exceptional home theater performance from your multi-channel speaker setup, you need a Center Channel Speaker with the same sonic characteristics as the rest of your speakers.
The dual Dynamic Balance drivers and Dynamic Balance Tri-Laminate Tweeter used in the CS400i not only deliver wide response, low distortion and detailed highs, but they are the same components used throughout the RTi Series for seamless front stage imaging. Patented Power Port technology builds in explosive bass response with low distortion, making this a center channel speaker to be reckoned with. For a truly high-end, larger room home theater the CS400i is the perfect choice.
The CS400i features:
- Magnetic shielding for safe placement on or near your TV without fear of picture interference
- Exceptional bass response from a rear-firing Power Port venting system built into the speaker's back plate
- Dynamic Balance drivers for wide response and low distortion
- Dynamic Balance Tri-Laminate tweeter technology, with vapor deposited micro-layers of stainless steel and aluminum for detailed highs
- Fluid cooled tweeter provides the high power handling essential for center channel speakers
- Anti-diffraction bezel and grille system minimizes grille-edge reflections for more open, spacious, lifelike imaging
- Smooth, natural midrange reproduction thanks to patented Acoustic Resonance Control technology
- Low profile design for unobtrusive placement on top of your TV
- Cascade Tapered Driver Array maintains wide horizontal dispersion so that every listener in the room hears clear, detailed sound
- Timbre matched to other Polk speakers for seamless imaging
- Available in Black finish to match most TV cabinets
- Gold-plated 5-way binding post inputs for the most secure wire connections
A great Center Channel Speaker is a critical component of any home theater system. It could be the hardest working speaker in any system because it delivers over 50% of a film's soundtrack information: dialog, effects, music... Everything is anchored to the screen image by your center channel's performance. That's why you need a serious Center Channel Speaker for your serious home theater.
Driver Complement | |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Diameter | 1" (2.54cm) |
| Type | Dynamic Balance® Tri-laminate dome, shielded |
| Mid / Woofer | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 6 1/2" (16.51cm) |
| Type | Dynamic Balance® drivers, shielded |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Total Frequency Response | 40Hz - 26kHz |
| Upper -3dB Limit | 25 kHz |
| Lower -3dB Limit | 50 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Efficiency | 91 dB |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 10 - 250 watts per channel |
| Inputs | Gold-plated 5-way binding posts, biamp/biwire |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Dimensions | |
| Height | 8 5/8" (21.91cm) |
| Width | 18 3/4" (47.62cm) |
| Depth | 14" (35.56cm) |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Unit of Measure | each |
| Total Shipping Weight | 30.00 pounds |
Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Speaker Warranty | Limited, 5 years parts and labor |
Specifications, dimensions and features subject to change without notice. For more information call us at 1-800-377-7655 (USA and Canada). Outside of North America call +1 (410) 358-3600.
Customer Reviews
17 reviews with an average of 5
Write your own reviewby Carlton Simpson, April 7, 2006
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Explosive dynamic capability.Boxless sound(VERY important to have when you don't want to be distracted during the movie by the sound of the speaker colorations)and BASS!!!!
Weaknesses:
Ok so it's big.There ARE bigger out there.
Review:
I am using the slightly older CS-400 center(bought it before the change to"i").It was recommended to me by Polk to match my SDA-1C's.I LOVE this center channel speaker.I have it set to large and have NO problems whatsoever with dynamics and bass from big bombastic Sci-Fi and action movie soundtracks.One would expect to hear the woofers bottoming out on material that has low and/or loud bass passages.NOT a problem with that power port!The dialog is crystal clear and VERY intelligable.Couldn't ask for more at this price point.
by Rocco C., June 26, 2005
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Built solid and built to LAST!
Weaknesses:
Heavy,have to raise it to dust the top of my big screen! PS: It`s worth it.
Review:
It is for me the best looking and most important greatest sounding centre loudspeaker,and it can take whatever you throw at it,loud or soft,and it handles all kinds of music and movies.And the sound is so clear that kevin spacey and jeff bridges seem to be talking right in front of me in the movie K-pax
by jim waters jr., February 22, 2002
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Incedible value for the money. Very clean, crisp, detailed and powerful center.
