Polk Audio CSi5 High Performance Center Channel Speaker (Single, Black)
By: Polk Audio Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 5
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 On: 2008-02-08
As Im constantly upgrading my 7.1 surround Im always looking for deals on components. I recently returned a Sony STR-DG910 7.1 receiver to Amazon after using it for about 3 weeks. I might add the the return process with Amazon was a very simple (no problem) experience. Anyway, I found the Sony receiver did not have enough power to run my current Polk Audio speaker set up (210 sub, Monitor 50 fronts, CSM center and R-15 surround and backs). I was mostly unimpressed with the sound I lost from the CSM center.
My new receiver the Onkyo TX-SR805 blew the socks off everything I had. The first thing I relized was the center had to go. After a lot of research I decided on the CSi5 knowing I could get by with something smaller and cheaper. The CSi5 was on sale so I placed my order. The thing is huge so it sits on the floor, but thats OK. The Onkyo has plenty of power and adjustments so I was able to match it with my existing speakers. The sound is magical and Im not the least bit disappointed. This center picks up sound that just wasnt there before. Im very impressed. Im glad I didnt go smaller. Ive got lots of room to upgrade again.
Of course, now Im looking to replace the rest of my speakers except my sub (it was an overkill from the start). Look out Polk Audio Ive got my eye on you. Polk Audio has been in my family for years. Im a big fan....
If it wasnt so big Id easily give it 5 stars. It really deserves it, but nobodys perfect.
 On: 2007-12-10
At $199 this center channel is a great product. Provides clear voices. They really are right when say the center channel carries a lot of your sound. Now the voices really do come out in noisy action movies and I can hear even more sounds.
Very solid build. This puppy is huuuuuge and has weight. Check your measurements.... 7-11/16" H x 24" W x 14-1/2" D.
Also, I honestly dont think that you can place this on an slim line TV. I own a Sony Bravia KDS 60A3000 with a solid cabinet build. However, Im not placing this guy on top of my TV.
On: 2007-12-08
read my review of the cherry one if you wanna know my feelings towards this bad boy.
Otherwise just know that this speaker is amazing. Wouldnt recommend any other brand of speaker to anyone ever.
(Bi-amp)
 On: 2007-01-18
This speaker sounds great, but so does the CS1 which is priced at only $179 which is less than 1/2 the cost of the CSi5. I actually had the opportunity to test the two products side by side and honestly I couldnt hear a difference, even with full tone sweeps including lots of bass.
I rate this as 3 stars because, although it sounds fabulous, I think it is overpriced since you get almost identical performance from a much cheaper speaker (minus 1 star). Also, this thing is huge which means many users may have a hard time placing it in the right spot so the soundstage would be messed up (minus 1 star).
If you have lots of money to burn and plenty of space for this speaker, then Id recommend it, otherwise go with the CS1.
On: 2007-01-18
I am a consumer electronics professional and have been in the business for 20 years now. I say this just to add some context for this review and to let readers know that Im far pickier than most users.
Given how much of a movie comes from the center channel, it is arguably the most important speaker in any home theater system. Before this I had a high-end Infinity with dual 5.25" mid/woofs, but found it to lack depth. The clarity and openness were great, but I wanted to feel the menacing timbre in Darth Vaders voice and get the full impact of a baritone singing voice, which I felt was missing.
They say that your center should be the same type of speaker as your fronts, but putting a tower on your TV is a bit excessive, even for me. So I did the next-best thing.
The CSi5 is an imposing speaker with dual 6.5" woofers, a sizable ported cabinet, and a clean but not shrill tweeter. The subdued highs of the tweeter were actually what made it such a good match for my Phase Tech front speakers.
Well, while I definitely got the depth I was after, and the highs are wonderfully mellow, the problem is that the speaker lacks the openness of the Infinity. I thought the thick and dense cabinet would solve this problem, which Ive heard in other Polk speakers of lower quality, but it didnt. The sound is very localized and often sounds like its coming from a box, which, of course, it is.
Ive always liked, if not always respected, Polk speakers, and actually had a pair of the old Monitor 10B speakers. They were boomy and a little too sparkly, but they had a pleasing sound and were more open than todays models. They started messing with the two-way design they used in all of their speakers--all the way up to their monstrous SDA SRS1.2s--and wound up kicking themselves in the butt.
Its a good speaker, but to a guy that values open sound above so many other aspects of sound quality, this is a tough pill.
-Doug
On: 2007-01-17
I am a consumer electronics professional and have been in the business for 20 years now. I say this just to add some context for this review and to let readers know that Im far pickier than most users.
Given how much of a movie comes from the center channel, it is arguably the most important speaker in any home theater system. Before this I had a high-end Infinity with dual 5.25" mid/woofs, but found it to lack depth. The clarity and openness were great, but I wanted to feel the menacing timbre in Darth Vaders voice and get the full impact of a baritone singing voice, which I felt was missing.
They say that your center should be the same type of speaker as your fronts, but putting a tower on your TV is a bit excessive, even for me. So I did the next-best thing.
The CSi5 is an imposing speaker with dual 6.5" woofers, a sizable ported cabinet, and a clean but not shrill tweeter. The subdued highs of the tweeter were actually what made it such a good match for my Phase Tech front speakers.
Well, while I definitely got the depth I was after, and the highs are wonderfully mellow, the problem is that the speaker lacks the openness of the Infinity. I thought the thick and dense cabinet would solve this problem, which Ive heard in other Polk speakers of lower quality, but it didnt. The sound is very localized and often sounds like its coming from a box, which, of course, it is.
Ive always liked, if not always respected, Polk speakers, and actually had a pair of the old Monitor 10B speakers. They were boomy and a little too sparkly, but they had a pleasing sound and were more open than todays models. They started messing with the two-way design they used in all of their speakers--all the way up to their monstrous SDA SRS1.2s--and wound up kicking themselves in the butt.
Its a good speaker, but to a guy that values open sound above so many other aspects of sound quality, this is a tough pill.
-Doug
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