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5.1 for SACD not HT... Center Channel questions-

B

biscuithead

Me likes the eargasm retroplasm...
I have a horde of speakers... but only one Center Channel in the "inventory". It is a chintzy Infinity something or nother.

Can I use a pair on 4 ohm bookshelf speakers paralleled ? put them right next to each other ...
How important is the center channel? I've heard so many mixed opinions, tell me yours!

I assume that using the center for critical listening over just sound-effect-ht use makes it more important, but what do you think?
 
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I wouldn't parallel two 4 ohm speakers.

Well, you have a couple of choices. You could set your AVR for phantom center and just use L/R. I'm a big proponent of matched speakers. I use the same speaker for center as I use for L/R. My side surrounds and rear surrounds are from the same company and timber matched to the larger L/C/R. I think center speaker matching will give you the best results. Are you using your Klipsch as your mains?

Do you have SACDs now or is this a new venture? There are some amazing SACDs out there that sound better than 2 channel. DSOTM is amazing in 5.1.
 
biscuithead said:
I have a horde of speakers... but only one Center Channel in the "inventory". It is a chintzy Infinity something or nother.

Can I use a pair on 4 ohm bookshelf speakers paralleled ? put them right next to each other ...
How important is the center channel? I've heard so many mixed opinions, tell me yours!

I assume that using the center for critical listening over just sound-effect-ht use makes it more important, but what do you think?
Click to expand...
When playing music the best result is when all three front speakers are THE SAME MODEL.
 
My experience has been a little different. I had a lesser center channel, which sounded worse than not using it. If I listen from a central position in a "sweet spot", the "CENTER CHANNEL: NONE" setting works just like stereo does to give me a perfect center image. It might not work as well for folks on the ends of the couch, admittedly...

If you decide to use a center, there is no need for hooking two speakers together for it, one will do fine. It is only consumer OCD about bilateral symmetry that keeps center speakers with two woofers so dominant.
 
DougMac said:
I wouldn't parallel two 4 ohm speakers.

Well, you have a couple of choices. You could set your AVR for phantom center and just use L/R. I'm a big proponent of matched speakers. I use the same speaker for center as I use for L/R. My side surrounds and rear surrounds are from the same company and timber matched to the larger L/C/R. I think center speaker matching will give you the best results. Are you using your Klipsch as your mains?

Do you have SACDs now or is this a new venture? There are some amazing SACDs out there that sound better than 2 channel. DSOTM is amazing in 5.1.
Click to expand...
I can't believe I still confuse myself with Parallel / Series... you're right of course on that :thumbsup:.
For this system, my mains are going to be Canton Ergo 31s, but I might change that up for a speaker that I have four of...
I wonder how long it would take to find a match for the Cantons...
I am just dipping my ears into SACDs, I have DSOTM on order though. Any other ones that are a must?
Thanks!
 
sqlsavior said:
My experience has been a little different. I had a lesser center channel, which sounded worse than not using it. If I listen from a central position in a "sweet spot", the "CENTER CHANNEL: NONE" setting works just like stereo does to give me a perfect center image. It might not work as well for folks on the ends of the couch, admittedly...

If you decide to use a center, there is no need for hooking two speakers together for it, one will do fine. It is only consumer OCD about bilateral symmetry that keeps center speakers with two woofers so dominant.
Click to expand...

I confess to a moderate amount of consumer OCD! Thanks!
 
biscuithead said:
I can't believe I still confuse myself with Parallel / Series... you're right of course on that :thumbsup:.
For this system, my mains are going to be Canton Ergo 31s, but I might change that up for a speaker that I have four of...
I wonder how long it would take to find a match for the Cantons...
I am just dipping my ears into SACDs, I have DSOTM on order though. Any other ones that are a must?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I very much agree with all of the other responders; use matched speakers all around! Especially for multi-channel SA-CD music. In this case, timbre matching is too important, not to use identical speakers, if possible. And if you do use a temp solution for the center, DO NOT mount a pair side-by-side. The comb filtering issues from that installation would be awful. If you must try this, wire the pair in series, invert one, and mount it directly above the other. Tweeters to the center. It'll sound much better like this, and be more focused in it's D'appolito layout.

