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
The Center of Attention
To get the kind of exceptional, lifelike performance from your multi-channel audio system, the kind that's the hallmark of the LSi Series, you need to build your theater system with center channel and surround channel speakers that feature the same sonic components and characteristics as your LSi Series main speakers. Lucky for you, there's a center channel speaker in the LSi Series that features the same Aerated Polypropylene Cones and Ring Radiator Tweeters as your main stage LSi Speakers.
Your center channel speaker is the hardest working speaker in your rig. It anchors the action on your screen, delivering over 50% of a movie's soundtrack information, from whispered dialogue to explosive effects. To live up to the performance standards of the LSi Series, the LSiC utilizes a Cascade Tapered Driver Array to maintain wide horizontal dispersion so every listener in the room hears clear, detailed sound, even off-axis. The Ring Radiator Tweeter delivers superior accuracy and imaging. Dual PowerPorts provide smooth, rich bass, and are designed to double as heavy duty keyhole wall mounts. Its stylish low profile is designed for unobtrusive placement, even on the top of your TV.
As the centerpiece of your high performance LSi Series home theater, the LSiC contributes to an absolutely seamless, utterly real, spectacularly effective surround sound environment with real theatrical impact.
Ring Radiator Tweeters
The ultra-high performance Ring Radiator Tweeter is found on ultra-high end, luxury-priced speakers. We've brought the Ring Radiator down to earth for your enjoyment. In the LSi Series, you will experience its precise accuracy, meticulous detail and extended, low distortion frequency response at a fraction of the price.
Dynamic Balance Aerated Polypropylene Drivers
Why does the LSi Series sound so warm and natural? It's what they're made of that matters. Aerated Polypropylene is stiff on the outside, for excellent transient response, but "light & chewy" on the inside, providing light mass with importrant damping qualities. Using our patented, laser-based Dynamic Balance process, we've eliminated areas of resonance on the cone in the planning stages, so bad sounds never make it to the final product. As a result, the LSi Series sounds like a Polk Audio loudspeaker should: realistic, transparent, wide and embracing, with no distortion even at lifelike volume levels.
Cascade Tapered Array
This advanced crossover configuration works with the multi-driver array to deliver wider dispersion and greater midrange accuracy. The LSi Series reveals realistic sound, even in off-axis listening positions, and improved image focus and detail.
Mirror-Imaged Pairs
The LSi Series is not just single-design speakers tossed together in pairs. We've engineered them to be mirror-imaged pairs, with specific Left and Right designations. Mirror-imaging the pairs produces astonishingly tight focus and truly arresting three-dimensional imaging with minimized room reflections. Your audio opens up, naturally.
Cast Aluminum Driver Baskets
Rigid Cast Aluminum Driver Baskets resist flexing and "ringing" for ultra-tight bass and coloration-free midrange.
Non-Resonant Braced Piano Gloss Enclosure
Superior workmanship is plainly evident in the furniture-grade piano finish of each LSi Series speaker. It's a loudspeaker that lives up to its reputation for classy presentation, and blends well with traditional or modern decor. Inside, the enlosure is extensively braced with heavy duty MDF and damped with professional damping material. No energy is lost in unwanted cabinet resonances, for smooth, untarnished reproduction of even the most extreme audio. Next time you meet them, give them The Knuckle Test (knock, knock!) and feel the solid, non-resonant build quality.
Real Wood Veneer Panels
They look great, and serve a purpose, too. These solid, non-resonant, 1.5"-thick heavy duty panels reinforce the enclosure's solid quality, helping it remain totally and more efficiently acoustically inert. Choose beautiful natural Cherry Wood or Ebony Wood finishes to complement your home. (LSiC & LSiF/X models available in Black Gloss only.)
