Clear dialogue playback, very reliable, great price.

None for the money.

I used this speaker for over a year before upgrading my system last summer.

For the money, I think the CS-175 is a very nice speaker. It never failed to play clear & legible dialogue. It's very neutral sounding, so matching with your current speakers shouldn't be difficult.

The Polk's seemed to have a strong build quality including an easily removable cover and nice binding posts. It was reliable and fairly nice looking.

To be fair, and to show you usually get what you pay for, an A/B comparison between this center and others in the next price range up easily pointed out the 175's limits. Due to having only a single driver, there was information being sent to the speakers that the cs-175 simply couldn't play. I don't know what the cs245 runs, but you may want to investigate that one if you want Polk... then determine if the difference in sound is worth it to you.

Overall though, a terrific price on a nice speaker. I was very happy with it and think it's a great starter speaker.

Because we're voting on speakers in this price range, I'll give it 5 stars for both: The Polk never let me down and did exactly what it was supposed to...

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Currently use Definitive Technology C2

Clear mids and highs. Has binding posts at this price.

Limited bass response, but to be expected at this price. Binding posts do not accept banana plugs

I was looking for an inexpensive center channel that sounded pretty goood while I save up to purchase a B&W speaker system. The clarity I get from this speaker was good, not outstanding, but really good for the price. It does lack some bass response, but that can be made up for with a subwoofer. I have this speaker hooked up to the following system:

Pioneer VSX-D608 DD/DTS Receiver
Toshiba SD-3006 DVD Player
Sony WEGA 32FS12 32 inch flat screen TV
Panasonic 4520 HI-FI VCR
Bose Interaudio 4000 loudspeakers
Yamaha YST-SW77 Subwoofer
Polk RTi-15 for surround
Pioneer PD-F1007 301 CD Changer
Pioneer PD-R555W CD Recorder
Denon DR-M555 Single Cassette Player
Harman Kardon TC-1000 Take Control LCD Remote

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Bose

Okay highs Okay for dialog. Quality biuld

Not enough presence and clarity, no bottom end

These speakers were given free with my purchase of a pair of RT2000P's two Decembers ago. This speaker is not a good match for the RT2000s. There is really nothing special about this speaker and yet it is not transparent enough to make you forget you have a speaker there. The dialog and music portions lack any type of low end and the crispness of the highs just aren't there. Albeit the RT2000ps are a tad bright. Why anyone will choose this speaker for thier primary HT setup is beyond me. You can pick up a BIC62CLR speaker or even the flawed DCM CC speaker I have downstairs for less money. Even introductory products should do something well and this spaeker doesn't.

descent sound. not as powerfull as i'd like. not exactly the best match for the RT35's I have up front. the 245 would be a better bet.

not really large drivers.

This is a good deal for a free speaker. it's a good presence on teh center channel, but does not match well with their line up other than the 10's or 15's up front.

very good mid's and highs for a relatively small price. bass is'nt great, but you can't expect the world for under $150.

bass extension, but that's what subs are for

I bought this speaker to upgrade my sony cs290 that I had been using. All I can say is.....WOW!! What a huge difference a quality built speaker makes. I also purchased the Polk Audio R 10 bookshelf speakers to use as my surrounds and I could'nt be happier. I think I may be a Polk man for life. Evenutally I'd like to upgrade my current front speakers (Jamo Cornet 100) to a Polk Audio floor standing model and someday I'd like to convince my wife that we NEED the Polk CS 1000. This is a great speaker for people on a limited budget.

Similar Products Used:

polk audio r 10

cheap. can't find a better center for $50.

well, it is a 175, after all.

i know it's not the end all/be all of centers, but for my use and budget, it does a very good job. it matches my rt25's for a balanced, almost seamless front section. i think some little polk 10's will bring my old surrounds up to speed for a nice, if small, theatre room. a fringe benefit is my wife actually didn't shoot me for bringing it home, since it was cheap! :-)

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onkyo center 2x4 + tweeter