And speaking of the DSOTM SA-CD; awesome. I used it as a store demo, and sold tons of equipment with it. I had a modest Yamaha A\VR and DVD/SA-CD player, running 5 B&W M1 minispeakers, and a 10" B&W sub. It was a great little set-up. I'd demo the disc, and customers would buy the whole set-up! Five matching speakers didn't hurt either!
 
I've found that when indulging in multi-channel SACDs that knocking down the center channel gain by a couple of db helps restoring soundstaging.

When I used the default values after autocalibration from my AVR, the center gain is too much for my tastes and ruins L/R 'balancing' of the overall sound.

Great for dialogue, not good for music.

So, I have different saved settings on my AVR.
 
biscuithead said:
I have a horde of speakers... but only one Center Channel in the "inventory". It is a chintzy Infinity something or nother.

Can I use a pair on 4 ohm bookshelf speakers paralleled ? put them right next to each other ...
How important is the center channel? I've heard so many mixed opinions, tell me yours!

I assume that using the center for critical listening over just sound-effect-ht use makes it more important, but what do you think?
Click to expand...

I would use a pair of 4 ohm speakers in SERIES not parallel...
 
Aspen said:
Net disc on your list should be Dire Straits - Bothers in Arms
Click to expand...


Definitely a must have and probably one of the best recordings made. The 20th Anniversary Edition is my "go too" for all serious stereo listening and auditioning.

Only thing is..., my copy is DVD-Audio and not SACD. Do you also have DVD-Audio capability? If you do, there is a whole nother world open to you. The Eagles Hotel California is really good!

One SACD to definitely have is Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and they give you some additional tracks including a fantastic acoustic version (just an acoustic guitar and Elton with all of the other tracks removed) of Goodbye Norma Jean. Unfortunately, on mine this cut got a scratch so I'm thinking of replacing the entire disk. It's that good.

As for matching the center channel..., definitely a must. And if you really want to listen to SACD, forget about "small" rear speakers. Too many great disks are engineered so that the rear speakers are carrying just as important "information" (including bass lines) as the front three channels.

Machine Head has Richie Blackmore wailing through the rear speakers,.., and if your rears don't wail, neither will he. And Santana even puts bass in the rear channels.
 
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toddalin said:
Definitely a must have and probably one of the best recordings made. The 20th Anniversary Edition is my "go too" for all serious stereo listening and auditioning.

Only thing is..., my copy is DVD-Audio and not SACD. Do you also have DVD-Audio capability? If you do, there is a whole nother world open to you. The Eagles Hotel California is really good!

One SACD to definitely have is Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and they give you some additional tracks including a fantastic acoustic version (just an acoustic guitar and Elton with all of the other tracks removed) of Goodbye Norma Jean. Unfortunately, on mine this cut got a scratch so I'm thinking of replacing the entire disk. It's that good.

As for matching the center channel..., definitely a must. And if you really want to listen to SACD, forget about "small" rear speakers. Too many great disks are engineered so that the rear speakers are carrying just as important "information" (including bass lines) as the front three channels.

Machine Head has Richie Blackmore wailing through the rear speakers,.., and if your rears don't wail, neither will he. And Santana even puts bass in the rear channels.
Click to expand...
Cool!
I cut my eye teeth on a Brothers in Arms! and I will check out everything else you mentioned. Thanks!
 
I suppose identical speakers all around might be the best ... but a lot depends on your listening room. I get away with a bookshelf in the center for near field listening. Tucks right into the rack and does a real nice job. It's slightly over head level, but toed down to compensate.

boombox.jpg


That's a music only five channel system. Main front and rears go into the 4 channel direct on my QRX-9001, and the center is driven by a mono Eico amp. Pair of big box McIntosh up front, so I don' need no subs, eh.

If you DO go with a bookshelf in the rack, you're probably doing yourself a favor going with an AV rated speaker like the Bose ... they tend to have better shielding to minimize any RF interference from all the electrical goodies surrounding it.

PS ... since taking that pic, I've pulled the speaker out about an inch for better dispersion ... that little bit makes a lot of difference in the sound field.

Oh. +1 on Brothers In Arms ... truly excellent mastering on that.
 
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