Polk Audio CSi3 Center Channel Speaker (Single, Cherry)
By: Polk Audio Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 11
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 On: 2008-04-02
I used to have the Bose speakers which I used as the center channel also. I was never happy with the sound quality. Recently I upgraded my HT system and decided to change my speakers. This center speaker has a great crisp sound, and definetly enhances the Surround sound.. Highly recommend it.
On: 2008-03-29
Polk Audio CSi3 Center Channel Speaker (Cherry)
In 1989 I was in the position to purchase an upper end stereo system. Well what I thought was an upper end anyway. Alma Stereo and Hi-Fi in Farmington Hills MI carried better electronic products than the locations that also had washers, driers and stoves. This is where I became hooked on Polk Audio. After standing in front of what seemed like a bazillion speakers (some I could afford and others not) I narrowed it down to the Polk monitor series JR5. Then of course came the rest of the package; tuner amp, turntable, cassette recorder/player (no CDs yet).
I packed it all up and was in hog heaven with sound for years. Then it happened the, speakers blew, or so I thought. It turned out to be the amps main channels not the JR5s. This started the rebuilding of my stereo system. I went on a buying frenzy the included Polk Li7s, Yamaha RX-N600 & the Polk Audio CSi3. Since the Jr5s were just fine I am once again in hog heaven. The CSi3 was not a disappointment, delivering wonderful sound in any genre. That its made in USA is a plus. Music or block buster movies it handles them both with no problem. If you can find the deal as I did from J&R Music and Computer World you will be very happy.
On: 2008-03-20
I got this to match my Monitor series speakers. AVS forum users warned me that this was not "timbre matched" and that it might appear to be brighter than the Monitor fronts. However the Polk website says that the Csi3 is timber matched to go with ANY Polk speaker.. So I took a chance and got it from JandR.
The difference from the stock Onkyo is HUGE. On a good source, you will feel the performer in your room if you close your eyes. Very nice finish, majestic looking but large and heavy. Can take a 12AWG wire easily.
Well recommended if you can find them under 200.
On: 2008-03-20
I had purchased a couple of Polk Audio R50 floor speakers from a major retailer...the speakers were fairly nice, but I wanted to boost the sound a little (especially for theatre options), so I added this center. I know it is not specifically matched to the R50s, but it sounds very good with them and actually makes them sound better....crisp highs, but still sounds rich. I also use a subwoofer with the system which makes a huge difference. I will say this is not a main application...I use this system in my master bedroom which is about 15 x 20 and it gives me all the sound I would want out of a secondary setup. I have it coupled with a 50" Vizio Plasma and the speakers are driven by an Onkyo 605...and the sound is really amazing for the money I have in the system. I have owned several Polk speakers over the years and I feel they offer one of the best values on the market in the speaker arena.
On: 2008-02-17
Ive been building a budget home theater system for a small-ish room and the center channel was the last piece I needed to buy. I was trying to find a center for under 250 but couldnt seem to find anything that really satisfied my requirements or fit with the rest of my system. Well, I heard this speaker at a local retail chain and it blew my wife and I away and we knew this was the speaker that would compliment our build. The speaker was on clearance, but it had some minor damage so we passed on it hoping to find it for around the same price.
Thank God for [...]
We found the speaker for cheaper than the clearance price and we were right. Its not only a beautiful speaker but it sounds wonderful as well. Voices are crystal clear, but are also rich and full. When watching movies with this speaker really adds a depth that many other speakers in the price range I was looking in really didnt have. I guess that this proves (to an extent) that you get what you pay for. If i had spent full price on this speaker I would not have been disappointed.
I whole-heartedly recommend this speaker to anyone in need of a new center channel.
Our home theater is as follows:
Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR-146
Center Channel: Polk CSi3
Front L/R: Sony SSF-7000
Rear L/R: Speakers salvaged from our old Sony HT-6800DP system
Subwoofer: Velodyne VRP 1200
On: 2007-11-17
These speakers sound great and look good as well. I think I received an open box item from Crutchfield, other than that everything else is really awesome - especially for the price.
On: 2007-07-06
Bought this and the psw505 subwoofer to go with Yamaha in-wall speakers (960, 660 and 560) and yamaha receiver, v1700. Sound in entire room is awesome! Center really shines when watching regular tv as thats when you can really appreciate it on its own vs part of the whole theater setup. Cherry finish is beautiful. I like that you can flip the receiver for two different looks.
On: 2007-01-12
This center speaker provides great sound, has a 5 year warranty, and the Cherry finish is excellent.
On: 2007-01-11
I purchased this center speaker to go with a Polk Audio Monitor 50 system that I have. This speaker sounds clearly better in a warm vocals kind of way then the rest of the system. I think that I will later upgrade the monitor 50 speakers to match this speaker as the improvement is very easy to hear.
On: 2007-01-11
This center speaker provides great sound, has a 5 year warranty, and the Cherry finish is excellent.
On: 2006-03-01
After purchasing four Polk Audio RTi4s for my front and surround speakers, I replaced my Polk Audio CS245 center with the CSi3. The CS425 was a great speaker that was a good match to my old pair of ARs. However, it didnt provide a perfect match to the RTi4s. The RTi4s and CSi3 now provide a seamless soundstage with clear highs for dialog as well as natural mids and good bass. Two friends have surround systems from Energy, which provide excellent sound quality for movies. However, I prefer my setup for music and am entirely satisfied with my Polks for movies.
On: 2005-09-04
One month ago I bought the Polk Rti4s from Onecall. To be blunt, I was more than impressed not only on the clarity, look, and reproduction of sound, but also with the price. After working some overtime I was able to buy this great center channel. This is what I liked:
- Greater clarity of dialogue when watching movies
- Beautiful cherry exterior that is real wood - fits right in with my Rtis
- Very mobile since you are able to put it on top of your TV or below the TV
- Delivered three days flat if bought through Amazon via Onecall - no extra charge
- Very well priced in comparison to other center channels out there
Cons:
- Even though its a great looking center channel, its rather wide sitting at 20" , and rather tall standing at 7.5".
Polk offers the CS1 and CS2. I looked at both products and couldnt understand why you would settle with either of them when the CSi3 was made from real wood, along with a front port. Perhaps I could understand if one is looking for bigger woofers - like that of the CS2. Yet, the price difference between the CS2 and i3 is only $20.00.
If you do end up buying this, or any other center, I recommend that you at least buy some quality speaker wires (14 gauge maybe). Countless friends of mine have been buying great components and speakers, yet they settle with slim 18 gauge wire from Radio Shack. Then again it could just be my friends.
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