Polk Audio CS245 Center Channel

Description

The Polk Audio CS245 is a classic center channel speaker from Polk Audio’s respected lineup of home theater components, designed to anchor the front soundstage in a surround‑sound system with clear, articulate dialogue and balanced audio reproduction. As a bass‑reflex center channel, the CS245 sits between Polk’s entry‑level and premium offerings, offering a blend of performance, efficiency, and value that made it a popular choice for 5.1 and 7.1 surround systems during its production era.

At the heart of the CS245’s performance is Polk’s Dynamic Balance® driver technology, which aims to reduce resonance and distortion by carefully selecting materials and optimizing driver geometry. This speaker employs two 5¼‑inch shielded Dynamic Balance woofers for midrange and lower‑frequency output, paired with a 1‑inch Dynamic Balance tri‑laminate dome tweeter for clear, detailed high‑frequency response. The result is a speaker that’s capable of reproducing dialogue and sound effects with clarity and presence across a broad listening area.

The CS245 features a wide frequency response that typically ranges from about 52 Hz up to 26 kHz, ensuring that both voice and many effects cues in movie soundtracks are well represented. Its 90 dB sensitivity and 8‑ohm nominal impedance make it reasonably easy to drive with a wide range of home theater receivers or amplifiers, allowing it to integrate into systems without demanding high power. Recommended amplification generally falls in the 10 – 180 W per channel range, giving flexibility whether used with modest amplifiers or more robust AV receivers.

Physically, the CS245 sports a rugged bass‑reflex cabinet with a front‑firing port—designed to extend low‑frequency performance without adding significant distortion. Its relatively large width and depth reflect its role as a center channel: to spread sound horizontally across the front of the room, helping create a solid and focused soundstage that anchors dialogue to the screen. The speaker’s shielded drivers also made it safe to place near CRT televisions in the era of its release, though modern flat‑panel TVs are not affected by magnetic flux.

While professional reviews from the time of release are sparse, used owner feedback emphasizes the CS245’s smooth, neutral tonal balance and good clarity for movies and TV dialogue. Many users note that, when paired with Polk’s bookshelf or tower speakers of the same generation, the CS245 helps create a cohesive front soundfield with consistent timbre and imaging. Others appreciate that it remains durable and serviceable, with many units still performing well decades after production ended.

Even though newer center channel designs have advanced in terms of dispersion, materials, and integration with modern surround formats, the CS245 remains a solid choice for vintage Polk systems, budget builds, or secondary setups where clarity and reliability are priorities. Its combination of balanced sound, easy driveability, and straightforward design helped it earn longevity in the used speaker market.

Review Quotes

• “A smooth, neutral response that anchors dialogue well.” — common enthusiast commentary on CS245 performance.

• “This Polk center plays and sounds great with the smoothness Polk is famous for.” — seller description from a local listing.

• “Dual 5¼″ woofers and tri‑laminate dome tweeter provide balanced sound with good clarity.” — general feature observation.

Key Specifications

• Type: Center channel loudspeaker (bass‑reflex)

• Drivers:

  • 2 × 5¼″ (133 mm) Dynamic Balance woofers

  • 1 × 1″ (25 mm) Dynamic Balance Tri‑laminate dome tweeter

• Frequency Response: ~52 Hz – 26 kHz

• -3 dB Limits: ~55 Hz – 25 kHz

• Sensitivity: ~90 dB (1 W/1 m)

• Nominal Impedance: 8 Ω

• Recommended Amplifier Power: ~10 – 180 W

• Crossover: 2nd order low‑pass and high‑pass filters (@ ~2 kHz, ~900 Hz)

• Cabinet: Front‑ported bass‑reflex

• Binding Posts: Gold‑plated 5‑way terminals

• Dimensions (W×H×D): ~16.75″ × 6.38″ × 9.25″ (42.5 × 16.3 × 23.5 cm)

• Weight: ~19 lb (8.6 kg)

• Finish: Black vinyl