Dual PowerPort Bass Venting
Floor-coupled on Floorstanding models, traditional rear-firing on other models, the patented PowerPort Bass Venting System smooths the big moving air turbulence at the mouth of the speaker's bass port, effectively enhancing deep, musical bass response and aiding over-all full-range blending between frequencies. Bass response in the LSi Series is efficient, precise, natural, unimpeded by distortion. This is lifelike bass you can feel all over.
Dual ARC Ports
LSi Series speakers overcome the midbass "boominess" that can make vocals sound unnaturally "chesty" with another patented technology: Acoustic Resonance Control. The ARC Port is a separate port coupled to the bass port and tuned to supress the internal cabinet resonances that can interfere with high performance audio reproduction. You will hear clear, resonance-free midrange and more accurate vocal reproduction in the LSi Series. (Available on all LSi Series models except LSiF/X, where there's less call for accurate vocal reproduction.)
Magnetically Shielded
For safe placement on or near your TV.
Premium Crossovers
High performance materials minimize the need for electronic manipulation of audio reproduction (that is, the LSi Series sounds great from the start), but we've designed a high performance crossover system to boost performance just that much more. Premium components, like Mylar Bypass Capacitors, extend and flatten responses, especially in the higher, detail-oriented frequencies. You will discover musical details you've never heard before, even in your favorite high performance digital audio.
Low Diffraction Grille Design
The unique open architecture design of the acoustically inert LSi Series speaker grille never gets in the way of the sound.
Gold-Plated 5-Way Binding Post Connectors
Dual (bi-ampable) gold-plated 5-way professional binding post connectors give you maximum signal transfer and the most secure professional connections.
Perfectly Matched to LCi In-Wall/In-Ceiling Speakers
Designed with the same high performance components, including the Ring Radiator Tweeter and Aerated Polypropylene Drivers, the LCi Series of built-in loudspeakers can be used to complete or extend a traditional system of LSi Series loudspeakers. Add built-in surrounds to a home theater system, or add second-zone speakers to a music system. LCi Series built-in loudspeakers deliver the same incredibly warm and natural LSi sound in a speaker series that can virtually disappear into your decor.
Famous Polk Dependability & Durability
Like all of our products, the LSi Series uses only the best materials coupled with the most advanced manufacturing techniques on the planet. All Polk products must pass a battery of the most physically strenuous and exhaustive performance tests in the industry, including drop testing and extreme signal response testing. Polk Audio loudspeakers are proudly built to perform for a lifetime.
Polk Audio Customer Service: The Gold Standard
Call or email us and you'll be connected to real live human who knows just about everything there is to know about audio and performance electronics. From "how do I get started?" and "what should I buy?" to "how do I stop that hiss?" and "which tube needs replacing?" and everything in between, we know the answers you need to get back to enjoying your audio entertainment pronto. Just ask.
Driver Complement | |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Diameter | 1" (2.54cm) |
| Type | Dynamic Balance Ring Radiator (shielded) |
| Mid / Woofer | |
| Quantity | 2 |
| Diameter | 5 1/4" (13.34cm) |
| Type | Dynamic Balance with aerated polypropylene cone, cast basket and rubber surround (shielded) and |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
| Total Frequency Response | 40Hz - 27kHz |
| Upper -3dB Limit | 26 kHz |
| Lower -3dB Limit | 52 Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Efficiency | 88 dB |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 20 - 200 watts per channel |
| Inputs | Dual gold plated 5-way binding posts for bi-amp/bi-wire hookup |
Amplifier Specs | |
|---|---|
| 220V Availability | No |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Dimensions | |
| Height | 7" (17.78cm) |
| Width | 21 3/4" (55.24cm) |
| Depth | 9" (22.86cm) |
| Mounting Options | Freestanding or on-wall with built-in keyhole slots |
Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Unit of Measure | each |
| Total Shipping Weight | 20.00 pounds |
| Included Accessories | Rubber bumper pads |
Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Speaker Warranty | 5 years parts and labor (original purchaser) |
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
24 reviews with an average of 4.5
Write your own reviewby Gerald D'Almeida, March 12, 2008
12 out of 16 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Beautiful design.
