Center Channel suggestions for Bozak Symphony L/R

[EWizard]

I just bought a single B&W to use as a center channel for $140.
If I don't like it I am pretty sure I can resell.
Looks like I'll just have to try out some different speakers to see which ones work well.

 

[elcoholic]

Should be plenty of bass shy, mid heavy orphan speakers out there to pick from if the B&W doesn't fit the bill.

 

[scott1019]

What about Paradigm?

I have a Paradigm center that has blended well with just about every speaker I've had, I might consider sending it out to ya to demo. PM me if interested.

 

[sxty8goats]

I've picked up a couple high end, few years old Klispch centers over the past couple years for myself and a couple friends. They are very clear and detailed. I've paid no more than $100 for any of them. If you don't mind going back a generation or so, you can get a great deal.

I'm using a KV-3 I picked up for $50 http://www.klipsch.com/kv-3

I scored a RC-62 for a friend for $90 http://www.klipsch.com/rc-62

If you want detailed dialog, these both do a great job.

 

[sxty8goats]

Another note on centers..

A lot of folk buy them thinking they do nothing more than dialog. As much as 70% of the sound track is mixed to the center so you want a speaker that does a good job from 60Hz or so up. A lot of the cheep / mini system centers roll off around 100/120Hz. Fine for dialog but weak on the rest.

 

[EWizard]

Well the B&W is HUGE for a center channel and failed the wife test.
No idea what I will end up doing.
I hung the TV on the wall above the console to clean up the look, and now it's cluttered up again.
**Oh, and the Bozak's are Concerto Grosso, not Symphonies.

Might try the Phantom Center again.

 

[EWizard]

I just opened an account at Home Theater Shack.
We'll see if anybody over there has any suggestions.
Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[Gang-Twanger]

Well the B&W is HUGE for a center channel and failed the wife test.
No idea what I will end up doing.
I hung the TV on the wall above the console to clean up the look, and now it's cluttered up again.
**Oh, and the Bozak's are Concerto Grosso, not Symphonies.

Might try the Phantom Center again.

OK.... Concerto Grosso instead of Symphony. Still a big speaker though (I haven't heard the "Concerto Grosso" name in a while (I'm so-used to hearing "B-305" instead).

I'd love to have a pair of Symphonies, but they get awfully-pricey. Maybe if I'm able to save money for a solid six months or more (I think more). But I HAVE thought about the B-305's though. Bozaks have the nicest sound. Very-natural and engaging with fat, effortless bass. You can't help but enjoy it.

If the B&W failed the WAF test, then I assume any Bozaks will be too-big for the wife as well. There must be some common ground here somewhere. It's just that Bozaks are very-detailed in the midrange for such a smooth, laid-back speaker, and I think you would want something with a similar voicing for a center-channel.

How about one of the Bozak LS models? Would they be small enough? I mean, the LS-200a is small and got good reviews (I almost bought a pair of those back in the day, but then my family hit some bumps in the road, and it just never happened... Great-sounding little speaker though... They were a big hit at the local dealer in our area because of the size/sound... I think that model uses an aluminum-cone woofer... I remember being fascinated with that).