Polk Audio Introduces New Center & Surround Speakers

14-Aug-03

Polk Audio announced the complete redesign of their CSi center channel and FXi surround loudspeakers. These new products were specifically designed to match Polk's new RTi Series of floor-standing and bookshelf loudspeakers. These new products feature all-new drivers and tweeters and new cosmetics. There are two new CSi center channel models and two new FXi bipole/dipole surround models. The two center channel models will be available in Black Oak and Cherry real-wood veneers. This marks the first time that Polk center speakers in this price range will be offered in a choice of real wood veneers. The two FXi surround models will be offered in Black and White laminate finishes. These new models feature the latest-generation Dynamic Balance drivers and tweeters. The bass/midrange drivers used throughout the range are the same used throughout the new RTi Series ""front"" models and use polymer/mineral composite cones. The redesigned 1-inch tweeter is the same as that used in the latest-generation RTi Series--a silk/polymer composite dome for smoother response and better detail than the tweeter used in previous Polk center and surround models. It features a Neodymium magnet, low-viscosity Ferrofluid cooling, and a finned heat sink on the back of the magnet for better power handling and reliability. CSi Center Channel ModelsThe CSi models are magnetically shielded. Both models feature gold-plated five-way binding posts. The CSi5 offers dual inputs for bi-amplification or bi-wiring. Computer-designed tweeter faceplates, stand-off grille and baffle-edge radii all contribute to minimizing diffraction. The CSi models are available in either Black Oak or Cherry real-wood veneer. The top-line CSi5 center speaker features Polk's patented Power Portô technology that reduces turbulence at the mouth of the port. Power Port is said to reduce ""chuffing"" or ""port noise"" and provides deeper, more powerful bass than could be achieved with conventional ported or sealed designs of comparable size. The CSi5 also features a second port on the front baffle, a patented Acoustic Resonance Control (ARC) port that is tuned to cancel internal standing waves that would ordinarily distort midrange reproduction. The CSi5 uses a cascade tapered array, that is, one driver plays only bass frequencies, and the other driver covers the bass and the midrange. This technique is said to avoid the ""lobing"" effects that plague other horizontal oriented, multi-driver center speakers.The CSi5 comes with an adjustable ""kickstand"" on the rear of the cabinet that allows the center speaker to sit atop TVs with shallow top surfaces. FXi Surround Models The FXi are wide-bandwidth loudspeakers and feature driver components mounted on opposing baffles set at a 45-degree angle.One baffle contains a Dynamic Balance mid/bass driver and 1-inch dome tweeter, identical to the components used in Polk's RTi front and CSi center speaker models. The other panel has an additional 1-inch dome tweeter and a switch that allows the speaker to be switched between bipolar and dipolar radiation patterns. This feature, pioneered by Polk Audio in 1994, enables the user to select the polar pattern that gives the best performance for the chosen room placement.The new CSi and FXi models will be available October 2003.For more information about Polk Audio, visit www.polkaudio.com.

Read More:
http://www.polkaudio.com