Frequency Responce 55hz-23khz

I got this speaker for $169+tax at Curcuit City. I'm really impressed with it. It has good enough bass to blend in with my JBL-N28 speakers. This speaker has been a big improvment to my home/bedroom theatre. I'm glad I got rid of my bose vcs-10.

Similar Products Used:

Bose Vcs-10 center channel speaker

Broad frequency range, reasonable price.

I'm in process of building a digital HT to replace the old Prologic vintage '92. Mated to a Yamaha 595A with Polk RM3000 sat sub system for the mains. Adding the CS 245 brought new life to the old RM 3000 gear.
I found the sound to be very natural, with a lower bass range that was not present in Bose (no surprise there) or Infinity products. It provides everything that I expect out of a center channel as it is the workhorse that holds it all together.
While the RM3000 will be soon relegated to surrounds, the CS 245 stands out and will be complimented with something from the RT series in the near future.

Similar Products Used:

None, but compared to Infinity, Bose, Boston in the same class/$range....

Build quality

performance

Originally purchased Polk RMDS1. Upgraded to CS 245i, as the standard center channel was very muffled and poorly articulated. 245i produces more volume, due to larger drivers and cabinet, but also has poor sound quality and detail. I had high hopes that this would have resolved my objections with the RMDS1, as there is much to like.

After now listening to many Polk speakers,it seems that
they all have a rather boxy sound and poorly defined mid range sound. There are much clearer speakers available
in the same price range. Re: RMDS1 - returned it.

Similar Products Used:

PSB c5i, various Paradigm centers

Build Quality, Sound

None so far

For the price, the build quality of the CS245i is outstanding. The unit is really heavy and look good too without the front grill. The sound quality is great and can easily outperform some more expensive center speakers from other brands. Like many other Polk products, this speaker gives you a great price/quality ratio. In fact, at this price, you can't be wrong.

The sound is crystal clear, and the base response is adequate. This center blend perfectly with my Polk R40 main and my Polk RT35 surrounds.

Great little center speaker.

Similar Products Used:

Cheap Kenwood center speaker

Good overall sound, and solid mid-bass response

A little compressed sounding at times

Nice overall sound, that blends well with the Polk RT35i's that I use for the front channel. Seems to have very good vertical dispersion charateritics (a real plus if you don't have your center channel mounted at perfect ear-level).

My only complaint is that it seems to be a little prone to sounding compressed with certain movies (this could be a result of the recording though).

Overall this speaker seems to be an excellent value for less than 200.00. My only wish is that Polk would make a center-channel speaker between this and the CS400i. I would like to gain the advantages of their "power-port" and "ARC Ports" without having to speed 200.00 dollars extra and go to such a large enclosure. I might go ahead and step up, just to see if this solves the "compression issue" that I mentioned.

Once again great job Polk!

My System:

Onkyo TXDS575x
Onkyo DVS535
Panasonic Hi-Fi VCR (cheapy)
Polk RT35i (fronts)
Polk CS245i (center)
Polk RT25i (surround)
Polk PSW450 (subwoofer)

Similar Products Used:

RM6600

sound and quality

don"t know yet

Just got the polk cs245 to tie in with my infinity Ovation Comp 2s and Onkio bookshelves
for the rears that I will soon replace, which by the way have been very good speakers.
I thought my surround sounded great until I added the center channel. POW!!!, my
whole living room came to life.I am a big fan of Infinity speakers, but I must say that
Polk got my attention! Go take your time and compare this speaker with others, and
for the money, I think you"ll be very pleased.

Similar Products Used:

infinity