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Polk Audio LSiC

Center channel speaker

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Item# 107LSICNTR offer details

Item# 107LSICNTR

Review Summary

 
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Polk Audio

Our take on the Polk Audio LSiC

Hear all the on-screen action with Polk's LSi-series center channel

LSi series

When it comes to surround sound, a center channel speaker has to be able to pull its own weight — and then some! After all, the center channel is responsible for most of the dialogue and on-screen effects in a movie soundtrack — and often carries the burden of voices and instruments in multichannel music, too. Good thing the top-notch LSiC, with critically acclaimed LSi design and a frequency response of 52-26,000 Hz, is so well-prepared for the job.


Exploded speaker

Polk's Ring Radiator tweeter produces crystal-clear highs.

Innovative design for exceptional sound

The LSiC boasts two 5-1/4" aerated polypropylene Dynamic Balance® drivers with ARC and Power Port technology: you get the same sumptuous mids and lows found in other LSi speakers. The standout 1" Ring Radiator tweeter delivers pure, detailed highs. Together, all this careful design and innovation make for distinct, natural human voices, precise effects, and fantastic imaging. The effortless, impact-filled audio will open your eyes and ears Timbre-matched to all the speakers in the LSi lineup.

Highlights:

  • video-shielded
  • bass-reflex
  • frequency response 52-26,000 Hz (-3dB)
  • 4-ohm impedance; these speakers must be powered using high-current amplification
  • sensitivity 88 dB
  • handles up to 200 watts
  • high-gloss black finish
  • dual 5-way, gold-plated binding post terminals
  • 21-1/8"W x 7-1/16"H x 9-1/16"D
  • warranty: 5 years
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee

Priced each

 

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
Enclosure
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Bass Reflex
Tweeter
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Ring Radiator
Midrange size (inches)
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N/A
Woofer size (inches)
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5-1/4
Connector Type
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5-way post
Power Range
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20-200
Sensitivity
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88 dB
Impedance (Ohms)
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4
Frequency Response
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52-26k Hz
Height (inches)
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Width (inches)
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Depth (inches)
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Weight
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Parts Warranty
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5 Years
Labor Warranty
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5 Years

Product Research

Product Research
What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • LSi center channel speaker
  • 4 Adhesive backed black rubber feet
  • Template for wall mounting
  • Manual
  • Product registration survey
  • On line registration information

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Driver Technology
Enclosure Design
Connections
Mounting Options

Driver Technology

Tweeter: The LSiFX uses the same Ring Radiator tweeters as the rest of the LSi Series. This produces a seamless front stage and lifelike surround environment. The ultra-light woven Ring Radiator Diaphragm delivers flat response, precise detail and overall accuracy. A High Frequency Waveguide prevents phase cancellations for smooth, uniform frequency response and wide dispersion. A Low Frequency Waveguide promotes laminar airflow between chambers to prevent air turbulence. This feature serves the same function as Power Port for Polk's bass systems.

Cascade Tapered Driver Array: This driver crossover design provides wide horizontal dispersion so off-axis listeners hear clear, uncolored center dialog and effects. When two drivers are placed side by side, as they often are in center channel speakers, interference effects between the two drivers in the upper-midrange narrow the horizontal dispersion and create frequency response errors (called "comb filtering") for off-axis listeners. People sitting off to the side of the room won't hear the same clarity as on-axis listeners. To solve this problem, Polk uses "Cascade Tapered Array" crossovers. One driver is crossed over much lower in frequency and is in essence a bass-only driver. Only one driver plays the upper midrange frequency range thereby eliminating the interference effects between the two drivers. The result is clean, clear and intelligible dialog and center channel effects for every listener in the room.

Basket: The cast aluminum driver baskets resist flexing and "ringing" for ultra-tight bass and coloration-free midrange.

Crossover: Polk uses premium crossover components for consistent high-end sound quality. The mylar bypass capacitor in the high-pass crossover extends and flattens high frequency response. The (Cascade Tapered Array) crossover points are:

  • 2400Hz 18dB/octave high-pass
  • 2400Hz 12dB/octave low-pass
  • 200Hz 12dB/octave low-pass

Timbre-Matched: Timbre-matched with the LSi Series for a seamless, realistic surround sound experience.

