Which center channel to keep NHT or Monitor Audio?

[aleks49]

I recently picked up Monitor Audio MA303 towers and CC20 center channel.
My current setup for HT is:
Pair of Mirage M-590i – front (I also use pair of Mirage Omni 350 as a B speakers)
Pair of NHT Super One – rear surround
NHT Super Center – Center channel
NHT Sub One – Subwoofer

I was thinking to replace Mirages with Monitor Audio, or just add Monitor Audio speakers as B speakers to my Denon 3805 to replace Mirage Omni 350. The question is – should I keep NHT as a center channel or replace it with Monitor audio CC200?

 

[Face]

Keep the center timbre matched to the mains.

 

[aleks49]

Well, they are both different but both sounds good (NHT and MA) and they are do not match (I guess) my Mirages.

 

[thedelihaus]

Well, the Monitor Audio might be real nice and a closer match to the Mirages, for all I know, but if the system is primarily NHT, then that's the one I'd consider.

Have you tested both out on the same movies/music you are very familiar with? Which seemed to work best?

 

[aleks49]

They are both good with movies, since center channel mostly provided movies dialogs - its really hard to say which one is better. I’m not using that system for music, I have separate system for the music only.

Well, the Monitor Audio might be real nice and a closer match to the Mirages, for all I know, but if the system is primarily NHT, then that's the one I'd consider.

Have you tested both out on the same movies/music you are very familiar with? Which seemed to work best?

 

[jefe vt]

This is just my opinion, but I notice the most impressive systems being of all the same make of speakers. I was subbing a pair of NHT m-100s into my HT setup which is all paradigm, just to give them a shot at the main slot, But I found that even though they were far superior to my paradigm monitor 7s in imaging and soundstage, they did not blend with the center and the rears, they almost stuck out and stole the show, and thus were not as immersive as a whole surround package. Just my opinion, but I bet there are a few here who would agree with me (and probably a few who would disagree too, as it should be)

 

[thedelihaus]

This is just my opinion, but I notice the most impressive systems being of all the same make of speakers. I was subbing a pair of NHT m-100s into my HT setup which is all paradigm, just to give them a shot at the main slot, But I found that even though they were far superior to my paradigm monitor 7s in imaging and soundstage, they did not blend with the center and the rears, they almost stuck out and stole the show, and thus were not as immersive as a whole surround package. Just my opinion, but I bet there are a few here who would agree with me (and probably a few who would disagree too, as it should be)

I'd have to say I agree.

One HT setup I'm using all similiar BA speakers, the other, matching Paradigms.

Seems to keep the sound very cohesive this way.

 

[Face]

Since you don't have a matching center, try running a phantom center. On your pre/pro or receiver, set the center to none or phantom, so the mains receive the info instead. If you mains image well and you have a large sweet spot, it can work better than having a actual center.