Weaknesses:
Size would be it's only downfall, but I got over that as soon as I heard it.
Review:
When looking to upgrade to new HT equipment, this speaker is what made my decision. I auditioned it against Infinity, JBL, Klipsch, Mirage, and Paradigm. Hands down, the cs400i beat them all (regardless of price). This is an incredible speaker for the money! As soon as I hooked it up, I started hearing details in the soundtracks I had never heard before. It was a whole new world! I was eager to listen to all my DVD's over again, to hear the nuances and details I had been missing. This center still puts a grin from ear to ear on my face when listening!
by Nickro, March 16, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
A very good center speaker that works well with my other polk speakers !!
Weaknesses:
Just me !! I want more of these !!!!!!
Review:
I purchaced this center with a pair of rt55i (Amazing) bookshelf speakers. The vocals this speaker reproduces on my home theatre are positively amazing !!! It's like I'm actually at the set hearing their voices live and in person !!! It makes me want to set up another home theater somewhere else in the house just so I can get another set of these speakers !!!
by John Linn Jr., March 18, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Crisp, clear sound, solid midrange, and dynamic lows for a center channel. Bi-wire/amp-able. Solid construction, very serious look.
Weaknesses:
The size can, at first, be a bit intimidating, but that's quickly forgoten about.
Review:
I initially purchased the cs245i, and was incredibly pleased with it's performance. On a routine visit back to Circuit City, I decided to give this speaker a listen. I had thought it out of my price range before, but upon listening to it and comparing it to the already outstanding 245i, I was amazed at how much more this speaker offered. It truly opens up your front soundstage...effects are lifelike and vibrant, voices cary with sustain and depth, and crisp highs are accuratley produced without distortion. This is one of the best centers I've ever heard...comparible to speakers WAY ahead of it's class. Don't miss it before they're all gone!
by Lax01, March 31, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Biwire, excellence highs and mids, and timbre match with all the tri lam towers and bookshelf speakers
Weaknesses:
The size, the top of my TV might be bent when I take it off. I haven't checked yet. :D
Review:
I first bought the CS245i and after a year of listening to it, I traded it for the AMAZING CS400i! After watching some 20-30 movies on it, I have come to believe that the 400i, is a incredible speaker which matches my RT1000i's perfectly. I have since, biwired it and the result has become a tight midrange and highs. But the real difference between the 245i and 400i was the extra bass that it produces. Also, the size might seem alittle much on a 32" TV, but you will get used to it.
by Robert, April 30, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Very excellent dispersion. Pinpoint accuracy. You become more enveloped in the movie experience.
Weaknesses:
Size and weight. But i got over it real quick.
Review:
I've had Polk Speakers for over 14 yrs and have totally enjoyed them. I've used them in my Theater and i've listened to my extensive Jazz collection with them and have thorougly enjoyed them. Total enveloping sound to immerse you and give you that "you are there" feeling. Would never sell them or replace them. I can't live without them.
by dreamnevil, May 5, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Excellent voice reproduction Excellent power capabilities After break, they get better!
Weaknesses:
It's size is a little scary...
Review:
After hearing a demostration of what the Polk CS400i can do, we just had to have it! The voice reproduction is awesome. The details during the movies we now hear are amazing! I purchased this for the front center in combination with the RTi70, the PSW450 sub, the f/x300i surrounds and the CS245i for the rear center. They blend well together and make my home theater complete!
by beto salinas, May 27, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
will pound you senseless
Weaknesses:
no weakness but this speaker needs to go on top of a big screen tv it looks awsome
Review:
Wow! this is one mean center channel speaker it goes well with my 51 inch tv makes my home theater look what a surround sytem should look aggresive. and for the sound it goes well with my 8oois and 300is surround speakers
by Anthony, August 29, 2002
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
detail and low end
Weaknesses:
size
Review:
This monster will handle everything thrown to it (DVD-A,Movies,SACD). With the two 6.5 drivers it never gets to stressed with anything !!..plus the tri-laminate tweeter is sweet with detail.
by dan benkarski, January 19, 2003
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
hard hitting and crystal clear at high volume.