Weaknesses:
I believe mine has some issue when I realize that front drivers play different. At least the manual would explain this differences!!!!! Bad manual, big but with very low information.
Review:
I believe mine has some issue when I realize that front drivers play different, one low (right side) and the other middle frequency (left side), but both has deep frequency.
Polk Response:
On the LSiC- and other advanced center channels, the different drivers play different information. In this case, the right driver plays mids and bass, while the left driver plays only bass. This is known as our cascade crossover network. For more information, click here.
by marc sloan, March 17, 2010
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Beautiful to look at, fantastic build quality, clear, distinct
Weaknesses:
NONE
Review:
Beyond superlative! Clear distinct. blends in perfectly with the LSI 15,s. Center channel vital, this one performs beyond all expectations. System: LSI 15,s LSIC , monitor 70,s side surrounds, FXI 3 rear surrounds. Velodyne DSQ10, SONY ES 5300 as a pre/pro, EMOTIVA XPA 5. Outstanding system, thank you Polk Audio!!
by staplehead, December 10, 2007
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Plays strong and clear with proper amplification.
Weaknesses:
Heavy. Requires a quality amp with some current reserves (if one calls having the proper equipment a weakness). Way up close, you can tell the left cone carries lower frequencies than the right. But one does not ordinarily sit so close to remotely notice.
Review:
Wonderfully matched with its LSi siblings. Vocals sound wonderful as does multi-channel music and movies. When taking the time to properly set up your system, this center channel speaker blends seamlessly with the LSi fronts and surrounds. it is quite a wonderful effect. Worth the money. I found that setting a 60Hz bottom limit with my Onkyo TX-SR805 worked great with my LSi15 up front (set at 40Hz), and LSi9 as surround at 60Hz worked wonders with my HSU VTF-3 MK-3 sub. A Carver M1.0t drives the fronts. When adding the sub, it was amazing how much more efficient the system became.
by Chad, September 10, 2008
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Clean sound with Clarity and detail even with lower current amps.
Weaknesses:
I love the Cascade Tapered Driver Array concept, however it sounds slightly unbalanced at 0 to 25ft away.
Review:
I just picked up the LSiC and I am very impressed. clean sound, with Clarity and detail. My Denon receiver/amp seems to sufficiently power it. I like the weight of it and the nice lacquer black finish.
by Ryan Kaiser, December 15, 2003
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Excellent clarity and depth of range... again, for the price, a center worth every penny.
Weaknesses:
None, unless you want to spend twice as much.
Review:
It's a shame that someone used to the clarity of DCM speakers (poor at best, 500 watts per speaker doesn't mean that they are well rounded) would review poorly such a center. Any HC amp will do well to add this center channel to an arsnel of extremely well balanced speakers, and as a salesman of such I speak with an acute authority. Granted, this and all others cannot match something like a Martin Logan, but for the price it is unbeatable. In a system of LSi speakers this center will literally dissolve the fronts into a trio of perfectly blended sonic clarity, much more than I could say for a Bose system of similar value. If you're serious about sound, but on a budget, this speaker and the system to go along with it is unmatched for the price.
by Anton Camarota, October 19, 2006
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Excellent matching with the Lsi9 speakers, ability to handle high power with no problem, clean appearance.
Weaknesses:
None
Review:
My home theater system is a pair of Lsi9 front, PSW250 subwoofer and Fxi3 rear powered by a Denon AVR-2807. I was using a Cxi3 and after upgrading to the LsiC, I was simply amazed by the huge performance difference. This speaker is perfectly matched to the Lsi9 series and creates a seamless soundscape. It is as close to perfection as a center speaker can be.
by Jeff, June 14, 2007
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Crisp clarity - especially when wired up with 10 gauge speaker wire (don't go any thinner than 10 gauge)
Weaknesses:
The extra heavy casing could become a problem when going for a clean and easy mounting.
