• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Center channel question

P

Paulpt

Active Member
Hi Forum:

I have never been a big fan or surround sound systems at home (unless you have a dedicated media room well setup with the acoustics to match, etc.) , however I do enjoy watching movies via my sound system on 2 channels.

I came to realize that without a center channel it seems dialogue and other sounds do not come out well on stereo (even when all settings set to 2ch), so I think it is time to add a center channel for clearer sound.

I know most brands recommend matching speakers but...is this just another way of selling you more speakers? ;)), I want to add one to pair with my B&W's 685's without breaking the bank and that may be a good choice if I decide to connect another set of speakers in the future . My questions are:

Recommendations of center channel speaker (I am looking at Cambridge Audio SX70, @ about $180). If anyone has any experience with these I appreciate it.

Confirm that mixing brands may not be as bad?

Thanks in advance.

Paul
 
Register to hide this ad
I don't like mixing speaker brands. Especially, for the center. I'd look for a B&W HTM61 or a HTM62, for a matching center. Some say the smaller HTM62 is the better sounding of the 2. Still, both should work better than another brand.
 
Last edited:
When watching something recorded in surround, typically, 70% of the information will come from the center Channel. In my home theater system my front three speakers are timbre matched and have the same sensitivity. My center channel is just as powerful in its presentation as either my left or right front speaker, I feel this is very important in reproducing a convincing representation of the recorded material.
 
The phantom center from 2-channel stereo has always been inherently flawed, but it's a compromise we've been stuck with.

If you're listening to multichannel source material (movies) and you're not downmixing to 2-channel, you're going to lose everything in the other channels. As @SleeperSupra mentioned, *at least* 70% of the sound content of movies is contained in the center channel. The center is the most important speaker, the last place you want to compromise.

Horizontal 2-way WTW speakers (like the SX70 and HTM61/62) suffer from excessive horizontal lobing in their radiation pattern. If you're listening alone, and you stay rigidly in the sweet spot, you'll be fine. But for any other position the sound will be hit or miss. 3-way designs (WMTW) are much better.

How are you going to derive the center channel signal from your 2-channel setup?
 
SleeperSupra said:
When watching something recorded in surround, typically, 70% of the information will come from the center Channel. In my home theater system my front three speakers are timbre matched and have the same sensitivity. My center channel is just as powerful in its presentation as either my left or right front speaker, I feel this is very important in reproducing a convincing representation of the recorded material.
Click to expand...

Most of the dialog comes from the center.
 
How are you going to derive the center channel signal from your 2-channel setup?[/QUOTE]

I have a Marantz SR5006. It is all setup just for 2 channels. I do the same when watching movies (mostly streaming now) making sure it is all set to Stereo or 2 Channels, still I always find myself playing with the volume up and down to compensate dialog with background sounds. Unless I am doing something really wrong I think center channel will be the way to go right?
 
Yes, a center channel is definitely the way to go.

Your Marantz will be an excellent processor for your center signal.

Running in 3 Channel mode will be a significant upgrade in sound quality.

Preferably you will want your center channel to be just as capable as your left and right mains, if not even a little bit better.

My L&R main speakers are a pair of ESS AMT 1 B floor standing speakers and my center channel is a pair of AMT 4 with their AMTs stacked in a line source configuration.

My center is slightly more capable than either of my main speakers by them selves.

This really helps solidify the center image and makes it sound more effortless and lifelike than going with a center that's less capable than your mains.
 
Last edited:
I've tried a lot of different center speakers over the years. Of what I've tried, here's my order of preference:

01) An identical speaker to the mains. Upright, not on it's side.
02) A horizontal 3-way center, with a vertically mounted mid/tweeter, that matches the mains.
03) A horizontal MTM center, but with an offset tweeter, mounted higher than the mids.
04) A phantom center.
05) A MTM horizontal center with all drivers mounted in-line to one another.

Option 5, to me, exhibits too much lobing and tonal shift, compared to the mains. Even a horizontal center, that has drivers identical to the mains, sounds too different to be truly effective. Designing the center with an offset tweeter helps. This will lessen the lobing and tonal imbalances.

Now, the only way to know if the B&W's and the Cambridge center will match, is to try it. Personally, I'd look for a B&W center on eBay, that's within budget. I think that would stand a better chance of sounding good, than the Cambridge. Or, buy local, try it, and return it if it's a dud. Rinse and repeat, until you find a winner.

Only trying to help. :hug: :)

P.S. I've personally tried all 5 of my examples, spending my own money on each variation. I still use and enjoy Option 01.
 
This thread should have died as soon as you mentioned watching movies, eh ... check out Video Karma for that. Long as you're here though, sounds like your Marantz is capable of down mixing to three channel without losing information that would normally go to the rear channels, so you should be good there.

Now, if you're taking music ... the tried and true phantom center is the easiest way to set that up if your amp supports that. Wouldn't say a matched speaker is all that necessary either, as long as it's full spectrum and can handle the wattage you'd need for the proper balance. I've got a Bose video speaker for the center in my sound system and was happy with the phantom channel feed for a long time. I've since graduated to a dedicated center feed from a Carver H9AV post processor into an Eico mono amp that drives the Bose.

PS ... 70% of program material to the center doesn't mean you have to drive it harder than the other speakers. The center on my dedicated 7.1 AVR (you know, the one for movies?) is down a couple notches and the rears are up a couple, and those don't match due to speaker placement. Short version, experiment and have some fun with it, however you decide to go.
 
sKiZo said:
This thread should have died as soon as you mentioned watching movies, eh ... check out Video Karma for that. Long as you're here though, sounds like your Marantz is capable of down mixing to three channel without losing information that would normally go to the rear channels, so you should be good there.
Click to expand...
-
Yes, I occasionally enjoy watching movies with sound coming out of my receiver,:blah:
. Perhaps you are right, I should go to Video Karma for that and not ask here if this is not the right forum :bowdown: . However music is my primary form of use for my gear.

Marantz capable of down mixing: That maybe the case, I may be missing something (even when choosing 2 ch on the setup of the cable box, DVD player, Netflx, or whatever source I use) as it seems the dialogue and other sounds are very suppressed versus other tracks of the movies.

The center on my dedicated 7.1 AVR (you know, the one for movies?

With all due respect SKizo , the level of arrogance you display in your answer is not appreciated it. I have received many answers (and I really appreciate it) from many helpful and patient members who are willing to help people like me, who are not experts and are trying to learn from the level of expertise most of the members have. If my question is out of place in some way or I do not have enough knowledge to participate here, I have no issues going somewhere else for answers.
Admin feel free to remove my post if it is not up to standards and remove me from the forum all together if you wish
P
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom