Many people when initially buying their home theatre set up go for on of the many manufacturers packages available, now while many of these speaker packages are great value and are to some degree well selected and balaced with each other there is still a lot to be said for upgrading single components of a system to improve overall balance and output quality. A good place to start is with an improved center channel speaker. If you are in the market for a very reasonably priced quality unit the Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel is currently not only a qulaity  component but is also going for a song (an incredible less than half price right now.)

We tested this unit in conjunction with a pair of Polk Tsi-200 bookshelf speakers and polks RM 6751 satellites.

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As one would expect the CS10 Center Channel works very well with the Tsi 200 bookshelfs. The sonic quality of the speaker is very well balanced. It is powerful and produced competent bass with a nice sheen in the mid and top range. Vocal reproduction is certainly given a boost by adding this unit and things in the speech audio area receive a good strong and crisp edge. Power wise the CS10 can handle more than most people are ever going to throw at it without THD ever becoming an issue, even at volume this unit handles extremely well. Build wise the unit is reasonably solid and has a simple workmanlike appearance, its not going to win any aesthetics awards and while it is not a small speaker it is not too obtrusive or ugly. Though you may find it difficult to “hide” the CS10 in smaller rooms.

If you are after a quality addition to a budget surround speaker setup the Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker is a must buy especially at the incredible Current Pricing.

Manufacturers Details

Unlike the electronics, your speakers won’t go out of date, so bring out the most in your entertainment experience with Polk TSi Series. A great match to the TSi Series, the Polk Audio CS10 center channel speaker–the most important speaker in surround sound–is smaller than its sibling CS20, but still sounds just as good. And it has an angled top allowing you to invert the speaker and place it below your TV–directing sound towards the listening area. The TSi Series and the CS10 were designed to be highly efficient, so they can be driven easily by unpretentious receivers, and they’re voice-matched for lifelike surround sound environments. This speaker in black measures 6-1/2 by 20 x 9-3/4 inches (HxWxD).

Quality built cabinets.

The cabinet is extensively braced from MDF with 3/4-inch thick baffles. Cheaper speakers will use other material such as particle board which is flimsy, robbing you of good sound. With pewter accents, a piano black top accents and removable black grille, the CS10 looks awesome.

High efficiency design.

Compatible with practically all electronics, these are speakers that produce sound that’s open, spacious and clear, even when driven by modestly-powered amplifiers and receivers. No matter if you just bought a new digital surround receiver, or are hooking up this CS10 or TSi Series speakers to vintage electronics, they will still sound great.

Narrow baffle geometry.

Bringing the best of both worlds- narrow baffle geometry is a design that creates a sleek looking speaker with slick sound. First the high quality cabinet is slender (less than one square foot) and tucks away easily in your room. The smaller-diameter speaker components are lighter in mass, translating to clearer sound.

Product Description

Polk Audio has once again raised the standard for great sounding speakers that also offer incomparable value. The new TSi Series takes entry-level component speaker pricing and gives the audio/home theater buff a lot of Polk Audio for the money. The TSi Series was designed to be highly efficient, so they can be driven easily by unpretentious receivers, and they’re voice-matched for lifelike surround sound environments. The new TSi Series’ contemporary look was inspired by our top-of-the-line CS10 Series and designed to work with today’s most stylish televisions and electronic components.

List Price: $199.95 (Check Current Pricing on Amazon)

Reposted from Hi Fi Reviews