Review:
Worth every penny! No shame in paying a premium for premium sound - especially when it's the cornerstone of your home theater setup!
by Brian K, April 12, 2002
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
They are very well built, and sound very good.
Weaknesses:
None that I found.
Review:
Do you want a center channel that isn't so expensive you need a home loan to buy it, yet still get stellar performace? Here's the speaker for you! We all know the Center channel is the most important speaker in hometheater and I doubt you'll find a much better price/performance ratio then these.
by Dave Simmons, October 2, 2003
2 out of 21 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Review:
The LSI series suck for power handling. Now I have to replace another crossover as they melt if you give them 1/3 volume from a Yamaha amp. Totally ridiculouos as my DCM speakers from Circuit City handles power at twice the volume as these overpriced speakers can produce.
by Warren Saunders, October 10, 2002
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
The sound field spreads away from the speaker and onto the screen, but not two much that it floods the main speakers.
Weaknesses:
Not availible in wood colours to match LSi main speakers. Black looks tacky & bad up against Red Cheerywood.
Review:
I recently extended my stereo consisting of a pair of the fantastic Polk LS90 main speakers to a 7.1 system. It seemed a natural choice to select the LS/FX as surround speakers, and the LSi Centre speaker. I mounted the LSiC speaker on two stands 4ft high, directly under the projector screen. After making the correct settings with the processor, measuring the distance to each speaker I was faced with the tough question "What am I going to put on to test these babies" (Let me reassure you, these are no babies) The first discs I choose were DTS music CD's so I could focus on the audio quality. I played Sting's 'Brand New Day' DTS CD and Steve Miller's 'Fly Like an Eagle' DTS CD. Wow! I believe these are the best surround speakers. Wozza, UK.
by Paulo Roberto, August 26, 2005
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Vocal clarity. Deep bass.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't play very lound
Review:
Very good sound and tonal balance. Perfect with used with LSI9 front speakers.
by James H, March 18, 2003
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Perfect match for the LSi9s. Great image and precise sound.
Weaknesses:
No weaknesses, but is larger than the 245i. You'd better measure your space for sufficient room. I had to leave off the rubber pads (I used thin cork pads instead).
Review:
I finally got the LSiC to go between the LSi9s. The Polk 245i was OK, but it didn't match and I could close my eyes and point directly at it in the sound image. The best thing I can say about the LSiC is that it disappeared. After I got the channels balanced, voices from DVDs are clear and precise, and natural, and are not drowned out by the score. And now I can really appreciate DTS. With two LSi9s and the LSiC, there is sufficient base already, so I turned down the subwoofer to "just barely there". *I bi-wired the LSiC on installation. **A friends center channel went belly up, so he bought the 245i, and he likes it.
by Heath Knight, April 16, 2003
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
The match with the LSiFX is solid. A very clean and complete sounding speaker.
Weaknesses:
That I don't have one for every room in the house.
Review:
I have put in a home theater system that includes LSiC,LSiFX,MK125s front speakers as well as the PSW650 subwoofer. The LSiC lets out all that is to heard from a center channel speaker without any distortion or distraction to keep you away from listening to or watching a movie. The clearness of this speaker is remarkable.
by tester, August 12, 2003
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
very powerful ive blown everyother centers tweeter ive had and this one is the only one that can stand the punishment.
Weaknesses:
every one complains about how it looks... its a speaker. who cares how it looks, polk did there job making it performing how center channels shood
Review:
I put it in a theater with front and 2 18" subs as snell speakers and rear as legacy and its awsome.
by TNT, November 5, 2003
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Excellent build quality; beautiful cabinet. Top class sound for a great price.
Weaknesses:
none
Review:
Excellence in every regard. I believe the previous reviewer is pushing his receiver's amp into clipping. A new pre/pro and multi-channel amp is the answer, not cheaper speakers. Try the new Adcom GFA-7807 with a LSi HT setup and hear what happens! These LSi speakers are clear and clean transducers in my opinion.
by b.johnson, April 4, 2004
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Powerful sound stage...but not overly bright. Produces voices (male and female) with like like precision. SACD is a JOY!
