ice460

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Craigslist

Summary:
This is by far the best center that I have ever heard - nothing even comes close! This center was able to blow away a friend's complete system! Surprising bass reproduction, highs are high, mids are tight.

I have a goofy way of testing my speakers, beyond sound and build quality. If I am within 5 feet of a speaker and it will make my ears start getting blocked and feel weird, then I know I have a hell of a good speaker!

I've had this since June of '07, and bought it as part of a package. I found a listing on Craigslist and decided to purchase them, never even seing or hearing them. The whole system cost my $250 and included the CS350-LS, a pair of RT20P powered towers, and a pair of LS f/x rear channels. I picked them up the day that I got back from vacation, and after 4 hours of driving, I finally got to hook them up. These things looked brand new and the seller said he only used them for maybe 12 hours. I doubt it was even that long.

Bottom line, if you can get this for under $200 you are still getting a great deal! I even thought of buying another one just for my bedroom but after bidding went beyond $225, I decided I could just turn up the stereo in the basement. You can't beat this speaker at all!!!

Strengths:
Great highs and mids, bass is good, but let's be honest here, how much bass do you really expect from a center? Not a lot, right? Double it.

The size makes it hard to put it by a TV, especially with today's flat screen HDTVs and what not. I had to build a custom riser for mine to put it underneath my receiver and turntable. Take the grill off and prepare to be intimidated. This thing has as many speakers as my RT20P towers!!!

Weaknesses:
Some could say size, but I like my speakers to be monsterous and intimidating. It's all a matter of preferance.

Similar Products Used:
Polk RT600, RT20P, LS f/x, Pioneer, Cerwin Vega

Summary:
I thought my crossover on my ls 90's gave out so I ordered
a new one.Turns out a wire came loose so I soldered it
and put it in my ls350 center.WOW what a difference.
True deep bass from my center. On my preamp I have 3
sets of crossovers linkwitz-riley,butterworth,phase perfect
I can control slope rates too. I tried them all.I like the
phase perfect the best.Putting the ls 90 biwireable
crossover in my center was like buying a 1200.00 new
center channel.If you have a preamp that offers eletronic
crossovers you should try this.I love it,you will too

Strengths:
true real deep bass,clear dialog,power handling,looks

Weaknesses:
not biwireable from the factory

Similar Products Used:
definitive tech

Summary:
To this day it is hard to find a center channel speaker with the clarity and depth of this model. The midrange (i.e., human voices) is stunningly precise. Also I unhooked the rest of the speakers in my system and just cranked out the 350. I was really impressed with the bass tones coming from such small cones.

The largest asset to this speaker is its trilaminate tweeter. I am in love with this little thing. Its highs are really hard to beat. The only complaint about the tweeter is it gets a little bit harsh at VERY HIGH volumes -nothing anyone has to worry about at normal listening levels.

As it is a beautiful speaker, its size also makes it obtrusive to look at and even intimidating. It's quite big, so make sure you have enough space for it. Anyway, to sum this all up, if you can get this speaker used now for a significantly lower price than a new Polk (or any other manufacturer for that matter) center channel, you have made a steal. I highly recommend it.

Strengths:
Superb Clarity common to most newer Polk's, high power handling capabilities, not bad at the lower octaves of a movie soundtrack, build quality

Weaknesses:
Large size limits placement options

Similar Products Used:
Polk Audio: RT 16's, LSF/X surrounds, PSW140, RT35's, and RTi25's. H/K receiver.

Summary:
Unbelievable center channel. Clearly and powerfully
transmits voices via DTS or Dolby Digital. Highly
recommend Polk as a product name for value and quality.
If you can purchase this "used" or as "not cutting edge"
techonolgy, you will have a great find.

Strengths:
great sound for a center, super clarity, great power

Weaknesses:
large size, hard to fit, but you can manage if you have a
35" t.v. or larger

Similar Products Used:
none

Summary:
This is a very good Center I purchased mine from pawn shop $140 to replace my CS300 which is also a good Center but it cant do the volume that the 350 is capable of without poping
I drove both hard and when the Cs300 started to pop the CS350 just kept going mine is an older model probably 93/94
I have removed the baffling inside the speaker that ran from front to rear of the speaker between the air ports and the woofers on one side only and this seems to give voices a much more open and natural sound to them not stuck in the box sound and there,s no point in comparing the CS225 there just not in the same class

Strengths:
power handling & good bass for a Center

Weaknesses:
size but thats to be expected

Similar Products Used:
CS225 CS300