Center speaker suggestions

[thepezident]

Hello,
First time poster here... I have a Sony STR K750 P receiver. Has 5.1 and DTS. I just got a pair of Polk R15's to use as my front speakers. The Polk website recommends the CS2 center speaker. My room is approx 18x22, and carpeted.
My question is what are some other choices besides Polk for a center speaker. Of course, the misses has me on a budget... Can I get something for under $150?
And what specs should I be looking for in order to timbre match the speakers?

Thanks Much,
pez

 

[slopoke]

Possibly...

If you want timbre matching then you either have to go with the same Manufacturer and series or... Buy a whole lot of different speakers and return them until you get lucky.

Here's another possible angle: Look on audiogon or e-bay for a Polk CSi20. This is timbre matched with your R15s and discontinued so you might get a real deal. If you can find one for sale.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Hello,
First time poster here... I have a Sony STR K750 P receiver. Has 5.1 and DTS. I just got a pair of Polk R15's to use as my front speakers. The Polk website recommends the CS2 center speaker. My room is approx 18x22, and carpeted.
My question is what are some other choices besides Polk for a center speaker. Of course, the misses has me on a budget... Can I get something for under $150?
And what specs should I be looking for in order to timbre match the speakers?

Thanks Much,
pez

As long as the tweeter is the same in the Polk line, it will be fine. Get an older Polk center channel for timber matching. If you only have $150 and you want the most for your money, get the BIC center. It sounds as good as my Polk CSi5 but has more bass - no joke.

http://www.shopzilla.com/9L--BIC_America_Venturi_DV62CLR_S_2_Way_3_Way_4_Way_Center_Channel_Speaker_-_cat_id--11560000__prod_id--11301812

 

[thepezident]

As long as the tweeter is the same in the Polk line, it will be fine. Get an older Polk center channel for timber matching.

So do you mean the specs of the tweeter???
Two of you have said to stay with the Polk line but Buckeyefan also said I could go with a Bic America Venturi center.

What makes it ok to go with a different manufacturer?
Thanks for the replies!!!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

No, for exact timbre matching, try to find a Polk center with the same tweeter as in your R15's. 1 - 3/4" Diameter (1.91cm)
Dynamic Balance silk/polymer composite dome-shielded. Just about all Polk's tweeters are the same, as well as the efficiency, so you won't have to adjust the level of the center (as much). With the newer receivers, you can go with another center because of the control over the frequencies and level. Better receivers have parametric eq's to get the highs to sound similar. The BIC has a 3/4" poly dome tweeter rated at 90 db, which is right at the Polk level listed at 89, but they also have 6.5" woofers, which may overpower your front R15's with 5.5" woofers. With that center, you would need to turn down the level of the center for balance. You can mix and match, but in doing so, stay with similar tweeters like domes to domes, or horns to horns. Your center channel is the most important speaker in your setup. For $150, you cannot buy a better center than the BIC regardless of perfect timber matching. I'd even put it up against my $480 CSi5 Polk.

 

[thepezident]

Awesome!!! Very informative!!

Now the next question...I looked on ebay and saw some DV52 and DV53's for even less $$. I checked the BIC website and the only thing I saw different was frequency response.

Thanks much Buckeyefan!!

 

[shokhead]

You always want to match the front 3 as close as you can,the rest isnt as important.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Awesome!!! Very informative!!

Now the next question...I looked on ebay and saw some DV52 and DV53's for even less $$. I checked the BIC website and the only thing I saw different was frequency response.

Thanks much Buckeyefan!!

Where are you going to put your center - on top of a big screen tv or in a cabinet? My center measures 24"W x 8"H. It's huge. I have an opening that measures 41"W x 14" high, so I was able to go with a larger one.

The BIC 52B is 17.5"W x 6.5"H. The 53 is 22"W x 6.5"H, and the 62 (the one you really want b/c of the larger drivers) is 20"W x 7 11/16"H. There's no reason to go with the 53 since it's actually a larger cabinet with smaller drivers. The 52B won't sound near as good (the freq. resp. may be close but not at the same db) but it's smaller by 2.5"W and 1.5" high if space is a consideration. I know guys who bought the 62 and bought two more for the surrounds because they sounded so good.

 

[MacManNM]

The BIC will make you happy. I am running it with a pair of celestions up front and the setup sounds good. Its the best center chan speaker you are going to find under $500. The timbre match shouldnt be an issue because the size and type of the drivers are similar.

 

[thepezident]

sold

Well i think you guys have me sold!
Thanks!!