Weaknesses:
There are none! Do yourself a favor and grab an LSiC!
Review:
I have had this center in my system for over a month now and can honestly say I am quite amazed with the clarity of this speaker! That VIVA tweeter is the clearest, cleanest, most life like sound I have ever heard from a center channel. Great work POLK!
by Gordy, August 18, 2004
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Powerfull Bass for their size. Great imaging and clarity from the Tweeter. The center channels solved my problems with space constraints.........
Weaknesses:
I could have gone for the sweet Cherry finish of the other LSi's ..........
Review:
The Audio store that I work for recently picked up Polk audio and I have been impressed with their performance. I am doing something a little unconventional by using two LSiC's as Left and Right in a 2 channel system. I didn't have deep enough shelves for the LSi9's and I wanted the performance of the LSi9's. The Polk's are replacing a pair of Boston VRM50's that I have had for 3 years. All I can say is that the low end is Awesome ! ( No Sub yet ). Vocals are clear and initimate. The midrange is very smooth. The Boston's were good but these speakers are truly amazing .........
by Kent, September 7, 2004
0 out of 23 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Expensive
Review:
You can get a much cheaper speaker with the same attributes. I've seen speakers with the same freqeuncy at -3db for like $250.
by John Schrum, March 25, 2005
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Extremely smooth with the LSI15's.
Weaknesses:
No CHERRY....
Review:
Had the LSI15's for about 3 months, with another Center Channel. Finally got an amp with some guts (BK507), then added the LSIc this week. Much smoother transitions between the center and outside amps. Picked up LSI7's for the rear, and will add this weekend. Excellent center channel.
by David Bolar, October 24, 2005
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Very accurate, transparent sound with almost no coloring. The dialog is very clear and crisp. My experience at home with these speakers is better than at the movie theater.
Weaknesses:
The only weakness of the LSiC is that in the very rare cases that it is required to reproduce very low frequencies, ie. the talking trees in the beginning of the extended Lord of the Rings Two Towers DVD, the sound gets muddy and difficult to understand. You really have to search for the scenes where this is evident though.
Review:
The Polk LSi Series are the best speakers that I have found for anywhere near the price. I powered mine with a Parasound Halo A52 and the results are amazing.
by Robert Ferreita, December 29, 2005
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Superb depth, extremely clean sound and superb dispersion. Yes, you get it ALL with this superbly designed Center Channel speaker.
Weaknesses:
Absolutely NONE!
Review:
I have owned quite a few Center Channel speakers such as Infinity, JBL, NHT and KEF and I can easily say that the Polk LSiC is clearly the best Center Channel speaker that I have ever owned. The sound quality is absolutely OUTSTANDING! I have never thought that a Center Channel speaker could sound so good but it does.
by Tracy, January 10, 2006
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Great sound quality, design, and price.
Weaknesses:
None!
Review:
I have owned Polk speakers for over 20 years. Polk speakers just seem to get better and better. I currently have three different center channel speakers (CS1000p, RM7200 center channel, and the LSiC) from polk and they all are amazing at a great price! I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy any other speaker, but Polk Audio.
by Michael Long, May 25, 2006
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Soo clear and clean. I'm amazed over and over again at what I had been missing.
Weaknesses:
Hey what happened to the cherry?
Review:
This baby blows me away. For the money, it's a good buy. I'm very happy with the depth and just how clean every thing sounds. Right on target. Nice job folks.
by Ricardo Riveros, May 7, 2007
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.Strengths:
Clarity and details it can reproduce.
Weaknesses:
It wouldn't fit in my entertainment unit :(
Review:
Excellent speaker. The clarity from is excellent. My SACD's and DVD audios feel more alive again. Watching movies on Blu-ray with uncompressed tracks is even better.
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.
LSiC Media
LSiC Literature
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