Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker (Single, Black)

Upon doing extensive research on which center channel to purchase for my newly purchased home theater receiver, I finally bit the bullet and purchased the CS10. My reason for doing so is due to various subjects which I will discuss here.1) Sound Quality--------------------I'm an audiophile when it comes to both car & home audio, however I cannot justify the marginal difference in sound for a speaker in relation to twice (or sometimes more) the cost. The CS10 provides an ample amount of sound and quality, and excels in the high frequency range. As others have stated, it somewhat lacks in mid-low frequency however that is not what this speaker is intended to do. Most of the dialogue is output through the center channel, so having too much mid or low end sound would muddy up the voices. A good subwoofer will suffice for the lack of mid range frequency in this center channel. The mid woofers provide just enough mid range to add to the dynamic sound range required for the most important speaker upgrade in your setup.2) Build Quality------------------The overall build quality far exceeds my expectations. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the box is made with MDF wood just as a subwoofer box is made for automotive applications. The grain pattern is quite stylish, and doesn't look cheaply made like other speaker exteriors I've seen on display. The grill is securely placed (almost too securely), and helps with smoothing out the high frequency pitch. My only complaint is the size of the box in proportion to the size of the main high-tweeter (where 90% of the sound comes from). Although the sound makes up for the size of the box, I found it a bit difficult to find an optimal location to place the speaker in. Due to its height, you will need to either lower your speaker (not recommended, should be at ear level), or add height to your TV. I chose the latter, and made a simple box to give my TV around 6 inches. This ended up working perfectly, as my TV was a bit low anyways for viewing pleasure. Keep in mind that not doing so will partly block the bottom part of the TV, and will also cause your remote to not work properly. Don't say I didn't warn you!3) Overall Conclusion------------------------I will admit that this is my first purchase from the brand Polk Audio, however I can definitely say that it was the most pleasing in every category (price, build, sound) in comparison to any of the other components I've purchased. In comparison to my stock Onyko center channel, the difference is NIGHT & DAY, even prior to the speaker still being brand new and not having the time to settle. Dialogue is a lot easier to understand, even at low volumes, and there is MORE than enough sound for those infrequent moments when I feel the urge to watch a movie in "Bother the neighbors" mode. Build quality is excellent, and cost is more than reasonable for such an increase in performance. THIS IS THE UPGRADE YOU WANT! You won't find a better increase in sound for the price. Other than the front left & right speakers, its definitely the most noticeable increase, so enjoy it!

I've been using small satellite speakers with a subwoofer for my family room home theater system for years. Grabbed some satellites from an old Logitech Z-5500 5.1 system. They got the job done, but I knew better quality was available at a good price if I was willing to do some homework. When my Harman Kardon receiver bit the dust after 17 years of service, it was time to upgrade, which caused somewhat of a snowball effect.With the new receiver in hand, I wanted to replace my small satellites with nicer bookshelf speakers. And you can't have a decent home theater system without a center channel speaker to complement the l/r channels. Finally, my recent purchase of a new subwoofer a couple months ago (old one also bit the dust after 8 years) completed the system. I kept my small satellites in the rear channels, as they are wall-mounted and I do not want larger speakers in those locations. It's primarily for ambient noise and occasionally special effects in movies.I love the full sound of the CS10 center channel speaker. The cones are the same size as the bookshelf speakers, so they are a good match. They really bring out the dialog in movies, and they also shine when playing music using all the speakers in the 5.1 array.Here's my revised system:LG 47" 1080p flatscreen TV (looking at buying a 55" LG LED)Pioneer VSX-824K 5.2 receiverLG Bluray disc playerPolk Audio TSx110 bookshelf speakers (x2)Polk Audio CS10 center channel speakerPolk Audio PSW10 subwooferLogitech Z-5500 satellite speakers for rear surround channels (x2)Uverse HD DVR cable boxWhat did I pay in total to upgrade my receiver, L/R speakers, center channel speaker, and subwoofer? A miniscule $426. It helped greatly that I got the $229 TSx110 pair as an open box deal for only $39 (jaw drop), and the Pioneer VSX-824K as an open box at $199 (half the retail price). The CS10 center channel was $99. The PSW10 subwoofer was only $89 (price fluctuates up from there occasionally). I can even add a second subwoofer (the receiver is a 5.2 ), but that's highly unlikely in my family room, considering I can shake the walls with the one I have. I could have easily spent more than my eventual total on just a receiver if I didn't find a great deal.It took a few months to assemble all of the new components, but my patience paid of with some amazing deals.The system truly shines for movies, where the receiver, speakers, and subwoofer act in concert to deliver sounds like I have never heard before in my family room. It is also exceptional for music. There are many modes that tune the output for the type of music you are listening to, and how the system uses a 5.1 (or 5.2) speakers.I don't like it when electronics give up the ghost, but out of adversity, comes opportunity. If you can be patient, you will find exceptional deals and piece together an outstanding system for a great price.Now that the whole system is together, the upgrade is astonishing. The bookshelf and center channel speakers do much better across the entire spectrum that the 2.5" drivers of the satellite speakers I had up front.I have another Z-5500 5.1 system in my sunroom, and it sounds as good as any 5.1 satellite system I've seen. Some may argue the Bose Lifestyle system is better, but the $279 Z-5500 beats the tar out of the $1,100 Bose system in terms of value.I can't say enough about Polk Audio speakers. They offer consistently great sound at a bargain price. I would not hesitate selecting all Polk Audio speakers if I were building an entire system from scratch.See my reviews for the other components in my system.