RCA CS55 Floorstanding Speakers

RCA CS55 Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

Center channel

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-3 of 3  
[Aug 04, 2000]
BRYAN
Audiophile

Strength:

Great quality for the money

Weakness:

not the highest resolutin, not quite enough mid-bass-less bass

I purchased this to go along with Radio Shack in-wall speakers that have 6.5" mids and the Lineaum tweeter. I like quality sound and equipment, I'm not into "having the names" (although I wish this unit didn't have RCA plastered on the front-It could easily pass for a much more expensive unit!)

My music system (thus my "reference" is) is what I call entry level high end. Cal Audio delta drive tranport, PS audio Superlink DAC, Ariston Icon II turntable, Sumiko Blue Pt cartridge, Adcom 555II preamp, adcom 555II amp, and Martin Logan Aerius i's.

No, I'm not going to say that this shack combo sounds as good driven by my HK receiver, but I will say that for the price I paid-I couldn't be happier. I bought the center for 100, the inwalls were 50 each on clearance-total $300! I was seriously considering B&W inwalls and cdsm center. The center alone was more than my entire package. Infact, my whole package cost about the same as an "entry level" B&W center channel. I'm not sure which would have sounded better.

From previous experience w/B&W (I've owned others) the midrange would be smoother-and the mid bass (lacking in my set up-it's a problem for inwalls) would probably be better. But the wide dispersion tweeter really opens the sound field up. Next to bi-polars(insanley expensive for inwalls) this is the best I've heard.

Other reviews of the comparable shack center, have claimed "excess bass in male vocals". This is only somewhat true. 1)back off the bass control!-this usually boost on a wide range centered @100hz-this WILL muddy up male vocals-if you need more bass-get a quality sub and increse the gain in the low bass region.
2)Even with the bass up (I must do this a bit to compensate for the weak mid bass in my inwalls) I only noticed this a little bit. ALWAYS on television tracks, never from DVD's. TV is mixed to sound right on the crappy speakers in you tv, not real speakers.

all in all-i couldn't be happier!

Similar Products Used:

many-i used to sell audio equipment

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 17, 2001]
John Tesmer
Casual Listener

Strength:

Great Price/Performance ratio; good overall speaker for mids and highs at a low price. Magnetically shielded, includes a cool stand.

Weakness:

Almost NO bass. RCA logo on the front. Perhaps a little inefficient - requires high volume to match my fronts.

As an entry level audio enthusiast, I didn't have a lot of money to spend on home theater. I compared center channels and packages including center channels from stores including Circuit City and Best Buy, and brands like Sony, Harmon Kardon, JBL, etc.

It was meant for me to buy this speaker. I walked into Radio Shack and happened to notice that it was on sale. 50% off the already low $80 list price. So, I picked up the speaker for only $40. I was impressed at the weight of the speaker - I typically associate build quality with high overall quality, and I was impressed.

The sound quality from my main unit (H/K AVR-310) is good overall. Depending on the input and surround mode, the typical volume I listen at is between -45db (FM Stereo at a comfortable level) and -15db (Dolby Digital from my RCA5220p DVD Player - great level for movies like the Matrix; almost too loud).

Currently, the system is set up with only two fronts; I have no sub or rears yet.

Sometimes I feel like the unit is not as efficient as it could be, but then I think that I paid only $40 and I feel a lot better about myself.

Similar Products Used:

None. This if my first center channel.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Dec 28, 2000]
Jerry
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Nice sound for the price

Weakness:

needs more "beef"

Excellent quality considering the price. I scoured the planet trying to find something that sounded better for less than $200 and I came up empty. To be honest, this isn't going on my primary system. I bought it for my secondary system in the living room, and it's done a pretty decent job.

Sure, if you have more than $200 to put into a Center you'll get better quality. But at $79 (or less), this baby's a steal.

Similar Products Used:

Sonys, CV, Polk, Bose

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 1-3 of 3  

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