Polk Audio Center Speakers

A friend gave me a speaker setup from Polk Audio. the center speaker is a Polk CSI5 Speaker and from what I can find is high end and nice. It has two inputs (2 sets of negative 2 sets of positive) and from reviews and specs it says it is " a true bi-wire bi-ampable speaker" what does that mean and how would I hook it up?

Bi-ampable means you can use separate amplifiers for the low and high frequencies going to the speaker system. It brings the internal connections for the woofer and tweeter out to the back of the cabinet where you could split them if you wanted to. To do this, you not only need another channel of amplification, you need an external crossover circuit as well.
The concept is that low bass frequencies need a big amplifier and the high treble frequencies do not - so, you give them separate amplifiers, just in case the bass momentarily demands so much of the amplifier's power that it would affect its high frequency response. This is already being done by having a 5.1 surround system (the ".1" being the sub-woofer channel).
While I can see a possible slight benefit of bi-amping for the main left and right channels, this is way, way beyond overkill for the center channel, which generally carries only dialog (so it won't even have any low bass)!

2008-02-16 21:01:40 by snow_and_torque

A video on my Polk Audio CS1 Center Speaker Review/Demo. Some basic specs: - 20 - 125 W/channel - 8 ohms Full specs here: www.polkaudio.com So ...

Can I use this as the center speaker?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as px?Item=N82E16882290127

If so, is it better than the CS20 model.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as px?Item=N82E16882290107

CS20 is better for center speaker.

2009-04-21 09:35:51 by David

Price: $99.95 $99.00

Curved Enclosure Design
Tl1 Satellite Aperiodio-Tuned Rear Port
The Time lens technology enables the acoustic centers of the tweeter and mid-bass driver are located in the same plane for superior imaging.
.5 inches Silk-Dome Tweeters
Time Lens Technology

Both companies have good reputations in the audio world...So as far as a quality build, there's not much to worry about - both will last for years...

Styling is pretty nice on both models...The Polk's have aluminium enclosures which may or may nor fit your taste style wise...With the Monitors being wood, you'd have more choices of finishes...

But the ultimate deciding factor between any speakers is how they sound (duh)...If there's an audio shop nearby, take some personal CDs and take a close-up listen to them...Some audio purists will prefer the wood enclosures...

I've personally never been a big fan of Polk Audio...Not that they're bad, they've just never done anything for me...I've heard Monitors, and at their price point, I think they're some of the top choices...

Also check out Focal's SIB XL or B&W's PFM4's...Same kind of speaker you've mentioned, but sonically MUCH better...

Happy Listening...CP

2008-07-16 00:23:01 by hondaro1981

Price: $199.95 $183.00

The incredible accuracy of the Ring Radiator Tweeter
Effortless volume thanks to Aerated Polypropylene Cone Material
More efficient Optimized Linear Motion Motor Structure

Does it really matter??

ive got two older polk audio shelf speakers and ive been wanting to make my media center surround sound 5.1 (although im holding out on the subwoofer for now)

i found a great deal for the polk audio center speaker LSiC and im wondering if it will screw up my system, i plan to move my old polk shelf speakers to the left and right rear and buy some RTi A1 s for the front left and right.

will there be a problem???

Thanks

You will be fine. Polk's are virtually all voice-matched. I'm not a big Polk fan, but they are pretty consistent throughout their lines.

Happy listening!

2009-02-04 23:30:43 by Ryan g

I have an older Harman Kardon AVR-40 receiver. I have pretty nice Polk Audio speakers for fronts which are 8ohm speakers - no problems there. My center is 8ohm Polk Audio, as well. The surrounds that I want to use are little cheapy speakers that are rated at 3ohms. The receiver supports 4 - 8 ohms for surround speakers. How should I do it? Or will the receiver be ok with just an ohm off.
Thanks in advance

Assuming I have the right unit (AVR-40) it states that it is strictly 8 ohm minimum for speaker connections.

The unit does not give a range of 4-8 ohms anywhere i can find.

Thus, i would not connect anything that is rated less than 8 ohm. And certainly not 3 ohm, thats quite low. At high volume you will most likely encounter one of two problems, either the speakers will clip or blow. Or the amp will overheat and shutdown or frie.

Best to contact the manufacturer, they can tell you exactly what the actual range is.

2008-06-25 10:38:12 by Danail M