Looking for a center..

[cKGunslinger]

I need a center for my little system (Onkyo 304 + Polk R300s + sub.) I have a $100 Amazon GC, so I thought I'd check there, but pickings appear to be slim.

My main complaint with my existing center from my cheap-o HTiB is that, even with my receiver set to reduce the output of all other speaker and boost the center's sound (I can now get the volume I need to hear dialogue without waking the neighbor's when the action scene kicks in,) but there is no depth to the voices. They all sound the same, small, tinny and weak.

The Polk RM6752 (Text) seems pretty small.

I can't find a single review online of this Pure Acoustics (Text,) and even though I like the look it, I'm guessing the lack of reviews and $42 price hint to its potential crapness.

Any suggestions for this range? I'd be willing to move up to $130 or so if I could get a quality speaker with good voice reproduction. I'm also willing to wait it out and keep saving-up $$ if what I want is outside my current range.

 

[PurdueRy]

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...&qid=1231564279&sr=1-3

That is the match for your Front speakers in terms of voicing. The CS# series is what matches the Polk R## series. A good center is worth buying so I wouldn't skimp on the $50 if I were you unless $50 is too much right now.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...&qid=1231564279&sr=1-3

That is the match for your Front speakers in terms of voicing. The CS# series is what matches the Polk R## series. A good center is worth buying so I wouldn't skimp on the $50 if I were you unless $50 is too much right now.

I'm a moron, I meant I have the Polk R300s.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...&qid=1231564279&sr=1-3

That is the match for your Front speakers in terms of voicing. The CS# series is what matches the Polk R## series. A good center is worth buying so I wouldn't skimp on the $50 if I were you unless $50 is too much right now.

I'm a moron, I meant I have the Polk R300s.

Doesn't matter, still the R series and therefore still the same matching center. It doesn't change until you get to the RTi or LSi series.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...&qid=1231564279&sr=1-3

That is the match for your Front speakers in terms of voicing. The CS# series is what matches the Polk R## series. A good center is worth buying so I wouldn't skimp on the $50 if I were you unless $50 is too much right now.

I'm a moron, I meant I have the Polk R300s.

Doesn't matter, still the R series and therefore still the same matching center. It doesn't change until you get to the RTi or LSi series.

Ahh, gotcha. I'll wait until tax refund time, then.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...&qid=1231564279&sr=1-3

That is the match for your Front speakers in terms of voicing. The CS# series is what matches the Polk R## series. A good center is worth buying so I wouldn't skimp on the $50 if I were you unless $50 is too much right now.

I'm a moron, I meant I have the Polk R300s.

Doesn't matter, still the R series and therefore still the same matching center. It doesn't change until you get to the RTi or LSi series.

Ahh, gotcha. I'll wait until tax refund time, then.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...qid=1231567496&sr=1-15

Just found this one on amazon's website...it will also match.

 

[3chordcharlie]

BTW, for now, I would suggest disconnecting your center and using the setup on your receiver to tell it you don't have one.

The overall sound will probably be better. No center is almost always better than a bad one, when you have good front speakers.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...&qid=1231564279&sr=1-3

That is the match for your Front speakers in terms of voicing. The CS# series is what matches the Polk R## series. A good center is worth buying so I wouldn't skimp on the $50 if I were you unless $50 is too much right now.

I'm a moron, I meant I have the Polk R300s.

Doesn't matter, still the R series and therefore still the same matching center. It doesn't change until you get to the RTi or LSi series.

Ahh, gotcha. I'll wait until tax refund time, then.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...qid=1231567496&sr=1-15

Just found this one on amazon's website...it will also match.

I have the CSR for my R50's and love it!

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
BTW, for now, I would suggest disconnecting your center and using the setup on your receiver to tell it you don't have one.

The overall sound will probably be better. No center is almost always better than a bad one, when you have good front speakers.

I agree for sound quality, but not for volume. I basically only get to watch movies at night, when the kids are in bed, so being able to hear dialogue, but not have explosion and soundtracks blaring is key.

I might invest in some wireless headphones one day.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Got the CS2 myself. It is very good. Not PERFECT, but VERY good.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
BTW, for now, I would suggest disconnecting your center and using the setup on your receiver to tell it you don't have one.

The overall sound will probably be better. No center is almost always better than a bad one, when you have good front speakers.

I agree for sound quality, but not for volume. I basically only get to watch movies at night, when the kids are in bed, so being able to hear dialogue, but not have explosion and soundtracks blaring is key.

I might invest in some wireless headphones one day.

The receiver will create a phantom centre using the two fronts - it shouldn't require you to turn things up - also, both your dvd player and receiver almost certainly have compression settings - turn up the compression to watch at lower volumes.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...&qid=1231564279&sr=1-3

That is the match for your Front speakers in terms of voicing. The CS# series is what matches the Polk R## series. A good center is worth buying so I wouldn't skimp on the $50 if I were you unless $50 is too much right now.

I'm a moron, I meant I have the Polk R300s.

Doesn't matter, still the R series and therefore still the same matching center. It doesn't change until you get to the RTi or LSi series.

Ahh, gotcha. I'll wait until tax refund time, then.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Aud...qid=1231567496&sr=1-15

Just found this one on amazon's website...it will also match.

Just ordered. Thanks for the advice, everyone.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Polk CSR Center arrived yesterday. A nice, hefty speak that perfectly matches my R300s. Sounds very nice so far. I'll try it out for real this weekend.

:thumbsup:

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Polk CSR Center arrived yesterday. A nice, hefty speak that perfectly matches my R300s. Sounds very nice so far. I'll try it out for real this weekend.

:thumbsup:

Excellent. I would play around with the crossover frequency a bit and find out what's best for your room. I find that makes a big difference especially with the center channel.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Polk CSR Center arrived yesterday. A nice, hefty speak that perfectly matches my R300s. Sounds very nice so far. I'll try it out for real this weekend.

:thumbsup:

Have fun! I've got the CSi25 with my Polk R50. I think the CSR is just a newer version of the CSi25.

 

[Kludge]

I have been looking at the Polk Audio CSM for $90. Newegg reports a part# of AM1545-B. However, I can't find that model listed on Polkaudio's website. Can anyone tell me anything about this center channel? I plan on using it with my Onkyo HT-S590S set (the receiver is HT-R340).