Polk Center and Surrounds CSi5 FXi5

[timetohunt]

Polk Center and Surrounds CSi5 FXi5 -
I beleive these are a generation behind the latest offerings of Polk. So, if I was to buy them, I would find them used.
Does anyone have any experience with these? They caught my eye from a year or so old brochure I have, and was wondering how they might fit into my system.
I know size/space wise they are appropriate, other than that not much.

I currently have Klipsch RF-83 towers for mains (29Hz-21Khz), 250W RMS / 1000 Peak, 100dB sensitivity, and its a horn speaker. These do really well in my large and oddly spaced listening environment. Wonderful 'room fillers'.
I mainly listen to Rock, Jazz, World Music and play lots of concert DVDs.

What I really want are the Klipsch RC-64 center and RS-62 surrounds. But that is about $1300 (thats not MSRP, thats likely what you'd pay). I am trying to come up with about a $600 max solution. I currently use Cerwin Vega E-series for center and surrounds, paid $240 for all of those new and it was either those or no surround at all cuz the budget was maxed at that point. I might be able to get a $100 back for em if I'm lucky.

Do you think I will experience a MAJOR improvement in surround sound with a decent upgrade. Those Cerwin Vegas suffice but I have to think that they are very poorly matched to the fronts at this point.

 

[AVRat]

You really need a Klipsch Reference center to timbre match the 83s. The RC-52 (shoot for about $250) will work much better than the Polk. The surrounds are not as critical for matching so an off-brand will suffice. Emotiva's ERD-1s for $299 on sale until 7/15.

 

[dtaylor0319]

You should keep the mains and centre all the same for timbre match on the sound, especially since Klipsch has horn tweeters. As for your surrounds mix it up if you wish. I own the Klipsch RF-63 and have the RC-64, which i REALLY love, as for my surrounds i went with polk and energy for surround backs...but do yourself the favour and keep your mains and centre the same make.

 

[engtaz]

Both Polk speakers are very nice but as was said it's usually better to try to timber match with same brand speakers. Depending on the sytem you have, side speakers can make a difference. I listen in stereo, All stereo, HT, and SACD so I need my side speakers to be timber matched.

engtaz

 

[dorokusai]

I can only echo what these folks have said already....timbre match the center with those Klipsch. If you're going to do that, you may as well match everything up but that's just me.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[05impalaSS]

Sorry to jack this thread but what does timbre match mean? Is that something like voice matched? BTW I have the CSi5 center and the FXi5 surrounds but I also have the RTi12 mains.... they are very nice for the dollar spent on them $400 for the center and $350 for the surrounds.

 

[Ron Temple]

Sorry to jack this thread but what does timbre match mean? Is that something like voice matched? BTW I have the CSi5 center and the FXi5 surrounds but I also have the RTi12 mains.... they are very nice for the dollar spent on them $400 for the center and $350 for the surrounds.

timbre = voice matched. Keeping within the same brand and line will get you matching parts, tweeters and parameters. Your setup is timbre matched.

 

[jcPanny]

Audiogon

Check audiogon for some lightly used Klipsch reference speakers. The center channel is more important then the surrounds.