Enclosure Design

Acoustic Resonance Control: Sound emanating from the back of the driver creates an "organ pipe" resonance at a frequency that is a function of the depth of the cabinet. This internal cabinet resonance can impart a thick character to voices. Polk's patented Acoustic Resonance Control (ARC) port system overcomes this problem. In addition to the Power Ports on the rear of the cabinet, Polk uses small ports on the front tuned to suppress the internal cabinet resonance. Thanks to patented ARC technology, you'll enjoy clear and natural midrange.

Power Ports: Dual rear-firing Power Ports built into the back plate provide distortion-free bass and surprisingly deep bass response.

Grille: The open architecture low diffraction grille is used for spacious imaging.

Connections

Bi-Amplification: Since this speaker may be bi-amplified, you can improve the sound by using separate amplifiers for the tweeter and woofers. Note that the jumpers connecting the 2 pair of 5-way binding posts must be removed when bi-amplifying.

Mounting Options

Placement: Designed for use only as a center channel speaker, the dispersion pattern of the speaker has been optimized for horizontal placement directly above or below a television set.

Wall Mounting: The Power Ports double as convenient wall mounting brackets with key hole slots.

 

Product Reviews

Review Summary

Average Customer Review:

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1-6 of 6 items Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
5 out of 5

Polk is the master!!!

Written By ronald, Cranberry Twp, Pa on Sunday, May 06, 2007
 
I just got the LSiC and I must say, I'm impressed once again! It changes the whole meaning of sounding good! My surround sound has been sleeping for years and thanks to Polk, I'm back in the game! It fits awesome under my Toshiba 72HM196 TV which is one of the most awesome TV's on Earth! Also available through Crutchfield. I highly recommend it! The LSiC along with the rest of the LSi family and the PSW505 sub, NOTHING can touch it! Just make sure you use big power(reciever/amps) because these speakers keep asking for more and they love power! That and smaller recievers will die out because at higher levels they can't push them and will overload. I recommend 110w X or plus. All in all, it's a primo investment!
11 out of 11 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

Written By Shotster36, Morris IL on Sunday, January 21, 2007
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
Couple these speakers with the rest of the Lsi family and a nice subwoofer and the results will blow you right out of your recliner. Regardless if your listening to music or wathching a movie. Polk Audio IS the Best!
15 out of 15 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

The Best LSi Speaker

Written By Steven-Gulfport, Mississippi on Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
Seriously.

I really consider the LSi Center to be better than the LSi9s.

I am a bad boy. I have my receiver set to large for both my mains (LSi 9s) and the LSiC.

The LSi9s are good, even great, but they are replacing a speaker that would be difficult for any bookshelf speaker to compete with.

The LSiC sounds better than the 9s. Plain and simple.

As noted above, I am abusive to my speakers. On every movie source that I have in my library the LSiC is playing the movie without a single hiccup.

Even bass heavy material, such as Gladiator, Titanic, Saving Private Ryan, the LSiC has played, even at high volumes, without any bass distortion.

Sure, the bass is not chest pounding volume, but neverless, to attempt to play such deep bass, without cone flex is a remarkable event.

Speaking of volume, the volume of the Cs is greater than the 9s. No doubt the effeciency of the Cs is much greater than the 9s. For dialog heavy movies that I play at night when the whole house is suppose to be asleep, I end up turning my volume level down to a "reasonable" -40db setting. That setting is even too loud for some material.

Midbass and midrange material (male and female voice, solo violin and piano) the LSiC is wonderful. Full clean sound without being chesty or boomy.

Off axis tweeter response that I noted for the LSi9s is not apparent for the LSiC, and I have tried two separate mounting points for the speaker. Presently I have the speaker mounted below the big CRT screen for better blending with the 9s. The tweeter is very sweet sounding without any sharp distortions.

My only complaint? Why isnt this speaker
100 out of 128 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Fantastic Center Speaker

Written By Zakir, Ann Arbor on Sunday, February 08, 2009
 
Fantastic speaker. The center speaker is probably the most important speaker in a home theater setup. Polk did it's homework designing and building the LSiC. Outstanding sound quality. Perfect highs, sweet midrange and pretty good lows (if you don't have a sub).

