Big diameter drivers really make a difference, sturdy construction, I have mine on top of a wardrobe above the TV and cannot tell any interference. Its hooked up with 12 guage wire.

Doesnt come in any color other than black. Even Polk units that come in various colors dont have different color grills.

I compared what Circuit City had to offer in the showroom and the CS250 sounded better. I compared also at another place with a similarly equipped Klipsch and couldnt tell a difference. I then saw it mentioned in a late stereo review magazine article. Now that I bought it, I am even more glad I did. This being the first time to have a surround sound system, I see how important the center channel is. I think its more important than the main speakers for movies (highly arguable, but hey). I ended up buying it at an unauthorized internet dealer (I checked consumer reviews of the website and was pleased), but the price sold me. Even if it malfunctions in 3-5 years I would still puchase another Polk CS speaker.

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no history

Quality of construction, price

This is a solid little center channel. While it doesn''t perform as well as really high-end centers, it may be one of the best deals around at its modest price. Dialogue is sometimes muddled on less-than-crisp recordings, but I think you''d have to go to a significantly more expensive product (like an NHT) to get a reasonable improvement in performance.

Good special effects and vocals.

None yet

I am primarily interested in DVD 5.1 channel effects, but also enjoy classical music. Returned my RM 6500 as it did not seem to provide noticeably better audio than my Hitachi 52" ultravision TV.

This center channel seems to be an excellent value. When I purchased it, I intended to replace it with the CS 400, because the tweeter is made of a different material than my RT 600 speakers. The CS300 or CS400 is recommended for the RT 600. The CS245 seems to match perfectly with the 600. Whether listening to special effects (airplanes), voices, or glass breaking, the effect is seamless. I haven't noticed any muddy dialog (a complaint with the CS 400).

I am keeping this speaker.

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Polk RM 6500 home theatre package

Clear sound reproduction. Great price!

None

Added the CS 245 center and a JBL PSWD-112 subwoofer to add some life to my Bose Am-6. With the Bose system, voices sounded thin and on-screen effects were non-existent. What a difference!! Now, when I watch a DVD like Lost In Space, the sound is incredible....much more like being at the theater. I can't believe all the center channel sounds that the Bose system was missing...not to mention the room shaking bass that is now filled in by the JBL subwoofer.
I used to be pro-Bose and now I'm a huge fan of Polk and plan to purchase RT-25 or RT-35s all around to complete my system. At 169.00, the Polk CS 245 is a steal and gets 5 stars!

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Bose AM-6

High quality center channel at an impressive affordable price. Matches nicely with other Polk speakers

It's not the CS400i!

I was hoping to upgrade my center channel to improve watching dvd's at home. My first impression was that it sounded a little weak and didn't do much to improve on my older model. After installing heavier guage wires and banana plugs, there's was slight improvement, but not enough to win me over. What impresses me most that it blends well with the other polk fronts. i.e. rt55. It's not top of the line performance, but then again it's not top of the line kind of prices. A great bargain speaker. As for the movie experience, I still have to increase the volume level for the center speaker to hear clean dialogue

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polk rm5400

Great sound, nice center channel for the money. Great match for the RT's I use for fronts and rears.

None that I have found yet!

For the record:

I am using a
Denon AVR 3300
Toshibia 3109 DVD
and JVC S-VHS VCR

Speakers are as follows:
RT35's for fronts
RT25's for rears
CS245 Center Channel
Ininifity Sub

This speaker package is great. I had a set of the Energy speakers for a few days and there is no compair. I love these Polk speakers and recomend them to anyone.

They have a warm rich sound and are not to tinny, voices are natural and FX are supurb!

If you are looking for new spaekers, run...don'r walk to your nearest retailer NOW and get yourself a set up!

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Bose AM15's, Energy's.

Clear sound.

Bulky. Loose binding post.

I had to make some adjustments because I have a new Yamaha receiver and old Optimus speakers. I had to turn down the volume level on the center channel -5db's. But otherwise, the sound is excellent. I was very disappointed to find a loose binding post. You cannot tighten the post all the way. But I would spend more time returning the speaker than just learning to live with that. 4.5 stars.

Great center channel speaker for the money! Picked it up at Circuit City for $169. It sounds especially good with my recently purchased Polk RT 400's (see review). Great sound when playing music and dialogue is clear when watching DVD.

Can't think of any...

You can't find another center channel speaker that beats this one for the money!!

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Bose VCS-10 (Returned after one day-horrible sound)I was very disappointed.

Great Lows, and clear highs.

The best center channel that i have seen in a very long time.

great highs solid construction clear bass

none really

well i got this baby when i returned that peice of sh*t bose vcs10 . wat a difference!! Im also getting the rt1000i mains from polk. any way it goes great with my sony strde-935 my 2 subs and my piece of $h!t fronts. very clear. vocals when im watching dvds a crisp. overal great center. dynamic balance makes a big diffenrence.

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bose ( discusting) sony