Weaknesses:
only the height.
Review:
started with 245, then upgraded my receiver to a 6.1 and put the 245 in the center surround and 400 on tv. Great highs and lows and midrange, what power. It hit so hard while playing a cd in neo6 that I thought I had the subwoofer on.
by DENNIS M. HICKEY, February 27, 2003
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
WHEN PEOPLE SEE THIS ON TOP OF MY T.V. THEY SOON RELIZE THIS IS A HOME THEATER, NOT A T.V. ROOM!
Weaknesses:
I WON'T BE NEEDING ANOTHER POLK SPEAKER ANY TIME SOON!!
Review:
SINCE IV'E HOISTED MY CS-400I ON TO MY BIG SCREEN,I HAVE BEEN FULLY PLEASED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE!NATURAL BASS,GREAT DETAIL,IMPACT AND VERY [FAST] SOUND.IV'E EVEN TIPPED IT SLIGHTLEY DOWN TO AIM IT AT ME![IT'S A TIP FROM POLK HOME THEATER GUIDE] AND IT DOSN'T SEEM TO BE SO BIG AS IT FIRST DID. THIS CENTER ROCKS!!!
by Mike, March 2, 2006
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Powerful
Weaknesses:
It's enormous!
Review:
I had the opportunity to compare several center channels at the same time and arrived at the CS400i hands down. I unfortunately had purchased a set of Infiniti RS-5's already but have since replaced them with the RTi10's. Along with the fx300i's it is probably the best sorround system I have heard. Although the size is daunting, there is no replacement for displacement.
by Gordon Leong, March 17, 2006
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Looks cool, big & strong.
Weaknesses:
Shallow harsh sound with one woofer out.
Review:
Hi everyone, I've been trying to get my cs400i to sound the way everyone says it should sound but was never satisfied by the shallow and piercing sound that came out from it. I am running it with an Adcom Amp. It never seemed to be imaging from the center of the system, always to the left of center. I tried tilting it down, turning it to difference angles to get rid of the harshness sound but it didn't work. Today I just realized that only one woofer is working, I think this might be the cause of the terrible sound I got since day one. The right woofer seems to be not working maybe thats why it sounds clearer off center to the left side. When i do my speaker balance test, the levels are high but the sound was tinny. The louder you turn it the harder it is to understand dialog. I will write to Polk Audio tomorrow to see what they can do for me.
by mr brown, March 23, 2007
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Bought this speaker(cs400) used about 4 yrs ago..Detail,clarification, depth, sound pressure, presence etc. Second to none..
Weaknesses:
Not 1 to speak of. Possibly the weight but when it's stationary it's stationary. I call it the unmovable object. The rock!!!!
Review:
Excellent build quality. Mated with Polk RTA 12c's it's in the front end of an awesome Home Theater. The 12c's are over 18 yrs old and still sound great. These 3 speakers will be the front three as long as i live..
by keith jackson, January 6, 2009
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Quality sound, powerful bass, accurate vocals,
Weaknesses:
None
Review:
This is the best pound for pound on the market. I run a Lexicon preamp with adcom amps. This center speaker is awsome!
by Adam N, January 18, 2009
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
cleanest sound -bass-mid-highs. extremely solid construction.
Weaknesses:
yea its pretty huge and heavy. but it wont go anywhere.but hey, big speaker=big sound when it comes to polk
Review:
I could not have asked for a better center, clean clear vocals, great bass response. . i dont think i could have done any better. its set up with r50 fronts, and f/x300i rears. with a harman kardon avr65. the sound is outstanding, good job on this one polk.
Vintage Product
This product is considered a "Recent" or "Vintage" Polk Audio model. It is not a part of our current product lineup. It may still be available in some stores as a "close out" or "used" product. Information provided here about this product may not reflect current realities and does not imply availability. If you happen to have a question or concern about this product, contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-377-7655 M-F 9am - 5:30pm EST. Chances are we remember it.
CS400i Media
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