Note: Make sure that your entertainment stand has a spot for this relatively large speaker. Check the dimensions of the speaker and the potential space on your stand.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Excellent High End Center 4 ohm High Current

Written By Drue, San Antonio, TX on Thursday, April 17, 2008
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
I purchased the Polk LSiC via advice from a Crutchfield sales person. I cross checked his advice (and specs) with the manufacturer of my Main Front Speakers, Thiel (CS 1.6's - also sold by Crutchfield), and they approved it as an alternative very close to their own Center...the famed SCS4). I was looking for a viable timber matched Center, without having to pay twice as much for a Thiel SCS4. I found it, and it was an "outlet" buy to boot. Excellent advice, and an excellent recommendation from Crutchfield -- as Thiel had trained Crutchfield Sales Persons for two weeks on their product line. The Polk Center has made a seamless match to my fronts, and at a price that fits in with my budget. I was so impressed, I ordered the matching LSI rear surrounds a week later. Build quality, as well as quality control, are excellent in Polk's high end speaker line. Dr. Polk has done wonders...reminescent of my experiences with the Paul Klipsch and his line of speakers I had in the 1970's and my experiences with other quality speakers that I had in the 1990's. If you have a high current Receiver you will have speakers to match it's sound. If I did not have the Thiel CS 1.6's, I'd purchase the Polk Front's to match the center and replace my aging powered Sub...hmmmmm? Besides, if you don't like a Crutchfield product, you get to send it back for free...how do you beat that deal?
4 out of 4 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

An outstanding Center Channel Speaker

Written By Anonymous, California on Sunday, July 01, 2007
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
Crutchfield Customer Review

The reviewer purchased this item from us, verified by the email address on the order.

 
I have tried many center channel speakers but this is the ONLY center channel speaker that I have found to have spectacular "jaw dropping" sound. Polk has done an outstanding job! My "hat goes off" to Polk!
7 out of 7 people found this helpful
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1-6 of 6 items

Learn more about Center Channel Speakers

Learn more about Center Channel Speakers

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Video: Speaker Placement for Great Sound

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2/2/2009
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based on 1121 ratings (28 comments)
 

If you're in the process of choosing home theater speakers, knowing the basics of speaker placement can help you make the smartest choice for your room.

 
Home Theater in Real Life Rooms

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based on 114 ratings (10 comments)
 

Ideal speaker placement guidelines don't always jibe with reality. Learn how to get great sound from your system, even in oddly shaped rooms and open floor plans.

 

Accessories

Things you'll need

Bulk Speaker Wire
You'll need wire to connect your center channel speaker to your amp or receiver.Cut your speaker wire to the exact length you need with a spool of bulk speaker wire. No wire is included with this speaker.
Monster XP®
Bulk cable with clear jacket, connectors optional (20 ft.)
$19.95
In Stock
 
 
AudioQuest X2 Speaker Cable
14-gauge bulk cable, connectors optional (50 ft., White)
$94.99
In Stock
 
 
Monster XP Navajo White Cable
Bulk cable, connectors optional (30 feet)
$32.95
In Stock
 
 
AudioQuest G2 Speaker Cable
16-gauge bulk cable, connectors optional (50 ft., Gray)
$64.99
In Stock
 
 
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Accessories we recommend

Speaker Wire With Connectors
Connect your new center channel speaker simply and securely to your home theater receiver.
Original Monster Cable
With gold pin connectors (15-foot pair)
$39.99
In Stock
 
 
AudioQuest Type 4
Single center speaker cable with pre-attached banana connectors (10 feet)
$114.50
In Stock
 
 
AudioQuest Type 4
Speaker cables with pre-attached banana connectors (10-foot pair)
$229.00
In Stock
 
 
Speaker Shelves
Mount your center channel speaker safely above the TV.
Center Stage Bracket CSB-1210-BLK
$59.99
In Stock
 
 
Speaker Stands
You'll want to position your center channel speaker for the best possible sound. Stands give you an attractive alternative.
Sanus NFC18
Single 18" center channel speaker stand (Black)

Also available in:
Open Box: $89.99
$99.99
In Stock
 
 
Wall-mounts
Add a bracket and wall-mount your center speaker.
Pinpoint AM15
Center channel speaker wall mount
$29.99
In Stock
 
 

Extras

Professional Installation
Have your new speakers installed by qualified professionals.
Show more items
 
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For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Polk Audio LSiC, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_107LSICNTR/Polk-Audio-LSiC.html ).

Sorry, the Polk Audio LSiC is no longer available for purchase.

Polk Audio LSiC