In this review, we will be comparing CSi A6 and R-52C, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Polk Audio and Klipsch.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk CSi A6 and Klipsch R-52C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Polk CSi A6 | Klipsch R-52C |
|---|
| Brand | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dynamic Balance | 1" Tractrix horn |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Dynamic Balance polymer composite | 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-26k Hz | 89-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 95 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-200 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 13.18kg / 29lbs | 3.18kg / 7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-13/16" x 24-1/16" x 14-1/4"
199.0 x 612.0 x 362.0mm | 7-1/16" x 18-13/16" x 7-11/16"
180.0 x 478.0 x 196.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Polk CSi A6 and Klipsch R-52C speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Polk CSi A6 |
Klipsch R-52C |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both CSi A6 and R-52C are 2-way speakers.
Polk CSi A6Klipsch R-52C
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Polk CSi A6 |
Klipsch R-52C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
CSi A6 features a 1" silk/polymer Dynamic Balance Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Dynamic Balance polymer composite Woofer. On the other hand, the R-52C features a 1" aluminum Tractrix horn Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" copper spun IMG Woofer.
Frequency Response
CSi A6 has a frequency range of 55-26k Hz whereas R-52C has a frequency range of 89-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the CSi A6 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-52C's min frequency of 89Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
CSi A6 and R-52C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. CSi A6 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the R-52C's is at 95 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-52C a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk CSi A6, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
CSi A6 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas R-52C has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the CSi A6.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
CSi A6 features Binding post type posts and R-52C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk CSi A6's 5-Way post terminals
Klipsch R-52C's Binding post terminals
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Polk CSi A6's and Klipsch R-52C's external dimensions. Polk CSi A6 has external dimensions of 199.0 x 612.0 x 362.0mm (7-13/16 x 24-1/16 x 14-1/4inch) whereas Klipsch R-52C has external dimensions of 180.0 x 478.0 x 196.0mm (7-1/16 x 18-13/16 x 7-11/16inch).
Polk CSi A6 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 134mm wider, 19mm taller and 166mm deeper than Klipsch R-52C.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Polk CSi A6 is approximately 2215.4cm2 / 343.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-52C is approximately 936.9cm2 / 145.2inch2. The CSi A6 requires 136% more surface area than the R-52C which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Polk CSi A6 weighs 13.18kg / 29lbs and the Klipsch R-52C weighs 3.18kg / 7lbs. This makes the CSi A6 314% heavier than the R-52C.
Here is a comparison of how CSi A6 and R-52C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Polk CSi A6?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of CSi A6:
- One cherry center channel speaker
- One 9.5-inch kickstand
- One 5.5-inch kickstand (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online registration sheet
- Polk Audio product brochure
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-52C?
Here are the items that come with the R-52C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
89 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
95 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
180mm
vs
199mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
936cm2
vs
2215cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Polk Audio CSi A6 |
Klipsch Reference R-52C |
| Brand |
Polk Audio |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker (Cherry) |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
95 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-26k Hz |
89-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Dynamic Balance polymer composite |
copper spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dynamic Balance |
Tractrix horn |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
199.0mm (7.8") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Width |
612.0mm (24.1") |
478.0mm (18.8") |
| Depth |
362.0mm (14.3") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
| Weight |
13.18kg (29lbs) |
3.18kg (7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
n/a |
wood grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, Cherry |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch R-52C is the newer design, against a 2008 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Polk CSi A6 digs deeper - 55Hz against 89Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Klipsch R-52C is more sensitive (95dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Polk CSi A6 takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Klipsch R-52C is easier to place; Polk CSi A6 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | B | Klipsch R-52C is cheaper - $349 against $399, about 13% less. |
A Polk CSi A6 B Klipsch R-52C
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Polk CSi A6 measures better, Klipsch R-52C costs about about 14% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 89Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Klipsch R-52C much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Polk CSi A6 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Klipsch R-52C for near-field listening and a small room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.